Teen bodies develop quickly, and adolescents can physically look like adults. However, the teen brain is not yet fully developed. The ability to control impulses and the perspective to make well-informed decisions, as well as other executive functions, are controlled by the prefrontal cortex, which is the last part of the brain to mature. This …
Half of all new drug users are under the age of 18. With so many teens experimenting with drugs, it is critical that recognition and prevention of teen drug use happen before teens can form an addiction to drugs or alcohol. Thus, it’s important to have an open dialogue with your teenager and educate yourself …
When a teen is experiencing substance abuse, it affects the entire family, but siblings are often greatly impacted and their needs overlooked. This doubles the impact of the substance abuse upon siblings: They experience the negative impacts of their sibling’s substance abuse, as well as a loss of parental attention because the parents are focused …
When we hear the word, “addiction,” what comes to mind? Whether they are legal or illegal, alcohol and various drugs are what most people typically associate with the word, “addiction”. However, many other habits or activities can become all-consuming and destructive in adolescents’ lives. While some teens develop an unhealthy compulsion toward certain behaviors, others …
Amazon Prime offers an extensive catalog of educational recovery movies to Amazon Prime members for free. If you are a parent of a teenager, watching documentaries and movies that deal with addiction on Amazon Prime can open up a dialogue between yourself and your teen regarding the dangers of drugs and alcohol. With a variety …
Both mental health and substance abuse are highly misunderstood conditions, and there are still harmful stigmas and stereotypes associated with them in today’s society. One point that many people don’t understand is that substance abuse is actually a symptom of a mental health condition. In fact, childhood trauma and attachment issues are at the root …
Often surprised and somewhat confused, parents nationwide may ask, “What’s an edible?” Edibles are food products, including candy and baked goods, that are infused with marijuana. Although smoking or vaping marijuana is still the most common method of consumption, eating cannabis-infused edibles is becoming increasingly popular among teenagers. Moreover, with the national movement towards the …
Adolescent alcohol use and teen binge drinking are serious issues in American society. This risk of teenage binge drinking becomes even more prevalent when young people leave their homes and attend college on campus. This is a period in a young person’s life when they may experiment with alcohol and oftentimes, over-consume it. As a …
Most parents are aware of the common drugs that teens may be exposed to and use to get high including nicotine, marijuana, cocaine, and opioids. However, these are not the only substances teens can use to get high. In fact, when desperate to fulfill a need to get high, teens may resort to using common …
If you are a parent and you are suspecting teen drug use in your home, we understand and empathize with this challenge. Indeed, it is difficult finding out that you are a parent of an addict, and the stigma which can be attached to that. Knowing what to do and how to help your teen …
To understand co-occurring disorder treatment, a parent first needs to know what a co-occurring disorder is. Also known as dual diagnosis, a co-occurring disorder is a condition of suffering from both a mental health condition and a comorbid substance abuse problem. Although it sounds technical, comorbidity is simply a term for the simultaneous presence of …
After treatment, it is extremely important to use recovery tools to maintain long-term sobriety. What happens after rehab for most teens is an overwhelming sense of loneliness and isolation. Without the umbrella of a treatment center, they may feel like they are caught in a storm. However, when they use basic recovery tools, the storm …