The Family Compass - Teen Drug Abuse Treatment Resources

Your teen may be hooked emotionally and psychologically. He may have a physical dependence, too. If your teen has a drug addiction -- whether to a legal or illegal drug -- he may have intense cravings for it. He will want to use the drug again and again. When they stop taking it, he may have unpleasant physical reactions.

While not everyone who abuses drugs becomes addicted, many teens do. Drug addiction involves compulsively seeking to use a substance, regardless of the potentially negative social, psychological and physical consequences. Certain drugs, such as narcotics and cocaine, are more likely to cause physical dependence than are other drugs. Breaking a drug addiction is difficult, but not impossible. Support from parents, family, friends and others who have a drug addiction, as well as inpatient or outpatient drug addiction treatment, may help your teen beat his or her drug dependence.

Signs and symptoms

The range of drugs to which one can abuse and become addicted is wide. The drugs include:-

Cannabis compounds. These compounds are found in marijuana and hashish.
Central nervous system depressants. Barbiturates and benzodiazepines are examples of central nervous system depressants. Phenobarbital, amobarbital (Amytal) and secobarbital (Seconal) are examples of barbiturates. Benzodiazepines include tranquilizers such as diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), oxazepam (Serax), lorazepam (Ativan), clonazepam (Klonopin) and chlordiazepoxide (Librium).
Central nervous system stimulants. This class of drugs includes amphetamines, methamphetamine, cocaine and methylphenidate (Ritalin).
Designer drugs. Synthetic compounds, such as Ecstasy, which has both amphetamine-like and hallucinogenic effects, are included in this category.
Hallucinogens. LSD, phencyclidine (PCP) and ketamine (special K) are examples of hallucinogens.
Inhalants. Glue, paint, solvents and nitrous oxide can all be used as inhalant drugs.
Opioids. Opioids are narcotic, painkilling drugs produced naturally from opium or made synthetically. This class of drugs includes heroin, morphine, codeine, methadone and oxycodone (Oxycontin).

General signs and symptoms

Addiction to any or abuse of any drug may include these general characteristics:

Feeling that you need the drug regularly and, in some cases, many times a day
Making certain that you maintain a supply of the drug
Failing repeatedly in your attempts to stop using the drug
Doing things to obtain the drug that you normally wouldn't do, such as stealing
Feeling that you need the drug to deal with your problems
Driving or doing other activities that place you and others at risk of physical harm when you're under the influence of the drug The particular signs and symptoms of drug use and dependence vary depending on the type of drug.

Cannabis compounds: Signs and symptoms

A sense of relaxation and happiness
A heightened sense of visual, auditory and taste perception
Poor memory
Increased blood pressure and heart rate
Red eyes
Decreased coordination
Difficulty concentrating
Increased appetite
Slowed reaction time
Paranoid thinking

Central nervous system depressants: Signs and symptoms

Drowsiness
Slurred speech
Lack of coordination
Memory impairment
Confusion
Slowed breathing and decreased blood pressure
Dizziness
Depression

Central nervous system stimulants: Signs and symptoms

Euphoria
Decreased appetite
Rapid speech
Irritability
Restlessness
Depression as the drug wears off
Nasal congestion and damage to the mucous membrane of the nose in users who snort drugs
Insomnia
Weight loss
Increased heart rate, blood pressure and temperature
Paranoia

Designer drugs: Signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms of using designer drugs vary depending on the drug. You might be able to tell that a family member or a teen is using or abusing a drug based on the physical and behavioral signs and symptoms associated with the drug. Ecstasy produces a mild hallucinogenic effect and a feeling of euphoria. It also causes an increased heart rate, overheating, high blood pressure, kidney and liver toxicity, and memory problems.

Hallucinogens: Signs and symptoms

Use of hallucinogens produces different signs and symptoms depending on the drug. The most common hallucinogens are LSD, PCP and ketamine, a so-called "club drug."

Signs and symptoms of LSD use include:

Hallucinations
Greatly impaired perception of reality, for example, interpreting input from one of your senses as another, such as hearing colors
Permanent mental changes in perception ? Rapid heart rate ? High blood pressure
Tremors
Flashbacks, a re-experience of the hallucinations -- even years later

Signs and symptoms of PCP use include:

Hallucinations
Euphoria
Delusions
Panic
Loss of appetite
Depression
Aggressive, possibly violent behavior

Signs and symptoms of ketamine use include:

Increased heart rate
Nausea and vomiting
Numbness
Impaired motor function
Loss of memory

Inhalants: Signs and symptoms

The signs and symptoms of inhalant use vary depending on what substance is inhaled. Some commonly inhaled substances include glue, paint thinners, correction fluid, felt tip marker fluid, gasoline, cleaning fluids and household aerosol products. When inhaled, these products can cause brief intoxication and a decreased feeling of inhibition. Long-term use may cause seizures and damage to the brain, liver and kidneys. Inhalant use can also cause death.

Opioids: Signs and symptoms

Reduced sense of pain
Sedation
Depression
Confusion
Constipation
Slowed breathing
Needle marks (if injecting drugs)

Recognizing drug abuse in teenagers. Possible indications that your teenager is using drugs include:

School performance. Your teen suddenly shows an active dislike of school and looks for excuses to stay home. Contact your school officials to see if your teens attendance record matches what you know about his or her absent days. A student who experiences a drop in performance, possibly failing courses or receiving only minimally passing grades, may be using drugs.
Physical health. Listlessness and apathy may indicate your child is using certain drugs.
Appearance. How they look is extremely important to adolescents. A sudden lack of interest in clothing, grooming or looks may be a warning sign of drug use.
Personal behavior. Teenagers enjoy privacy, but exaggerated efforts to bar family members from entering their rooms or knowing where they go with their friends might indicate drug use. Also, drastic changes in behavior and in relationships with family and friends may signal drug use.
Money. Sudden requests for money without a reasonable explanation for its use may be a sign of drug use. You may also discover money stolen from previously safe places at home. Items may disappear from your home because they're being sold to support a drug habit.

Causes

Drug use or abuse crosses the line into drug addiction when you feel you have to have the drug, and you increase the amount of the drug you take. Various factors, such as your personality, your genetic makeup and peer pressure, affect your likelihood of becoming addicted to a drug. In addition, some drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, more quickly produce a physical addiction than other drugs do for many people.

Neurons use chemicals called neurotransmitters to communicate. Neurons release neurotransmitters into the gaps (synapses) between nerve cells; neurotransmitters are received by receptors on other neurons and on their own cell bodies. The changes that occur in this communication process vary with the type of drug to which you're addicted, though researchers have discovered that addictive drugs, such as cocaine and morphine, affect some areas of the brain in the same manner. If further research confirms findings such as this, it would be possible to develop more effective medications to combat addiction to more than one drug.

Here are some of the ways specific drugs may contribute to addiction:

Cannabis compounds. The main active agent in cannabis compounds, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), affects the neurotransmitter communication process. Some people perceive the effects of THC as enjoyable, and this sensation reinforces use of the drug. For others, THC causes uncomfortable feelings or anxiety, which doesn't reinforce use of the drug.
Central nervous system depressants. Benzodiazepines and barbiturates produce long-term cellular changes partly by enhancing the actions of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Released into the synapses, GABA binds to receptors and ultimately lowers cell excitability, which slows down brain activity.
Central nervous system stimulants. These drugs raise the levels of dopamine and serotonin in the synapses. Brain cells release dopamine as part of the reward system through which you learn to seek stimuli, such as food and sex. Serotonin is a chemical in the brain that regulates mood. Stimulants block the reabsorption of dopamine after its release and can physically alter the sensitivities of some dopamine and serotonin receptors.
Opioids. These drugs affect the nerve cells of the reward pathways in your brain in ways similar to that of stimulants, producing positive reinforcement for the use of these drugs. There are opioid receptors in the brain, spinal cord and gastrointestinal tract. Risk factors These factors increase the likelihood of your having an addiction to a legal or an illegal drug:
Personality. If you have another psychological problem, such as depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, you're more likely to become dependent on drugs. Children who exhibit aggression, a lack of self-control and a difficult temperament may be at greater risk of drug addiction.
Social environment. Particularly for teens, peer pressure is a strong factor in starting to use and abuse drugs. A lack of attachment with your parents may increase the risk of addiction, as can a lack of parental supervision. ? Anxiety, depression and loneliness. Using drugs can become a way of coping with these painful psychological feelings.
Genetics. Drug addiction is more common in some families and likely involves the effects of many genes. If you have family members with alcohol or drug problems, you're at greater risk of developing a drug addiction.
Type of drug. Some drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, more quickly result in physical addiction than do others.

When to seek medical advice - Addiction is a chronic relapsing disorder, meaning teens tend to fall back into old addictive behaviors, including drug use, even after treatment. The sooner you seek help for your teen, the greater your chances are for a long-term recovery. If you're initially reluctant to approach a doctor, help lines or hot lines may be a good place to start to learn about treatment. You can find these lines listed in the phone book or on the Internet. Because denial is often a characteristic of addiction, many people who are addicted to or who abuse drugs won't seek medical treatment on their own. Family members, friends or co-workers may need to persuade the user to undergo screening for drug addiction. Breaking a drug addiction may involve counseling, an outpatient treatment program or residential treatment.

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For More Information:

Contact your local Mental Health Association, community mental health center, or:

National Mental Health Association 2001 N. Beauregard Street, 12th Floor Alexandria, VA 22311 Phone 703/684-7722 Fax 703/684-5968

Mental Health Resource Center 800/969-NMHA TTY Line 800/433-5959

National Clearinghouse on Teen Alcohol, Drug, and Substance Abuse Treatment Information Phone: 800-729-6686 http://dasis3.samhsa.gov/

Dual Recovery Anonymous World Services Central Office P.O. Box 8107 Prairie Village, KS 66208 Phone: 877-883-2332 Teen Alcohol, Drug, and Substance Abuse Treatment http://draonline.org

Alcoholics Anonymous 475 Riverside Drive 11th Floor New York, NY 10115 Phone: 212-870-3400 Teen Alcohol, Drug, and Substance Abuse http://www.aa.org

Narcotics Anonymous World Service Office in Los Angeles P.O. Box 9999 Van Nuys, CA 91409 Phone: 818-773-9999 Teen Alcohol, Drug, and Substance Abuse Treatment http://www.na.org

Alanon and Alateen Family Group Headquarters Inc. 1600 Corporate Landing Parkway Virginia Beach, VA 23454-5617 Phone: 888-425-2666 Teen Alcohol, Drug, and Substance Abuse Treatment http://www.al-anon.alateen.org

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