Recovery for Teens On Ecstacy

Ecstasy is also known as the 'love drug' or 'thrill pill' but in reality it is a potentially lethal chemical compound that can create a drug addict. It is sold in powder, tablet or capsule form and can be inhaled, injected or swallowed. Unfortunately it is one of those drugs that teens tend to do most often.
It is also called 'E', 'X' and 'XTC'. Doctors and researchers refer to it as MDMA or N-methyl-3, 4-methylenedioxyamphet-amine. DMA itself is a member of a chemical family known as phenethylamines. It is chemically related to speed and the hallucinogen mescalin. The drug has actually been around since 1914 but it got its reputation as the 'love drug' in the seventies.
Ecstasy is said to boost insight, lower inhibitions and increase communications. On the other hand it is thought to deplete the brain of the neurotransmitter serotonin and damage the brain stem. It is the depletion of serotonin that creates the drug addict as she or he will do more and more 'E' to try and recapture a high they are no longer capable of feeling.
The drug starts acting within half an hour and the effects last up to six hours. Side effects are dilated pupils, dry mouth, and nervousness and muscle tension. However the most dangerous effect is disorientation and dissociation which can lead to taking other kinds of pills and drugs in order for the person to try and calm down.
Long term use has been shown to cause drug-addict related memory loss and learning problems. Attention deficit disorder, bi-polar mania and depression are also linked to XTC addiction.
If your teen does become addicted to this drug it is not the end of the world. Recovery from Ecstasy often requires a great deal of psychiatric or psychological counseling as it tends to only really be identified with the drug addict who is immature or toxic emotionally. The drug addict on ecstasy gets hooked because they are never able to find a way to feel good again thanks to the brain damage done by the drug. As a result, the drug addict that is unfortunate enough to be damaged by ecstasy often needs to be treated with several drug cocktails, including anti-depressants; it is best that this treatment take place in a rehab where the person can be observed as the recovering addict is more prone to suicidal depression in this case.

Parenting Tips
, , , , ,

Signs of Substance Abuse in A Family Member

If someone is engaged in substance abuse in your family they usually try to keep their behavior a secret. You might have a teen that is acting strange – but you can't quite tell what is going on or what is wrong.
There are tell-tale signs that they might be user. These symptoms include
• Bloodshot eyes or pupils that are 'pinned' or dilated
• Changes in appetite that result in sudden weight loss
• Bad breath and unusual body or clothing smells
• Deterioration of physical appearance and grooming
• Clumsiness and impaired coordination
• Tremors
• Slurred speech and an inability to be able to focus
• Always in need of money
• Engaging in secretive or suspicious behaviors
• Leaving people on a 'need to know' basis and being uncommunicative
• Frequently getting into trouble including fights and accidents
• Suddenly changing friends, hobbies and places to hang out
• Sudden mood swings, irritability or angry outbursts
• Unexplained changes in personality or attitude
• Being unusually giddy or hyperactive
• Appearing lethargic or spaced out
• Expressing anxiety, fear or paranoia for no good reason
• If the individual suspected of being into substance abuse is a teenager then look for these signs of addiction as well
• Denying you entrance to his or her room, drawers or certain possessions
• Being secretive about friends and whereabouts
• A sudden interest in offbeat fashions or music that seem out of character
• Avoiding eye contact with you or even making direct eye contact with you while you know the person is telling a lie
• Skipping class and declining grades
• Drugs are missing from your filing cabinet
• Money is missing from your purse
• Your teen spends a great deal of time sleeping
• Your child seems unusually withdrawn and depressed and isolates from friends and family
• Using a lot of incense, perfume or air freshener to conceal the smells from using drugs
• Uses eye drops frequently to mask the look of bloodshot eyes or dilated pupils
• Uses mouthwash a great dealt to conceal smoke or alcohol use.
If an adult or teen in your family has any of the above symptoms of substance abuse it might be time to seek professional help or counseling or consider talking that person in going to rehab.

Parenting Tips
, , , ,