Teen drug use is on the rise. You may not think it’s a big deal, but if someone you know is experimenting with drugs, even occasionally, he or she is on a track to disaster. If you see any signs of drug use, get help for your friend, before it’s too late.

Changes: The biggest sign of drug use is any change in attitude, looks, or behavior. Any change in how a person acts can be a sign that something is wrong. While it may not always be drugs, get your friend talking about what is going on in his or her life.

Emotional Signs: If you friend who is always quiet and shy becomes outgoing or aggressive, drugs may be involved. The same can go for a friend who is always friendly or loud becoming withdrawn or sullen. If your friend loses interest in hobbies, activities, or relationships, it may point to drug use as well. Acting apathetic or defensive can also be signals to look out for.

Physical Signs: Drugs affect people differently, but some common effects on the body include: runny nose, constant sniffling, puffy skin, scratching, red or bloodshot eyes, dilated or constricted pupils, decreased appetite, weight loss, change in skin pallor, slurred speech, or marks on the arms or legs to indicate needle use. Your friend may try to hide or explain away these symptoms. Don’t be fooled.

Behavioral Signs: Drug use often leads to a lack of appetite and decrease in personal hygiene and grooming standards. Your friend may skip out on activities, school, or family events. Teenagers abusing drugs may spend a lot of time alone, often sleeping. Your friend may stay up very late at night, and then sleep much longer during the day.

Risk-taking behavior is a major sign of drug use. Teenagers may take risks with driving, physical competitions, fighting, or sexually. Drug abuse leads to financial problems. Be aware of a friend who seeks to borrow money, or make money quickly.

It can be so hard to see these drug abuse signs in those you love. It’s easy to write off some of these symptoms as stress with school or family, relationships, depression, or even just teenage angst. Ignoring signs of drug use could lead your friend down a path that cannot be turned around easily. The sooner your friend gets help, the better chance he or she has of recovery and a happy life. Don’t close your eyes to these signs. Refer your friend to a doctor, counselor, or other adult you both trust. Don’t let a friend miss out on the only life he or she gets.

Adults and youth can take a step in the right direction and help with substance abuse prevention by Joining us today at LiveFree!

Sources:

Drug Abuse and Addiction Signs, Symptoms, and Help for Drug Problems and Substance (Help Guide)

How to Tell If a Friend or Family Member is Using Drugs (Yahoo)

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Every day, everywhere people consume caffeine on a daily basis. Sometimes we do it on purpose and other times the food and beverages choices we make provide our bodies with caffeine, even if we do not mean them too. Considering that caffeine is constantly a part of our daily lives, we should take some time to understand a little more about it as a substance and the effects that it can have on our bodies.

Like anything else out there, caffeine has positive and negative aspects. There are a lot of conflicting opinions on whether it should be consumed and how much. The Food and Drug Administration has cleared caffeine in food products. While it does regulate caffeine as an additive, it lists caffeine as a substance that is “generally recognized as safe”. Various studies have been conducted in order to find out more about the way caffeine affects the human body. To be fair, we are going to take a look at both sides of the caffeine argument because the best way to make a decision for yourself is to weigh the evidence that is most agreed upon by experts.

Caffeine Addiction

The jury is still out on whether or not caffeine is addictive. Many studies have been conducted and they have come back with conflicting results. Further research will help the scientific community make up their minds but here are both arguments so that you can make up yours.

Caffeine is addictive- One of the leading signs of addiction is withdrawal. Those who view caffeine as addictive say that caffeine withdrawal can begin 12 to 24 hours after the body goes without caffeine and that the withdrawal symptoms can last between 2 and 9 days. Withdrawal symptoms can include: headaches, unusual tiredness, being annoyed for no reason and even depression.

Caffeine is not addictive- Those who feel that caffeine is not addictive argue that people consume caffeine so regularly because they like the factors associated with the food products themselves. They enjoy the foods and beverages that contain caffeine and they also enjoy the social setting that consuming caffeinated products, like coffee, provides.

Proposed benefits of caffeine

• Increases dopamine production in the body which can have positive mood enhancing effects.
• Provides an energy burst that can help you wake up in the morning or provide energy during the day when you are tired but need to be alert.
• In some long term studies, regular but moderate caffeine intake has been linked to less cardiovascular troubles over the lifetime of regular caffeine users.

Proposed drawbacks of caffeine

• Some studies have found that caffeine intake can reduce your body’s ability to absorb iron and calcium.
• When used excessively (excessively is defined by consuming more than 500mgs. Of caffeine a day or the equivalent of 5 or more cups of coffee) caffeine is said to cause:
• Increased Urination
• Diarrhea
• Muscle Tremors
• Anxiety
• Tension
• Irritability
• Insomnia
• Stomach Aches
• Increased Blood Sugar(which can be very harmful for diabetics

Now you know some of the basic facts about caffeine and how it affects your body you can make your own decision about caffeine use. We suggest that you limit your caffeine intake. A little planning and attention to the caffeine content of the foods and beverages that you consume will go a long way. Planning your diet from a standpoint of being healthy has more benefits than we can name. We encourage you to think about your overall health and wellness when consuming caffeine.