Addiction is commonly associated with substance abuse, but behavioral addictions like gambling, social media, food, and pornography are just as serious. Addiction is when a person is unable to consistently abstain from a behavior or substance. This is typically at the cost of their mental and physical health.[…]
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PART A. During the PAST 12 MONTHS, on how many days did you: Drink more than a few sips of beer, wine, or any drink containing alcohol? Put “0” if none. Use any marijuana (pot, weed, hash, or in foods) or “synthetic marijuana” (like “K2” or “Spice”)? Put[…]
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Substance abuse means using drugs and/or alcohol for non-medical reasons. Substances can be either legal or illegal and they don’t have to be illegal to be abused. If you abuse drugs/alcohol, you can become dependent on them physically and mentally. Substance abuse and addiction can lead to many[…]
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Everything I’ve learned about the developing teenage brain has been quite liberating for me. It’s been liberating as a journey in self-discovery. You see, if the brain is not fully wired-up until about the age of 25, then that offers me at least some sort of explanation for[…]
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We explore in this video the intriguing similarities between the processes of brain development and computer programming. The analogy helps us understand why toxic environmental factors like drugs, bullying, or lack of sleep can have such a long-lasting impact on a teenager’s life and can be used to[…]
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Scientists used to assume that the rush of dopamine alone caused the feeling of euphoria (happiness) during drug use, but they now know it is more complicated than that. Many drugs—nicotine, cocaine, marijuana, and others—affect the brain’s “reward” circuit, which is part of the limbic system. Normally, the[…]
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Parents are the #1 influence in a teen’s decision not to drink. Eat dinner together regularly. Be caring and supportive. Maintain open lines of communication. Set no-drinking rules and consequences. Be consistent with them. Surround your child with positive role models. Teens need parent to be parents, not[…]
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Understanding addiction as a preventable disease can help save millions of lives. The decision to wait until 21 could mean the difference between a life enslaved by addiction, or a life full of success and accomplishment. Learn more at wait21.org Resource Created by Wait 21
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Your Brain Your brain is who you are. It’s what allows you to think, breathe, move, speak, and feel. It’s just 3 pounds of gray-and-white matter that rests in your skull, and it is your own personal “mission control.” The brain is always working, even when you’re sleeping.[…]
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The transition from middle to high school is one of the most vulnerable times in a child’s development as this is one of the most potentially stressful times in their lives. A student’s performance in ninth grade has been shown to predict both, their likelihood of dropping out[…]
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