FSM-PICADA

Youth ATOD Prevention Newsletter February 2017

Depression In Teens — Self Medication It’s not unusual for young people to experience "the blues" or feel "down in the dumps" occasionally. Adolescence is always an unsettling time, with the many physical, emotional, psychological and social changes that accompany this stage of life. Unrealistic academic, social, or family expectations can create a strong sense of rejection and can lead to deep disappointment. When things go wrong at school or at home, teens often overreact. Many young people feel that life is not fair or that

things "never go their way." They feel "stressed out" and confused. To make matters worse, teens are bombarded by conflicting messages from parents, friends and society. Today’s teens see more of what life has to offer — both good and bad — on television, at school, in magazines and on the Internet. They are also forced to learn about the threat of AIDS, even if they are not sexually active or using drugs.

Teens need adult guidance more than ever to understand all the emotional and physical changes they are experiencing. When teens’ moods disrupt their ability to function on a day-to-day basis, it may indicate a serious emotional or mental disorder that needs attention — adolescent depression. Parents or caregivers must take action.

Dealing With Adolescent Pressures When teens feel down, there are ways they can cope with these feelings to avoid serious depression. All of these suggestions help develop a sense of acceptance and belonging that is so important to adolescents. Try to make new friends. Healthy relationships with peers are central to teens’ self-esteem and

provide an important social outlet. Participate in sports, job, school activities or hobbies. Staying busy helps teens focus on positive

activities rather than negative feelings or behaviors. Join organizations that offer programs for young people. Special programs geared to the needs of

adolescents help develop additional interests. Ask a trusted adult for help. When problems are too much to handle alone, teens should not be afraid

to ask for help.

But sometimes, despite everyone’s best efforts, teens become depressed. Many factors can contribute to depression. Studies show that some depressed people have too much or too little of certain brain chemicals. Also, a family history of depression may in-crease the risk for developing depression. Other factors that can contribute to depression are difficult life events (such as death or divorce), side-effects from some medications and negative thought patterns. Continued on page 2

P A G E 2

Teens who Self-Medicate Self-medication is when a teen treats their own ailment

without consulting their physician or medical professional. An example of this would be a teen who suffers from generalized anxiety disorder and uses cannabis or alcohol to help cope with high levels of anxiety. It can also veer into a more a dangerous road when those who self-medicate try to treat their illnesses with medications that were prescribed for other people, or other maladies. The thought behind this is simple: “this makes me feel better when I’m anxious, so I’ll continue to use it when my anxiety reaches these levels again”.

Teens Self-Medicating with Cannabis Teens are turning to cannabis for help with anxiety/depression issues. Cannabis usage

in an underdeveloped brain can stunt the growth of a teenager’s development, resulting in a dangerous outcome. Aside from the obvious legal ramifications in most

states, it’s been shown that those who smoke cannabis in their teens have lower IQ’s all the way through to adult-hood.

Teens Self-Medicating using other Prescription Drugs Prescription drug use and abuse is on the rise all over the United States. While recreational use of these drugs is on the rise, so are attempts from teenagers trying to take care of their medical issues without having to see a doctor; this also includes abuse of over the counter drugs.

There are several issues with taking prescription drugs that are not prescribed for you or a specific condition. There can be extreme complications when combining different prescription drugs that can

induce hazardous side effects. Along with the threat of those complications, many prescription drugs are highly addictive and can lead to hardship down the road.

While self-medicating may seem like it is helping your issue at hand, in the long run it can actually complicate symptoms in the future. While the side effects of using the correct medications may have a slight impact on your life, self-medicating may lead to addiction, overdose or even death. Before beginning any treatment it’s imperative that you consult a medical professional and follow their specific instructions.

P A G E 3

OH, THAT

CAFFEINE

Most people in the

U.S. use

caffeine, whether in

coffee, soda, energy

drinks, or chocolate. Many are also

familiar with the effects of suddenly

having less caffeine than usual:

tiredness, headaches,

insomnia, and other

symptoms.

And many people talk about

being “dependent” to their

morning caffeinated coffee or

energy drink!

But can a person become dependent

upon it?

It’s all about the dopamine The world’s caffeine obsession can be

described as a “dependency”

because when you have less of it, you go

through a mild “withdrawal,” with the

symptoms listed above.

Like many

drugs—caffeine

enhances

dopamine

signaling in the

brain.

Dopamine is a

chemical that helps control movement,

motivation, and emotions, so enhanced

dopamine signaling makes a person feel

more awake and alert. Because caffeine

produces that alert feeling, it’s

classified as a stimulant.

While caffeine produces a small rise in

dopamine, it does not cause the large

surge that unbalances the reward

circuits in the brain. So caffeine

dependence is when a person who loves

to drink caffeinated drinks, when doing

without them, will have headaches and

irritability.

Too much caffeine—like too much

anything—can be harmful!

IS WHAT I KNOW LESS THAN WHAT I DON’T KNOW

WHEN IT COMES TO DRUGS IN MY HOME?

Although you might think your home is drug-free, your teenager might know otherwise. Many of the current

substance abuse and addiction trends among teens today are shocking simply because they involve household

products that are readily available. Back in the day, it was hairspray and Sharpies that were worrisome. Now

there are a dozen more substances out there that are just as dangerous, if not

more so.

Let’s take a look:

Teens have found themselves in emergency rooms as the result of

drinking alcohol extracted from hand sanitizer. This self-made

moonshine had a dangerous 60 percent alcohol content. You might want

to think again before supplying your kid with hand sanitizer. Good old

soap and water works just as well, if not better, and it’s

much safer.

Teens are also getting high off of simple spices often

used in baking, so you’d better think twice before leaving

the kids alone to make cookies after school. Videos of

teens drinking, ingesting, and smoking large quantities of

nutmeg have been popping up all over the Internet. The spice contains myristicin, a natural compound

known to cause hallucinations and euphoria when taken in large doses. You may have also heard of the

“cinnamon challenge,” which is also popular on YouTube. In this dangerous trend, kids try to swallow a

spoonful of cinnamon in less than a minute, and many have ended up in hospitals after damaging their

throat and lungs from choking on the spice.

Digital drugs are another major concern. These are digital audio files that

are proven to alter the brainwaves and disrupt the mental state of listeners,

essentially producing the same effects as narcotics. While tracks are

available for sale online, many are readily available for free on YouTube.

Although this trend may not sound that dangerous (the tracks sound similar

to white noise with special effects), some teens have gone to the hospital

after experiencing strange physiological effects due to I-dosing, or “Internet

overdosing,” on digital drugs.

Bath salts are one dangerous teenage substance addiction trend you probably

have heard of, so it’s a good idea to be wary of what your teens are purchasing on

their shopping sprees. Although the product names may sound harmless—”Bliss”

and “Vanilla Sky,” for example—it’s easy for your teen to sniff these dangerous

products, which contain amphetamine-like chemicals. Although they might not

always be available over the counter, teens can easily access them by ordering

online, so it’s a good idea to monitor Internet activity.

Cough syrup is another way teens are getting high. Robotripping has

become a scary trend among teens who are drinking multiple bottles of

cough syrups, such as Robotussin, to get a high from the active ingredient

dextromethorphan (DXM).

P A G E 5

IS WHAT I KNOW LESS THAN WHAT I DON’T KNOW

WHEN IT COMES TO DRUGS IN MY HOME?

The next trend is a hard one to monitor, but if you’re noticing a

serious lack of tampons in the bathroom cabinet, they might just

be being used as vodka tampons. This strange trend involves

teenagers dipping tampons into hard alcohol such as vodka and

then using them, which apparently results in a long-lasting

intense high because the alcohol is absorbed directly by the

bloodstream. Even if you don’t have a daughter, be wary. Your

son might be inserting these into his rectum.

If you love the sweet fragrance of

potpourri, your teen just might too. This fragrant spice and flower mixture that is

often found in the bathroom at Grandma’s house is actually being smoked by teens.

In addition to paranoia and hallucinations, it’s also known to cause dangerous heart

palpitations.

The last thing you would have thought your teen would

be getting high off of is the air conditioner! If it’s been

breaking down a lot, you may just want to investigate. A current trend involves

teens prying open the machines with screwdrivers and smoking the Freon that

gives air conditioners their cooling ability. The results are slurred speech, frostbite,

and even brain damage.

Dust Off is another dangerous household substance

your teen might have discovered. This popular keyboard

cleaner can be used for “dusting,” but not just your

keyboard! “Dusting” in the substance abuse world is

snorting the gas of keyboard dusters to get high.

Whip-Its, which are basically any aerosol

spray cans of whipped cream, are an easy way

for teens to get their hands on nitrous oxide, more commonly known as

laughing gas. This is the same substance sometimes used by dentists to

knock patients out for their wisdom teeth operations. This substance

causes a high that can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few

minutes, but it can be dangerous if taken in large doses. Even actress

Demi Moore was said to be abusing Whip-Its before she was

hospitalized.

Given these current substance or

drug abuse trends, it would be best

to monitor the household products

you keep in your home and per-

haps even teach your teenager why they might be dangerous. Contact

us (dougm@fsmad.org) today for more information about the effects

of drug abuse and options for drug abuse treatment.

LET’S KEEP THEM SAFE

P A G E 6

PAGE 6

PAGE 7

What You Need to Know About I-Dosing If you’re like many modern parents in today’s digital age, then you probably spend a lot of time asking your

teen to put away the phone, tablet or laptop. Now it appears that adolescents are using technology to get high.

I-dosing music is the latest risk that threatens the well-being of kids.

What Is I-Dosing?

I-dosing is a type of loud, droning music written in only two tones.

The music is “designed to alter the brain waves, just like other drugs

can do,” according to Health.More4Kids.com. The combination of

tones allegedly brings about “a state of ecstasy.” In some cases, people

who listen to “idoser” tracks are also convinced to buy a guide to

i-dosing that explains how to get high.

Although some feel binaural audio doesn’t influence the brain, others

suggest that testing the brain’s response in this way can lead to real

substance abuse — and bigger problems. In fact, binaural audio often

mimics the same brainwave activity as marijuana, cocaine, LSD and

ecstasy.

The Negative Effects of I-Dosing

Cracking down on i-dosing may be more difficult than you think. Think of how

many hours your teen is online, whether that’s doing homework or posting to

Twitter. Limiting screen time helps, as does paying close attention if your teen

expresses a constant desire to listen to music. Although Apple Music, Spotify,

Pandora and other legitimate music sources are safe, websites such as YouTube

may not be.

Signs needing further attention include:

An obsessive need to listen to music. If your teen starts ignoring other

activities and friends in favor of their headphones, i-dosing could be a

problem.

Odd behavior. If your teen acts as if he is under the influence of drugs or

alcohol and you are certain he hasn’t been using, check his devices for digital

drugs.

Inappropriate laughing, hyperactivity or uncontrollable shaking while

listening to music.

Trying drugs or alcohol after spending a lot of time using digital drugs.

What to Do If Digital Drugs Are a Problem

There are several steps you can take to avoid problems with i-dosing:

Check browser histories and use parental controls. Maintain a family policy that permits you to

spot-check visited websites, especially as they pertain to music.

Find out what they’re listening to. If your teen is listening to music intently, ask in a nonthreatening

way if you can share.

Pay attention to all aspects of their life. Teens who feel isolated or unhappy are

more likely to experiment with mind-altering substances and activities. Don’t be

discouraged if your first few attempts fail. Keep trying. Be an active listener.

Be aware of the signs of alcohol and drug abuse. Slipping grades, new fr iends, a

loss of interest in old activities and sudden changes in mood are all warning signs of drug

abuse.

Have a discussion. Talk with your teen openly about the r isks of using drugs,

alcohol and digital drugs, and set clear boundaries.

P A G E 9

The Negative Effects Electronics Have on Teens by HOLLY L. ROBERTS Last Updated: May 16, 2015

Children and teenagers spend an average of four hours a day just on television time, according to the Palo

Alto Medical Foundation. Add in computer time, time spent on the Internet or smart phone, and video game

playing, and it's easy to see how teens can spend a significant chunk of their waking time plugged in.

Electronics, while useful for communication, schoolwork and entertainment, can cause problems if they're

overused.

Increased Obesity Risk

Too much screen time can promote a sedentary lifestyle -- one

of the major contributing factors to obesity and a major risk

factor for heart disease, according to the Texas Heart Institute.

As many as 33 percent of teens are obese, according to

estimates by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent

Psychiatry published by the Texas Heart Institute.

Obese teens are more likely to grow up to become obese

adults, giving them an increased risk for chronic health

conditions, including heart disease, diabetes and arthritis.

Trading even just 30 minutes of electronics time per day

for physical activity can help significantly reduce these

risks.

Increased Aggression

Teens whose electronic time includes violent television and video games may

also experience increased aggression, according to the Palo Alto Medical

Foundation. Teens who spend a significant amount of time playing violent video

games or watching violent television shows are more likely to fight with their

peers, argue with their teachers and generally engage in more aggressive

behaviors.

Sleep Problems

Electronics in your teenager's bedroom can negatively affect his normal sleep cycle. Late-night texts, phone

calls and emails can keep your teen from sleeping soundly even if he's not reading or answering them,

explains TeensHealth.org, an online parenting and health information resource maintained by the Nemours

Foundation. Encourage your teen to turn his computer and phone off at bedtime to eliminate sleep-disrupting

updates.

Potential Mental Health Problems

Spending too much time playing video games can increase depression in teens

who have a predisposition to social or mental health problems, notes researcher

Douglas A. Gentile, an associate professor of

psychology at Iowa State University who studies

the link between video games and depression, in

a January 18, 2011 article in "The New York

Times." According to Gentile, teens with mental

health issues may turn to video games for relief, but then become addicted to

playing, causing social, academic and emotional problems that may last well

into adulthood. In some cases, teens become so addicted to video games that

VALENTINE WORD SEARCH

Arrow Beautiful Blushing Candy Card Caring Committed

Considerate Cupid Dedicated Devoted Emotional Everlasting

Exciting Flowers Fond Happy Heartfelt Heartwarming Inspirational

Intimate Kiss Lasting Lovable Loving Passionate Perfect

Precious Ravishing Red Romantic Sentimental Sexy Special

Sweet Together Treasured True Trustworthy Undying Unselfish

Wonderful

D B C X P P E Y G N I V O L K B F K C A N D Y G R

E E I S F E E R I G S W E E T U R G S S I K W N I

R A N H U S U D N N U M T L E F T R A E H V O I G

U U T G N Z R N S I L P D R Q V Y P P A H N N R N

S T I P D C T O P T A Q P E H W R U S E X Y D A I

A I M Y Y O K F I I S D D A D U E S I F Z Q E C H

E F A D I X R S R C T C O N S I D E R A T E R W S

R U T T N V B E A X I L G T R S C Z K Z P N F W U

T L E R G P Z N T E N O F G A D I A P Z J H U E L

K Q S U L R N T I B G G L N V S A O T Q X S L L B

H O R S P E F I O Z W I A I I T F B N E C I B B W

B N E T C C S M N C T B N M S C W R P A D F K A O

H R W W O I T E A I L V O R H E Z U V X T L D V R

L L O O M O O N L T N D I A I F K X U W V E E O R

P A L R M U G T I N X Q T W N R N U L F B S V L A

J I F T I S E A T A B A O T G E V B X C U N O C F

I C O H T U T L C M O R M R L P C E G O C U T F C

Z E R Y T X H Z G O S K E A G N I T S A L R E V E

G P T D E F E X M R P E J E L L J Y C U P I D J J

O S S Y D J R I M Q M G R H Z U B S H D R A C C X

This is how to say Happy Valentine's Day in various languages:

Arabic - Eid hob sa’eed, habibi (to a male); Eid hob sa’eed,habibti (to a female)

Dutch - Fijne valentijnsdag

French - Bonne Saint Valentin

German - Happy Valentinstag

Hawaiian - Hau’oli La Aloha

Indonesian - Selamat Hari Kasih Sayang

Italian - Felice San Valentino

Japanese - Shiawasena Barentainde

Portuguese - Feliz Dia dos Namorados

Mandarin - Qingren jie kuaile

Spanish - Feliz dia de San Valentin

Swedish - Glad Alla hjartans dag

Thailand - Sook San Wan Valentine

Turkish - Sevgililer Günün Kutlu Olsun (to one person)

VALENTINE WORD SEARCH ANSWERS

D B G N I V O L C A N D Y G

E E I E I G S W E E T S S I K W N

R A N U U D N N T L E F T R A E H O I G

U U T N R N S I L D Y P P A H N R N

S T I D T O P T A P E R S E X Y D A I

A I M Y F I I S A D E E C H

E F A I S R C T C O N S I D E R A T E R S

R U T T N E A X I R S C F U

T L E R G P N T E N G A I A H U E L

S U R T I G L N V O T S L L B

R S E I O A I I T N E I B W

E T C C M N C N M S C A D F A O

W W O I T E A I O R H E T L D V R

L O O M O O N L T I A I F E E O R

A L R M U G T N T W N R S V L A

I F T I S E A A O T G E N O

C H T T L M M R P U T

E Y T H O E A G N I T S A L R E V E

P E E R E C U P I D

S D R H D R A C

Boy: Do you have a date for Valentine’s Day?

Girl: Yes, February 14th

My WIFE IS A high-ScHooL EngLiSH TEAcHEr. For vALEnTinE’S onE day I SENT HER AN EXPRESSION OF MY LOVE IN A LETTER. True to

her nature she graded it. She gave me B minus on my love letter.

In hopes of bettering my grade and in the spirit of the

valentine season, I sent her an extravagant heart-shaped box of chocolates with the pre-PrinTEd inScriPTion: “BE MinE.”

The following day, I received in return a valentine from my

wiFE. iT rEAd: “THAnK you, BuT iT’S STiLL A “BE MinE-uS.”

_________________________________________________

A prince was put under a spell so that he could speak only one word EAcH yEAr. iF HE didn’T SPEAK For Two yEArS, THE following year he could speak two words and so on.

One day, he fell in love with a beautiful lady. He refrained FroM SPEAKing For Two wHoLE yEArS So HE couLd cALL HEr “My

dArLing.”

But then he wanted to tell her he loved her, so he waited three more years.

At the end of these five years, he wanted to ask her to marry

him, so he waited another four years.

Finally, as the ninth year of silence ended, he led the lady to THE MoST roMAnTic PLAcE in THE KingdoM And SAid, “My dArLing, i

LovE you! wiLL you MArry ME?”

And THE LAdy SAid, “PArdon?”

The construction of nearly every prevention program begins with an understanding of factors that place people at risk for or protect

them from problem behavior.

PICADA Programming for 2016

abovetheinfluencedcw.org (All things Prevention website)

An Apple a Day (School AOD prevention: grades k-5— fee-based program)

AODA Basics (All ages/Community)

Alcohol Education Options Program (Court option program: ages 17-20)

Crcadanecountywi.com (All things AODA prevention and Addiction)

Fortress (6th -12th grade, peer to peer support group for students living in substance abusing homes)

Media Detective (3rd - 5th grade, media advocacy/awareness program)

Media Ready (6th and 7th grade, media advocacy/awareness program)

Multi-Jurisdictional Alcohol Program (Court option program: up to age 16)

Prevention and Management of Alcohol Problems in Older Adults (AOD prevention and intervention

program for those 60 and above)

Outreach/Networking (Community support programs)

PICADA (A program of Family Service Madison)

608-316-1118; dougm@fsmad.org

Website managed by PICADA

abovetheinfluencedcw.org

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Family Service Madison is a health care facility with the goal to instill hope and promote wellness.

Family Service continues to be a strong Madison health care agency by creating and sustaining

quality services through entrepreneurship and collaborative partnerships that make our community

a better place in which to live.

FAMILY SERVICE MADISION

128 E. Olin Ave.

Madison, WI 53713

Ph: 608.252.1320

Fax: 608.252.1333

www.fsmad.org

info@fsmad.org