McHenry County Woman Newspaper September/October 2004
Title: Don't Wait for the Crisis: Drug Abuse in Teenagers
By Sheila Krubsack, CADC
Our society has changed immensely since I was a teenager. No longer are drugs and alcohol a recreational, weekend activity but rather they are becoming a means of coping for our teens. The substances teens are using today are not what teens were using twenty or thirty years ago and the potency of drugs that are of common knowledge has increased significantly.
Illicit drugs like marijuana use to be anywhere from 3-5% THC potency (THC is the ingredient in marijuana that gives the user a euphoric feeling). Today, with the sophisticated hybreeding of the plant, the THC potency can be anywhere from 15-18%. Heroin used to be associated with the "junkie" on the street with needle marks on their arms. Today, heroin is a drug that can be snorted like cocaine or sprinkled on marijuana and smoked. The discouraging part is that heroin is less expensive than other illicit drugs and is becoming prevalent in McHenry County. In addition to increased potency and alternative ways to ingest substances, a new drug has made its way into our society. The drug is called Ecstasy or MDMA. It is a psychedelic and amphetamine that was created by Merck Laboratories in 1912. No medicinal purpose for it the drug was found, so it remained dormant until its resurgence in the 1980's. Now it is a popular drug among teens and one they like to use when they attend Raves.
Many parents are unaware that over-the-counter drugs and household products can be abused like illicit drugs can. Adolescents are now finding that taking over-the-counter drugs like Coricidin or Dramamine can alter your chemistry and consciousness. These over-the-counter drugs are made for allergies or motion sickness; but taken in larger quantity, it can give individuals a "drunken, euphoric" effect. The same holds true for cough syrup like Robitussin DM. Adolescents refer to these as "Robo Trips". They consume a few bottles of this in order to achieve a "drunken, euphoric" effect. What they are really after is DXM (dextromethorphan), the active ingredient in many cough remedies. I have seen teenagers abuse flavored extracts and mouthwash. Many of these products contain a high percentage of alcohol and the teenager is looking for an opportunity to get intoxicated without hitting the parent's liquor cabinet.
One more substance I must caution parents on is prescription drugs. When you have that injury or your back hurts, doctors like to prescribe Vicodin which is an opiate. Unfortunately teenagers get a hold of it and ingest it or give it to their friends. It comes from the heroin family just like codeine and oxycodin. These are highly addictive substances and should be kept away from your teens. Parenting today is much more difficult. Many families need two sources of income to survive so both parents are working. Other families only have one parent raising the family so they have to work. This can lead to decreased supervision and lack of involvement in an adolescent's life. Adolescents are growing up and becoming young adults so naturally it is assumed they are self-sufficient. Many teens are mature enough to handle that responsibility but the ones who fall in the trap of addiction tend not to be very mature or self-sufficient.
The disease of addiction begins so innocently. First teens begin drinking alcohol and realize it didn't hurt them that much. Then they smoke some pot and realize it hasn't hurt them that much either. In our field we call these "gateway" drugs because they can lead to use of other substances. Then they look for something more euphoric, something more mind-altering and that is when they begin to get addicted to more potent drugs. Eventually teens will build a tolerance to whatever substance they are using and it takes more and more to get the same effect they had the first time they used. This is when they enter the peak of their addictions. The best assistance for them now would be at an impatient facility.
Some risk factors for teenage drug abuse:
This all can be avoided if parents are pro-active rather than reactive. Drug abuse and addiction is a family problem not an individual problem. Abusers and addicts carry a lot of pain, shame and guilt. It takes the understanding and participation of the entire family to help the teen through these difficulties. Get involved with your teen's life. Ask them where they are going and who are they going with. Take time to get to know your teen's friends and if at all possible, the parents of their friends. Become involved with community resources that support drug free living. Listen to your teenagers and always keep an open line of communication with them.
Recognize signs of use and respond in a clam, appropriate way. Many times parents become upset when they find out their teen is using drugs. Over reacting can alienate your teenager and cause them to continue use. Instill a positive value system into your teen with clear limits that are consistently enforced. You are a role model for your teen.
Encourage your teenager to participate in extracurricular activities such as sports, youth groups or church activities. Remember, parents are the first line of defense against substance abuse and addiction.
Signs of teenage drug use:
· Emotional signs: hopelessness, low self-esteem, dishonesty, anger, denial
· Less responsible: late coming home, late for school or class, dishonest
· Change in moods: secretive, withdrawn, more irritable, euphoric
· Changing lifestyles: new friend, new interests, unexplained cash.
If your teen needs help, contact YSB at 815-338-7360. For emergencies contact the McHenry County Crisis Line at 1-800-892-8900