by Michael Rass The 2015 Red Ribbon Week kicked off on Friday. The annual drug awareness campaign began in 1985 in response to the brutal murder of DEA Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. He had been working undercover in Mexico where his efforts helped discover a multimillion dollar narcotics manufacturing operation in Chihuahua. Camarena’s identity became […]
News
Staying informed about substance use and mental health disorders in teens is crucial in supporting your child’s journey toward long-term recovery. At Muir Wood Adolescent and Family Services, we’re committed to sharing valuable insights and updates to help you navigate this landscape.
In our blog posts, we cover a range of topics related to adolescent mental health and substance use treatment. From evidence-based therapies to effective support strategies, we aim to provide relevant, timely, and trustworthy information.
We understand the importance of keeping up to date with developments in treatment, interventions, and community support programs. Through our posts, we hope to empower you with knowledge, enabling you to make informed decisions and provide the best possible support for your teen.
Join us as we explore the latest news and advancements in the treatment of teen mental health and substance use disorders.
More and More Teens Exposed to E-Cigarette Ads, Says Study
The jury is still out in determining whether or not the use of e-cigarettes can be helpful to those who are attempting to quit smoking, but because the devices still contain a hefty amount of nicotine, they are still not safe and can lead to nicotine addiction in those who are not already dependent. Teens […]
Teen Indy Film Documentary on Prescription Drug Abuse
Cyrus Stowe was a senior at Dallas High School when he made his documentary Out of Reach. With the goal of exploring the prescription drug abuse in his hometown, the movie has become an awareness-raising tool to help communities, parents and kids recognize that not only are prescription medications dangerous but also that their use […]
Cyberbullying & Substance Abuse Connection in Teens
A recent study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health reveals that teen boys who have been cyberbullied run a higher risk of developing substance abuse problems than teens who have not been the victim of online attack. Cyberbullying, a relatively new phenomenon, refers to the practice of harassing and/or abusing someone via social media, […]
Most Common Teen Mental Health Problem: Addiction
The addiction epidemic in the United States is not just a headline-grabbing phenomenon. It’s a very real, widespread medical problem. The average American teen is more likely to deal with drug use and subsequent addiction than to be diagnosed with any other mental health problem, according to a new study. Experts estimate that more than […]
Schools Promote Substance-Free Social Events
With autumn comes back-to-school dances for high schools and all the temptations that can coincide with teen social events—whether or not they are school-sponsored. What does this mean for your teen? In many cases, it can mean exposure to drugs and alcohol and one of their first opportunities to drink or get high in a […]
Former Disney Star Lee Thompson Young Commits Suicide
Fans, coworkers, and industry people alike were shocked to hear that 29-year-old Lee Thompson Young apparently ended his life on Tuesday, August 19. Unlike other stars who passed too soon, Young’s death had nothing to do with drugs or alcohol. There is no overdose to report and no reckless lifestyle that resulted in his untimely […]
One College Offers Teens and Prescription Drug Education
The problem of drug and alcohol abuse has always been an issue for college campuses. Freshly out from under the constant surveillance of parents, many kids decide to do whatever comes their way. Unfortunately, without parents there to advise them, many take the prescription medications prescribed to their roommates and friends with little understanding about […]
Family Dinners Linked to Decreased Rate of Teen Drug and Alcohol Use
You’ve heard it said in a number of different forums and repeated in parenting magazines and public service announcements for years—and for good reason. Family dinners are of huge benefit to your children and one of those many benefits is a decreased rate of drug and alcohol abuse in their teen years, according to a […]
Community Can Positively Impact Teens on Substance Abuse Front
Not sure if neighborhood or community matters when it comes to your teen’s stability in terms of drug and alcohol use? Think again. A new study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that teenagers who live in a community that provides them positive experiences and interactions may be less inclined to abuse […]
Justin Bieber Apologizes for Marijuana Use … Kind Of
When pictures of Justin Bieber smoking marijuana at a party in Newport Beach, CA, went viral online, he made no official comment on the incident to the press. But when he recently hosted Saturday Night Live for the first time, one of his skits referenced the incident, and he offered an apology, albeit in the […]