Prevention: Pervasive, consistent messages to young people about drugs and alcohol can be an effective tool. Effective prevention requires that the same messages about alcohol, drugs, and tobacco be delivered by multiple messengers-schools, parents, peers, and the community-repeatedly throughout childhood and adolescence. Prevention delays onset of use The primary goal of prevention is to delay […]
Stages of Recovery & Impact on Parenting
The following article presents four developmental stages of family recovery described by Brown and Lewis, and describes for each stage, the possible impact of the family environment—in particular, parenting practices on child development. These different stages of recovery appear to correspond to unique parenting challenges. The following is based on a compilation of knowledge from […]
Questions About Marijuana and Schizophrenia
Marijuana use has been shown to trigger and worsen psychosis in young people who are vulnerable to psychosis and may even cause psychotic illnesses in people who would not otherwise suffer from them. Can marijuana use trigger psychotic illnesses like schizophrenia? Yes. There is increasing research evidence to show that, particularly when someone starts using […]
Marijuana-Induced Psychotic Episodes
Mikkel Arendt, Ph.D., a fellow at the Center for Basic Psychiatric Research at the University of Aarhus in Denmark, and coworkers used the Danish Psychiatric Central Register to identify patients treated for a first marijuana-induced psychotic episode between 1994 and 1999. There were 535 such patients. The researchers then followed those patients for at least […]
Marijuana Induced Psychosis
Young adults who used marijuana as teens were more likely than those who didn’t to develop schizophrenia and psychotic symptoms including hallucinations and delusions, an Australian study found. Those who used the drug for six or more years were twice as likely to develop a psychosis such as schizophrenia or to have delusional disorders than […]
Manipulation & Other Unhealthy Behaviors
To understand the disease of addiction it is important to understand the underlying causes of it, how it develops, what are the symptoms & the behaviors that accompany it. Many of us feel confused when dealing with substance abuse issues. There are usually more questions than answers, and no matter how long we think about […]
Why do Kids use drugs?
Peer pressure - Young people may give in to pressures from other kids to try drugs. They may use a drug to feel like part of the crowd, or to act grown-up. Pleasure - Some teenagers say they take drugs to feel good. Curiosity or Experimentation - At first, teenagers may be tempted to try […]
Mental Illness
The Issue Most Canadians are affected by mental illness, either directly or indirectly, through family, friends or colleagues. Yet there is still a stigma attached to this range of diseases that is a barrier to correct diagnosis and treatment, as well as to the acceptance and support of people with mental illness within the community. […]
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are the most common of all mental health problems. It is estimated that one in 10 Canadians is affected by them. These disorders can be successfully treated so it is important to recognize the difference between being anxious in response to a real event, and an anxiety disorder which produces fear or distress […]
What Parents need to know about marijuana.
There are some signs you might be able to see. If someone is high on marijuana, he or she might: seem dizzy and have trouble walking; seem silly and giggly for no reason; have very red, bloodshot eyes; and have a hard time remembering things that just happened. When the early effects fade, the user […]
How does addiction affect children ?
When a family member has a problem with drugs or alcohol, the family develops ways of coping with it. Some of these coping strategies are far from ideal: keeping addiction a secret, less communication within the family, not expressing emotions, and taking on some of the responsibilities abandoned by the addict. These coping strategies appear […]
Drugs and the Brain
Introducing the Human Brain The human brain is the most complex organ in the body. This three-pound mass of gray and white matter sits at the center of all human activity - you need it to drive a car, to enjoy a meal, to breathe, to create an artistic masterpiece, and to enjoy everyday activities. […]
Helping your Teenager
Parents and families face some of their most difficult battles which are raising their teenagers drug free. Most of us know that anti-drug efforts alone are not enough. Learning what works in preventing the use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs will help, but do not guarantee that our teen stays drug free. When concerned, […]