Troubled Teens Resources

The specter of teen age drug abuse does not end at high school graduation but follows at-risk teens, like the promise of a curse, into college.

“It hits you a lot faster when you snort it, like 10 minutes, but it doesn’t last that long,” Kim said.

This is not a troubled teen talking but a college freshman who regularly uses Adderall to pull her through her all nighters spent studying. Her supply is obtained from a friend who has a legal prescription but doesn’t like how the drug feels and has no qualms distributing pills to her friends.

“Students who give their prescribed medicine to friends think they are helping them while making some money on the side, DeMaria said. He also said that some students who are prescribed stimulants like Adderall may feel peer pressure to sell to friends. The availability of these pills could be attributed to the over-diagnosis of ADHD, DeMaria said.”

Though research indicate that females are twice as likely to be addicted to stimulants like Adderall than men as well as the possibilities for strokes, depression and paranoia, most college students seem unfazed.

“College students have a tendency to perceive prescription drugs to be safer than other drugs because they are prescribed by a doctor, according to the CASA study.”

One answer to the problem seems unsatisfying only because it is so simple.

“Effective stress management can keep students from turning to stimulant abuse, DeMaria said, adding that students should be careful what they agree to without overloading their schedules. Toward the end of the semester when students tend to be busier, they should plan accordingly and make sure to take time to relax, DeMaria added.”

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Yes, simple enough but something that needs to start being taught when a student is a freshman in high school, not college. With the statistics inexorably becoming more and more grim regarding teen age drug abuse, it seems like stress and coping skills need to become a required course.

It certainly doesn’t come under the category of teenage drug abuse, but America’s romance with “energy drinks” certainly is indicative of America’s preoccupation with “getting a buzz”, which “energy drink” has become a euphemism for.

It seems a far stretch from an energy drink to a drug problem, but troubled teens who find they “feel better” after a “little pick-me-up” can ultimately lead to being curious about other mood altering options, leading directly to a habit of substance abuse.

Unfortunately, some energy drinks now on the market have alcohol in them, a surprise to many parents and law officers.

“That energy beverage teens are drinking may have more than just caffeine in it. It may also contain alcohol.

Bountiful police learned about the alcoholic beverages during a compliance check, said Lt. Randy Pickett. A teenager hired by the police department bought an energy drink with alcohol in it at a local convenience store just before Christmas.

“We’ll now look closely at any energy drinks teenagers or drivers may have,” Pickett said.”
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The pervasive presence of stimulants or intoxicants in the market place is not likely to end soon. Energy drinks appear to be one more item that a parent will have to keep an eye on - with or without alcohol. For the emotionally healthy teenager there is no allure but for the troubled or anxiety ridden teen, any easily obtained mood altering substance will have appeal.