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Abuse vs. Addiction
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Abuse vs. Addiction
You have a tough job. Keeping your child away from drugs and alcohol is challenging. Half of all 12th graders have used have used illicit drugs, according to a survey (Monitoring the Future) sponsored and released by the National Institute on Drug Abuse in 2006. But with love and attention, you can do it. Your best weapon is to arm yourself with education. What substances are out there? What are the signs of abuse and addiction? If you think your child is abusing or is addicted, get help immediately and educate yourself.
Abuse and addiction are not the same. Drug abuse always comes before addiction, which is a chronic and treatable disease. Drug abuse starts when your teen makes a conscious decision to take drugs. Used too often, drugs may cause your child to crave the substance. That's because physical changes in the brain take place. Neurons, or brain cells, use chemical messengers called neurotransmitters to "talk" to each other. Drugs interfere with this process by making both temporary and structural changes in brain cells. Mood, memory, thinking and even motor skills such as walking may be affected. When this happens, drug abuse turns into addiction. People who are addicted have a compulsive craving and cannot quit by themselves. Not everyone becomes addicted. But any drug abuse is dangerous.
Teenagers are in a phase of life in which their brains and bodies are still developing. New research suggests that alcohol may harm a developing teen's brain. Drug abuse and addiction interfere with their sense of who they are and how they learn and mature. These problems can harm a teen's future - physically, emotionally and behaviorally, even leading to depression and anxiety. Drugs can weaken the ability to concentrate and store information. Being under the influence of drugs can also impair judgment, leading to risky decisions about sex or about getting into a car with someone who is also under the influence.
Substances that can lead to drug abuse and addiction include alcohol, steroids, over-the-counter medications, prescription medications and illegal drugs (e.g., cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine and heroin).
Alcohol
The 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health estimates that there are 11 million underage drinkers in the U.S. Nearly 7.2 million teens are binge drinkers, meaning that they drank more than five drinks on occasion; more than two million are classified as heavy drinkers. For adults, alcohol is legal, widely accepted in American culture and easily accessible. Some teens can get a drink at home. Our culture also makes drinking look fun and harmless. Teenagers are drinking younger and more frequently than before, often beginning at age 13. A report from the Surgeon General in 2007 indicated that if a teen starts to drink before age 15, he or she is five times more likely to have alcohol-related problems later in life. Alcohol is a depressant, affecting the body and mind. Alcohol travels to the brain, organs, liver, kidneys, stomach, nervous system and even muscles. The effects of alcohol may start within five to 10 minutes and last for hours. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration says 2.6 million young people don't know that someone can die from too much alcohol. Teens who drink regularly are at a higher risk for cirrhosis (a dangerous inflammation of the liver), pancreatitis (a dangerous inflammation of the pancreas), stroke and even cancer than those who do not.
Marijuana
Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug among teens. This drug looks like a green, brown or gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds and flowers. Common names for the drug include pot, herb, Mary Jane, grass, weed, boom, gangster and chronic. Marijuana is usually smoked as a hand-rolled cigarette, in a pipe or in a glass tube called a bong. Marijuana is not harmless. Teens can become addicted to the drug. And teens who use marijuana often do risky things such as having sex and getting into trouble with the law. Marijuana can also hurt how well your child does in school. Marijuana can change the brain in ways similar to cocaine, heroin or alcohol.
Ecstasy
Ecstasy is a psychoactive (mind-altering) drug that can cause hallucinations. It also creates an amphetamine-like effect, or a calming sensation. This drug is also called MDMA, Adam and XTC. The drug may permanently damage brain cells called neurons, specifically the ones that deal with serotonin, a chemical that regulates emotions, memory, sleep, pain and other functions.
This drug may also damage the neurotransmitter dopamine. This can cause motor problems similar to Parkinson's disease. Symptoms begin with lack of coordination and tremors, and can eventually result in paralysis. Ecstasy is classified as a club drug, used mostly by teens at clubs, rock concerts and dance parties called raves. The drug looks like a tablet or capsule, usually with some sort of symbol on it. Sometimes it's in a powder form. Ecstasy may lower inhibitions and enhance feelings of love and affection.
Rohypnol®
Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) is used as a date rape drug because it is odorless and tasteless, making it easy to slip into a drink. When Rohypnol is mixed with alcohol, it prevents the victim from fighting a sexual assault. The drug may also be deadly when used with alcohol. Rohypnol is used legally in Europe for short-term treatment of insomnia and as a presurgery anesthetic. The drug is 10 times more potent than Valium® (diazepam). However, the United States has not approved its use for any medical treatment. It is also known as rophies, roofies, roach and rope. The drug starts to work within 30 minutes and peaks within two hours. Its effects may last eight hours or more.
Barbiturates and benzodiazepines
Barbiturates are a prescription drug class, which includes pentobarbital (Nembutal®), secobarbital (Seconal®), amobarbital (Amytal®) and phenobarbital (Luminal®). Slang names for these barbiturates include yellow jackets, reds, blues, Amy's and rainbows. A newer group of drugs called benzodiazepines replaced many barbiturates. Benzodiazepines include diazepam (Valium®), chlordiazepoxide HCl (Librium®) and alprazolam (Xanax®). Benzodiazepines such as triazolam (Halcion®) and estazolam (ProSom®) may be prescribed for short-term treatment for sleep disorders. However, they lose their effectiveness if used every day. These drugs treat anxiety disorders, tension, panic attacks and sleep disorders. Barbiturates and benzodiazepines may lead to tolerance and dependence if abused. Tolerance means more of the drug is needed to get the same effect. Dependence occurs when withdrawal symptoms appear if the drug is stopped. These drugs slow physical, mental and emotional reactions. Teens continue to abuse prescription drugs including narcotics, tranquilizers and sedatives at high levels, according to the 2006 Monitoring the Future study.
GHB
Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) is a chemical first used by body builders to get bigger muscles. However, teens take it to get into a state of relaxation. Usually, teens take GHB with other drugs such as ecstasy to enhance the effects. GHB is being used in date rape, even more so than Rohypnol. Because it does not have a smell and is mostly tasteless, the drug can easily be slipped into someone's drink. Effects are felt within 20 minutes and last as long as four hours. GHB is made from a chemical used to clean electrical circuit boards. You may see it as a clear liquid, white powder, capsule or tablet. GHB was created in France more than 40 years ago as a possible anesthetic. However, GHB was not used because of its side effects. Steroid users started taking the drug in the late 1980s because they thought it would help them add muscle. GHB was banned by the Food and Drug Administration in 1990 because the drug caused seizures and coma in some people. The drug can even cause death. GHB can lead to vomiting, liver failure, potentially fatal breathing problems, tremors and seizures, which can cause comas. In contrast to the abused, GHB is the FDA-approved medication Xyrem® (sodium oxybate), which is derived from GHB. It is indicated for the treatment of narcolepsy with cataplexy.
Ketamine
Ketamine hydrochloride, or Special K, is a hallucinogen and is used to sedate animals. Users call the high it creates "K hole." The drug causes visual hallucinations, and users lose sense of time and sense of self. The effects can last as long as two hours. Special K is a powder and is usually snorted. Sometimes it is used with tobacco or marijuana and smoked. Often Special K is used with ecstasy, heroin or cocaine.
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is an addictive stimulant. The drug is related to amphetamine, but its effects on the central nervous system are much worse. Methamphetamine is also called speed, meth and chalk. The drug damages brain cells that have dopamine and serotonin. Methamphetamine eventually causes lower levels of dopamine, creating symptoms like those of Parkinson's disease. Methamphetamine is taken through the mouth, through the nose, by a shot injected into a vein and by smoking. Addiction happens quickly.
LSD
LSD, or acid, does not smell or have a color. Rather, it has a slightly bitter taste and is taken by mouth. The drug is usually put on absorbent paper, such as blotter paper. Reaction to LSD varies from person to person. It depends on how much is taken and on the person's personality and mood. Effects are felt within 90 minutes, and LSD trips begin to go away after 12 hours. Many LSD users have flashbacks, which means certain aspects of that LSD trip return without the user having taken the drug. A flashback happens without warning and may occur within days or even a year later.
Inhalants
The peak age for using inhalants is 14-15, with children as young as 5 or 6 years of age abusing household substances to get high. It is now as common as marijuana with young people. By 12th grade, it's estimated that 11.1 percent of students have used inhalants, according to University of Michigan's annual Monitoring the Future study. Inhalants such as nail polish remover, cleaning fluid, gasoline, correction fluid, bleach and spray paint are among the most popular drugs, mostly because they are easily available. Inhalant abuse can cause death even when used for the first time. Hundreds of household products are used. Kids either sniff it directly from an open container or by breathing in the chemical from a soaked rag. Many teenagers think these chemicals won't harm them, but they can be habit-forming and have serious effects on brain functioning. They can also cause sudden death.
Over-the-counter drugs
Over-the-counter (OTC) cold remedies are often abused by teens, but not many parents are aware of this risk. When used correctly, these medications are safe and effective. But an ingredient in nearly half of these medications called dextromethorphan (DXM) is why kids take large doses of these medications. When taken in high doses, DXM can cause a high or psychoactive effect. DXM is a cough suppressant and is in more than 125 OTC products. Abusing the drug can cause a depressive mood and a mild hallucinogenic effect. Users have feelings ranging from a mild stimulant effect with distorted visual perceptions to feeling complete dissociation from the body. Driving is dangerous under the influence of this substance. The 2006 Monitoring the Future study showed that one in every 14 twelfth graders had abused cough or cold medicines at some point.
Ritalin®
Ritalin (methylphenidate) is a medication generally prescribed for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), however it can be prescribed for other medical conditions. Ritalin calms hyperactive children and helps them focus. This drug is safe and helpful and not addictive if taken according to a doctor's orders. However, the drug is being abused by people who did not get the medication prescribed to them. Some teenagers mix Ritalin with heroin, or with cocaine and heroin for a more powerful effect. The drug can be crushed and inhaled for a quicker reaction.
OxyContin® and Vicodin®
These are painkillers that are generally safe if monitored by a doctor. However, they can be addictive if abused. OxyContin (oxycodone HCl controlled-release) contains oxycodone, a very strong narcotic pain reliever similar to morphine. OxyContin is designed so that the oxycodone is slowly released over time. OxyContin tablet is not supposed to be broken up before you take it because this causes a large amount of oxycodone to be released from the tablet all at once, potentially resulting in a dangerous or fatal drug overdose. However, users crush the tablets so they can be sniffed. Teenagers might also dissolve them into water to make the medication work faster. Vicodin® (hydrocodone), another prescription painkiller, is also frequently abused by teens. As many as 9.7 percent of students had abused Vicodin by grade 12.
Steroids
Anabolic steroids are powerful synthetic versions of the male sex hormone testosterone. Steroids are prescribed by doctors to help with anemia or for men who don't produce enough testosterone naturally. However, steroids are used illegally, usually by body builders and other athletes looking for an edge over their competition. Some users pop pills; others inject it into their muscles. Some abusers take two or more kinds of steroids at once. This is called stacking.
Steroids are extremely dangerous. More than 70 physical and psychological side effects can occur because of steroids, with many of these changes permanent. Steroid abuse injures the liver, cardiovascular system and reproductive systems. In males, these chemicals can lead to withered testicles, infertility and hair loss. They may develop breasts. In females, steroids can cause irreversible masculine traits such as breast reduction, extra body hair and a deeper voice. Psychological effects in men and women include depression and aggressive behavior. Steroid abuse can interfere with bone growth and stunt height. It can also lead to heart attacks and strokes, even in young people.
Cocaine and crack cocaine
Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant that directly affects the brain. Cocaine may be inhaled, injected or smoked. Cocaine may be called tornado, wicky stick, coke, snow, nose candy, flake and blow. The drug comes as a white crystalline powder. Crack, which is the rock form of cocaine, is an off-white, chunky material. The powder version is usually inhaled or dissolved in water and injected into a vein. Crack is smoked. When cocaine is smoked, it reaches the brain quickly and immediately creates a high within 10 seconds, which is partly why the drug became so popular in the 1980s. The drug is relatively cheap.
The liver combines cocaine and alcohol to make a new substance called cocaethylene, which intensifies cocaine's euphoric effects and may increase the risk of sudden death.
Heroin
This is an opiate drug also known as smack, junk, H, skag, brown sugar, dope, horse and skunk. Users can smoke it, snort it or inject it. Heroin is made from morphine, which is a naturally occurring substance from the Asian poppy plant. Studies show users are consuming more heroin than a decade ago. Heroin used to only be available as an injection. But heroin has become purer, allowing the drug to be smoked or inhaled. Because of this, use of heroin is increasing.
Heroin looks like a white or brown powder. After injection, the user feels a rush of feeling good along with a flushing of the skin, a dry mouth and a feeling that their limbs are heavy. Then, the user goes "on the nod," which is an alternating wakeful and drowsy state. Thinking becomes muddled because the central nervous system is depressed. Heroin abuse can lead to a fatal overdose, liver disease, spontaneous abortion, collapsed veins and infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. Heroin use is also associated with endocarditis an infection of the heart lining and valves and cellulitis (inflammation of the connective tissue under the skin).
Phencyclidine (PCP)
PCP was first investigated in the 1950s as an anesthetic, but researchers found the side effects of confusion and delirium were too severe. Veterinary doctors started using it a decade later to anesthetize animals. When the government learned that people were abusing the drug, the drug manufacturing was stopped for good. Today the drug is illegally sold as angel dust, supergrass, killer weed, embalming fluid and rocket fuel. If your teen has some, you may see it as a white crystal-like substance. However, the color can also be tan or brown. It's sold in tablets, capsules, powder and liquid form. Often, it's mixed with parsley, mint, oregano and marijuana and smoked. PCP may interfere with growth and the learning process in teenagers. Although there is a chance for bad reactions, users say they like that the drug gives them a sense of power, strength and invulnerability and numbs the mind. Bad memories seem to go away, too, while on the drug.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms can be found in nature or grown in a laboratory. Naturally occurring chemicals such as psilocin and psilocybin in mushrooms create hallucinogens. They act on the central nervous system to change perception, mood and thinking. Effects are similar to LSD. Growing kits and information are easy to get through the Internet.
"Safe Legal Highs"
Be alert to these drugs: Trip2Night, Invigorate II, Snuffadelic, Liquid Speed, Solar Water, Orange Butterfly and Schoomz. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns people not to purchase or consume products that claim to provide "safe legal highs" or that are marketed as "street drug alternatives." The FDA considers any product promoted as a street drug alternative to be an unapproved new drug.
In 2004, consumers were warned not to buy or consume a liquid called Green Hornet. This product is promoted on the Internet and sold in stores as an herbal version of the illegal street drug called ecstasy. The FDA considers this product to be an unapproved new drug since it contains, among other ingredients, the undeclared active ingredients diphenhydramine and dextromethorphan, found in over-the-counter drugs. Four teens died after consuming Green Hornet.
Prognosis
Drug addiction is a treatable disease and drug abuse can be stopped. Your child can overcome this with your help and the help of support groups, psychotherapy, medication, treatment programs and family counseling. These programs are customized to help your teenager lead a productive and normal life.
Signs of Teen Substance Abuse
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Stealing |
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Moodiness |
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Depression |
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Missing school or work |
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Unusual temper flare-ups |
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Loss of interest in hobbies and sports |
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Change in eating or sleeping habits |
This article was reviewed and updated June 2007
Tags: Abuse vs. Addiction