Laura, Author at Pucker Mob

Substance Abuse down among Teenagers Amid Rise of Mental Illness

A 2015 national survey from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services has revealed that, as of 2015, drug use among teenagers ages 12-17 are down from previous years, but that mental illnesses, such as depression, are on the rise.

The Data

According to the survey of teenagers in the United States, the number of teenagers abusing drugs is becoming increasingly smaller, yet the rate for treating substance abuse disorders and mental illnesses has remained relatively low. The Department of Health and Human Services reports that teenagers abusing pain relievers decreased from 6 percent in 2012 to 5 percent in 2013. SAHMSA’s survey reflects much of the same data, though it also shows that the number of teenagers who are able to get the treatment they need has remained low.

Drug abuse may be going down among teens, but the rate of treating substance abuse among teenagers between 2011 and 2015 in the US remained at a dismal 4 percent, compared to the 15 percent of those between the ages of 26 and 44 receiving treatment in the United States.

While drug abuse has been decreasing, the number of teenagers affected by mental illness has increased, going from 12 percent of teenage girls reporting major depressive episodes to 20 percent between 2011 and 2015, and teenage boys with depression rising from 5 percent to 6 percent in the same years. That amounts to an estimated three million teenagers with depression in the US at any given time. Yet out of all those teenagers affected by depressive episodes, only an estimated 39 percent receive any form of treatment.

The Stigma of Being a Teenager

Everyone knows that teenagers are moody and emotional, seemingly mimicking many of the symptoms displayed in those with depression or other mental illnesses, sometimes to their own detriment.

Is it this pre-disposition to moodiness and the belief that teenagers will be teenagers that is causing so many to go without the proper treatment for their substance abuse and or mental illness?

Or is it ignorance on the part of parents and teachers in knowing how and what type of treatment to give to these teenagers? Or is it simply a lack of resources available to those aged 12 to 17 in the United States?

According to these statistics, the efforts on the part of the United States and the many programs within it seem to be making a difference in the lives of many teenagers as far as abusing drugs goes. But we still have a long way to go in terms of treatment and getting the word out there about what is available to those who need it.

Possible Solutions

Perhaps what the United States needs now are more programs geared toward the adults in charge of these teenagers, teaching them the signs of addiction and depression and the difference between a bad attitude and any underlying issues.

Maybe we need more information on the types of treatment that are available in the United States. And maybe we need to examine more closely why both addiction and major depressive episodes are becoming so prominent in today’s society and what can be done to help those who truly stand in need of it.

Meditation and its Benefits for Those Recovering from Drug or Alcohol Addiction

Addiction: A Worldwide Condition

Addiction is a disease of the brain, and can be found all throughout the world. Anyone, rich, poor or in between can be at risk to develop an addiction to substances such as drugs and alcohol. There have been many methods of treatment for people with substance use disorders over the years, with some more effective than others. One of the newer methods in the treatment world includes mindfulness and meditation activities, in addition to talk therapy and support groups.

What is Meditation?

The word meditation comes from the Latin word Meditatum, which means “to ponder.” Meditation requires focusing the breath into slow, controlled breaths and calming the mind to focus on the present moment. It encourages the letting go of negative and harmful thoughts and the judgment of self and others.

It’s believed that Meditation began several thousands of years ago in India as part of the Hindu and Buddhist religions. As it spread to India’s neighboring countries, many religions adopted it into their belief systems, and it became a common practice among them. Most religions took aspects of meditation and used it as part of their prayers, such as Judaism, which developed what is now known as Jewish Meditation. As time moved on, it eventually became popular within the Western hemisphere in the 1800’s, and the rest, as they say, is history.

What are some of the Benefits of Meditation?

In the Hindu religion, meditation is used to connect with the source of everything in the Universe. In Buddhism, the goal is to quiet the mind of all thoughts, and in secular practices, it’s a way to focus the mind and reduce the stresses of everyday life. Learning about Buddhism, which is a religion and way of life, can be helpful for those in addiction recovery who are looking to discover or rediscover a spiritual connection.

Studies have shown that meditation not only reduces stress, but also increases the gray matter in the brain that manages learning, self-awareness, introspection and memory while decreasing the gray matter that has to do with anxiety and stress. This means that some of the benefits from practicing meditation include being better able to handle stressful situations and increasing your learning ability and memory. It’s also been shown to boost one’s mood to be happier and more positive and, on brain scans, has shown to help people achieve slower and calmer brain waves.

How is Meditation Used Today in Recovery?

Many rehab centers for drug and alcohol recovery now include yoga and meditation as part of therapy, and mindfulness techniques such as controlling the breath and focusing one’s thoughts are common techniques taught to help people through stressful situations or anxiety attacks.

Yoga combined with meditation has proven to be one of the more effective practices, as it combines the introspection and thoughtfulness of meditation with the physical acts of stretching, balancing and learning to trust one’s own body.

Meditation has shown to be very beneficial to those in recovery from drug and alcohol addictions by calming the mind and teaching new coping mechanisms for stressful situations. It should not take the place of talk therapy, but it can act as a supplement to it. If you find yourself wanting to experience more peace of mind in life, or are looking for new ways to better manage stress, daily meditation may be just the thing.

5 Things to Keep in Mind When Dating in Recovery

Dating in recovery can be a bumpy road for many, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are 5 things to keep in mind when entering the dating world.

Don’t Date in the First Year of Your Recovery

While not in the Big Book, the most common suggestion given to those entering recovery is to not date within the first year of recovery. There are a lot of changes that are happening within that first year of sobriety, and adding a romantic relationship to the mixt can cause a lot of extra and unnecessary stress. Taking the time to get stable in your sobriety, learn more about yourself and discovering new coping skills are all important steps to take before adding another person into the equation.

Learn to Love Yourself First

Before entering into a relationship, you have to learn to love yourself and be ok with being by yourself. You can do this through pursuing interests and hobbies, taking care of yourself through healthy eating and exercise habits, planning for the future with help from a therapist or sponsor, and saying daily, positive affirmations.

Your Sobriety Comes First

However you stay sober, know that your sobriety comes first. If you don’t want to lose everything, your own journey in recovery must be your top priority. Make sure that nothing in your life, including relationships, becomes more important or distracts you from doing what you need to do in order to stay sober. If and when you do enter a relationship, make sure your partner understands what you need to do to stay sober, and they are supportive and understanding of it.

Take it Slow

As Dr. Dischiavo, a licensed addiction counselor and sexologist, says “Take it very, very slow. Date like it’s 1955, whether it’s with someone new, or with your current partner or spouse.” Give yourself time to get to know your potential partner and learn how to balance a romantic relationship and your recovery at the same time. Also, allow your partner time to learn about drug addiction and recovery so they can better understand your lifestyle and choices.

Most importantly, give yourself and your partner time to really get to know each other and let the intimacy develop naturally.

Don’t Replace Your Substance Addiction with a Love Addiction

Falling in love can make us feel good. All those endorphins and other feel-good chemicals are rising, and the thrill of early love can be intense. For these reasons, some people can replace their drug or alcohol addiction with a love addiction, relying on their partner and their relationship for the comfort they previously sought through substance abuse. Trading one addiction for another can be dangerous, and can result in unhealthy relationships and a lack of commitment to one’s recovery as you become focused more on the relationship than your sobriety.

At the end of the day, know that you are worth the best, that by keeping your sobriety as your main priority, you are giving room for all the good things in life to come your way, and that your relationship status does not define who you are. Listen to your sponsor and those around you who have your best interests at heart, and keep your sanity and sobriety as your first concern, and you’ll be just fine.