The Warning Signs of Meth Use

If you suspect that someone you love is using meth, but you’re just not convinced, read on. Teenagers are moody individuals and they are as unpredictable as the day is long. Because of that it may be harder to tell with a teen. No matter what their age, there are warning signs to watch for.

Short term use can cause a number of symptoms. Meth can keep an individual alert and awake for several days and then they may be fatigued or sleeping for 2 to 3 days straight. If they seem alert and energized when you know they have not slept, be concerned. Decreased appetite to the point of noticeable weight loss is a classic sign of meth use. They will show little or no interest in food, even their all time favorites won’t temp them.

If they are smoking meth there may be burns on their lips or fingers from the glass or metal pipe. If they are injecting it, there will be needle marks, usually on their arms. Nosebleeds could indicate meth is being snorted. Nervous physical activity such as extreme fidgeting, possibly accompanied by scratching or picking at their skin, could indicate use.

Because meth is a stimulant it can speed up the heart rate so they might appear to be out of breath for no apparent reason. Meth users care little about their hygiene and appearance.

If they are overly secretive about their actions, always have a string of excuses to explain their behavior or suddenly start lying to you, check it out. If you find drug paraphernalia such as razor blades, mirrors, straws, syringes, spoons or surgical tubing, this is a clear sign of drug use.

In teens, there are other things you may notice. There may be a loss of interest in school and extracurricular activities. Grades will slip with no motivation to improve. There may be unexcused absences that they can’t or won’t explain. Teens will usually steal from home. They may take cash from your wallet or take jewelry and other items to pawn for money.

Long term use of meth can result in dependence making normal day to day activities impossible. Addiction psychosis can include disturbing behavior such as hallucinations, talking to people who aren’t there, paranoia so severe they won’t be able to leave the house, mood disturbances and repetitive motor activity. Memory loss is not unusual since meth is toxic and affects the brain. Meth puts the body in overdrive and can damage organs causing stroke and/or liver or heart failure. There is almost always a loss of inhibitions and a false sense of control and confidence which can lead to dangerous behaviors.

If you have a loved one that you think is using meth, get help now. A Better Tomorrow knows what to do. Make that call, it may just save that life.

If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
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Rohypnol – A Date Rape Drug

Rohypnol (informally Rufinol) is the trade name for flunitrazepam. The drug can be mixed with a drink, usually alcohol, without the victim being aware of its presence until it’s too late. When mixed with an alcoholic beverage Rohypnol produces sedative-hypnotic effects including muscle relaxation and amnesia. Street names for Rohypnol include rowies, roach 2 or R-2 for short, roachies, Mexican Valium, rophies, roofies, rophy, roche, forget-me-pill, forget-it, rope, ropies, ruffles, ruffies, rib, ruff up, groundie, poppers, circles, circes, and rapies. Rohypnol is frequently used as a recreational drug at parties by high school and college students. It is not approved for use in the United States.

Effects of the drug can include decreased blood pressure; Drowsiness; Reduced sleep quality resulting in somnolence; Visual disturbances; Dizziness; Confusion; Stomach, intestine and urinary problems; Physical dependence and addiction; Psychological dependence; Death, especially when combined with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants; Anterograde amnesia, where individuals may not remember events they experienced while under the influence of the drug; Assault or sexual assault (due to the user being in dangerous situations or not being able to defend themselves because of the drug’s effects). An overdose can result in excessive sedation, impairment of balance and speech, respiratory depression or coma and possibly death. The drug can cause a paradoxical reaction in some causing symptoms like anxiety, aggressiveness, agitation, confusion, disinhibition, loss of impulse control, talkativeness, violent behavior and even convulsions.

Abrupt withdrawal may lead to a severe benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome characterized by seizures, psychosis, severe insomnia and severe anxiety. Other possible withdrawal symptoms could include abdominal pains, aching, anxiety, agoraphobia (irrational fear of public or open spaces), blurred vision, body vibrations, changes in perception, food cravings, hair loss, heart palpitations, loss of balance, muscle spasms, nightmares, panic attacks, paranoia, sweating, shaking, speech difficulty, suicidal thoughts and fear.

If you see yourself in this picture, A Better Tomorrow can help you find your way back. Make the call, now.
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The Facts Behind Steroids

You hear about it on the news, from school officials, and not just on the college level – steroids. The scientific name for this class of drugs is anabolic-androgenic steroids but that is usually shortened to anabolic steroids. On the street they are referred to as steroids, ‘roids’ or ‘juice’. The common users of the drug include bodybuilders, athletes and those overwrought with fitness. They believe the use of steroids improves their physical performance and therefore gives them a competitive edge. It has been reported that their use will increase lean body mass and strength and provide aggressiveness. Some believe that they can train harder because the steroids reduce their recovery time between workouts. Non athletes may take the drug in the belief that it will increase endurance, muscle size and strength and reduce body fat, thus improving their personal appearance.

If steroids are abused by teens they run the risk of stunted growth through early skeletal maturation and accelerated puberty changes. Short stature for life is a possibility if the drug is taken before the body has finished growing. Other side effects might include jaundice which is yellowish coloring of the skin as well as tissues and body fluids, fluid retention, high blood pressure, severe outbreaks of acne and trembling. In rare cases tumors may develop on the kidneys or liver. There are also some side effects that are gender specific. The guys might experience testicle shrinkage resulting in reduced sperm count, infertility, baldness, breast development and an increased risk of prostate cancer. The girls could develop facial hair, suffer from male-pattern baldness, changes in menstrual cycles, enlargements of the clitoris and a permanent deepening in their voice.

Behavior can be affected also by the occurrence of severe mood swings, including manic like symptoms that can lead to violence. Steroids can also cause depression and irritability, paranoia, jealousy, delusions and impaired judgment stemming from feelings of invincibility. Some users may become addicted to the drug. Steroid users can experience withdrawal symptoms that include mood swings, fatigue, restlessness and depression. If left untreated some depression symptoms can persist for a year or more after the abuser stops taking the steroids.

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The Truth about Functioning Alcoholics

Not all alcoholics are readily identifiable as such. The alcoholics who drink continuously until they pass out, then get up and repeat the process, are actually in the minority. These people are incapable of sustaining a job or a meaningful relationship. Their only motivation in life is their next drink.

Most alcoholics are functional to some degree. They are able to hold down a job and some are even able to pursue successful careers. You might even find some who serve on volunteer committees and appear, on the surface, to be the salt of the earth. Their public persona is totally intact. You don’t have to consume alcohol every day to be an alcoholic. Some people can stop for days, weeks and even months at a time. But when they do drink, they cannot control it once they start. When you look behind that facade you can begin to see the problems. Their roles as spouse, parent, driver or financial manager may not be so trouble free. A large number of functioning alcoholics suffer from some degree of denial. Because it is not an every day event, they feel like they are able to control it. Some are not even truly aware that their alcohol use is a problem. Typically, the more severe the addiction, the stronger the denial.

With alcoholism there is both a physical and a psychological dependence. Alcohol affects the body in several ways. It acts as a depressant to the central nervous system which results in a decrease of activity, anxiety, tension and inhibitions. It slows reaction time while impairing judgment and concentration. It irritates the gastrointestinal tract while eroding the stomach lining. Liver disease and cirrhosis will develop over time with continual use of alcohol and it can have negative effects on the cardiovascular system. Alcohol affects the nervous system and can result in degeneration and dementia. Chronic use increases the risk of cancer of the larynx, esophagus, liver and colon.

Several well known people have publicly acknowledged their alcoholism and got treatment before their lives were destroyed. Some of these better known recovering alcoholics include Betty Ford (wife of former president Gerald), Buzz Aldrin (astronaut), Elizabeth Taylor and Mary Tyler Moore (actresses), Robin Williams (actor), Keith Urban and Eric Clapton (singers), Joe Namath (football legend) and George W. Bush (former president). You are not alone, and help from A Better Tomorrow is as close as your phone.

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GHB aka Liquid Ecstasy

GHB can be a liquid as well as a pill or a powder. In its liquid form it is odorless, colorless and has a slight salty taste that can easily be masked by the flavor of a drink. Within 10 to 20 minutes after it is ingested this depressant takes effect and can last up to 4 hours. On the street it is known as soap, fantasy, scoop, easy lay, Georgia home boy, liquid G, grievous bodily harm, liquid X, and goop as well as liquid ecstasy. Despite its nicknames, GHB is not related to actual Ecstasy, either chemically or pharmacologically.

GHB can be added to beverages and ingested without the victim’s knowledge, and as such has been used in ‘date rape’. While under the influence of the drug the victim is not able to defend themselves. In some cases it causes anterograde amnesia making it hard to impossible for a victim to recall an attack, or identify the attacker. Side effects of the drug could include seizures, poisoning, of accidental overdose. When combined with alcohol or other drugs GHB can cause nausea and breathing problems. When given in high doses coma can occur or even death. The drug can become addictive with prolonged use and withdrawal effects could include insomnia, anxiety, tremors and sweating.

At recreational levels, GHB is taken like other ‘club drugs’, to enhance the club or party experience. It is thought that small doses act as a stimulant and aphrodisiac. The drug has a tendency to produce euphoria and sociability, assumed assets in the dance party scene.

Historically, GHB has been used as a general anesthetic, to treat conditions like clinical depression, alcoholism and to improve athletic performance. It has been used to treat people with narcolepsy, excessive daytime sleepiness and insomnia, inability to sleep at night. Newer drugs have led to a decrease in legitimate medical use except in the treatment of narcolepsy and occasionally alcoholism.
If you need help with GHB addiction, make the call today. A Better Tomorrow Staff is waiting to hear from you.

If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
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What is Addiction

The medical terminology of addiction is a neuro-biologic disorder that has genetic, psychosocial, and environmental dimensions and is characterized by one of the following: compulsive behavior, which is the continued use of a substance despite its detrimental effects, impaired control over the use of a drug, and craving for the drug, which is a preoccupation with a drug’s use for non-therapeutic purposes. There are often deviant behaviors that go along with an addiction such as theft and forgery, that are used to pay for the addiction.

Most people tend to associate addiction with drugs and alcohol, which is also called substance abuse, but the term can also mean an obsession, compulsion or excessive dependence with other things such as nicotine, gambling, pornography, or even the computer, to name just a few.

People taking opiate medications, such as morphine, to combat severe chronic pain can become addicted because of the continual need to increase the dose, as their tolerance levels increase, to get relief. They develop a physical dependence on the drug and if they were to just stop taking it, they would experience some withdrawal signs and symptoms. For this reason, they are weaned off of the drug by using progressively lower amounts over an extended period of time. Other drugs that can produce withdrawal symptoms when abruptly stopped are oral steroids, some antidepressants and benzodiazepines. If you are taking any of these medications you should see a doctor regularly to avoid unnecessary complications.

People who abuse drugs and/or alcohol usually share one or more feelings including guilt, shame, fear, hopelessness, failure, rejection, anxiety or humiliation. The presence of these feelings could have been part of the cause that fueled the addiction in the first place. A basic need to feel accepted by ones peers has started more than one person on the road to addiction. Others seek the use of drugs and/or alcohol as a coping mechanism to get through a rough period in their lives. Still others use them as a total escape from a life they can no longer deal with. No matter the cause or circumstances, there is help available, and all it takes is one phone call to get started.

If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
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Alcohol Is A Drug

By definition, a drug is “Any substance which when absorbed into a living organism may modify one or more of its functions.” In reality any substance that by its chemical nature alters structure or function in the living organism is a drug. Alcohol can affect all human organs including the brain, heart, stomach and liver as well as other parts of the body. Alcohol is not an illegal substance, nor is it a prescription drug, but it does carry all of the risks of addiction and illness that street drugs do. While under the influence of alcohol, some behaviors can lead to serious threats of ones life and health.

In the twelve to seventeen age group it is believed that 7.2 million drank at least once in the past year. Regular use, considered to be once a month or more, covers 2.7 million adolescents. It used to be that boys were a lot more likely to drink than the girls, but that is no longer true. Older friends, and even some adults (including some parents), see no harm in underage drinking. They buy alcohol with no regard to breaking the law and with full knowledge that it will be consumed by underage adolescents.

There is a considerable number of teens who drink 5 or more times in a month, and they are having 5 or more drinks at a time. Quite often the drinking is done on the weekends and as such it may not be having a negative impact on school. It has become common practice for teens to spend the night at each others houses. So common, in fact, most parents rarely check to see if the other parents are aware that this is to be happening. In reality, their teen may have told them that they were spending the night with someone else, thus allowing a group to gather for a party. Some parents allow drinking parties at their homes because they feel they can supervise. Other parents leave teens alone while going out of town, thus making that house an unsupervised party spot. Since most teens have a cell phone and can be reached by their parents, a false sense of security may exist for the parents. Don’t be afraid to ask your teens questions about where they will be and who they will be with. Call the parents if it is to be an overnight. Check to make sure they are where they tell you they will be. You not only have that right as a parent, you have that responsibility.

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Neighborhood Meth Labs

Meth labs are everywhere. They are usually set up in a rental house that can be abandoned quickly if the need arises. The bad news is there may be one located in your neighborhood without you even suspecting it. The good new is there are tell tale signs that draw attention to a house that is being used as a meth lab.

The outside of the house itself will tell you a lot. If there is a meth lab inside, they do not want you to see what is going on. The windows will always have heavy curtains that are never open, or the windows may be boarded up or painted black to keep people from seeing in. There is no way they can mask the chemical odor that is produced by what they are doing, there will be a chemical smell in the air. If you notice a lot of containers such as bottles and jars in the trash but there is no regular garbage such as food scraps, food containers or packages from a grocery store it should raise suspicions. If you see discarded material, including coffee filters, that may have been used to filter red phosphorus/chemicals, take note. There may be chemical burns in the grass from dumping waste outside. If they have BEWARE OF DOG signs posted and you have never seen any evidence of one, they may be hoping to deter visitors.

You’ll probably notice frequent comings and goings at all times of the day and night, with none of them staying more than a few minutes. The people who are always at the house are very unlikely to be friendly to anyone. The likelihood of anyone in the house having a real job that they go to every day is slim to none, yet they will have money to pay the rent and utilities. In all instances they will use cash to pay their bills. No one will want their name on a checking account, or even on a money order. If there are smokers in the house, you can bet that they will be smoking outside as the chemicals that are inside are extremely flammable. If they are outside for any reason you’ll probably notice that they are paranoid about watching cars that drive by the house, or even walkers passing by.

Maybe no one of these signs alone can point to a meth lab, but as these things add up, there becomes a better chance that there is one. Whatever you do, don’t approach the house or do anything that will arouse suspicion by the occupants. Call the police and report your observations, then let them take it from there.


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Who's Dealing These Days?

Can you identify a drug dealer? I think most everyone has some type of preconceived notion of what a drug dealer looks like. Do you think of a sly looking guy with a hooded sweat shirt covering his face, or at least keeping it in the shadows? Does he have long hair that looks like it needs a good washing? Is he covered with visible piercings and/or tattoos? Is he hanging around alley ways or in the door ways of abandoned buildings? Maybe some or all of these characteristics come to mind, and that is what you see most often in the movies.

Is it that easy in reality? Read on and see if you think it is. Would you believe that hundreds of drug dealers that are arrested every year are apprehended while they are attending school? Of this figure all are under the age of sixteen. Some of them are as young as nine years old. That would make them grade school children, possibly only in the fourth grade. These baby faced drug dealers are in our schools, dealing drugs to their friends between classes, during recess or lunch, and before or after school. They may have suppliers who are older and probably coaching them, but make no mistake about it; there are children who are drug dealers. Believe this, if there are children in our schools who are dealing drugs, there are probably ten times as many other children, who are buying them and who are using them. Some of those who are caught buying and or using drugs at school are dealt with by the school, often with the help of the child’s parents. That means that the numbers of reported arrests of these drug using children at school are deflated.

Make it your business to know your child’s friends and their families. Do no take for granted that your child is safe while they are visiting and playing with their friends, thinking that surely there is an adult supervising their activities. Talk to the parents of your children’s friends. Meet them and know exactly where they live. Talk to the teachers at the schools, become involved in your child’s life when they are away from you. Volunteer at the school, maybe as a hall monitor, a cafeteria monitor or a play ground supervisor. Talk to your children about drugs. Tell them what to say if they are approached and offered free or cheap drugs. If you don’t tell them about drugs, someone else would be more than happy to do it for you. It might just be one of his young friends.


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Withdrawal of Heroin

It is not uncommon for a heroin user to develop a physical dependency to the drug. A physical dependency occurs when the body becomes accustomed to having the drug present. Without the drug, it will start going into withdrawal until the drug is reintroduced into the body. This is where it is difficult for heroin users to kick the addiction. The withdrawal symptoms from heroin are pretty intense and when a user does not have proper medical and supportive care during the withdrawal stage, it is unfortunately too common for them to use again.

When a heroin user abruptly stops using, he or she will start feeling withdrawal symptom as soon as 3 hours after the last use. Think about that for a minute. If they begin to experience withdrawal symptoms as soon as three hours after the last use you can see why a heroin user would do whatever it took for them to stay “medicated.” The symptoms that begin to occur three hours after last use can include restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea and vomiting, cold flashes with goose bumps (“cold turkey”), and kicking movements (“kicking the habit”). The cold flashes with goose bumps is where the term “cold turkey” was derived from and the kicking movement is where the term “kicking the habit” was derived from.

The craving for the drug increases as time past with the peak of the major withdrawal symptoms occurring between 48 and 72 hours after the last administration of heroin. It takes a good week and sometimes more for the withdrawal symptoms to subside but a user can experience lingering persistent symptoms for up to a month after the last use.

On a better note, the withdrawal of heroin is considered less dangerous than alcohol or barbiturate withdrawal. However, for a heavy heroin user in poor health, withdrawal symptoms can be occasionally fatal.

The crave for heroin can persist years after drug cessation. This is why it is so important for a user to have a strong support system. Triggers such as stress, people and places the user once associated with the use of heroin, and things associated with the drug can bring on a more severe craving.

If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
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Heroin Facts

Black Tar Heroin
Close-up Picture Of Heroin

Heroin is an opiate drug synthesized from morphine. It usually appears as a white or brown powder or as a black sticky substance referred to as “Black Tar Heroin.”

Heroin users will inject, snort, or smoke the drug to give it a rapid delivery to the brain. Regardless of method used for administration of the heroin, all can lead to addiction and cause other serious health issues.

When heroin enters the brain it converts into morphine effecting the receptors involved in the perception of reward and pain, and the opioid receptor in the brain stem that deal with automatic processes such as breathing, blood pressure, and arousal. The most common heroin overdose involves the suppression of the respiration.

Those who inject heroin feel a immediate rush followed shortly by dry mouth, warm flush of the skin, heavy feeling limbs, and a clouded mental functioning. This is followed by a “nod phase” where the user will alternate between a wakeful and drowsy state. Other methods of delivery go through the same sequence except not all will experience the initial rush. Heroin users develop a tolerance for the drug and will have to use more to achieve the same effects they once experienced on a lesser amount of heroin.

Heroin abuse is associated with many serious health conditions such as:
• fatal overdose
• spontaneous abortion
• particularly in users who inject the drug—infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS and hepatitis
• collapsed veins
• infection of the heart lining and valves
• abscesses
• liver or kidney disease
• Pulmonary complications, including various types of pneumonia, may result from the poor health of the abuser as well as from heroin’s depressing effects on respiration
• Street heroin often contains toxic contaminants or additives that can clog the blood vessels leading to the lungs, liver, kidneys, or brain, causing permanent damage to vital organs.
• physical dependence


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Marijuana – The Gateway Drug for our Youth

What is the most popular used drug amongst the youth of today? The answer - Marijuana. Not much different from previous generations, marijuana remains the drug of choice among 60% of the youth that use drugs.

In the 60’s when marijuana stood as an icon of the era, the drug was far less potent then it is today. Today, the youth buying marijuana on the streets can easily find them selves in possession of marijuana that has been laced with other more potent drugs. Yearly, 100,000 teens are treated for marijuana dependency and with that dependency comes withdrawal. Although withdrawal of marijuana dependency is not near as severe as many other drugs, there are still physically symptoms associated with it.

Marijuana has always been proven a gateway to harder drugs and should never be looked at as “just a phase” ones youth may be experiencing. Research has proven that the earlier teens start using marijuana the more likely they are to become dependent upon marijuana or other drugs later in life.

Although a small percentage may try marijuana out of curiosity and never use it again, others use it as an escape or to fit in amongst peers and develop a dependency to it. There are various reasons why a teen may start using from home life difficulties to simple curiosity. The key is to know your child at all levels so you can quickly determine if drugs have become a part of their life. By having an open communication line to where your child feels safe in coming to you if they have tried marijuana even out of curiosity can make the difference between a one time thing to a dependency that can lead to harder drugs.

Some of the signs teenagers exhibit when using marijuana are: dizziness and trouble walking, red bloodshot eyes, trouble remembering things that just happened, sleepy, and they often appear silly and giggly for no apparent reason. Some teens feel no effects from marijuana the first few times they smoke it. Others can sometimes experience bad effects from marijuana. They may become highly paranoid or have feelings of anxiety or dizziness (N.I.D.A.).

There are many mixed messages being sent out to the youth today about marijuana use. It is up to the guardians to make sure the correct message is being sent - marijuana is an illegal substance that affects teens in many harmful ways. The earlier you start discussing marijuana and other drugs with your children, being open and honest with them, and letting them know you are available to them for discussion at anytime you automatically lower the statistics of your child becoming dependent upon any drug.

If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
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Do you know where your teen is at?

More and more teen centered clubs are opening up in communities both small and large. The idea behind them at first were very honorable, and although there are still some of those teen clubs that are providing what they promised to deliver, more have gone far astray.

Initially, when the new late night teen clubs started to surface, the idea behind them was to provide a safe place for teens to “hang out” rather then be on the street finding mischief or worse. Kids over 19 were not allowed and supervision was provided. The “clubs” were housed with video games, couches, pool tables, music systems and most had a dance floor. They were a place for the teens to hangout for cheap on weekend nights and during the summer. Some during the summer were open to the youth throughout the day as well during the summer months. The concept was great, but it didn’t take long for corruption to find its way in.

Teen youth clubs might as well have a big ol’ “X” on it because it was an easy target for the less desirables looking to make a score and a huge profit – the drug dealers. If the dealers were not hanging out near by to entice the youth to enhance their “clubbing” experience, they were buying into the concept totally and opening their own “youth clubs.” It was fresh clientele for them, clientele that was very vulnerable. Many of the youth that frequent youth clubs do not have much guidance at home. The clubs were a cheap babysitter for parents that had other things on their agenda then spending time with their youth. Some parents put their trust into the concept and just thought of the youth clubs just a great place for their children to hang out with their friends.

For those clubs infiltrated with drugs and alcohol, both the inattentive and the attentive trusting parents found out the hard way that entrusting or just assuming a place is a safe place for their child to hang out can be dramatically opposite. In addition, sadly to say, it is not just the teen clubs that can have danger lurking within or near. Movie theaters, bowling alleys, pool halls, and video arcades are places that can be just as dangerous for teens in groups without supervision.

Supervision cannot be mistaken the same as employees or owners of these types of establishments. They have no real invested interest in your child other than the money your child brings to the establishment. Unless you know the owner/employee personally, supervision means a parent or relative of the youth that actually does have a stake in the child’s well being.

Prevention is the best gift you could ever give your youth. As a parent you should check on your child and make sure that the places they frequent are safe and in good standards. Know what is going on in your teen’s life. Not just what their grades are at school, but on a personal level as well.


If you suspect that your teenager is involved with drugs, get the facts, stay informed, know the risks, and seek help.

If you need help, struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/

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The Common Household Product, a Threat to Our Society

Since the 80’s, abuse of the common household cleaning products and other products you would use for office or shop use has become more commonplace, especially amongst our youth. Products such as White-Out, paint thinner, spray paint, solvents, computer aerosol duster, felt tip markers, air freshener, butane, cooking spray, various types of glue, gasoline, deodorant spray, fabric protector spray, whipping cream aerosols, hair spray, and household cleaners are more likely to be abused by kids in the 12-17 year age range group because the ease of accessibility.

The high is achieved by inhaling the product through the nose or mouth. Some practice spraying the chemical into a paper sack or a rag and the inhaling it through their mouth referred to as huffing or bagging. Products such as White Out, markers, and various glues are sniffed. It has been shown that kids who start with household product abuse are more likely to try illicit drugs, such as meth, cocaine, and marijuana.

Sign that can indicate household product use to achieve a high in your child are glassy/glazed eyes, loss of appetite, chemical smells coming from their child’s breath or clothing, signs of paint or other products on the face or fingers, and missing household products. Your child will appear as if they are drunk. Effects achieved by abuse of household products are lightheadedness, dizziness, loss of inhibitions, excitation followed by drowsiness, slurred speech, euphoria, hallucinations, and delusions.

The high achieved by abusing household products is short lived resulting in the user to continue to use repeatedly in order to maintain the high. This can easily lead to loss of consciousness and even death. It is not uncommon for a youth to die from a single use of household product abuse or damage to the brain or kidney failure.

If you suspect your child is abusing household products, seek professional help immediately. It is highly dangerous and the risk of death is very high and very real.

If you need help or know of someone who does, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/

My Medicine Cabinet is My Child’s Dealer

Okay, my medicine cabinet is not really my child’s dealer, but it could have been easily had I not know the risks that lingered in there, tempting my child to use to gain a high.

Everyone take a moment to go to your medicine cabinet and look at what is easily assessable to your children. You would be surprised at what our kids are getting high on today, and you are putting it right in their hands. You purchase it, and stock it – over the counter drugs such as cough and cold medicine. It is the new drug of choice for kids in the age range of 13 to 16. Why - because no one would necessarily expect it nor question why they are carrying a bottle of cough syrup or cold medications around with them.

It all seems innocent enough – just how high could one get – right? Well know this.. Hospitals have reported dozens of deaths over the past two years and even more overdoses from over the counter medicines such as Robitussin, Nyquil, Vicks Formula 44, and Coricidin HBP Cough and Cold tablets. These medicines contain a chemical called Dextromethorphan (DXM). The Drug Enforcement Administration classifies DXM as a “drug of concern” because if misused it can be very dangerous. DXM is a synthetic drug that is chemically similar to morphine and has been added to cough syrups and some cold medications since the 1970’s.

DXM is cheap for kids to get, even if it isn’t in their home medicine cabinet, and even cheaper then typical street drugs. Top it off; there is a ton of information online that informs kids just how much of certain OTC medications they need to take to achieve a high. Here is the kicker, although Drug Enforcement Administration classifies DXM as a “drug of concern”, there are no legal restrictions on purchasing it. Kids can buy it on the net! Some common names kids use to reference this type of drug use are Robo, Skittles, Triple C’s, Dex, Vitamin D, and Tussin. If you hear these words, have a sit down, assess the situation carefully, and get intervention help if necessary. Educate your child the risks associated with using OTC medications out of context.

However, also keep in mind that DMX is not the only OTC drug our youth are turning to - diet pills, sleep aids, and motion sickness medication are a few of the other commonly abused OTC the youth are using today. OTC drugs are dangerous and can easily result in overdose or death. Parents should be aware of the dangers. Educate yourself on the drugs you bring in to your home. Lock them up if you have concerns otherwise monitor them closely so you can quickly assess large dosages missing at any one given time.

If you need help or know of someone who does, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/

Teens and Ecstasy

The party drug of choice among many teens today is the drug ecstasy. Ecstasy, also known as on the streets as E, X-T-C, X, Adam, Hugs, Roll, Beans, Clarity, Lovers Speed, and the Love Drug has grown in popularity due to its ability to lower inhibitions and increase the sensation to touch, thus gaining the name of love drug. Ecstasy is taken in pill form, users sometimes take Ecstasy at "raves," clubs and other parties to keep on dancing and for mood enhancement. Indicators of possession of an Ecstasy pill/tablet is the tablet will often be branded with items such as Playboy bunnies, Nike swoosh, CK, smiley face, and other icons that teens can quickly relate to.

Ecstasy produces intensely pleasurable effects which makes it that much more attractive to teens and even adults. The user feels a sense of self-confidence and increased energy. They feel at peace, acceptance, and empathy with a strong desire to be close to others. The sense of touch and feel is increased. Less desirable affects can be involuntary teeth clenching, a loss of inhibitions, transfixion on sights and sounds, nausea, blurred vision, chills and/or sweating, increased heart rate and blood pressure, as well as seizures, are all possible.

The draw to use ecstasy as a club or rave drug is due to the increased energy and the increased sensations to light and sound. The downside is that because of the increased energy, the user has the ability to dance for extended times above and beyond what one normally do. That mixed with a crowed club and the heat has led to many users experiencing severe dehydration and hyperthermia or dramatic increases in body temperature which can lead to muscle breakdown and kidney, liver and cardiovascular failure which can lead to death. A user coming down off ecstasy can experience sleep problems, anxiety, and depression.

If you hear your teen using any of the common names used for ecstasy, it is time to have a serious heart to heart with your child. It may be that they just picked up the slang from friends or school, but just the same it is important you sit down and talk to your child to 1st: find out where they heard the word (e.g. friend, name, relation to the drug – it may be your teen is hanging around a group that could easily persuade your teen into using as well), and 2nd educate them on the dangers of ecstasy. If you think your child may be using it is time to seek help from a professional.

If you need help or know of someone who does, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/

Methamphetamine and Who is Using It.

Methamphetamine, also known as meth is a chemical stimulant similar to adrenaline but powerfully addictive. Methamphetamine effects the central nervous system.

Street names for meth are crank, crystal, speed ice, and glass. The prevalence of meth is extremely high. The reason being is that it is easily made out of cheap ingredients that are easily assessable.

The hook on meth comes from the effects the user achieves: increase wakefulness and physical activity, decreased appetite, and increased mental and physical well-being. Users report there is a brief intense sensation when meth is snorted or injected.

The rush and the high are believed to result from the release of very high levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine into areas of the brain that control feelings of pleasure. Usually a person who uses meth never gets as big a “high” as he or she did the first time. As tolerance for meth develops with chronic use, in an attempt to intensify the desired effects, users will take higher doses more frequently. It is not uncommon for meth abusers go without food and sleep while indulging in a form of binging known as a “run,” injecting as much as a gram every two to three hours over a several day period. This will continue until the user runs out of the drug or is too disoriented to continue. With chronic use and/or increased dosages of meth, the toxicity level increases. With the increased toxicity, the user may experience irritation, outbursts of anger, paranoia, delusional thinking, visual or auditory hallucinations, inflammation of the heart lining as well as progressive social and occupational deterioration. Psychotic symptoms can sometimes persist for months or years after use has ceased.

If that is not scary enough, the fact that our teens make up a significant number of meth users today is. In the past few years, the use of this drug has increased dramatically in teenagers from 12 to 17 years old. What makes matters worse is the internet has hundreds of web sites that provide the recipes and places to purchase ingredients to make meth. Just a couple of the ingredients that are toxic on their own, commonly known to be used to make meth are battery acid and drain cleaner. This is what is what our youth is putting into their bodies.

Regardless of social or economic background, the experimentation with crystal meth has become commonplace for our teens. The TV does not help. It portrays that thin is beautiful and has become increasingly important teen girls unfortunately. With extended meth use, one does experience dramatic weight loss but at the same time risk their lives.

Other factors that play a role in the increased drug use amongst our teens are the youth rave culture that encourages hard drug use, desire for personal freedom, self-discovery, peer acceptance, and the “non-alcohol” after hour’s club. Sadly, the increased use of meth has shown in the statistics.

According to the 2005 NSDUH, 10.4 million Americans age 12 and older had tried methamphetamine at least once in their lifetimes. (NIDA) Based on its 2007 survey results, NACO reported Meth is still the number one drug problem.

Within the criminal justice system the cost associated with enforcing Meth laws represent the second largest category of costs at $4.2 billion.


The U.S. Department of Justice’s National Drug Threat Assessment 2009 continues to report that an overwhelming percentage (68%) of state and local agencies in the 20 Western states perceive Meth as their greatest drug threat.

According to the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the best estimate for the number of Meth dependent users is 270,348—an 11% increase from 2005.

Between 1998 and 2000, meth related emergency room visits doubled - 47% of hospitals report Meth as the top illicit drug involved in emergency room visits. Between 1998 and 2002, death from methamphetamine overdoses rose 125 percent.


The calculated costs associated with drug treatment are approximately $545 million, of which $491 million is in the community-based specialty treatment sector.

Treatment admissions for Meth more than doubled nationally between 2000 and 2005.

If you need help or know of someone who does, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/

The Wide World of Drugs

With so many possible drugs available today, is it any wonder that 1 in every 12 people has had, is having or will have a problem/addiction. Obviously there is wide variety of street drugs. However, often overlooked is the misuse/abuse of prescription drugs, which, according to recent studies, has become an extreme danger throughout society. As a matter of information, the material below is a basic list of drugs that are commonly being abused all of which can become physically and/or emotionally addicting and all of which may lead to medical complications and withdrawal symptoms.

Alcohol
Comes in many forms such as beer, wine and hard liquor.
Obviously, alcohol is the most readily available drug and it ranks third in the United States as a cause of death. It is classified as a depressant and can negatively impact the brain, vision, hearing and muscle coordination. Alcoholism is impacting millions of Americans and their families each and every day, and among teenagers and college students, binge drinking has reached near epidemic proportions.

Marijuana
Also known as 'pot', 'weed', 'grass' and can come in other forms such as 'hashish' or 'hash'.

It's not the marijuana of the 60s and 70s any more. Its potency has increased by nearly 700 percent over the years. It can produce effects on the nervous system such as loss of energy, decreased coordination, loss of memory and questionable judgment or reasoning.

Heroin
Also known as 'smack', 'horse', 'H', 'tar' and 'China White', and sometime misspelled as "heron" and "heroine."

In its street version, this drug has been used for centuries to promote a sense of well being and to relieve pain. However, it also creates a very fast physical */dependency/* that is extremely difficult to break. From a pharmaceutical standpoint, synthetically produced opiates are manufactured primarily as pain relievers. Used judiciously, they have value. Abused, and they become just as dangerous as their street cousin heroin. Some of the more common prescription drugs in this category are Morphine, */Oxycontin/*, Vicodin, */Lortab/Loratab, Dilaudid, Darvon, Percocet, Percodan, Demerol, Hydrocodone/* and */Codine/Codeine/*. Methadone has also been used as a pain reliever and as a medication to ease withdrawal symptoms from heroin. However, there are some newer alternatives such as buprenorphine and soboxin (which is a combination of buprenorphine and moloxin to prevent misuse) that have been found to be quite effective without some of the drawbacks of methadone.

Cocaine
Also known as 'coke', 'blow', 'powder', 'snow' and 'nose' candy' or, in the case of 'crack', 'rock' or 'base'.

Cocaine is one of the most addictive drugs available today. It offers an intense immediate rush lasting for 15 to 30 minutes with lesser euphoria for a few hours. However, as tolerance builds, more and more cocaine or switching to crack is needed to sustain the result. Negative complications from cocaine use are quite severe and can include respiratory problems, loss of ambition and efficiency, and time distortion. In addition, chronic use can result in near permanent brain impairment.

Methamphetamine Amphetamines
Also known as 'speed', 'meth', 'crystal', 'crank', 'uppers' and 'bennies'.

Pharmaceutical versions include Ritalin, Dexedrine and Cylert. These are very potent stimulants often used by people who want to stay awake and active for extended periods of time. Other than the pharmaceuticals, which can also lead to problems, meth is usually cooked in home-based laboratories with devastating results on the end user. The chemicals are commonly available in grocery and drug stores. However, when combined to make meth, they are quite volatile and can lead to explosions. The residue is also very dangerous and hazardous to the health of those who are exposed. Meth is quite addictive and those who are cut off from their supply can become violent and paranoid.

Sedatives Benzodiazepine
Also known as 'yellow jackets', 'ludes', roofies and reds and include those pharmaceutical drugs such as barbiturates and tranquilizers such as Xanax, Librium, Ativan and Valium among others.

Because of the availability of these drugs through prescription, these drugs are very easily abused, usually over a long period of time. As a result, the long-term, negative implications can be quite severe.

Club Drugs
Including 'Ecstasy' (also known as 'E', 'extasy', 'X, 'XTC' and essence');
'GHB' (also known as 'liquid ecstasy' and 'G'); 'Ketamine' (also known as 'K', 'Kat', 'Special K' and 'Vitamin K'); 'PCP' (also known as 'Angel Dust');
and 'LSD' (also known as 'acid').

Ecstasy combines the properties of methamphetamine and mescaline offering not only a rush, but also hallucinogenic qualities. Heavy doses can have wide ranging negative consequences. GHB and Rohypnolare commonly used to relax the user. However, they are often used for the purpose of gaining submission over the user without their knowledge, thus resulting in the name 'Date Rape drugs'. A large enough dose of GHB can also result in coma and death. Ketamine and PCP are veterinary anesthetics. Large enough doses can cause delirium, high blood pressure, amnesia and respiratory problems as well as a tendency toward violence. LSD was the hallucinogenic drug of choice in the 70s and is still readily available. Its use often results in delusions and a total loss of reality. It can also cause the user to suffer delusional flashbacks long after the last dose was taken.

Drug Identification ~ Additional Stimulants ~ Ritalin

Other Names: Ritalin, Cylert, Preludin, Didrex, Pre-State, Voranil, Sandrex, and Plegine
What It Looks Like: Pills or capsules
How it's Administered: It's taken orally or injected.
Effects on User: Loss of appetite, fevers, convulsions, severe headaches, irregular heartbeat and respiration, paranoia, hallucinations, delusions, excessive repetition of movements and meaningless tasks.

If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/

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Drug Identification ~ Methamphetamines

Other Names: Crank, Crystal meth, Crystal methadrine, and Speed
What It Looks Like: White powder, pills, rock that resembles a block of paraffin
How it's Administered: It's taken orally, injected or inhaled.
Effects on User: During the "up" time: Extra energy, cheerfulness, confidence, prevents sleep, reduces appetite, speeds up breathing and heart rate, widens the pupils. During the "down" time (about eight hours after use): Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, anxiety, anger.
Other Info: These drugs have a high risk of psychological dependence and regular users may develop delusions, hallucinations and feelings of paranoia that can progress into permanent paranoid psychosis.

If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/

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Drug Identification ~ Amphetamines

Other Names: Speed, Uppers, Ups, Black beauties, Pep pills, Copilots, Bumblebees, Hearts, Benzedrine, Dexedrine, Footballs, Bennies, Dexies, Jollies, Wake ups, and Biphetamine
What It Looks Like: Capsules, pills, tablets
How it's Administered: It's taken orally, injected or inhaled.
Effects on User: During the "up" time: Extra energy, cheerfulness, confidence, prevents sleep, reduces appetite, speeds up breathing and heart rate, widens the pupils. During the "down" time (about eight hours after use): Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, anxiety, anger.
Other Info: These drugs have a high risk of psychological dependence and regular users may develop delusions, hallucinations and feelings of paranoia that can progress into permanent paranoid psychosis.

If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow today. We are here to help.
http://www.abttc.net/
Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/

Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Twitter too!
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