Can your genes affect whether or not you become addicted to drugs or alcohol?

If someone in your family has a problem with substance abuse or addiction, you may have found yourself wondering if it will affect you too. This isn’t an unreasonable question. Studies on twins have shown that genetics do play a part in how likely an individual is to develop an addiction to drugs or alcohol.

What does this mean for me?
Without a complex analysis of your DNA, it’s hard to say whether or not your particular genes will give you a predisposition toward addiction. The science behind addiction is fascinating, but it takes place on a level that doesn’t translate well to everyday choices and understanding. Take note of your family history as you would with a medical history of cancer or heart disease. If close family members suffer from addiction, this could be an indicator that you’re at risk.

If I don’t have a family history, am I safe?
The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that environment and genetics are linked. Your life, stress, culture and more can affect whether or not you develop an addiction. Genetics may influence how you respond to stress in your life. It’s important to understand that no one is “safe” from addiction to drugs or alcohol. Even if you don’t have genes that increase your risk, you should be aware of the signs and symptoms.

Do genetics affect treatment?
In the future, DNA may help doctors establish the best treatment options for an individual's addiction. Fortunately, progress is being made rapidly. Establishing better treatment options for addiction is in the best interests of everyone.

If you believe you have a problem with drugs or alcohol, talk to your doctor or consult with a counselor right away to find out how you can get the help you need. To learn more about LiveFree! and our mission to reduce youth substance abuse, visit our website.

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Give your teen space to have fun while setting appropriate boundaries.

During the long school year, teens work hard and focus on education. Over the summer, it’s natural to want to cut loose and have fun. As a parent, you have to find ways to set boundaries without stifling your teen’s hard earned fun.

Research activities
If your teen is attending a camp or going on a trip, do your research. Find out who will be supervising and what the guidelines are. Look into chaperones for trips. Know who will be driving and where your teen will be staying.

Require safety equipment for sports and activities
As your teen participates in sports and other outdoors activities, require the right safety equipment. Activities such as boating can be especially dangerous without the right precautions. Give your teen the chance to have fun as long as he’s adhering to safety rules and using the right equipment, such as helmets while biking or skateboarding.

Talk about drugs and alcohol
Continue an open dialogue about drugs and alcohol over the summer. Never allow your teen or other teens to drink alcohol in your home.

Ask your teen for suggestions
Give your teen the chance to influence her summer activities. Instead of telling her what she’ll be doing, let her come to you with suggestions and options. Discuss those options as a family to find out what works best for your teen and what aligns to the rules you’ve established. Focus on compromise and give her opportunities to earn trust and privileges.

Talk about online safety
Your teen will spend time texting and hanging out online this summer, no matter how great the weather is. It’s always the right time to talk about online bullying, online safety and privacy. It’s also a good time to talk about going to a responsible adult if illegal or irresponsible behavior is witnessed online.                  

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.

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Learn more about the risks of underage drinking.

Parents and loved ones have to stay on top of underage drinking trends. Tweens and teens need the support of family members and responsible peers to avoid the risks associated with underage drinking. To educate yourself, check out these six fast facts about teens and alcohol.

Underage drinking is more common than you might think. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), half of 15-year-old teens have had at least one drink. More than 70% of teens have had at least one drink by the time they turn 18.

Alcohol affects school performance. Teens who drink suffer consequences at school related to behavior and academic performance. At a time when school performance is crucial, this problem can affect a teen well into adulthood.

The community can help. Communities, including parents, teachers, peers and leaders can help prevent underage drinking. Be supportive of the teens in your life and help to educate them about making responsible choices.

Underage drinking can cause death. According to the NIAAA, 5,000 people under age 21 die each year from alcohol-related car crashes, homicides, suicides, alcohol poisoning, and other injuries.

Drinking as a teen increases the risk of alcohol dependence. The NIAAA reports that individuals who begin drinking as a teen are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence as an adult.

Teens are more likely to binge drink. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that underage drinkers consume more drinks per drinking occasion than adult drinkers, on average. Binge drinking is a highly dangerous way to consume alcohol.

You can make a difference in your teen's life. Find out how to educate your teen about the dangers of underage drinking and more at LiveFree!

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Discover resources for helping children of parents addicted to drugs and alcohol.

Children are often the indirect victims of substance abuse. When a parent is addicted to drugs or alcohol, addiction can take precedence over parenting. This is a time of distress for kids, regardless of age. Learn how kids of addicted parents can get help.

Know the facts
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that as many as one in four children is exposed to family alcohol abuse or dependence. This is a huge number of kids. Try to be aware that issues like this could be affecting children in your life, and could be at the root of emotional or behavioral issues. With awareness of the effects of substance abuse and dependence growing, pediatricians, teachers and caregivers are becoming more aware of the signs that a child is being exposed to addiction at home.

Help kids find support
If you or a child you know is affected by substance abuse, don’t hesitate to seek help. Children must know that they don’t have to feel guilty for admitting that a parent or caregiver has a problem with addiction. Reassurance is crucial, since kids may feel like acknowledging a problem is a betrayal. Here are some resources that can help kids:

• Encourage children to talk. Give them safe spaces to vent and express fears or anger.
• Provide children with any basic needs that may be ignored while a parent struggles with addiction.
• Introduce children and teens to Alateen and Al-Anon Family Groups for support through meetings.
• Seek further resources at the National Association for Children of Alcoholics.

Lastly, remember that children of alcoholics are not always under 18. If you are an adult child of an alcoholic, don’t hesitate to seek support in any way that you’re comfortable with.

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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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Learn how binge drinking can affect your future long after you’ve sobered up.

Binge drinking is a common behavior in young people who are drinking underage or drinking in college. Though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 70% of binge drinking episodes involve adults age 26 years and older, it’s a behavior that teens should be especially aware and cautious of. Binge drinking has long-term effects on the brain that can last for the rest of a teen’s life.

What is binge drinking?
The CDC classifies binge drinking as a man having five or more drinks in two hours, or a woman having four or more drinks in two hours. This kind of drinking behavior is common at parties or while going out with friends. Binge drinking is drinking to get drunk. As a result, it can lead to both physical side effects and behavioral side effects like accidental injury and death.

What are some effects of binge drinking?
Some of the potential effects of binge drinking could be car crashes, drowning, firearm injuries, sexual assault, domestic violence, alcohol poisoning, unintended pregnancy, neurological damage and stroke. When judgment is severely impaired, risks increase across the board.

How does binge drinking affect the brain in the long term?
According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, longtime binge drinkers run the risk of developing serious and persistent changes in the brain. This damage may come from direct effects of alcohol on the brain or the effects of poor health and liver disease on the brain. Keep in mind that drinking while pregnant can also cause permanent damage to the unborn child. These long term effects are still being studied, but science is showing that the changes to the brain are physical and very real. Binge drinking could affect your cognition, memory and moods.

Learn more about LiveFree! and their mission to reduce youth substance abuse.

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Learn why anyone could be at risk for developing an addiction.

Contrary to popular belief, addiction isn’t a personality flaw or a result of a certain type of attitude or upbringing. Addiction is a disease. The way it affects the brain is purely scientific. Addiction doesn’t discriminate. Being wealthy, educated or smart won’t save you from addiction if you use drugs or alcohol.

What does addiction feel like? 
Science has shown that drug users start to need the drug just to feel normal, and this is the start of addiction. Addiction isn’t a state of constantly feeling good as much as a state of constantly needing a drug just to feel remotely normal. When you're addicted to drugs, it becomes harder and harder to feel “good.”

How can drugs change your brain?
This isn’t an attitude or a behavior but an actual change to the brain’s chemistry. According to DrugAbuse.gov, these changes cause problems like mood swings, memory loss, trouble thinking and trouble making decisions. As a result, drug addicts can suffer in school, at work and with relationships. Take a look at how repeated drug exposure changes brain function so severely it can be viewed on a scan.

How can they change you?
The need to use drugs to feel regular often encourages drug users to behave in uncharacteristic ways. You may consider yourself above lying or stealing, but addiction could prompt you to do things you normally wouldn't do, just to feel like you were getting by.

When can addiction happen?
While addiction can happen at any age, you’re actually at greater risk while you’re young. These risks are very real and no amount of being aware of addiction beforehand can prevent your brain chemistry from changing as the result of drug abuse.

Learn more about LiveFree! and its mission to reduce youth substance abuse.

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Take a closer look at issues surrounding drug and alcohol use.

You've probably heard about all of the negative consequences to drug and alcohol use, but there may be a few factors that you haven't yet considered. Here are a few more outcomes to think about when it comes to substance abuse:

Losing friendships
When you use drugs and alcohol, the people around you are affected and friendships are often quick to suffer. As your behavior changes and you interact with different peers, you’ll find yourself losing friendships you may have had for a long time. It’s difficult for close friends to see you change the way you look and act as a result of drug and alcohol use. Friends who don’t use will pull away from you.

Bad grades or dropping out
Drugs and alcohol affect your brain. Between these effects and the social issues you’ll face as you spend more time drinking and doing drugs, your grades at school will suffer. Whether you’re finishing up high school or in college, your grades are very important. If you drop out, it will take a huge amount of effort to work your way back to where you were.

Losing financial aid or employment
Behavior related to drug use and alcohol use puts you at risk of losing your job or losing your scholarships and financial aid. If you face disciplinary action at school or work, chances are your situation will change drastically. Some of these marks on your record can stay with you throughout your life, especially if you face legal action.

Hurting your family
Your parents and other family members will struggle as you change from the effects of drinking and doing drugs. Whether you are directly combative towards them or you pull away more subtly, they will be the ones to suffer. Your actions have an impact on many people.

High costs                        
Drugs and alcohol aren’t free. When you use, you’re using a portion of your income or your parents’ income to have a good time. These costs add up quickly and can prevent you from saving any money or paying important bills.

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Learn how to debunk damaging myths about drug addiction.

What you think you know about addiction may be a web of inaccuracies and misinformation. Debunk common myths about drug addiction to have a better understanding of the disease and why addicts need support to recover.

Myth #1: Addiction is just a choice.
It’s common for people to blow off drug addiction as bad behavior and bad choices. While the first time or first few times trying drugs may in fact be a very bad choice, addiction is a disease. Like cancer, for example, addiction has side effects and physical symptoms. It also takes a great deal of support and treatment to overcome.

Myth #2: Drug addiction is just a type of escapism.
People try drugs for many reasons. While some may be deliberately seeking escapism, many people are just trying them recreationally. There's no one reason to use drugs and no single reason people become addicts. Addiction can affect anyone. According to DrugAbuse.gov, addiction is considered a brain disease because drugs change the brain's structure and how it works.

Myth #3: If alcohol doesn’t really affect you, you won’t become an addict.
Alcohol addiction isn’t about how fast you get drunk or how drunk you feel. Some people believe that there’s only a risk of addiction in people who get drunk easily and act irresponsible when drunk. What you may not know is that strong tolerance to alcohol can actually be a symptom of alcohol addiction. Many individuals with alcoholism show no symptoms.

Myth #4: If you relapse from addiction, you’re a lost cause.
There’s no such thing as being a lost cause when it comes to substance abuse and addiction. Relapse can be very discouraging and upsetting, but the focus must remain on the fact that addiction is a disease. If you or a loved one is suffering from addiction, seek help.

Myth #5: Drug treatment cures addiction.
Drug treatment puts addicts on the road to recovery, but it does not “cure” addiction. Most individuals with a drug addiction need treatment or counseling in the long term, sometimes throughout life. There’s no quick solution to drug addiction. In fact, addiction can cause permanent effects to the brain and body.

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Learn what household products you should consider as potential drugs.

When your children were little, you knew to keep lighter fluid, cleaning supplies and paint away from them. You probably locked cabinets or stored these household chemicals far out of reach.

Now that your children are older, don’t stop being vigilant. Many household products are drugs in disguise, and can be abused by children and teens seeking a cheap and quick high. One in five kids report trying inhalants by eighth grade, according to the DEA.

What are the effects of inhalants?
Unfortunately, kids may not think that inhaling chemicals is “really” doing drugs. What they may not know is how dangerous these inhalants can be. Short-term effects can include dizziness and irritability, while long-term effects can include cognitive impairment and short-term memory loss. Overdose can lead to sudden death.

What can be used as an inhalant?
Be aware of what your child could be abusing by inhaling chemical fumes. They could be items that you keep in your bathroom, kitchen or garage that you might not have otherwise thought could be harmful.

Commonly abused household products include:

• aerosol products (such as paint or hair spray)
• glue
• lighter fluid
• paint
• cleaning fluids
• fuel
• air freshener
• correction fluid
• markers
• nail polish remover
• whipped cream canisters
• vegetable cooking spray

Talk to your kids about the dangers of inhaling drugs and household products. It's important that you let them know just how damaging these household items can be when abused.

If you find a chemical you’re not familiar with or you believe your child has taken household products as drugs, contact your local poison control center immediately. If you’re concerned about your child’s behavior or believe he or she has a problem abusing inhalants, talk to your child’s doctor and visit the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition to learn more.

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