So your child has started vaping, drinking or using substances. Is this just what kids do? Is it going to lead to other drug use, or become another problem? Don’t leave the answers to chance. How worried should I be? Ninety percent of people with addictions started using[…]
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As the parent of a teen, have you found yourself looking at your child, wondering “Why would you do that?” From mood swings to risk taking, “normal” teenage behavior can be confusing and exasperating. Research reveals that patterns of brain development during these formative years play a significant[…]
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Most experts believe anyone can become addicted to alcohol or other drugs. Some substances, like nicotine and heroin, are so highly addictive that using them excessively or on a daily basis can lead to addiction in anyone. However, most people who try substances do not progress to heavy[…]
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We immunize. We require seat belts in the car and helmets while biking. We insist on sunscreen. We do just about everything we can to ensure that our kids are healthy, safe and primed for success. But when it comes to drinking alcohol or even smoking marijuana, why[…]
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SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) is an approach to the delivery of early intervention and treatment to people with substance use disorders and those at risk of developing these disorders. The screening is Universal and based on the responses, those individuals who screen at higher[…]
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Historically, treatment interventions have been reserved for people who meet the full criteria for substance use disorders. In recent years, healthcare providers have begun embracing a universal public health approach to substance use, shifting the focus from treating crisis to screening, monitoring, and providing early intervention services to[…]
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In 2017, 7% of people in the United States had a substance use disorder—translating to almost 20 million individuals aged 12 or older.1 The reasons for alcohol and other drug use vary from person to person, but most people with substance use disorders start their use as adolescents.2[…]
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There isn’t really any typical pattern of behavior for someone who is suicidal, but there are common warning signs. You may see one or more of these in someone contemplating suicide. These are the signs that are generally clear and easy to observe: • Talking about dying or[…]
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A number of recent national surveys have helped shed light on the relationship between alcohol and other drug use and suicidal behavior. A review of minimum-age drinking laws and suicides among youths age 18 to 20 found that lower minimum-age drinking laws was associated with higher youth suicide[…]
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Both drug abuse and drug addiction can lead to many health problems. These problems vary, depending on the type of drug abused. In general, these are the effects: Drug abuse weakens your immune system. This makes it harder to fight off infection. People who abuse drugs often engage[…]
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