Why is heroin so addictive?
Heroin use impacts the brain more severely than other substances and can create brain changes that lead to addiction. After an injection of heroin, the user reports feeling a surge of euphoria or “rush.” With regular heroin use, tolerance develops. This means the person must use more heroin to achieve the same intensity or effect. Learn more.
During the past year, many concerns have been expressed with the use of marijuana and the vulnerability of the teen brain. One of the concerns that substance abuse prevention professionals have about marijuana is that among students the perception of harm is declining in regards to this drug. “Perception of harm” is the benchmark for drug use and a decline predicts the probability of future drug use.
Professionals feel that the approval of marijuana for medical conditions in New York State and the legalization of marijuana in some states have been contributing factors to the decline of the perception of harm by teens.
However, the ongoing research into this drug shows a very different picture regarding marijuana’s harmful effects. As was previously reported, there is an association between marijuana and psychosis and depression. Researchers are learning more about the negative impact of marijuana on the cognitive skills of memory and attention. Marijuana also decreases motivation and there are short and longer term effects of marijuana on the ability to learn.
One can go to the website www.powertotheparent.org to read more about the negative impact that marijuana can have on the teen brain.
Source: Patricia Murphy Warble, LMSW, CPP, Parenting for Prevention June 2017
Molly just makes you feel happy. Whats wrong with that?
“Molly,” a popular drug at music festivals, is the powder or crystal form of MDMA, which is the chemical used in Ecstasy. The use of Molly — a stimulant drug — comes with serious health risks. The DEA notes that it can cause confusion, anxiety, depression, paranoia, sleep problems and drug craving. Learn more.
People take drugs for many different reasons: to feel better, to feel good, and because others are doing it. The most important thing to realize is that the younger a person begins to use drugs, the more likely it will lead to serious drug abuse. Learn more.
You probably already know that individuals are different in every other aspect of life, so it is natural to expect that different people respond to drugs differently. Learn more.
Here’s what you can say if you did smoke weed when you were younger: “I’m not going to pretend I didn’t, and that’s why I’m talking to you about this. I will tell you that when I did smoke, my judgment was compromised and the only thing that prevented me from getting into some horrible circumstances was luck.” Learn more.
Some teens may argue that weed is safer than alcohol. Research shows that teens typically try both, often at the same time — a dangerous combination. Tell your teen that you don’t want her to be doing anything that can harm her — whether that’s smoking pot, cigarettes, drinking or any other reckless behavior. Learn more.
Be sure your child understands that simply because prescription drugs are legal it does not mean they are always safe — and that prescription drugs are only legal for the person to whom they’re prescribed. Learn more.
Ask your child if an adult will be present at the party, or if he or she thinks children will be drinking. Remind your child that even just being at a party where underage people are drinking can get them in trouble. Use this time to establish or reinforce your rules about alcohol, and what behavior you expect.
Helping your child say “no” to peer pressure is one of the most important things you can do to keep him or her alcohol-free. Work with your child to think of a way for them to handle this situation, whether it’s simply saying “no” or suggesting an alternative activity for them to do.