Teens and Drugs: The Real Deal Resource Page

The use of illegal drugs is increasing, especially among young teens. The average age of first marijuana use is 14, and alcohol use can start before age 12. The use of marijuana and alcohol in high school has become common. -- National Institute of Drug Abuse

Welcome to the Real Deal Resource Page for questions relating to student drug use. The following information, while not comprehensive, is designed to be a starting point for students and parents with questions concerning drugs, signs of use and treatment options. This material is a companion to the March 29, 2006 Marty Griffin Real Deal Drug Summit. The special three-hour show brought together student leaders from 25 area high schools, local law professionals, treatment specialists, educators plus students and parents whose lives have been touched by drug abuse. The show was a joint project of News Talk 1020 KDKA and The Alliance.

For more information contact Deb Kehoe of The Alliance Against Highly Addictive Drugs at 724-612-5554 or got to their website at www.drug-alliance.org. If you'd like to support the work of The Alliance, you can make a contribution to the United Way (ID# 1513646).

News Talk 1020 KDKA thanks the following concerned businesses for their help in this important project: Gleason Insurance Agency, Wright Automotive Group, Baierl Automotive Group, Power of Bowser, Billco Motors, Palmiero Nissan, West Hills Nissan, Shults Ford, Honda North, Chick Fil-A, Monte Cello’s, Orchard Hill Church, and Duquesne University.

The following people gave their time and expertise to help alert the KDKA audience of this growing problem:

Alicia Fairman, Director of Outpatient Services for Pyramid Healthcare
Margie Modro, Clinical Educator in Prevention Education
Dr Neil Capretto, Medical Director of Gateway Rehabilitation Center
Police Officer Michael Spagnoletti, Community Relations and D.A.R.E. Officer
Tom Swan, Allegheny County Deputy District Attorney
Dr Steven Koehler, Director of Forensic Epidemiological Department of Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office
Joan Ward, Principal of Northway Elementary School
Carrie Lippert, Senior North Hills High School
Dave Louis, Community Outreach Teen Challenge
Dr Al Wille, Pine Richland administrator
Deb Kehoe, Executive Director of Alliance
Michael Young, KDKA SVP and General Manager
Marty Griffin, KDKA Host
Timira Rush, KDKA Producer
Steve Hansen, KDKA Program Director

What is a 'drug'?
A drug is any chemical that produces a therapeutic or non-therapeutic effect in the body. Chemicals, on the other hand, are a broad class of substances--including drugs-that may or may not produce noticeable effects in the body. Many chemicals (such as tin, lead, gold) have harmful effects on the body, especially in high doses. Most foods are not drugs. Alcohol is a drug -- not a food, in spite of the calories it provides. Nicotine is a chemical that is also a drug. The group of illegal drugs includes dangerous chemicals that have only toxic actions, such as inhalants.

Teenagers and Drugs
Teenagers may be involved with legal or illegal drugs in various ways. Experimentation with drugs during adolescence is common. Unfortunately, teenagers often don’t see the link between their actions today and the consequences tomorrow. They also have a tendency to feel indestructible and immune to the problems that others experience. Using alcohol and tobacco at a young age increases the risk of using other drugs later. Some teens will experiment and stop, or continue to use occasionally, without significant problems. Others will develop a dependency, moving on to more dangerous drugs and causing significant harm to themselves and possibly others.

Who is At Risk?
Teenagers at risk for developing serious alcohol and drug problems include those:
with a family history of substance abuse
who are depressed
who have low self-esteem
who feel like they don’t fit in or are out of the mainstream

Teenagers abuse a variety of drugs, legal and illegal.
Alcohol
Tobacco: Teens who smoke are three times more likely than nonsmokers to use alcohol, eight times more likely to use marijuana, and 22 times more likely to use cocaine. Smoking is associated with a host of other risky behaviors, such as fighting and engaging in unprotected sex.
Prescribed medications (such as Ritalin, Adderall and OxyContin)
Inhalants: Known by such street names as huffing, sniffing and wanging, the dangerous habit of getting high by inhaling the fumes of common household products is estimated to claim the lives of more than a thousand children each year. Many other young people, including some first-time users, are left with serious respiratory problems and permanent brain damage.
Over-the-counter cough, cold, sleep, and diet medications (such as Coricidin) Marijuana: About one half of the people in the United States have used marijuana, many are currently using it and some will require treatment for marijuana abuse and dependence.
Stimulants: The possible long-term effects include tolerance and dependence, violence and aggression, malnutrition due to suppression of appetite. Crack, a powerfully addictive stimulant, is the term used for a smokeable form of cocaine. In 1997, an estimated 1.5 million Americans, age 12 and older, were chronic cocaine users.
Club drugs: This term refers to drugs being used by teens and young adults at all-night dance parties such as "raves" or "trances," dance clubs, and bars. MDMA (Ecstasy), GHB, Rohypnol (Rophies), ketamine, methamphetamine, and LSD are some of the club or party drugs gaining popularity. Because some club drugs are colorless, tasteless, and odorless, individuals who want to intoxicate or sedate others can add them unobtrusively to beverages. In recent years, there has been an increase in reports of club drugs used to commit sexual assaults.
Depressants: These are drugs used medicinally to relieve anxiety, irritability, and tension. There is a high potential for abuse and, combined with alcohol, effects are heightened and risks are multiplied.
Heroin: Several sources indicate an increase in new, young users across the country that are being lured by inexpensive, high-purity heroin that can be sniffed or smoked instead of injected. Heroin has also been appearing in more affluent communities.
Steroids: Anabolic steroids are a group of powerful compounds closely related to the male sex hormone testosterone.

From 1998 to 1999, there was a significant increase in anabolic steroid abuse among middle-schoolers.

Substance Abuse Treatment
Parents can help through early education about drugs, open communication, good role modeling, and early recognition if problems are developing. If there is any suspicion that there is a problem, parents must find the most appropriate intervention for their child.

The decision to get treatment for a child or adolescent is serious. Parents are encouraged to seek consultation from a mental health professional when making decisions about substance abuse treatment for children or adolescents. Here are some important things to consider:

No single treatment is appropriate for all teens. It is important to match treatment settings, interventions, and services to each individual's particular problems and needs.

Effective treatment must attend to the multiple needs of the individual -- not just the drug use. Any associated medical, psychological, social and cognitive problem must be addressed.

Remaining in treatment for an adequate period of time is critical for treatment effectiveness and positive change. Each person is different and the amount of time in treatment will depend on his or her problems and needs. Research shows that for most individuals, the beginning of improvement begins at about 3 months into treatment. After this time, there is usually further progress toward recovery. Length of stay in a residential program can range from 8 to 18 months, depending upon the individual's willingness and commitment.

Counseling (individual and/or group) and other behavioral therapies are critical components of effective treatment. In therapy, teens look at issues of motivation, build skills to resist drug use, replace drug-using activities with constructive and rewarding behaviors, and improve problem-solving skills. Behavioral therapy also facilitates interpersonal relationships and the teen's ability to function in the home and community.

Addicted or drug-abusing individuals with coexisting mental disorders should have both disorders treated in an integrated way. Because addictive disorders and mental disorders often occur in the same individual, individuals should be assessed and treated for the co-occurrence of the other type of disorder.

Medical detoxification is only the first stage of addiction treatment and by itself does little to change long-term drug use. Medical detoxification safely manages the acute physical symptoms of withdrawal associated with stopping drug use. While detoxification alone is rarely sufficient to help addicts achieve long-term abstinence, for some individuals it is a strongly indicated precursor to effective drug addiction treatment.

Treatment does not need to be voluntary to be effective. Strong motivation can facilitate the treatment process. Sanctions or enticements in the family, school setting, or juvenile justice system can increase significantly both treatment entry and retention rates and the success of drug treatment interventions.

Recovery from addiction can be a long-term process and frequently requires multiple episodes of treatment. As with other chronic illnesses, relapses to drug use can occur during or after successful treatment episodes. Addicted individuals may require prolonged treatment and multiple episodes of treatment to achieve long-term abstinence and fully restored functioning. Participation in self-help support programs during and following treatment often is helpful in maintaining abstinence. Parents should ask what aftercare treatment services are available for continued or future treatment.

Information provided by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) and the National Institute of Drug Abuse.

For more information on teen drug abuse, go to: http://www.ireta.org/today/index.html

Treatment Centers:

Gateway/Greentree
Substance abuse treatment - outpatient programs and partial hospitalization/day treatment for adolescents, women and men including criminal justice clients.
http://www.gatewayrehab.org
Robinson Township Greenbriar Treatment Center
Substance abuse treatment - outpatient programs and partial hospitalization/day treatment. http://www.greenbriar.net
South Hills Greenbriar Treatment Center
Substance abuse treatment - outpatient programs and partial hospitalization/day treatment. http://www.greenbriar.net
Narcotics Anonymous 412-391-5247
Contact Pittsburgh 412-820-HELP www.contactpgh.org\
St Francis 412-622-4631
Al-Anon and Alateen
Support for the families and friends of alcoholics. 888-425-2666
Bridge To Hope Parent/Family Support Group. Meets Wednesday 7-9pm at UMPC Passavant. Contact Jean Wagner, Passavant Hospital Foundation 412 367-6643.
Counseling Services Homewood/Brushton YMCA
Substance abuse treatment - outpatient programs for adolescents, persons with HIV/AIDS, pregnant/postpartum women
House of the Crossroads
Substance abuse treatment - outpatient programs
Counseling Services Jefferson Regional Medical Center
Substance abuse treatment - outpatient programs for seniors/older adults. http://www.jeffersonregional.org
Inpatient Detox Jefferson Regional Medical Center
Substance abuse treatment and detoxification - hospital inpatient for persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, women and men. http://www.jeffersonregional.org
Mercy Behavioral Health
Substance abuse treatment - outpatient programs for persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, women. http://www.mercybehavioral.org
Operation Nehemiah
Substance abuse treatment - outpatient programs and partial hospitalization/day treatment for persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, women and men.
Women in Early Recovery (POWER) Pennsylvania Organization for
Substance abuse treatment and halfway house - residential long-term treatment for women.
http://www.power-recovery.com
Progressive Medical Specialists Inc
Substance abuse treatment and methadone maintenance - outpatient programs for persons with HIV/AIDS, pregnant/postpartum women, women and men
Harbor Light Center Salvation Army
Substance abuse treatment and halfway house - residential long-term treatment and outpatient programs for men. http://www.salvationarmy.usawest.org
Public Inebriate Program Salvation Army
Substance abuse treatment and detoxification - residential short-term treatment and outpatient programs for persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, persons with HIV/AIDS, Gay and lesbian, seniors/older adults, pregnant/postpartum women, women and men including criminal justice clients.
http://www.salvationarmy.usawest.org
Sojourner House
Substance abuse treatment - residential long-term treatment for persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, persons with HIV/AIDS, pregnant/postpartum women, women, with residential beds for clients' children.
http://www.sojournerhousepa.org
SpeCenterum Family Network
Substance abuse treatment - outpatient programs and partial hospitalization/day treatment for adolescents, pregnant/postpartum women, women and men.
Tadiso Inc
Substance abuse treatment and methadone maintenance - outpatient programs and partial hospitalization/day treatment. http://www.tadiso.org
Alternatives Turtle Creek Valley MH/MR Inc
Substance abuse treatment - outpatient programs and partial hospitalization/day treatment for pregnant/postpartum women, women including DUI/DWI offenders. http://www.tcv.net
Center for Treatment of Addictive Disorders VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System
Substance abuse treatment, detoxification and methadone maintenance - residential short-term treatment, outpatient programs and partial hospitalization/day treatment for persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders including DUI/DWI offenders and criminal justice clients. http://www.va.gov
WPIC NATP
Substance abuse treatment and methadone maintenance - outpatient programs and partial hospitalization/day treatment for persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, persons with HIV/AIDS, Gay and lesbian, seniors/older adults, women and men including criminal justice clients.
WPIC Perinatal Addiction Center
Substance abuse treatment - outpatient programs for adolescents, persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, persons with HIV/AIDS, Gay and lesbian, pregnant/postpartum women, women including criminal justice clients.

Warning Signs of Teenage Drug Abuse
Please note that even though some of these warning signs of drug abuse may be present in your teen, it does not mean that they are definitely abusing drugs. There are other causes for some of these behaviors. Even the life stage of adolescence is a valid reason for many of them to exist.

In spite of that, if you think there might be a problem, trust your instinct and seek professional advice. Do not ignore the warning signs of teenage drug abuse. If six of these signs, (not all in the same category) are present for a period of time, the Center for Disease Control advises you talk to your teen or seek some professional help.

Signs in the Home

loss of interest in family activities
disrespect for family rules
withdrawal from responsibilities
verbally or physically abusive
sudden increase or decrease in appetite
disappearance of valuable items or money
not coming home on time
not telling you where they are going
constant excuses for behavior
spending a lot of time in their rooms
lies about activities
finding the following: cigarette rolling papers, pipes, roach clips, small glass vials, plastic baggies, remnants of drugs (seeds, etc.)

Signs at School

sudden drop in grades
truancy
loss of interest in learning
sleeping in class
poor work performance
defiant of authority
poor attitude towards sports or other extracurricular activities
reduced memory and attention span
not informing you of teacher meetings, open houses, etc.

Physical and Emotional Signs

changes friends
smell of alcohol or marijuana on breath or body
unexplainable mood swings and behavior
negative, argumentative, paranoid or confused, destructive, anxious
over-reacts to criticism acts rebellious\
sharing few if any of their personal problems
overly tired or hyperactive
drastic weight loss or gain
unhappy and depressed
cheats, steals
always needs money, or has excessive amounts of money
sloppiness in appearance

Enabling Chemical Dependency
Enabling describes any action taken by a concerned person that removes or softens the effect of a harmful consequence of chemical use upon the user. Enabling prolongs the illness of chemical dependency by hiding the symptoms (i.e. harmful consequences), from the afflicted person.

Bailing them out of jail
Giving them “one more chance” then another, while ignoring the chemical because they get defensive when you talk about it
Using drugs along with them
Joining them in blaming others for their bad feelings
Lending them money
Lying or making excuses for them

As a person becomes chemically dependent, he or she develops an uncanny ability to deny the problem. This ability is rooted in a sincere delusion that there is no problem. A victim of this illness can say (and believe) ”I can quit anytime,” when it is obvious to you that he or she cannot. This denial system is the most baffling part of chemical dependency. The enabling actions of others strengthen the denial system of the user. It is part of the disease process.

We begin to enable spontaneously and naturally when a person we care about develops chemical dependency. When we enable, we assume that the caring and good intentions behind our actions will get to the user and persuade him or her to stop using chemicals. That is what should happen. Unfortunately, we don’t realize that, unlike other people, the chemically dependent person has a system of denial and delusion that is strengthened not diminished, by well-meaning attempts to remove or soften the inevitable damage caused by his or her continued drug use. We continue to enable because we fear the loss of the user’s love if we should question the pattern of chemical use.

Enabling is habit forming. The chemically dependent person helps you maintain the habit, because he or she needs you to support the denial system. The dependent person becomes very skilled at using your guilt, fear, and love to maintain your habit of enabling.

Enabling must be stopped. It sounds crazy, but every time you take away a harmful consequence from a chemically dependent person, you are depriving him ore her of an opportunity to see the problem. You are helping to keep them sick. It is not easy to stop enabling. How do you quit?

Get outside help for yourself on a regular basis. Many concerned people have been helped by Alateen, Al-Anon, POTADA, treatment centers and other resources.
Educate yourself by seeking out knowledgeable people and reading all you can about the illness and how it affects YOU.

Give yourself time to break the enabling habit. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you cannot find the courage to stop enabling at once. Remember: a dependent person has a better chance o0f getting well if you have stopped your enabling.

For more information on teen drug abuse, go to: http://www.ireta.org/today/index.html