When a teen expresses suicidal thoughts—or when a parent, teacher, or clinician suspects they may be at risk—one of the first steps in getting help is a clinical assessment of the nature and severity of those thoughts. Suicidal ideation scales are standardized tools that help mental health professionals evaluate where a teen falls on the […]
As a parent, it is tempting to make concessions for bad behavior in your teen, even if you understand that your choice may not be in your child’s best interest. Some parents choose to be more lenient than perhaps they should when it comes to teenage drinking in the home. It’s an issue that is […]
Teen marijuana use has continued to rise over the past four decades. With lobbyists continuing to push for the legalization of marijuana, it is easy for many to forget about the myriad of studies that have been conducted by physicians and scientists that illustrate the negative health consequences of a marijuana addiction. More research is […]
“A beer or two is normal in high school.” “I had my first drink when I was 14, and I turned out okay.” “He’s going to drink anyway. At least if I let him drink at home he won’t drink and drive.” Many parents justify teen alcohol use and even embrace it to the point […]
We live in a busy world. Making time for friends and family is becoming increasingly difficult. While many parents feel that their responsibilities are growing and they are finding less time to spend with they kids, the kids are getting older and are more in need of parental attention than ever as they face the […]
The European Union is experiencing a slowdown in the distribution and use of plant-derived drugs like marijuana and cocaine. While this may seem like good news, according to the EU’s Center for Drugs and Drug addiction, this decline is due to the growing popularity of chemically engineered, synthetic drugs and not a decreased rate of […]
Sensationalism and the media have long gone hand in hand. Shocking images, music, and over-the-top aggression in ads are commonplace at this point. Marketers have spent decades inundating the public with shocking images in an attempt to capture attention, deliver a message, and/or sway opinion. The ads against the use and abuse of drugs and […]
In this day and age, it definitely takes a village to help raise a child. With all of the new ways our children have to put themselves in harm’s way—in addition to the old ones—any help we can get in keeping them safe can literally be a lifesaver. This is especially true when it comes […]
Officials in the European Union fear the strides they have made against stopping drug abuse among youth may see a reversal in the coming years due to elevating unemployment rates for young people. The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) released a new report with concerns over how the worldwide economic downturn […]
Taking too much Tylenol can cause liver toxicity. A medication that has been used in the treatment of this issue may also be effective in the treatment of teenagers who are addicted to marijuana as long as it is used in combination with behavioral therapy, says a speaker at the American Psychiatric Association’s annual convention. […]
The problem of abuse of ADHD medications like Adderall among high school and college students is becoming such a huge issue that a number of colleges are addressing stimulant medication abuse proactively, according to the New York Times. So many students are learning which symptoms they have to fake in order to get a prescription […]
The Center for Substance Abuse Research at the University of Maryland at College Park recently released a report on the attitudes and practices of teenagers in the United States when it comes to drug and alcohol use. They reported that the top three substances of choice among teens include: Alcohol: About 57 percent of teens […]