Tag Archives: Teen Substance Abuse

New State Marijuana Laws Put Parents in Tough Position

Since early November when voters in the states of Washington and Colorado decided to decriminalize recreational use of marijuana parents across the nation have been placed in the difficult position of arguing against legal policy when talking to their children about drug use. The fact that the Federal government has spoken out about its decision […]

The Problem of Underage Drinking in the US

A 2011 survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that fewer teens today are drinking alcohol than in previous years. Things are looking up, but teens are still in jeopardy of harming their health, their future life, and endangering the lives of others because of alcohol use. According to the Substance […]

A New Breed of Peer Pressure Strikes Teens

If you haven’t heard about “digital peer pressure,” you may be missing something that could have a serious impact on your teen. In its 17th annual back-to-school survey, The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University found that social media is playing a role in teens’ decision to use drugs and […]

Teens Finding New Ways to Get Drunk

First it was Gummi Bears submerged in alcohol, then it was vodka-soaked tampons. Now teens are making news for consuming distilled hand sanitizer to get drunk. Not only are teens getting drunk (the distilled product could be as high as 120 proof compared to a shot of vodka which is 80 proof), they are being […]

Emerging Trend: Teens Get Drunk on Liquid Hand Sanitizer

Teens have long tried to find a way to get around legal restrictions on alcohol. However, news reports from California have many worried that teens are exhibiting a concerning determination to get drunk. Within the past year eight California teens wound up hospitalized for alcohol poisoning after drinking liquid hand sanitizer. Yes, as incredible as […]

Teen Drug Use Rises as Alcohol Use Decreases

A recent survey of 47,000 teenagers in eighth, tenth and twelfth grades by researchers at the University of Michigan, highlights the changing trends in adolescent substance abuse, according to the Huffington Post. The results showed that one in every 15 seniors smokes pot on a regular basis and usually daily, which is the highest it […]

Prescription Drug Misuse Is Common Gateway for Injection Drug Use among Adolescents

Initial abuse of prescription drugs such as Vicodin, oxycodone, and other opiates during adolescence has been found to be a common denominator among young injection drug users, according to a new study. Since prescription opioids are now the nation’s leading class of abused prescription drugs among adolescents and young adults, scientists have been concerned over […]

Motivational Interviews in Emergency Rooms can Prevent Alcohol Problems, Violence in Teens

A new study has found that a one-on-one talk with a therapist can help reduce violence and drinking problems among teenagers. For three years, researchers from the University of Michigan Health System offered to talk to adolescents at the Hurley Medical Center Emergency Department in Flint, Michigan, who reported aggressive behavior or having consumed alcohol […]

Teens Who Drink with their Parents Drink More Outside of Home

Parents who try to teach responsible drinking by letting their teenagers have alcohol at home may be well intentioned, but they may also be wrong, according to a new study in the latest issue of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. n a study of 428 Dutch families, researchers found that the more teenagers […]

Use Science to Talk to Your Teens about Drinking

If you’re a parent, you should assume that your child will be tempted to drink on prom night and other celebrations that mark the end of the school year. In a 2005 survey of high school students, about 43 percent had consumed alcohol in the past 30 days, and 75 percent had tried alcohol at […]