Talking to a loved one about the excessive use of alcohol can be difficult, but you can make it a little easier.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are approximately 80,000 deaths attributable to excessive alcohol use each year in the United States. It's hard to have someone who is close become dependent on alcohol and need it just to make it through the day. It can be very tough to try and talk to them about their addiction, but there are a few things that you can do to make it a little easier on you and on them.

• Be specific — When you are talking with your loved one, make sure you explain to them that their drinking habit is affecting both of your lives.
• Be respectful — You do want to be specific with your loved one, but you also want to respect them. Don't over exaggerate or be rude about it. Just stick with the facts
• Make them aware of the consequences — Many people who abuse alcohol, don't really notice that there are repercussions for their actions. Make sure that they know there will be consequences if they do not get help — but don't threaten them.
• Offer your help and some solutions — Make sure that before sitting down to talk with them, you find out what options are available for help. It will be a lot easier to help them if they know you are there to support them.

Alcohol abuse is nothing to play around with — if you think a loved one is in over their head, make sure you use the tips above to talk with them about the difficulties and the consequences of their actions.

If you have a loved one who you think has a drinking problem, click here for more information on what you should do. To learn more about LiveFree! and their mission, visit their website.

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Parents, Students, Teachers, Youth and Community members — please save the date: for our annual town hall meeting!

LiveFree!, along with WEDU and numerous other partners from our community will be hosting a Town Hall Meeting, titled: Kids and Alcohol and you're invited!  We will be taping the meeting for an upcoming show to appear on WEDU! We would love for you to be part of the audience! The Town Hall Meeting will take place at the Palladium Theater at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 21.

This informational meeting will discuss topics on the issues of underage drinking in Florida. Our main goal is to increase the awareness of substance abuse and the problem that it is causing among teens in Florida. Some of the topics up for discussion will include:

• Underage alcohol use
• Synthetic marijuana use
• Prescription drug misuse and abuse
• Peer Pressure faced by our youth

Those are just a few topics we will be discussing and please, if you have any other topics you want discussed or specific questions you would like answered at the meeting, contact livefree@operpar.org.

So, don't forget to save the date for the Town Hall Meeting: Kids & Alcohol — March 21 at 5:30 p.m. at the Palladium Theater. The Palladium Theater is located at 253 5th Avenue North, St. Petersburg FL.

If you would like more information on this event, please contact livefree@operpar.org or you can visit LiveFee! online. And if you want to join our mailing list, just text LIVEFREE to 22828 and don't forget to include your email address!

We hope to see you there!

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Is there really such a thing as a gateway drug?

When you're surrounded and influenced by your friends, it's sometimes hard to make good choices. Don't give into peer pressure. Just because everyone else is doing it — that doesn't mean you have to! And a lot of times, once you start…you can't stop.

What exactly is a gateway drug?
When a drug, such as marijuana, alcohol or tobacco, opens up the door for other harder drugs like cocaine and heroin, it is known as a gateway drug. According to drugfree.org — 50 percent of teens in the U.S. have access to marijuana by the time they are 16. In some cases, this is the first drug that young teens are introduced to.

Remember that alcohol is also a drug.
Although, a study from the University of Florida found that alcohol is the gateway drug that is leading teens and young adults down the wrong path and exposing them to harsher drugs, many people unfortunately don't really consider alcohol a drug.

Don't become a victim of peer pressure.
How can you avoid becoming a victim of gateway drugs? Well, the simplest solution would be to just say no. If and when you are offered any type of drug (even alcohol), make sure you refuse — even if you are afraid of peer pressure.

Click here for more information on resisting drug abuse and what you should do. To learn more about LiveFree! and our mission to reduce youth substance abuse, visit our website.

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Top "Reasons" People Use Drugs & The Truth Behind Them

Learn why this important health observance week is observed.

When it comes to drugs, many teens are misinformed. Myths abound, and teens will often share false information with other kids to promote or excuse drug use. Learn how National Drug Facts Week can help.

The National Drug Facts Week mission
It can be challenging for teens to wade through information on drugs and pick out the facts. National Drug Facts Week focuses on educating teens with real, hard facts about drug use and abuse. From January 28 to February 3, National Drug Facts Week helps to share helpful, scientific facts with teens who have questions about drugs.

Connecting teens with experts
One of the cool aspects of National Drug Facts Week is that it offers teens the chance to contact medical professionals and scientists with questions. Teens may question the information given to them by parents or other mentors, but it’s hard to argue with experts. Tweet using #drugfacts during the week or register for other 2013 events.

How you can get involved
Want to get involved with National Drug Facts Week?

• Teens: Register and participate! Ask as many questions as you can think of.
• Parents: If you’re a caregiver or parent, help your teen get involved and encourage active questioning and fact-seeking.
• Other Adults: If you have a teen audience of any kind, consider hosting your own National Drug Facts Week event. Invite a local expert who can provide teens with real time answers to questions about addiction myths, drug use side effects and other common issues related to drug use and abuse. Here’s a step by step toolkit for hosting your own National Drug Facts Week event in 2013.

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The Definition of Gateway Drugs
Is Your Friend Using Drugs?

Learn how to help a friend through the difficult time of dealing with substance abuse.           

Though drug and alcohol abuse may often be a choice, addiction is not a choice. When a friend is dealing with addiction, it can be a difficult and scary time for that person. It can also be a scary and frustrating time for you as a friend. Learn more about addiction so you can help a friend.

Know that Addiction is a Disease
According to DrugAbuse.gov, drugs change how the brain works for a long time. Addiction isn’t a bad habit or bad behavior. It’s a serious issue that most often requires major intervention to recover from. Addiction can interfere with school, work and relationships.

Talk to Others
If you see that a friend is experiencing drug addiction, you may need to speak to their parents or another trusted adult. This isn’t an issue you can handle by yourself. Don’t feel like you’re betraying your friend or tattling. Substance abuse and addiction can kill, and addiction isn’t something to be taken lightly or ignored.

Be Supportive
Don’t shame your friend for their behavior. As a friend, your best bet is to listen when your friend is willing to talk. Give your friend opportunities to do things that may take their mind off of issues related to substance abuse. Don’t judge them if they needs treatment or therapy to overcome addiction. Never offer drugs or alcohol.

Be Gentle with Yourself
Remember that people with addiction often need professional intervention. Sometimes all you can do is provide love and support. Don’t guilt yourself. You can’t “fix” your friend. A friend’s addiction can cause you heartbreak and anger. Get help if you need it.

Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) at any time to find drug treatment centers near you.

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The Definition of Gateway Drugs
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Think you understand addiction? There’s a good chance your knowledge about addiction comes from popular culture and myths that aren’t grounded in the reality of substance abuse and addiction. Check out these common myths and see how your understanding measures up.

Myth: Addicts use drugs to escape problems.
According to DrugAbuse.gov, addiction is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease. People begin trying drugs and alcohol for many reasons, and becoming addicted has nothing to do with an individual’s personal situation. While it’s true that initial drug use or alcohol use might be a form of escape, anyone can become addicted.

Myth: People with high alcohol tolerance won’t become addicts.
Becoming addicted to alcohol doesn’t just happen to people who become drunk easily. Being able to drink large amounts of alcohol without appearing or acting drunk can actually be a sign of alcoholism. If you or a loved one shows signs of alcoholism, look into treatment resources.

Myth: People who relapse after drug and alcohol recovery are hopeless cases.
It can be discouraging when relapse occurs after successful treatment of substance abuse, but this isn’t the end of the road. Addiction is a treatable disease, and if relapse occurs, individuals have to begin treatment again. It’s not uncommon for people to have to go through treatment for addiction more than once.

Myth: Addiction is a bad choice.
Addiction is a disease, not a choice. It has physical symptoms, just like any other disease. People who choose to stop abusing drugs and alcohol experience withdrawal and may suffer painful, debilitating side effects. It takes support and treatment to overcome addiction, and it isn’t just a matter of having stronger willpower or making better choices in life.

Myth: After recovery, addicts are back to “normal.”
Most addicts require various forms of treatment and therapy throughout life. Addiction treatment isn’t a simple cure. Many addicts continue going to forms of group therapy and counseling on an ongoing basis. In addition, the effects of abuse of drug and alcohol can have permanent effects on the brain and body.

Myth: Legal drugs are helpful.
Over the counter and prescription drugs provided by doctors can be just as addictive as illegal street drugs. Prescription painkillers can be highly addictive and highly dangerous, frequently leading to death from overdose, accidents and drug interactions.

Related Posts:
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The choices you make affect everyone around you, but especially your family. The effects of addiction can spread throughout the family—affecting your parents, siblings and other loved ones. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, addiction is a brain disease. Regardless of the drugs used, addiction has similar consequences. When considering reasons to get help, think about how your addiction may be affecting those who love you.

Guilt
Your parents feel responsible for your well being. Because they love you and want to protect you, they will question how they have allowed you to develop an addiction. They may wonder if they paid enough attention to early warning signs or put enough limitations on your behavior. Or it could be that they fought hard to intervene but were not able to help. Regardless of the circumstances, your parents and loved ones carry guilt and blame themselves to a certain extent.

Enabling
In some situations, your parents and siblings may enable your addiction. They may willfully ignore your problems or play them down. They might make excuses for your behavior or brush things off as a phase. They may be hesitant to address the addiction directly, worried about the stigma or the rough road ahead. Enabling is one of the major ways your addiction isn’t just about you. Drugfree.org offers true stories to help families with loved ones suffering drug and alcohol addictions.

Behavior
Addiction affects your mood and the way you treat the people around you. Since your family probably spends the most time around you, they’re going to catch the brunt of your moods. Your addiction may lead you to steal, to lie, to perform poorly in school and to withdraw from the people who care about you. Your parents, siblings and friends may be hurt by your behavior. They may feel betrayed or angry. They will feel helpless and will wonder how to help you and how to repair your relationship.

Responsibility
Your family must rally around you to help you overcome drug addiction through professional treatment. This can be a scary step for families to take, but it’s ultimately necessary to help you heal. While you are ultimately responsible for your own behavior, your family will be involved in supporting you through a lifetime of recovery. Family members may go through a process of healing as they come to terms with your addiction and learn how to help you and how to help themselves.

The LiveFree! Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition is a coalition of members of the community who strive to address alcohol and drug use in Pinellas County. Visit us online today to see how you can get involved in this cause that is so important to our community.

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There are many reasons why children and teens begin to use and become addicted to drugs, from being bored to seeking social acceptance. Illicit drug use among youth aged 12 to 17 increased from 9.3 percent in 2008 to 10 percent in 2009. Often, young people who use drugs are simply looking for something to occupy their time.

You should discuss drug use with your children and help them in choosing alternative activities or healthy “addictions” that they can participate in. There are many great ways to keep kids active and help them avoid peer pressure or situations that could lead to trying or abusing drugs.

Sports. Playing sports is a great activity for children and teens. They must devote a lot of energy to practice and to games. Participating in team or individual sports will not only make youth less likely to become involved with drugs, but it is also good for their overall health.

Music. Learning to play an instrument or being a member of a choir is tough work, but it will occupy your kids’ time and reduce the possibility for risky situations where drugs may be introduced. With music, your children will see the outcome and reward of their hard work and practice. You can remind them that drug use will only lead to poor health and usually poor choices.

Volunteering. Volunteering will keep your children active and engaged in the community, and can even help them get into college. Many colleges look favorably upon applicants who have given their time to helping others. Remind your teen that drug use would only push them farther away from their family, friends and future goals.

Hobby. If you child isn’t interested in team sports or music, a hobby can be great for using that excess energy. It doesn’t matter if your teens want to build model cars or take up gardening as their hobby—just remember that any hobby is better than drug abuse. You should support and reinforce their choice of hobby, so they feel a sense of accomplishment and reward.

Club or Civic Organization. Joining a club or civic organization for young people is a great way for teens to meet other like-minded teens who are also seeking to make a positive impact. You can rest assured your teens are spending time making good choices and being around people who wish to do the same.

If you would like to find out more information on addiction, or keeping your children from experimenting with drugs, visit our website here: Pinellas Coalition. Or read our weekly blog: Livefree!

Sources:
Healthy Alternatives for Students (FCD)
Drug and Alcohol Use Statistics (Adolescent Substance Abuse)

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Speed, uppers, meth, crystal meth, chalk, ice, glass, copilots, Christmas tree, crank … these are the street names for methamphetamines in their various forms. They are very powerful, highly addictive and destructive drugs that can potentially ruin the lives of those whose intentions are merely to try them just once. This is why it is so important to know the warning signs of drug abuse and to be aware of what your children are doing, or who they are hanging out with.

What Are Methamphetamines?

Methamphetamines are stimulant drugs that affect the central nervous system. In rare cases, they can be prescribed by a doctor, but they have very few medical benefits and are prescribed at very low, non-refillable doses because of their highly addictive properties. They are white, odorless, bitter-tasting crystalline powders that easily dissolve in water or alcohol and can be taken orally, intra nasally (snorting), by needle injection, or by smoking. They may also be seen in rock form— still crystal-like in color and appearance and easily flaked off.

Just taking a small dosage of a methamphetamine can result in the same experience as taking a drug or stimulant like cocaine. The user will experience:

• Increased wakefulness
• Increased physical activity
• Decreased appetite
• Increased respiration
• Rapid heart rate
• Irregular heartbeat
• Increased blood pressure
• Hyperthermia

How Do I Tell If My Child Is under the Influence?

It is very easy to point out someone who is under the influence of methamphetamines. Here some tell-tale signs to look for:

• Constant fidgeting and OCD-like behavior
• Repeatedly doing the same task over and over
• Dilated pupils
• Rapid eye movements
• Constant rambling conversation
• Tooth decay
• Sores that take a long time to heal
• Restlessness
• Weight loss

Although the signs of intoxication can be very clear and easy to point out, it is most likely that your child is taking the drug while you are not around to avoid being caught. This is why you need to be clued in to the little things. There are certain signs and behavioral cues that could tip you off as to whether or not your child is experimenting with drugs. There are no exact symptoms, however, only clues. Many of the early warning signs are the same as those for depression, or they are just normal reactions that many teenagers experience as their hormones change. If you suspect there is a problem, you should just come right out and ask. Here are some things to look for:

• Changes in friends
• Negative changes in school
• Acting out
• Increased secrecy about possessions or activities
• Use of perfumes, incense or deodorant to mask odors
• Change in everyday dress
• Suddenly using eye drops (to cover bloodshot eyes)
• New use of mouthwash or breath mints (to cover alcohol or cigarettes)
• Behavior changes like disrespect, mood swings, or negative attitude changes
• Keeping a distance from you or others

According to The Partnership for a Drug-Free America, even if you think your teen is just experimenting—or if you’re not too sure—you should just come right out and ask. As a parent, it is important to have regular conversations about the dangers and consequences of drug use. Research says that when parents openly talk about drinking and using drugs, children develop a more negative picture of drugs and are able to exhibit better self-control.

You should also take into account that the experimentation of hard drugs like amphetamines and methamphetamines is very possible. Don’t find yourself saying, “Not my child!”

It just may be your child. It is parents with that attitude who miss behavioral cues from their teen and possibly fail to see that something is wrong.

If you suspect your child is using drugs or experimenting with alcohol, we are here to help. Join our organization to fight the war on drugs, or just take advantage of our community resources. Check out our website by clicking here.

Sources:

National Institute on Drug Abuse

Partnership for a Drug Free America

Parents the Anti-Drug

Related Posts:

Teenagers Abusing Prescription Medication

A Drug Free Home

Getting the Best of Peer Pressure

Speed, uppers, meth, crystal meth, chalk, ice, glass, copilots, Christmas tree, crank … these are the street names for methamphetamines in their various forms. They are very powerful, highly addictive and destructive drugs that can potentially ruin the lives of those whose intentions are merely to try them just once. This is why it is so important to know the warning signs of drug abuse and to be aware of what your children are doing, or who they are hanging out with.

What Are Methamphetamines?

Methamphetamines are stimulant drugs that affect the central nervous system. In rare cases, they can be prescribed by a doctor, but they have very few medical benefits and are prescribed at very low, non-refillable doses because of their highly addictive properties. They are white, odorless, bitter-tasting crystalline powders that easily dissolve in water or alcohol and can be taken orally, intra nasally (snorting), by needle injection, or by smoking. They may also be seen in rock form— still crystal-like in color and appearance and easily flaked off.

Just taking a small dosage of a methamphetamine can result in the same experience as taking a drug or stimulant like cocaine. The user will experience:

• Increased wakefulness
• Increased physical activity
• Decreased appetite
• Increased respiration
• Rapid heart rate
• Irregular heartbeat
• Increased blood pressure
• Hyperthermia

How Do I Tell If My Child Is under the Influence?

It is very easy to point out someone who is under the influence of methamphetamines. Here some tell-tale signs to look for:

• Constant fidgeting and OCD-like behavior
• Repeatedly doing the same task over and over
• Dilated pupils
• Rapid eye movements
• Constant rambling conversation
• Tooth decay
• Sores that take a long time to heal
• Restlessness
• Weight loss

Although the signs of intoxication can be very clear and easy to point out, it is most likely that your child is taking the drug while you are not around to avoid being caught. This is why you need to be clued in to the little things. There are certain signs and behavioral cues that could tip you off as to whether or not your child is experimenting with drugs. There are no exact symptoms, however, only clues. Many of the early warning signs are the same as those for depression, or they are just normal reactions that many teenagers experience as their hormones change. If you suspect there is a problem, you should just come right out and ask. Here are some things to look for:

• Changes in friends
• Negative changes in school
• Acting out
• Increased secrecy about possessions or activities
• Use of perfumes, incense or deodorant to mask odors
• Change in everyday dress
• Suddenly using eye drops (to cover bloodshot eyes)
• New use of mouthwash or breath mints (to cover alcohol or cigarettes)
• Behavior changes like disrespect, mood swings, or negative attitude changes
• Keeping a distance from you or others

According to The Partnership for a Drug-Free America, even if you think your teen is just experimenting—or if you’re not too sure—you should just come right out and ask. As a parent, it is important to have regular conversations about the dangers and consequences of drug use. Research says that when parents openly talk about drinking and using drugs, children develop a more negative picture of drugs and are able to exhibit better self-control.

You should also take into account that the experimentation of hard drugs like amphetamines and methamphetamines is very possible. Don’t find yourself saying, “Not my child!”

It just may be your child. It is parents with that attitude who miss behavioral cues from their teen and possibly fail to see that something is wrong.

If you suspect your child is using drugs or experimenting with alcohol, we are here to help. Join our organization to fight the war on drugs, or just take advantage of our community resources. Check out our website by clicking here.

Sources:

National Institute on Drug Abuse

Partnership for a Drug Free America

Parents the Anti-Drug

Related Posts:

Teenagers Abusing Prescription Medication

A Drug Free Home

Getting the Best of Peer Pressure