Nearly 25% of all High-School Seniors have Smoked Pot
Get help for your teen who is addicted to smoking pot!
A recent survey of high-school students has found than nearly a quarter of the nation’s twelfth graders have smoked pot in the past 30 days and nearly 40% of them report having smoked marijuana in the past year. The survey also found that nearly 10% of high school seniors report smoking pot regularly—on a daily basis.
While the numbers were significantly lower for those in tenth grade—with only 17% reporting use of marijuana in the past 30 days and less than 5% smoking pot on a daily basis, there is still reason for alarm at these statistics. Marijuana, though not typically deadly in and of itself, has long been considered the “gateway drug” which leads to the use of other more serious drugs. Additionally, young people who smoke pot can suffer from a lower IQ, reduced cognitive abilities in adulthood and other long term consequences.
Unfortunately, many high school students do not perceive marijuana as a dangerous or harmful drug and this misconception has led to an increase in the use of the drug amongst those in 10-12th grades. In fact, a survey has found that only 41% of eighth graders believe that occasional use of marijuana is dangerous and less than 70% believe that regular use of pot is harmful—these numbers are significantly lower than those from the early 1990s.
Studies show that almost all 12 graders (80% anyway) believe that it’s safe to smoke pot on occasion with little risk and less than half believe that regular use of marijuana could be harmful. These are the lowest rates we’ve seen since before the 80s.
Teens should be better informed about the dangers and risks associated with marijuana use. Heavy use of marijuana during the adolescent years can lead to long term consequences including:
increased risk of becoming involved with alcohol or more dangerous drugs
increased risk of ADD, ADHD or other deficit disorders
increased risk of cancer
cognitive disorders
lowered IQ
Additionally, studies show that as many as 90% of addictions have their roots in the teenage years when children or adolescents first begin to test the waters of substance abuse. Smoking pot can have a major impact on the risk of a teen becoming addicted to other, more serious drugs in the future.
If you think that your teen is smoking pot or if you know a teen who smokes marijuana regularly, consider seeking professional help. Rehab centers for teens can provide guidance and education to teens in an effort to help them better understand the dangers associated with smoking pot.
Many people believe they can get over their addictions on their own and without the help of professional rehab. Unfortunately, though, this option is often much more dangerous and usually more unsuccessful than attending professional care in the hands of healthcare workers. Addiction Changes the Brain Most people cannot beat addiction through sheer force of….
Alcoholism among both teens and adults comes with many short term and long term health effects or consequences. In fact, the health effects of teenage alcoholism can be detrimental and even life threatening, even more so than for an adult. This is because the human brain is not fully developed until a human reaches the….
Many parents hear about animal therapy for children and wonder if it will be beneficial for their child. In some cases, kids with attachment issues, foster children, and children on the autism spectrum can receive many benefits from working with animals in a therapeutic situation. However, certain types of animal rehab work better than others….
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), there are approximately 20 million people currently suffering from behavioral or addictive disorders. Of these people, less than 10 percent are actively being treated through a program. Roughly 40 percent of these people are unable to receive treatment because of the high cost involved…..
Thousands of people suffer from chronic pain disorders such as Fibromyalgia or other serious conditions that result in uncontrollable pain for the patient. But if you are a recovering addict, how can you cope with chronic pain after you have completed drug rehab? What are the dangers of managing chronic pain and how can you….
Local rehabilitation centers are the natural choice for many individuals. But while there are beneficial aspects to choosing a facility that is close to home, there are also drawbacks to this type of facility. Knowing the pros and cons of local rehab centers can help you make a more informed choice and find the facility….
Yoga is a healthful alternative treatment method that, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, has been found to “maintain… health and well-being, improve physical fitness, relieve stress… enhance quality of life,” lower heart rate, lower blood pressure, and relieve anxiety, depression, and insomnia. In addition, it can also be a major….
Heroin is one of the most destructive addictions in the whole world, destroying lives and sometimes taking out everything in its path. Heroin addiction treatment is estimated to be one of the most difficult types of addiction treatment to provide and heroin rehab can become a lifelong process for the recovering addict. Faced with a….
According to the Institute of Medicine (US), “The length of time in treatment consistently has been found to be an important determinant of both short- and long-term improvement.” Recovery is a process of changes for the better and there is a grave importance of long-term rehab in recovery that many people just don’t get when….
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, drug addiction is a trap that many teens and young adults face. Unfortunately, with rising rates of drug use among teens and college students, it is a trap that you might have fallen into. It is difficult to know where to turn when you realize that you….
Calls to numbers on a specific treatment center listing will be routed to that treatment center. Calls to any general helpline will be answered or returned by one of the treatment providers listed, each of which is a paid advertiser.
By calling the helpline you agree to the terms of use. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses. There is no obligation to enter treatment.
