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 …
Approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S.—43.7 million, or 18.6%—experiences mental illness in a given year. It is important to be educated around these prevalent illnesses. Check out these five documentaries on Netflix that discuss mental health issues from a variety of perspectives.
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 …
There is a definitive reason why prescription drug abuse in teens is on the rise in the United States and across the world. Prescription drugs are easier to access, more affordable, and foolishly considered to be safer in the eyes of a teenager. Further, the current quarantine restrictions set on citizens across the United States …
A hard truth for parents to digest is that buying illegal drugs online is remarkably easy for teenagers today. In the past before the prevalence of technology, if a teenager was home in their room, a parent could believe they were safe and avoiding trouble. However, now with teenagers having access to smartphones and the …
When it comes to the family dynamics of addiction, raising the siblings of addicts is difficult for any parent. Parents tend to focus too much energy and effort on the addicted child, which can leave the other children feeling neglected. If left unnoticed, this can lead to resentment and anger, as well as unresolved wounds …
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 …
Teen meth abuse is a serious problem nationwide, but there has not been adequate attention given to the issue. Despite this, teen meth abuse is a real crisis facing teens and their families given the severe dangers of meth. This issue has only been exacerbated with the presence of meth in popular teen series and …
Opioid Overdose Statistics and Traffic Accidents Opioid overdose treatment options are required. Drug overdoses have overtaken traffic accidents as the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. The vast majority of these overdose deaths are connected to prescription opioid abuse and heroin abuse. Many of these opioid overdose statistics include teenagers trying these …
Did a deadly drug cocktail end up robbing the world of Princess Leia? As Princess Leia in the Star Wars film series, the most popular science fiction storyline of the modern age, Carrie Fisher was a true star. Despite being only twenty-years-old when the first movie was shot and costumed in a flowing white gown …
Prescription drug abuse killed Heath Ledger, and his accidental drug overdose and addiction to prescription drugs needs to be a national wake-up call for teenagers and their parents. As prescription drug overdose becomes more common, the death of a major celebrity like Heath Ledger can be used as a lighthouse leading to recovery. Ultimately, the …