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A person with an addiction uses a substance, or engages in a behavior, for which the rewarding effects provide a compelling incentive to repeat the activity, despite detrimental consequences. Addiction may involve the use of substances such as alcohol, inhalants, opioids, cocaine, and nicotine, or behaviors such as gambling.

There is evidence that addictive behaviors share key neurobiological features: They intensely involve brain pathways of reward and reinforcement, which involve the neurotransmitter dopamine. And, in keeping with other highly motivated states, they lead to the pruning of synapses in the prefrontal cortex, home of the brain's highest functions, so that attention is highly focused on cues related to the target substance or activity. It is important to know that such brain changes are reversible after the substance use or behavior is discontinued.

Both substance use disorders and gambling behaviors have an increased likelihood of being accompanied by mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, or other pre-existing problems. Substance use and gambling disorders not only engage the same brain mechanisms, they respond to many of the same treatment approaches.

Substance use and gambling disorders are complex conditions that affect the reward, reinforcement, motivation, and memory systems of the brain. They are characterized by impaired control over usage; social impairment, involving the disruption of everyday activities and relationships; and craving. Continuing use is typically harmful to relationships as well as to obligations at work or school.

Another distinguishing feature of addictions is that individuals continue to pursue the activity despite the physical or psychological harm it incurs, even if it the harm is exacerbated by repeated use. Typically, one's tolerance to a substance increases as the body adapts to its presence.

Because addiction affects the brain's executive functions, centered in the prefrontal cortex, individuals who develop an addiction may not be aware that their behavior is causing problems for themselves and others. Over time, pursuit of the pleasurable effects of the substance or behavior may dominate an individual's activities.

All addictions have the capacity to induce a sense of hopelessness and feelings of failure, as well as shame and guilt, but research documents that recovery is the rule rather than the exception. There are many routes to recovery. Individuals can achieve improved physical, psychological, and social functioning on their own-so-called natural recovery. Others benefit from the support of community or peer-based networks. And still others opt for clinical-based recovery through the services of credentialed professionals.

The road to recovery is seldom straight: Relapse, or recurrence of substance use, is common-but definitely not the end of the road. For those who achieve remission of an addiction disorder for five years, researchers report, the likelihood of relapse is no greater than that among the general population. Neuroscientists report that synaptic density is gradually restored.

Myths About Addiction

The processes that give rise to addictive behavior resist a simplistic explanation. There is not just one cause: Although genetic or other biological factors can contribute to a person's vulnerability to the condition, many social, psychological, and environmental factors also have a powerful influence on substance use.

Some characteristics, such as a lack of ability to tolerate distress or other strong feelings, have been associated with addiction, but there is no one "addictive personality " type that clearly predicts whether a person will face problems with addiction.

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Symptoms of Addiction

Recurrent use of a substance, or engagement with an activity, that leads to impairment or distress, is the core of addictive disorders. The clinical diagnosis of an addiction is based on the presence of at least two of a number of features:

The substance or activity is used in larger amounts or for a longer period of time than was intended.

There is a desire to cut down on use or unsuccessful efforts to do so.

Pursuit of the substance or activity, or recovery from its use, consumes a significant amount of time.

There is a craving or strong desire to use the substance or engage in the activity.

Use of the substance or activity disrupts obligations at work, school, or home.

Use of the substance or activity continues despite the social or interpersonal problems it causes.

Participation in important social, work, or recreational activities drops or stops.

Use occurs in situations where it is physically risky.

Use continues despite knowing it is causing or exacerbating physical or psychological problems.

Tolerance occurs, indicated either by need for markedly increased amounts of the substance to achieve the desired effect or markedly diminished effect of the same amount of substance.

Withdrawal occurs, manifest either in the presence of physiological withdrawal symptoms or the taking of a related substance to block them.

The severity of the condition is gauged by the number of symptoms present. The presence of two to three symptoms generally indicates a mild condition; four to five symptoms indicate a moderate disorder. When six or more symptoms are present, the condition is considered severe.

Causes of Addiction

Research makes it clear: There is no way to predict who will develop compulsive substance use or gambling behavior.

Addiction is a multi-faceted condition, arising from the confluence of many elements-including, of course, exposure to an addictive agent. It is more accurate to think of risk factors for the development of substance abuse disorders, rather than direct causes. (There are also factors that protect individuals against addiction.)

Biological factors

Genes. Estimates vary but scientists find that genetic factors contribute about half the risk for developing a substance use disorder. For example, one factor linked to vulnerability is variation in a gene that determines the makeup of brain receptors for the neurotransmitter dopamine. Another factor appears to be the nature of the body's hormonal response to stress.

Physiological factors. Variations in liver enzymes that metabolize substances are known to influence one's risk of alcohol use disorder.

Gender. Males are more likely to develop substance use disorder than females, although the so-called gender gap may be narrowing for alcohol use disorder, and females are more subject to intoxication effects at lower doses of alcohol.

Psychological Factors

Personality factors. Both impulsivity and sensation seeking have been linked to substance use and gambling disorders. Impulsivity may be particularly related to the risk of relapse.

Trauma and abuse. Early exposure to significant adverse experience can contribute to the development of substance use disorders by overwhelming an individual's coping ability, perhaps by sensitizing brain pathways of alarm/distress, or by adding to the burden of stress.

Mental health factors. Conditions such as depression, anxiety, attention deficit disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) increase the risk of addiction. Difficulties managing strong emotions are also linked to substance use.

Environmental Factors

Family factors. While strong family relationships have been shown to protect against substance use disorders, several aspects of family functioning or circumstances can contribute to addiction risk. Having a parent or sibling with an addictive disorder raises the risk, as does a lack of parental supervision or support. Poor-quality or troubled parent-child relations and family disruptions such as divorce also add to one's risk, as does sexual, physical, or emotional abuse. Research shows that marriage and taking on child-raising responsibilities mitigate the risk of addiction.

Accessibility factors. Easy availability of alcohol or other substances in one's home, at school or work, or in one's community increases the risk of repeated use.

Peer group. As profoundly social animals, people are strongly influenced by their peers and, in generally seeking to be liked by them, may adopt many of their behaviors, particularly during adolescence. Positive social relationships, on the other hand, are known to strongly protect against substance use.

Employment status. Having a job, and developing the skills for employment, exerts pressure for stability and provides financial and psychological rewards that mitigate addiction risk.

Treatment of Addiction

Substance use is a treatable condition and complete remission is entirely possible. Recovery, however, is often a long-term process that may involve multiple attempts. Relapse is now regarded as part of the process, and effective treatment regimens address prevention and management of recurrent use.

Since success tends not to occur all at once, any improvements are considered important signs of progress. Increasingly, programs are available to help those who recognize that they have a substance-use problem but are not ready for complete abstinence.

Because addiction affects so many facets of an individual's functioning-from the ability to tolerate frustration to establishing and maintaining a productive role in society-good treatment focuses on many dimensions of life, including family roles and work skills as well as mental health.

Treatment can include any of a number of components, which are often deployed in combination and are likely to change over the course of recovery:

Detoxification, conducted under medical supervision, may be needed but is only the first stage of treatment.

Medications that reduce or counter use of illicit substances are suitable for some individuals, or medications may be used to target co-occurring disorders such as anxiety and depression.

Motivational Interviewing, which is a short-term counseling process to help a person resolve ambivalence about treatment and find and hold onto incentives for change.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) can help a person recognize and cope with situations that trigger the desire to use substances.

Group therapy and other peer-support programs leverage the direct experience of many to support individual recovery and prevent the recurrence of substance use.

Family therapy helps individuals repair any damage done to family relationships and to establish more supportive ones.

Life skills training, including employability skills, may be part of an individual's treatment plan.

Good treatment programs also feature the regular monitoring of individual progress.

Treatment is available in a variety of settings, from a doctor's office or outpatient clinic to long-term residential facility. No one way will be right for everyone, and there is evidence that one's commitment to change is more important than the type of treatment program he or she selects. Whatever the treatment under consideration, say independent researchers, there are number of features to look for to identify an effective program:

Patients undergo comprehensive medical and psychiatric screening.

Treatment addresses individual needs, including co-occurring conditions, whether chronic pain, anxiety, or hepatitis.

Families are involved in treatment.

There is continuity of care via active linkages to resources in subsequent phases of recovery.

The facility maintains a respectful environment.

Treatment services are evidence-based and reflect best practices.

Staff members are licensed and certified in the disciplines they practice.

The program is accredited by a nationally recognized monitoring agency.

Patient response to treatment is monitored and the program or facility offers outcome data reflecting treatment performance.

Substance Use Disorders

The medical world currently views substance use disorders according to the class of drug that is used. As a result, it defines 10 distinct disorders. All share the defining features of addiction: They directly and intensely involve reward and reinforcement systems of the brain, stimulating compulsive use that typically leads to the neglect of normal activities and negative consequences. With some variation, they also share common symptoms, although withdrawal symptoms differ significantly among them and do not occur for some classes of drug such as hallucinogens and inhalants.

Alcohol Use Disorder: Alcohol is a brain depressant and alcohol use disorder is common, although more so among adult men (12.4 percent) than women (4.9 percent), although rates are rising among women. It affects men and women differently; women seem to be more susceptible to some of the detrimental effects of alcohol, researchers find. Most commonly, the disorder develops well before age 40.

Caffeine Intoxication: The consequence of very high doses of caffeine consumption, caffeine intoxication is marked by symptoms including restlessness, nervousness, insomnia, flushed face, gastrointestinal disturbance, muscle twitching, rambling thoughts and speech, cardiac rhythm disturbances, periods of inexhaustibility, and psychomotor agitation.

Cannabis Use Disorder: Cannabis use disorder is highest among 18-to29-year-olds (4.8 percent) and prevalence of the disorder decreases with age.

Phencyclidine and Other Hallucinogen Use Disorder: These substances alter perception. Phencyclidine is commonly called "angel dust" or PCP and produces feelings of separation of mind from body.

Inhalant Use Disorder: Inhalant substances are volatile hydrocarbons-toxic gases that are released from glues, fuels, paints, and other volatile compounds and have psychoactive effects. The disorder occurs primarily among those ages 12 to 17.

Opioid Use Disorder: Opioid drugs include the illicit drug heroin and prescription pain-relievers such as oxycodone, codeine, morphine, and fentanyl, among others. According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, in 2015, 2 million people had a substance use disorder involving prescription pain relievers and 591,000 had a substance use disorder involving heroin. Opioid-related overdoses are now the leading cause of death in Americans under 50 years of age. Prescribed opioids are the "overwhelming initial source" of addiction, according to ASAM.

Sedative, Hypnotic, or Anxiolytic Use Disorder: Addiction to sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medications falls into this category. Like alcohol, these agents are brain depressants. Rates of the disorder are highest among 18-to-29-year-olds.

Stimulant Use Disorder: Substances in this group include amphetamines; methylphenidate, best known as the prescription drug Ritalin; and cocaine. Stimulant drugs are commonly prescribed for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. In the U.S., cocaine use is highest among those aged 18 to 25.

Tobacco Use Disorder: The nicotine in tobacco acts as a central nervous system stimulant. Studies show that 68 percent of adult smokers want to quit, and 50 percent have made attempts to quit.

Other (or Unknown) Substance Use Disorder: Substances ranging from antihistamines, betel nut, and cortisol to steroids may also have effects on the central nervous system that lead to compulsive use causing serious problems.

Gambling and Other Compulsions or Addictions

Addiction is not limited to biochemical substances such as cocaine, alcohol, inhalants, or nicotine. It can involve behaviors that provide opportunities for immediate reward. Because of the fast feedback that occurs from such activities, they can quickly turn a pastime into a compulsive pursuit of reward that may lead to the neglect of other life goals and create harmful consequences, from the loss of large sums of money to the disruption of important relationships.

Behaviors indicative of gambling disorder include:

The need to gamble with increasing amounts of money to achieve the desired excitement.

Restlessness or irritability when attempting to cut down or stop gambling.

Repeated unsuccessful efforts to cut back or stop gambling.

Preoccupation with gambling.

Feelings of emotional distress leading to gambling.

Gambling losses followed by attempts to make up for them.

Lying to conceal the extent of one's gambling.

Gambling that jeopardizes important relationships or work, school, or other obligations.

Financial desperation leading to borrowing money from others.

In June 2018, the World Health Organization included Gaming Disorder, involving digital gaming or video gaming to such a degree that it takes priority over other interests and daily activities despite negative consequences, in its newest edition of the International Classification of Diseases. This inclusion reflects a consensus of experts from different disciplines and geographical regions around the world. They point out that only a tiny proportion of those who engage in digital or video gaming activities-notably those who have impaired control over the activity and spend excessive amounts of time at it-are at risk for the diagnosis.

In the United States, excessive behavior patterns-involving smartphone use, Internet gambling, gaming, pornography, even eating and shopping-are being studied as possible behavioral addiction. While such activities may provide the opportunity for ample immediate reward, it has not yet been determined that they meet all of the criteria for addictive behavior.

Find a therapist to overcome addiction

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A person with an addiction uses a substance, or engages in a behavior, for which the rewarding effects provide a compelling incentive to repeat the activity, despite detrimental consequences. Addiction may involve the use of substances such as alcohol, inhalants, opioids, cocaine, and nicotine, or behaviors such as gambling.

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My thoughts: I think that this website does a very good job at explaining the causes of addiction. I am also curious to how genes can affect the development of addiction within a person

Direct Quotes: The Psychology Today website says, "Among the factors that contribute to risk are these:

Biological factors
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Psychological Factors
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Environmental Factors
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Many people don't understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs. They may mistakenly think that those who use drugs lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop their drug use simply by choosing to. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Drugs change the brain in ways that make quitting hard, even for those who want to. Fortunately, researchers know more than ever about how drugs affect the brain and have found treatments that can help people recover from drug addiction and lead productive lives.

What Is drug addiction?

Addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences. The initial decision to take drugs is voluntary for most people, but repeated drug use can lead to brain changes that challenge an addicted person's self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense urges to take drugs. These brain changes can be persistent, which is why drug addiction is considered a "relapsing" disease-people in recovery from drug use disorders are at increased risk for returning to drug use even after years of not taking the drug.

It's common for a person to relapse, but relapse doesn't mean that treatment doesn't work. As with other chronic health conditions, treatment should be ongoing and should be adjusted based on how the patient responds. Treatment plans need to be reviewed often and modified to fit the patient's changing needs.

Video: Why are Drugs So Hard to Quit?

What happens to the brain when a person takes drugs?

Most drugs affect the brain's "reward circuit," causing euphoria as well as flooding it with the chemical messenger dopamine. A properly functioning reward system motivates a person to repeat behaviors needed to thrive, such as eating and spending time with loved ones. Surges of dopamine in the reward circuit cause the reinforcement of pleasurable but unhealthy behaviors like taking drugs, leading people to repeat the behavior again and again.

As a person continues to use drugs, the brain adapts by reducing the ability of cells in the reward circuit to respond to it. This reduces the high that the person feels compared to the high they felt when first taking the drug-an effect known as tolerance. They might take more of the drug to try and achieve the same high. These brain adaptations often lead to the person becoming less and less able to derive pleasure from other things they once enjoyed, like food, sex, or social activities.

Long-term use also causes changes in other brain chemical systems and circuits as well, affecting functions that include:

Despite being aware of these harmful outcomes, many people who use drugs continue to take them, which is the nature of addiction.

Why do some people become addicted to drugs while others don't?

No one factor can predict if a person will become addicted to drugs. A combination of factors influences risk for addiction. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction. For example:

Biology. The genes that people are born with account for about half of a person's risk for addiction. Gender, ethnicity, and the presence of other mental disorders may also influence risk for drug use and addiction.

Environment. A person's environment includes many different influences, from family and friends to economic status and general quality of life. Factors such as peer pressure, physical and sexual abuse, early exposure to drugs, stress, and parental guidance can greatly affect a person's likelihood of drug use and addiction.

Development. Genetic and environmental factors interact with critical developmental stages in a person's life to affect addiction risk. Although taking drugs at any age can lead to addiction, the earlier that drug use begins, the more likely it will progress to addiction. This is particularly problematic for teens. Because areas in their brains that control decision-making, judgment, and self-control are still developing, teens may be especially prone to risky behaviors, including trying drugs.

Can drug addiction be cured or prevented?

As with most other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, treatment for drug addiction generally isn't a cure. However, addiction is treatable and can be successfully managed. People who are recovering from an addiction will be at risk for relapse for years and possibly for their whole lives. Research shows that combining addiction treatment medicines with behavioral therapy ensures the best chance of success for most patients. Treatment approaches tailored to each patient's drug use patterns and any co-occurring medical, mental, and social problems can lead to continued recovery.

More good news is that drug use and addiction are preventable. Results from NIDA-funded research have shown that prevention programs involving families, schools, communities, and the media are effective for preventing or reducing drug use and addiction. Although personal events and cultural factors affect drug use trends, when young people view drug use as harmful, they tend to decrease their drug taking. Therefore, education and outreach are key in helping people understand the possible risks of drug use. Teachers, parents, and health care providers have crucial roles in educating young people and preventing drug use and addiction.

Points to Remember

Drug addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences.

Brain changes that occur over time with drug use challenge an addicted person's self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense urges to take drugs. This is why drug addiction is also a relapsing disease.

Relapse is the return to drug use after an attempt to stop. Relapse indicates the need for more or different treatment.

Most drugs affect the brain's reward circuit by flooding it with the chemical messenger dopamine. Surges of dopamine in the reward circuit cause the reinforcement of pleasurable but unhealthy activities, leading people to repeat the behavior again and again.

Over time, the brain adjusts to the excess dopamine, which reduces the high that the person feels compared to the high they felt when first taking the drug-an effect known as tolerance. They might take more of the drug, trying to achieve the same dopamine high.

No single factor can predict whether a person will become addicted to drugs. A combination of genetic, environmental, and developmental factors influences risk for addiction. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction.

Drug addiction is treatable and can be successfully managed.

More good news is that drug use and addiction are preventable. Teachers, parents, and health care providers have crucial roles in educating young people and preventing drug use and addiction.

Learn more

For information about understanding drug use and addiction, visit:

For more information about the costs of drug abuse to the United States, visit:

For more information about prevention, visit:

For more information about treatment, visit:

To find a publicly funded treatment center in your state, call 1-800-662-HELP or visit:

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Understanding Drug Use and Addiction DrugFacts | National Institute on Drug Abuse

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Provides an overview of drug use and addiction, including what happens in the brain during drug use, why some people become addicted while others don't, and the importance of prevention.

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My thoughts: I think that this website does a very good job on explaining on what drug addiction is. I am also curious to why and how environmental factors can affect the development of drug addiction and other forms of addiction.

Direct Quotes: The Drug Abuse website says, "Many people don't understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs. They may mistakenly think that those who use drugs lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop their drug use simply by choosing to. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will."

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Drug addiction has reached epidemic levels across the globe withapproximately 247 million drug users worldwide. ¹ In America, the problem is no better as over 10 percent of individuals 12 years of age and over have used an illicit drug in the past month in the United States. ² As a matter of fact, nearly 21 million Americans ages 12 and older had a substance use problem in 2015. ³

Excluding alcohol and tobacco, the top ten drugs used across the world were: cannabis, MDMA, cocaine, amphetamines, LSD, magic mushrooms, prescribed & non-prescribed opioid medication, nitrous oxide, ketamine and poppers. ⁴ Nothing is off limits with 10 percent of drug users globally having purchased drugs online via the dark net. 5 percent of respondents said they did not consume drugs before accessing them through dark-net markets. ⁵ Overdose deaths involving prescription opioids have quadrupled since 1999, and so have sales of these prescription drugs. From 1999 to 2015, more than 183,000 people have died in the U.S. from overdoses related to prescription opioids. ⁶ Patterns such as this suggest that drug abuse in America is steadily and significantly on the rise.

Marijuana

Since its discovery thousands of years ago, marijuana use has steadily risen to the levels it is at now. Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug with over 22.2 million people having used the drug in the past month according to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. ⁷

Synthetic Drugs

Synthetic marijuana is now a major role player too, being second in line to naturally grown cannabis among high school seniors. ⁸ Other synthetic drugs, such as bath salts, have grown quickly in popularity since first entering the European drug market in 2008 and making their way to the US a year or so later.

Cocaine

Cocaine is far more popular in foreign countries like Scotland and Brazil, but the drug still was used by over 5 percent of all individuals in the US between the ages of 18 and 25 in the past year. In addition, over 16 percent of people 26 and over in the United States have used cocaine in their lifetime. ⁹

Heroin

Heroin is still most widely used in countries like Afghanistan where the substance is harvested from opium poppy pods grown there. In recent years, growing popularity for the drug in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States led to Baltimore, Maryland, being dubbed the heroin capital of America. ¹⁰ Heroin and other opioids were to blame for approximately 1.3 million emergency room visits in 2014 according to a government report. The 2014 numbers reflect a 64 percent increase for inpatient care and a 99 percent jump for emergency room treatment compared to figures from 2005. ¹¹

Prescription Drugs

Prescription painkillers are one of the most commonly abused substances with between 26.4 million and 36 million people abuse opioids worldwide. An estimated 2.1 million people in the United States suffering from substance use disorders related to prescription opioid pain relievers. The United States accounts for almost 100 percent of the world total for the drug hydrocodone (Vicodin) and 81 percent for the oxycodone (Percocet). ¹² Abuse of these drugs has become increasingly common among suburbanites, likely due to their availability.

Hallucinogens and Stimulants

LSD is growing in popularity among young adults with close to 7 percent of 12 th graders using LSD in their lifetime. Over 4 percent of 12 th graders have used LSD in the past year. ¹³ Inhalants are far easier to come across. This may explain why national surveys indicate that nearly 21.7 million Americans aged 12 and older have used inhalants at least once in their lives. ¹⁴

Alcohol

Drinking too much alcohol can lead to both short-term and long-term health problems. Alcohol is also one of the major reasons for premature death. One in 10 deaths among working-age adults aged 20-64 years are due to excessive alcohol use. ¹⁵ Excessive alcohol consumption is responsible for an average of 88,000 deaths each year. ¹⁶

Here are some more facts to consider regarding the use of alcohol:

By age 15, about 33 percent of teens have had at least 1 drink.¹⁷

By age 18, about 60 percent of teens have had at least 1 drink.¹⁷

In 2015, 7.7 million young people ages 12-20 reported that they drank alcohol beyond "just a few sips" in the past month¹⁷

Alcohol use contributed to more than 200 diseases and injury-related health conditions, most notably DSM-IV alcohol dependence, liver cirrhosis, various forms of cancer, and injuries.¹⁷

About 1.3 million adults received treatment for AUD at a specialized facility in 2015. ¹⁸
Drug Addiction Treatment

All of these statistics and facts represent the choices of millions of people. There is no doubt that drug addiction is a very serious problem. But you personally can make the right choice right now. Whether you want help for yourself or your loved one, it's time to reach out for professional help. At Michael's House, our treatment facility is located in beautiful Palm Springs, California. Our facility is the breath of fresh air you've been looking for. We are a full-service program that provides interventions, detox, mental health care and addiction treatment. We truly care and will do all we can to help you leave treatment fully equipped to manage your health moving forward. If you or your loved one is addicted to drugs, please call 877-345-8494 today.

Sources ¹ World Drug Report 2016. Rep. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, May 2016. Web. 2 August 2017. ² " National Center for Health Statistics." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 03 May 2017. Web. 2 August 2017. ³ Miller, Sara G. " Drug Use in America: What the Numbers Say." LiveScience. Purch, 08 Sept. 2016. Web. 2 August 2017. ⁴ " Global Drug Survey." The Global Drug Survey 2016 findings | Global Drug Survey. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 2 August 2017. ⁵ Ibid. ⁶ " Prescription Opioid Overdose Data." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 16 Dec. 2016. Web. 2 August 2017. ⁷ " Results from the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health:Detailed Tables." Results from the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables, SAMHSA, CBHSQ. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 August 2017. ⁸ Drug Facts: Spice ("Synthetic Marijuana")." (n.d.). National Institute on Drug Abuse. Accessed 2 August 2017. ⁹ " National Survey of Drug Use and Health." National Institute on Drug Abuse. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 August 2017. ¹⁰ Yang, C. (2014). " Part I: Baltimore Is the U.S. Heroin Capital." ABC News. 2 August 2017. ¹¹ Weiss, Audrey. Patient Characteristics of Opioid-Related Inpatient Stays and Emergency Department Visits Nationally and by State, 2014. Rep. Agency For Healthcare Research And Quality, June 2017. Web. 2 August 2017. ¹² " America's Addiction to Opioids: Heroin and Prescription Drug Abuse." National Institute on Drug Abuse. N.p., 14 May 2014. Web. 2 August 2017. ¹³ " Hallucinogens." National Institute on Drug Abuse. N.p., 01 May 2014. Web. 2 August 2017. ¹⁴ " Inhalants." National Institute on Drug Abuse. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 August 2017. ¹⁵ " Alcohol Deaths." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 30 June 2014. Web. 2 August 2017. ¹⁶ " Excessive alcohol use continues to be drain on American economy." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d. Web. 2 August 2017. ¹⁷ " Underage Drinking." National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d. Web. 2 August 2017. ¹⁸ Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health. World Health Organization (WHO). 2014 ed. 2 August 2017.

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Drug addiction has reached epidemic levels across the globe withapproximately 247 million drug users worldwide. 1 In America, the problem is no better as over 10 percent of individuals 12 years of age and over have used an illicit drug in the past month in the United States.

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My thoughts: I think that the author did a very good job by using statistics of the ages of drug users so I can see what the ages of the people who do drugs are. I am also curious to how cocaine is used by around 16% of people aged 26 and over even though cocaine doesn't seem that popular in the US.

Direct Quotes: The Michaels House website says, "Drug addiction has reached epidemic levels across the globe withapproximately 247 million drug users worldwide. In America, the problem is no better as over 10  percent of individuals 12 years of age and over have used an illicit drug in the past month in the United States. As a matter of fact, nearly 21 million Americans ages 12 and older had a substance use problem in 2015."

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For people who have already begun using drugs or have already increased their use to the point of abuse, the best solution is to begin treatment. Treatment will be tailored based on what specific drug a person is abusing. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the most effective treatments for drug abuse focus on the entire life of the person, including her medical needs, psychological needs, relationship problems and work needs. Generally, treatment will use a combination of behavioral therapy interventions and medications to reduce the person's need or desire for the drug and give the person the skills to refrain from future drug use, notes the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

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What Are Some Solutions to Drug Abuse? | Livestrong.com

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Drug abuse occurs when people being using drugs for one reason or another and their use develops into an intense desire and need for the substance. This need and desire outweighs the person's need for need for success in his relationship, career or academics.

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My thoughts: I like how this website deals with both the problems and solutions to drug addiction. I am also curious to how the drug addicted people go to rehabilitation centers. Like if they are forced by their families or if they go on their free will.

Direct Quotes: The Livestrong website says, "Drug abuse occurs when people being using drugs for one reason or another and their use develops into an intense desire and need for the substance. This need and desire outweighs the person’s need for need for success in his relationship, career or academics... Intervene in Media... Know Risk Factors... Treatment

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At JVA, we're always working to stay educated on how drug usage is evolving. Below are 10 facts about drugs and how they impact users and the people around them.

1. Methamphetamines are 3x stronger than cocaine.

Both crack cocaine and methamphetamine prevent the reuptake of dopamine, which allows it to collect and thus prolongs and increases its effects. Although crack cocaine works only at the synapse level, methamphetamine can also penetrate the neuron, and thus cause permanent cell damage.

Meth is made with Acetone (found in nail polish remover), lithium (found in batteries), hydrochloric acid, and more harmful drugs. Ingesting any one of these ingredients individually could kill a person, but together they create a highly addictive substance that can cause over-stimulation, psychosis, and more.

2. Cocaine is the 7th most popular drug in the world after alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, caffeinated energy drinks, MDMA & Shisha Tobacco.

It's not only yourself that you do harm to by purchasing cocaine.

Buying cocaine funds the exploitation of impoverished people, destroys and pollutes large areas of rainforest, forces people from their homes so coca can be grown on their land, and results in the murder of those who stand in the way of powerful crime groups. In fact, 164,000 people were murdered 2007 and 2014 due to cocaine-related crime in Mexico alone.

3. More than 100,000 babies are born addicted to cocaine each year in the U.S. due to their mothers' use of the drug during pregnancy.

The addiction factor in cocaine is such that it can cause pregnant mothers to be unable to stop using the drug during pregnancy. This can cause extreme health risks for the child, including sudden infant death, behavioral issues, learning disabilities and more.

4. The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that nearly one-fourth of people who try heroin will become addicted.

Heroin is an exceptionally powerful drug with a high probability of addiction. This is because the brain's receptors for heroin are located in the parts of the brain that are responsible for pleasure. When heroin is metabolized, it breaks down into morphine which binds to the opioid receptors in the brain. After someone uses heroin, their pain signaling pathways become overactive, resulting in the user feeling the need for more heroin to feel "normal".

5. Depressants, opioids and antidepressants are responsible for more overdose deaths (45%) than cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and amphetamines (39%) combined.

The media is abuzz with the issue of prescription buzz abuse, and for good reason. Often legal depressants, opioids & antidepressants cause more deaths than illegal drugs.

6. 15.7 years old is the average age where drug use begins for Canadians.

How old were you when you were first witnessed or used drugs? For canadians, this usually starts in highschool when they are 15.7 years old. This is significant age, as the teen drug can have long-term cognitive and behavioral effects since the teenage brain is still developing until the age of 25. Additionally, teens that use drugs have a greater risk of developing an addiction when they are adults.

7. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin.

8. And, with Fentanyl, just a quarter of a milligram (.25 milligrams) can kill you.

That is equivalent to the size of just two grains of sand. This is what makes it so popular for drug suppliers to use - just the tiniest amount can increase the potency of a drug, keeping their margins profitable and their customers satisfied.

9. The danger of fentanyl isn't just to users - It can be a threat to anyone who knowingly or unknowingly come into contact with it.

The drug can be absorbed through the skin or accidentally inhaled. That means that naked fentanyl, even if not purposely consumed, can have a potentially lethal effect.

10. Most deaths attributed to Ecstasy and MDMA aren't considered overdoses.

Ecstasy and MDMA have long been popular party drugs that allow users to feel a sense of euphoria & energy. But did you know that overdosing on the MDMA is very unlikely. While an Ecstasy overdose is possible, deaths from Ecstasy/MDMA are more likely to occur as a result of overheating and dehydration. Ecstasy abuse can cause hyperthermia, an increase in body temperature due to both the stimulant effects of the drug, and the crowded, warm places the drug is usually taken, such as clubs, raves, etc.
What did you think of these facts about drugs & drug abuse? Share these facts with friends and family to spread awareness on the impact of drugs.
Are you or someone you know suffering from addiction? Get in touch today - we can help.

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Sources for these facts:

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10 Facts About Drugs & Their Impact | Volken Academy

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At JVA, we're always working to stay educated on how drug usage is evolving. Below are 10 facts about drugs and how they impact users and the people around them. Methamphetamines are 3x stronger than cocaine. Both crack cocaine and methamphetamine prevent the reuptake of dopamine, which allows it to collect and thus prolongs and increases its effects.

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With so many modalities offering a solution to addiction, how is family to choose the one that will give their loved one the best chance of long-term success? Nothing is more devastating than when a family finds a loved one overdosed in their car or gets a call that they've been arrested or walks in on them shooting up in the bathroom. During these situations, families scramble to do everything they can to help their loved one... fast. It's a life and death situation and hey, Bob and Judy's kid went to that detox up the street, so that must be the best place, right?

There are 3 primary ways to deal with addiction.

Handle the Physical Addiction First

Before any counseling can be done with an addict, the physical addiction needs to be addressed. First, an addict needs to get through the acute withdrawal from the drug they have been using. After the initial detox, there is more work to be done.

Most people believe once the withdrawals go away, a person is no longer physically addicted to drugs, which is not true. The way the human body works is that toxins, whether they be drugs, medications, environmental toxins, food preservatives, etc., get sequestered into the fatty tissue so they cannot harm the rest of the body. After using drugs for years, a person builds up large amounts of drug residues and metabolites in their fatty tissue. When that person tries to get sober, they still feel the effects of having taken drugs for a long time since they are stored in their body.

This causes a person to feel physically and mentally unwell, have anxiety, depression, low energy, insomnia and most troubling, severe drug cravings. Whenever an addict quits drugs, those drugs still lodged in their fat cells are unleashed back into their system anytime they burn fat, which is basically every time their heart rate increases. When those released residues hit the brain, they commonly cause tremendous cravings.

In other modalities of drug rehabilitation, this physical and mental/emotional discomfort is called PAWS or "post-acute withdrawal syndrome." Despite what some treatment centers state, it is completely avoidable. The solution is to find a program with a strategy for removing these drug residues, allowing an addict to be freed from the physical effects of having taken drugs which also restores their physical health and relieves them of cravings.

Life Skills

One thing most addicts lack is the ability to deal with life and life's problems without the use of drugs. At one point or another, the drug or alcohol solved a problem, something that otherwise seemed unsolvable. This solution "makes the problem go away" even if only temporarily. When the same problem comes up again, the person who continues to solve it using drugs or alcohol as an escape is on their way to being an addict. And at the end of the day when it is the heroin or alcohol they use for comfort, they have succumbed to their addiction.

Those who do not develop an addiction learn valuable life skills as they solve those inevitable life problems. They learn about who to surround themselves with in order to be as happy and successful as possible. They learn the tools they need to be a success in life and they take responsibility for the decisions they make along the way.

Addicts don't have the luxury of knowing (or if they do know, they do not apply) these important skills. While they might have picked up some life skills here and there, they go out the window almost immediately... especially if doing the right thing gets in the way of their being able to get high.

Giving an addict life skills is extremely important when attempting to solve an addiction. Remember, the only life skills an addict uses on a daily basis are lying, cheating, stealing, manipulating and whatever else they have to do to get their fix. Those are their life skills, even though they are completely destructive. Addicts, after being relieved of their physical addiction, need to be taught how to live life again as a constructive member of society. Without these skills, all that's created is a drug-free person who is lost in the sea of life, floating through a storm with no way to deal with it.

Intensive One-On-One Counseling

One thing overlooked in certain types of treatment is the necessity for intensive one-on-one counseling. Some treatment centers offer very little one-on-one counseling and put an emphasis on group therapy. Group therapy is conducted in a large room with a group of addicts. The group is run by a counselor and participants are expected to discuss their inner-most secrets, problems and insecurities in the middle of a large group.

The problem with this is many addicts deal with shameful and sometimes embarrassing situations and circumstances many of them don't feel comfortable discussing in private counseling and especially in the middle of a large group. This results in an addict never fully opening up and dealing with their issues.

Emphasis needs to be placed on one-on-one counseling, not group therapy. The objective of the counseling should be to get to the core root of a person's addiction and help them to figure out why drugs or alcohol became a solution to their problems. After a person's real, core issues are handled, they no longer have a problem that needs to be solved by using drugs. The counselor helps them to deal with their issue(s) so the addict finally resolves them and can move forward in life.

A big part of the counseling is having a person who has first-hand experience with addiction to counsel the addict. Addicts are more likely to listen to someone who has actually been through addiction, knows what it feels like to shoot dope, but also knows what it takes to get clean and stay clean, rather than a counselor who read about addiction in a textbook, took a course, and passed a state licensure exam yet who has no real reality on addiction.

Addiction is a huge societal problem our world is currently facing. The opiate epidemic is out of control and better forms of drug addiction treatment are necessary to combat this growing problem. There are tried and true means of dealing with addiction that have been around for a long time, but with the growing numbers of addicts, the high concentration of strong drugs, and methadone clinics bursting at the seams with new patients, alternatives to the traditional way of dealing with addiction have become a necessity.

The best way to solve an addiction is a multi-pronged approach which includes handling the physical addiction, giving the addict the life skills they need to deal with life and life's problems effectively, and utilizing one-on-one counseling as a means of getting to the root cause of a person's addiction and helping to fully handle it so they can lead long, productive lives.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, call us today at 877-850-7355

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With so many modalities offering a solution to addiction, how is family to choose the one that will give their loved one the best chance of long-term success? Nothing is more devastating than when a family finds a loved one overdosed in their car or gets a call that they've been arrested or...

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My thoughts: I think that the author does a very good job at showing some of the solutions to helping your family and loved ones with addiction. I am also curious to how drug residues can be stored in fatty tissue and can keep a person feeling the effects even though they aren't taking the drug anymore.

Direct Quotes: Author Jason Good says, "With so many modalities offering a solution to addiction, how is family to choose the one that will give their loved one the best chance of long-term success?... Handle the Physical Addiction First... Life Skills... Intensive One-On-One Counseling."

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Narconon Freedom Center has expanded the delivery of their drug rehab program in Michigan. A new a women's wing opened up with a ribbon cutting and three hundred guests on hand to join the celebration.

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My thoughts: I think that the author does a very good job at showing the places of where people can get help with addiction if they need it. I am also curious about how the drug traffickers that bring in these drugs don't get caught or even searched when they come into the US.

Direct Quotes: The Narconon website says, "Addiction is a terrible lifestyle. Addicts become trapped by their cravings and can be led into a life of crime and violence... Narconon Freedom Center... The Narconon Program Helps to Save Addicted Lives..."

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The Narconon New Life Retreat drug rehab program offers drug addiction treatment with services which help make your stay at our facility comfortable and provides a therapeutic environment to help your recovery process.

If you have been searching for a drug rehab center for yourself or for a loved one, you should be educated on the subject of chronic drug or alcohol addiction in order to make an informed decision about the correct treatment option. Our experienced and caring counselors are standing by to help you understand more about addiction, select the right solutions for drug addiction and learn what it takes to permanently recover through effective rehabilitation. Call now!

What Makes our Narconon Drug Rehab Center so Successful?

The Narconon New Life Retreat uses time-tested treatment for drug addiction methods of the Narconon drug rehabilitation program that has been helping people overcome addiction for almost five decades, around the world.

We offer a long-term residential drug addiction rehab program that focuses on results. Despite decades of success, our methods are considered alternative in that we do not use any sort of replacement drugs in the rehabilitation process and we are not based on twelve step programs. We help handle the physical cravings for drugs through a sauna detoxification step which is followed by a series of life skills courses designed to empower individuals and put them back in control over their lives.

Clients move through our drug addiction program at their own pace and are referred to as students, not patients. We don't feel that all people get better in the same amount of time, which is why our treatment program is open-ended and we don't charge extra if it takes someone longer to complete. Individualized treatment is something that group therapy can never replace.

Drug Addiction Rehab And Treatment Success

The success stories our students have written are nothing short of miraculous. Seeing lives saved from this incredible addiction treatment program is a privilege. Read the stories from people with little hope of a future who regained their ability to live life as self-determined individuals. Click here for some family successes.

"I knew I wanted to get off of drugs but didn't know how to do it. This program gave me the means to get myself clean and to stay clean forever."-T.L.

"I owe Narconon New Life Retreat my new way of life - they gave it to me!" -C.P.

"Because of Narconon New Life Retreat, I found a world that made sense. A world that was nonthreatening and stable. A world that was comfortable for me to be in." -F.F.

"Narconon has saved my life by completely changing me into a better father, husband, son, and brother."-E.V.
Read more success stories.
Our Drug Rehab Facility

The Narconon New Life Retreat drug rehab facility boasts not only an excellent success rate, but a beautiful, serene environment as well. Nestled on wooded acreage our center includes multiple buildings and houses for a relaxed environment, plenty of trees and grass, a pool and recreation facilities.

For more information and pictures, check out our drug rehab facility page.
Call Now for Drug Addiction Help
Don't wait, contact us today for more information about this life-saving drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. Find out how our individualized addiction treatment approach has helped people permanently recover.
Addiction CAN be Overcome-Permanently!
While most treatment centers view addiction as a chronic, relapsing brain disease, our statistics prove that people have the ability to put alcohol and other drug addiction permanently behind them.

One key is to identify situations and problems in life that have lead the individual to feel that taking alcohol or other drugs is some sort of solution. We don't just treat the symptoms of addiction, but instead rehabilitate the whole individual, finding alternative solutions to problems faced in everyday life so they are no longer stuck in the past and do not desire drugs as an escape.

The difference between Narconon and the "traditional" approach to rehab lies in the underlying philosophy. Far from agreeing that "addiction is a disease" concept, we at Narconon know that drugs and alcohol addiction is simply a solution to a problem that the person has. This may be a physical, emotional or spiritual problem that the drug use or alcohol use eases or erases for the individual. The drugs then become the obvious "problem" that gets addressed. We go deeper than that. Not only does the sauna part of the program handle the physical cleansing, and thereby eradicating much of the "craving" that so often defeats a recovering addict, but we help the person find and resolve the problem that precedes the desire for drugs.

Narconon New Life Retreat is considered one of the top drug addiction rehabs in the United States. The reason for this is that our staff and counselors are trained to help drug addicts put a permanent end to addiction. We have helped hundreds of drug addicts find the solution to a drug-free life. We can help you or your loved one achieve sobriety.

Find out more about addiction solutions here.

Our experienced staff is caring and knowledgeable in solutions for all aspects of addiction. Not only are we able to provide drug addiction treatment for the physical cravings that come with drug addiction. We also help you overcome the mental and emotional dependence to drugs that makes it so hard to quit. We won't just help you get off drugs. We'll help you repair your life.

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Drug Abuse Solutions | Narconon Louisiana

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The Narconon New Life Retreat drug rehab program offers drug addiction treatment with services which help make your stay at our facility comfortable and provides a therapeutic environment to help your recovery process.

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Substance use disorder is not limited to alcohol.

Addiction costs the economy $190 billion annually.

Alcohol may be the most commonly used substance, but the second most commonly used substance is marijuana, followed by cocaine. Other substances, such as heroin, marijuana, and prescription drugs have severe health outcomes for people. Currently, over 2 million people are suffering from opioid addiction, causing a record number of overdose deaths each year.

Short-term side effects of drug use include memory loss, anxiety, nausea, and mental disturbances. The long-term effects are serious and have far-reaching social consequences as well as individual health outcomes.

Some people use substances casually, but others struggle with the unhealthy patterns of cravings, withdrawal, and binges. Addiction is distinct from casual substance use because it includes a physical and mental element: the body is affected as much as the mind. The consequences of substance use disorder are severe, chronic, and sometimes untreatable.

HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C

Medical complications and recurring health issues

Compromised fetal health, for women who use during pregnancy

Death due to overdose

If you are concerned about your substance use, take our self-quiz to learn more. Or learn more about alcohol addiction.

Drug use effects not just the person using the substance, but the community around them as well.

$130 billion in lost productivity

$40 billion in legal costs, including drug courts, incarceration, and criminal justice

$20 billion in legal costs, including drug courts, incarceration, and criminal justice

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Addiction costs the economy $190 billion annually. Alcohol may be the most commonly used substance, but the second most commonly used substance is marijuana, followed by cocaine. Other substances, such as heroin, marijuana, and prescription drugs have severe health outcomes for people.

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Drug Abuse Solutions | Narconon Louisiana

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Drug Abuse Solutions | Narconon Louisiana

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My thoughts: I think this website does a very good job at showing why these rehabilitation centers are very successful and good. I am also curious to how the rehabilitation center that this website talks about can control the addictions of the people they help without giving them replacement drugs.

Direct Quotes: The Narconon website says, "The Narconon New Life Retreat drug rehab program offers drug addiction treatment with services which help make your stay at our facility comfortable and provides a therapeutic environment to help your recovery process... What Makes our Narconon Drug Rehab Center so Successful?... Drug Addiction Rehab And Treatment Success... Our Drug Rehab Facility."

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1. Love and affectionate as the child grows.
2. Consistent and fair discipline.
3. Open channels of communication for thoughts and feelings.
4. Opportunities for successful experiences at home and in school.
5. A stable family atmosphere (family time together, family rituals).
6. Tolerance of the child's mistakes (no put-downs).
7. Models of strong, thoughtful and feeling adults.
8. Accurate information about the problems of growing up today (sexuality, drugs, crime, etc.)

There is NOTHING more important in preventing drug abuse than spending time with your children. Take time to do what they enjoy, to share some skills, to build family rituals and rapport.

What else can be done? Educate yourself, have enough facts to clarify your point of view, and talk to your children. Unfortunately, many parents wait until after their children are involved with drugs or alcohol to sit down with them and talk. Don't make this discussion a onetime thing; children and teenagers need to be constantly reminded of where their parents stand. They also need parents who will listen without being critical and without over reacting.

Finally, your attitude and use of drugs (including alcohol and tobacco) will influence your children. Children learn more by watching what their parents do than they learn by what their parents say. Children need models of strong, responsible adults who are aware of their own chemical use. One reason we're seeing younger and younger children use alcohol and drugs is that they are "second generation" users, simply modeling their parents behavior.

Zero tolerance for drug/alcohol use in our children and teenagers is the most reasonable stance for their long-term well being. Part of prevention is taking reasonable action at the earliest possible time. This means a parent should be vigilant to the subtle signs and symptoms as discussed in the preceding article and take immediate action when use is suspected.

Common drugs of abuse By far, the three most common drugs of abuse for teens are cigarettes, alcohol and marijuana. If that isn't bad enough, use of all three substances nearly triples from junior high to high school. Even worse, adolescents with ADHD have an approximately 35 percent greater likelihood of becoming involved with illicit substances. As parents of children with ADHD the more knowledge you have the more you can help your child in both a preventative and treatment manner.

According to statistics, about one in four adolescents report being a current smoker. Boys and girls reported similar frequency of use. Regular alcohol use is reported less frequently than regular cigarette use. Slightly less than one in five adolescents say they drink alcohol (including beer and wine) more than one time per month. Almost 10 percent admitted to drinking at least once per week. The highest levels of alcohol use are found among youth living in the suburbs. Approximately 25 percent of all adolescents report having smoked marijuana at least once in their lives and about 19 percent report using one or more times in the previous month. Approximately one in five teenagers report regular use of marijuana.

Figures indicate alcohol use is sometimes tolerated by parents, especially those of older teens. If that's the case, parents should think again! In small doses, like all depressants, alcohol has a calming effect but long-term heavy use affects the liver, muscles, bonus, digestive tract, heart and brain. For some, alcohol can provide an easy escape from dealing with boredom, fears, depression, symptoms of ADHD, and frustration. The major problem with alcohol, however, is that teenagers and alcohol don't mix. Impulsive and easily influenced by their peers, teenagers often underestimate the seriousness of driving while intoxicated. They are inexperienced as to how alcohol affects perception, coordination and judgment.

​One quarter of all young people have reported smoking marijuana at least once. Long-term studies indicate marijuana can cause serious physical and mental problems. Of particular concern are the effects of marijuana on young people who smoke while their bodies and minds are still rapidly developing. Marijuana, like alcohol, can affect a person's memory, driving ability and school performance. It is particularly dangerous for an impulsive teenager to be using marijuana. Would you care if you found out that the driver of car you were riding in was high on marijuana? What about your son or daughter?

Steps to solving a drug problem:

1. Identify the problem in your home. If you are unsure, but suspect of a problem, consult a trusted professional. It is often difficult to tell if a teenager is abusing substances. We have seen families where the parents were medical professionals, yet a substantial alcohol/drug problem was completely missed.

2. Talk with your teenager about your concerns. Listen to what he or she has to say. Your teenager may become very angry, defensive, noncommunicative, hostile or disgusted. Don't be intimidated. Most teenagers when confronted will deny or grossly minimize a problem. If your teenager refuses to talk about a drug problem and you are still concerned you must act because a teenager with a drug problem won't take the first step. Take your teenager to a trusted professional (physician, psychologist, etc.) for an assessment. Your actions must convince your child that you mean business.

3. Put your plans into action! Firm rules must be set. As a parent, you need to recognize you can't stop your adolescent from using drugs if they really want to. However, you can control drug usage in some environments (like your home) and you can be a major reason for their deciding to stop using drugs. Research clearly shows parent/family connectedness and parental presence (before school, after school, dinner and bedtime) are definite protective factors in the use of alcohol and drugs.

Finally, because drug usage is often a complex problem, many parents find outside professional support is essential. Trained and experienced family physicians or psychologists in the treatment of teenage substance use are the best sources of help. Though the road to success and drug-free living is sometimes painfully long and difficult, we have personally witnessed many successes.
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1. Love and affectionate as the child grows.2. Consistent and fair discipline.3. Open channels of communication for thoughts and feelings.4. Opportunities for successful experiences at home and in school.5. A stable family atmosphere (family time together, family rituals).6. Tolerance of the child's mistakes (no put-downs).7. Models of strong, thoughtful and feeling adults.8.

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My thoughts: I think that the author did a very good job at telling the affects of doing drugs and how the addiction to it can hurt you and your life. I am also curious to how addiction cost the US $190 billion annually.

Direct Quotes: Author Lazlo says, "The consequences of substance use disorder are severe, chronic, and sometimes untreatable.

HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C

Medical complications and recurring health issues

Compromised fetal health, for women who use during pregnancy

Death due to overdose"

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My thoughts: I think that the website does a very good job at telling and showing the solutions to addiction. I am also curious to how the author thinks that parents can be the ones to prevent the addictions. The children could just be with the wrong group of people.

Direct Quotes: The ADDvisor website says, "Prevention: parents can prevent drug abuse! Parents are the best protection youngsters can have against drug abuse. Prevention is the process, which builds into children a resistance to abusing drugs, so that drug use never begins...
1. Love and affectionate as the child grows.
2. Consistent and fair discipline.
3. Open channels of communication for thoughts and feelings.
4. Opportunities for successful experiences at home and in school.
5. A stable family atmosphere (family time together, family rituals).
6. Tolerance of the child's mistakes (no put-downs).
7. Models of strong, thoughtful and feeling adults.
8. Accurate information about the problems of growing up today (sexuality, drugs, crime, etc.)"

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My thoughts: I think that this article does a very good job at explaining the hard facts about drugs and how addicting they can be. I am also very curious to why most deaths related to ecstasy and MDMA aren't considered overdoses even though they are dying from using the drug in too large of amounts.

Direct Quotes: The Volken Academy says, "Methamphetamines are 3x stronger than cocaine... Cocaine is the 7th most popular drug in the world after alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, caffeinated energy drinks, MDMA & Shisha Tobacco... More than 100,000 babies are born addicted to cocaine each year in the U.S. due to their mothers’ use of the drug during pregnancy... The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that nearly one-fourth of people who try heroin will become addicted... Depressants, opioids and antidepressants are responsible for more overdose deaths (45%) than cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and amphetamines (39%) combined... 15.7 years old is the average age where drug use begins for Canadians... Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin... And, with Fentanyl, just a quarter of a milligram (.25 milligrams) can kill you... The danger of fentanyl isn’t just to users – It can be a threat to anyone who knowingly or unknowingly come into contact with it... Most deaths attributed to Ecstasy and MDMA aren’t considered overdoses..."