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Trends in Adolescent Substance Use: A Discussion by Stacey Williamson Nichols, LMSW, CAADC

Explore the various types of drug use among Michigan adolescents, including cannabis, synthetic marijuana, prescription medications, and ecstasy. Learn about the risks, effects, and signs of substance abuse in youth.

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Trends in Adolescent Substance Use: A Discussion by Stacey Williamson Nichols, LMSW, CAADC

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  1. Trends in the Use and Addiction of Alcohol and Other Drugs Among Michigan Adolescents

  2. Introduction • Speaker: Stacey Williamson Nichols LMSW, CAADC • Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Advanced Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor • Contact info: Pine Rest Main Campus, Campus Clinic, 300 68th St., Grand Rapids, Mi. 49548 • 616-285-7500

  3. Types of Use • Use • Misuse • Abuse • Dependency

  4. Why do adolescents use? • Age of experimentation • The “cool” factor- how do others see me, do I know something they don’t know • Emotional need to feel better or avoid feeling

  5. What are they using? • Cannabis/Marijuana • Synthetic Marijuana • OTC medication • Prescription Medication • Ecstacy • Synthetic Ecstacy

  6. Cannabis/Marijuana • Nationwide, 8th, 10th and 12th graders have shown an increase in use and a decrease in fear of use. (sampled between 2009 and 2010) • 17.3% of 8th graders, 33.4% of 10th graders and 43.8% of 12th graders have tried Marijuana • 1.2% of 8th graders, 3.3% of 10th graders and 6.1% of 12th graders use Marijuana daily • While binge use of alcohol is decreasing somewhat, use of Marijuana continues to rise • Viewed as natural and safe

  7. Synthetic Marijuana • Sometimes called K2, Mr. Smiley, Spice • Contains THC the psychoactive ingredient in Cannabis • May cause a high similar to marijuana but there are concerns about ingredients causing reactions similar to a psychotic break and greatly affecting heart rate • Unregulated, Michigan has attempted to ban but legislation was flawed. They continue to work on this. • Can be bought at gas stations, head shops and other community shops • Difficult to test for which is part of the draw • May feel safer than Marijuana but as it is unregulated it may contain many unknown and very dangerous chemicals. • Can cause brown stains on hands when handled excessively

  8. OTC Medication • Robitussin, Vicks, Coricidin, Nyquil– usually referred to on the streets as Syrup • May also use things such as Dramamine, pain medication (Excedrin), sexual enhancement medications, diet pills • Who supplies them with these drugs? WE DO!! • Effects of these drugs: “Nod”, irritable, initial euphoria, dilated pupils, constricted pupils, severe health risks (ex: seeing blue)

  9. Prescription Medication • Adderol, Ritalin, Vicodin, Oxycotin, Tylenol with Codeine, Xanax, Ativan etc. • Usually “scored” from mom and dad’s medicine cabinet. It’s accessibility and it’s prescribed nature may allow the belief that these are “safe” drugs • May start out as experimentation, but all drugs that are listed above are addictive and change mood preceived mood drastically. • To an addictive person, Vicodin, Oxy and Codeine (all opiates) may cause feelings of euphoria and feeling up and motivated. • Xanax and Ativan are “alcohol in a pill form”. A very quick way to get drunk. • Need to say up all night to study? Ritalin and Adderol will help with that!

  10. Ecstasy • A recent rise in ecstasy use has been noted for 8th and 10th graders. • Ecstasy is seen as a party drug (raves) and thus is safe. • It is an hallucinogen that can cause euphoria and intense sensory experiences • Can cause a myriad of memory and cognition problems.

  11. Synthetic Ecstasy • Has many different names • Feels safe to use as it is seen as a non-serious drug • Like Synthetic Marijuana, little is known about the substances found in this synthetic drug • Variations of this have caused death • Can be found on the internet

  12. What should we take from this? • Any mood/perception/sensory change in our children could be an indicator of drug/alcohol use/abuse/dependency • Monitor drugs in your home. Count pills, flush old prescriptions. • Assess yourself for your own attitudes towards “safe drugs”. If I’m stressed/sick/tired/unable to sleep/anxious/depressed do I look for a pill to fix it? Or do I attempt to work on the root of the problem? Our attitudes GREATLY affect our children. • Kids and adults may start out using because it’s fun but tend to continue to use because it “works” in that it changes reality or mood. • Misuse can indicate mental health needs

  13. Thank you!! • Early detection of problematic behavior in our children can help stop the cycle of substance use in it’s tracks!

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