Keeping up with the latest trends in drug abuse among teens can be challenging for parents. One of the newest drugs available to teenagers is “spice,” the street name for a synthetic plant-based product that produces psychoactive effects in users. Spice consists of a blend of dried herbs treated with a mixture of chemicals, including […]
Designer Drug Abuse
Who Needs Treatment for Ecstasy Abuse?
Ecstasy, otherwise known as 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine or MDMA, is a synthetic substance sold in pill form that was made popular in the early 1990s at all-night dance parties called “raves.” Providing a stimulant, “feel good” effect on its users, Ecstasy is often referred to as the “love” drug because many users describing feeling a sense of […]
Risks of Ecstasy Overdose
Often called the “happy pill” or the “love drug,” Ecstasy effects can be far from warm and fuzzy. The drug is a synthetic substance created on the black market and sold in different formulations, each one containing different amounts of its active ingredient, 3,4-methylenedioxymeth-amphetamine or MDMA, and other substances, which means that no two pills […]
Ecstasy Affects Impulsivity and Decision Making
Though many have viewed the use of Ecstasy, or 3,4-methylendioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), as harmless due to its “feel good” effects on the user, research has come out demonstrating that it is in fact exceedingly damaging to cognitive ability. Additionally, impulse control was also negatively impacted by use of the drug, and decision-making abilities specifically were impaired. […]
What is the Biggest Risk Factor for Teen Ecstasy Abuse?
Researchers are always looking for identifiers that can predict substance abuse, and a new study published in the journal Substance Use & Misuse found that the single largest risk factor for Ecstasy use among 12th graders is use of other drugs. The study also noted that: About 4.4 percent of 12th graders reported use of […]
Synthetic Drugs in the Top 3 Drugs of Choice Among Teens
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 […]