Summer House

Its very simple, substance abuse effects body functioning. Drug use can lead to long term physiological effects that can not only be acutely harmful, but can also result in chronic problems. The use of drugs is not the only issue. It is all the harmful behaviors that come along with substance abuse that tend to make matters worse.
 

Substance abuse harms the body in two distinct ways: via the effect of the substance itself and via negative lifestyle changes, such as irregular eating habits and poor dietary intake. For example, infants who were exposed to alcohol while in the womb often have physical defects and mental disabilities. In this case, the growing fetus has deficits both directly caused by the substance crossing the placenta and indirectly due to inadequate nutrition of the mother while she was drinking.
 

Recovery from substance abuse involves many different components, including proper organ functioning, assuring mental well being and proper metabolism. A huge factor in the healing process is proper nutrient supply. Nutrients are essential for not only for energy, but also to keep the immune system strong which helps to fight off infection and keep one strong.
 

Though it is clear that substance use in general is not healthy, like anything else, different substances have different effects on the body. In this article we will discuss a few of the more popular drug categories and how they each can affect body functioning.

Opiates

Which Drugs Are Opiates?
 

This category includes: codeine, morphine, and heroin. All of these affect the gastrointestinal system. One of the main symptoms associated with opiate use is constipation. When one withdraws from opiates classic symptoms of withdrawal include: diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. The danger here lies primarily in a depletion of valuable nutrients and electrolytes. This includes imbalance in the amount of potassium, sodium, chloride, and calcium. Electrolytes are important for a variety of things, including proper cardiac, or heart, functioning.
 

To combat the severity of these symptoms, one should eat meals that are balanced (i.e. proper amounts of vegetables, grains, fats, and proteins). A high fiber diet with things such as whole grains, beans, peas and vegetables is advisable due to constipation associated with opiate use.
 

Alcohol
 

Out of all the drugs utilized in the US, alcohol is the major cause of nutritional deficiencies. The most prominent deficiencies include the following:
 

* Pyridoxine or Vitamin B-6
* Thiamine
* Folic Acid
 

An individual lacking in these nutrients may develop anemia which is a low blood count, for women a deficiency in folic acid can cause poor pregnancies, and B vitamin deficiency can also cause neurological problems. Lack of thiamine (B1) in particular, can lead to Korsakoff’s syndrome. It is important to understand that it is not necessarily the alcohol that cause the disorder, but the effect of alcohol of the absorption of nutrients that is damaging.
 

Alcohol damages the liver and pancreas in particular. These two organs are necessary for detoxification and processing (liver) and the pancreas effects blood sugar and absorption of fat. If these two organs are not working properly, one can have an imbalance of fluids, calories and electrolytes.
 

Permanent damage can take place in the form of cirrhosis which is liver damage, diabetes, seizures and malnutrition. Liver damage can also result in decreased clotting factors, which means an individual has the chance of bleeding unnecessarily. Women also have an increased risk for osteoporosis and may require calcium supplementation.
 

Stimulants

What is a stimulant?
 

This includes cocaine, methamphetamine and cocaine. Use of these drugs can lead to a decrease in appetite and weight loss which will eventually lead to malnutrition. As the name implies, stimulants stimulate the body thereby causing many users to stay awake for unhealthy periods of time. This can range from one night of missed sleep, to being awake for days at a time. This may result in dehydration and subsequent electrolyte imbalance. One should return to a normal, balance diet which may be difficult given the abuse the body has suffered especially if there has been severe weight loss.
 

The Marijuana Munchies
 

Marijuana can increase appetite, which, in chronic users can lead to being overweight. For these individuals it is probably best to cut back on sugar, fat and overall caloric intake.
 

Nutrition and psychological aspects of substance abuse
When people feel better, they are less likely to relapse. Since balanced nutrition helps improve mood and health, it is important to encourage an improved diet in people recovering from alcohol and other drug problems. Individuals recovering from substance abuse have just given up a huge part of their life and for this reason, it is better for these individuals to focus on not using again as opposed to putting all their energy into a drastic diet change.

How to Incorporate a Healthy Diet into Recovery
 

Perhaps the most important thing for prior substance abusers to remember is routine. For instance, regular meals throughout the day are recommended. An increase in proteins, complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber are highly recommended. Due to the irregularity of diet that tends to accompany substance abuse, most individuals will needs to supplement diet with vitamins and minerals. As every individual is different, it is recommended that recovering addicts meet with a dietician. A trained professional can then develop a plan that is specific to the person’s needs. The vitamins that are most often lacking include zinc, vitamins A and C and most of the B vitamins.
 

Keeping Your Sugar Steady Can Decrease Cravings
 

As many drug addicts do not eat regularly, they may forget what it feels like to really be hungry. Not eating steadily can cause a fluctuation in blood sugar levels which can lead to feelings of unsteadiness throughout the day. For a recovering addict, these feelings may be interpreted as drug cravings which could lead to one using. This is yet another reason to keep a steady and healthy intake of food.
 

The Importance of Water
 

Dehydration is common for substance users and it is very important to emphasize the need for fluids during and in between meals. As appetite can return during recovery, it is important to emphasize fluid intake as well as proper food consumption. For all the reasons discussed prior, it would be detrimental to recovery for an individual to begin eating the high calorie foods with little to no nutritional value due to all the abuse the body has already endured. Drinking water will help the body to absorb nutrients which is something most of these individuals are lacking.

Substance abuse recovery is a difficult road to follow. Good nutrition is something that can help to make that road a little easier to walk down. Encouraging healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle, is something concerned loved one can do to help ensure the people in their lives stay clean.

Introduction
 

Cocaine is a intensely powerful addictive stimulant that acts directly on the brain. Cocaine was first extracted from the leaf of the Erythroxylon coca bush, which is endemic in South America, West Indies and Indonesia. Cocaine is one of the most commonly abused drugs and the majority of the individuals who use cocaine are also users of other drugs. The drug can generate a feeling of euphoria, hyperactivity and mental alertness. It can be rapidly highly addictive leading to relentless mental and physical problems.

The neuro-stimulating properties of the coca leaves are thought to have played some role in the development of the Inca People. Soon, the Spanish invaders quickly discovered the euphoric effects of the coca plant and introduced the plant to the Europeans, who also developed a great liking for the plant and its stimulating effects.
 

History
 

The plant was used for medicinal purposes as early as the 15th Century in Europe. In the 18th Century, concentrated forms of cocaine became available and it was soon discovered that the plant extract had some medical benefits. The drug was then widely used as a topical local anesthetic and because of its mental stimulating properties, was also used to treat depression. The use of cocaine in tonics and elixirs became widespread and it was also added to coca cola.
 

However, soon it was soon observed that drug was addictive and had profound effect on the psyche of the individual. Because of cocaine’s potent side effects, in the early part of the 20th Century, the Pure Food and Drug Act was introduced, which required that all cocaine be labeled in all medical products. However, this did not limit the use of cocaine and addiction to cocaine reached endemic proportions. In 1914, the Harrison Narcotics Act was introduced and banned the nonprescription use of cocaine products and labeled cocaine as a narcotic.
 

The Harrison Narcotics Act did nothing to diminish the use of cocaine and over the next 50 years, cocaine became the number one illicit drug used in North America. In the 70s and 80s, a new cheaper formulation of cocaine became available on the market and it has today become the favorite drug among teenagers and socially deprived individuals. By the mid-1980s, the emergency rooms were again becoming full with individuals with cocaine-related problems. Physicians again re-affirmed the abuse potential of cocaine.
 

Today, cocaine is classified as a Schedule II drug — it has towering potential for abuse and can only be administered by a doctor for legitimate medical uses. Today, the medical use of cocaine is limited to topical anesthesia of the upper respiratory tract and eye because the vasoconstrictive properties of cocaine are desirable during these procedures. However, it is not available in majority of the hospitals in North America, because safer and better agents are available.
 

Addiction Potential
 

Cocaine is an addictive psycho-stimulant with euphoric effects. The addictive properties of cocaine are thought to be due to brain dopamine D2-receptor stimulation. Dopamine is released as part of the brain’s reward system and is implicated in the high that is typical of cocaine consumption. Patient dependence depends on a number of different factors, including genetics, social and environmental factors, preexisting medical and mental conditions.

There are two fundamental forms of cocaine: powdered and "freebase." The powdered form easily dissolves in water whereas freebase is a mixture that has not been neutralized by an acid. The freebase form is usually smoked or snorted.
Warning signs of cocaine use include a change in behavior, acting isolated, careless about personal appearance, loss of interest in school, family, friends and frequently needing money. Physical exam may reveal red eyes, runny nose, frequent sniffing, change in eating and sleeping patterns and a change in friends

Cocaine induces an artificial “high” that gives its user a feeling of limitless ability and energy. When users come down, they are usually depressed, nervous, and crave for more. Todate, it has been impossible to predict who will become addicted and when the fatality will occur.
 

Frequency of Use
 

In the US, as of 2005, according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, more than 3 million people in the United States are considered long-term cocaine users. Cocaine abuse is also widespread universally and has become a major public health issue in North America. Data suggest that the prevalence of cocaine use in the world is approximately 13 million people, or 0.23% of the global population. Cocaine use is also increasing in a number of Latin American countries, including the countries that are the main producers of cocaine.
 

All races and both genders are known to use cocaine. Individuals between the ages of 18-30 are the most frequent users. Men not only are more heavy users but also account for more overdose and toxicity from cocaine.
 

Routes of Intake
 

Cocaine may be inhaled (snorting), injected or smoked. Irrespective of the method of intake, cocaine is still a potentially deadly agent. Most individuals report that the psychotic features and habituation are more rapid and pronounced after smoking cocaine, compared to other methods. The “high” generated with smoking is instant but of a shorter duration, but the addiction potential is the same by all routes. Like all illicit drugs, injection of drugs carries with it the potential for transmission of HIV/AIDs. This becomes of more concern when the needles and other injection paraphernalia are shared.
 

A common route of transportation of cocaine is by swallowing cocaine packed in condoms. Body stuffers usually hide packages of cocaine in the rectum, vagina or mouth. These individuals usually get away until the packages rupture and cocaine intoxication becomes obvious.
 

Street cocaine is often accidentally/intentionally contaminated during the preparation process in order to dilute the cocaine used and increase profits. Commonly used cocaine adulterants may include local anesthetics, phenytoin, sugars, amphetamines, phencyclidine, phenylpropanolamine, quinine, talc, and others.
 

Mortality/Morbidity
 

Data from the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) indicate that there are about 4-5000 cocaine related deaths annually in the US. Cocaine-related deaths are rare and not always due to high dose intoxication. The lethal dose of cocaine remains unknown. Fatalities are multifactorial, and, often the cause remains unknown. Occasionally, massive exposure of cocaine occurs in body packers and results in rapid death.
 

However, the majority of cocaine users are prone to serious long term medical complications. These complications may include seizures, abnormal heart rhythms, heart attacks, stroke, blindness, liver and kidney failure, lung fibrosis and heart failure.
 

Symptoms
 

Cocaine has numerous physiological and psychological side effects. The adverse effects of cocaine’s appear almost immediately after a single dose, and fade away within a few minutes or hours. Cocaine can cause intense vasospasm of blood vessels, dilate pupils, increase the heart rate and blood pressure and can also generate a febrile response.
 

The psychological effects include euphoria, decreased fatigue, extreme hyperactivity and mental lucidity. The sense of sight, sound and touch are over amplified. During the cocaine euphoria, the need for food, sleep and personal hygiene are significantly absent. The majority of individuals report that cocaine aids them completing simple chores swiftly, whereas others experience mental confusion and are unable to carry out any tasks

The quicker the cocaine is absorbed, the more intense is the “high”, however, the duration of action is short lived. The euphoria from snorting may last 15-30 minutes, while that from smoking may last 5-10 minutes. Increased utilization can diminish the period of stimulation due to development of tolerance. High doses of cocaine and/or extended use can generate an aggressive paranoid behavior, tremors, vertigo, muscle twitches, extreme restlessness and auditory hallucinations.
 

When addicted individuals discontinue using cocaine, they frequently become depressed. This may lead to additional cocaine use to lessen the depression. Extensive cocaine snorting is known to cause ulceration of the nasal mucous membrane and even perforate the nasal septum. Cocaine-related deaths are often a consequence of cardiac arrest or seizures followed by respiratory arrest.
 

When both cocaine and alcohol are consumed, the adverse risks are increased by several folds. Combination of cocaine and alcohol in the liver is known to generate a substance called cocaethylene, which is known to potentiate cocaine’s euphoric effects and also increasing the danger of sudden death.
 

Treatment of Acute Intoxication
 

Patients with cocaine poisoning may exhibit severe CNS and cardiovascular dysfunction, leading to a loss of airway protective reflexes, cardiovascular collapse, and mortality. The goals of pharmacotherapy are to neutralize toxicity, reduce morbidity, and prevent complications.
 

The immediate control of mental agitation is critical in preventing the mortality associated with cocaine overdose. Benzodiazepines are the mainstay of therapy and may be used generously until sedation is accomplished. Avoid physical restraints in patients with psychomotor agitation because they may interfere with heat dissipation. Seizures should be aggressively treated because they may worsen hyperthermia, rhabdomyolysis, hypoxia, and acidosis. In some cases, ventilatory support and neuromuscular blockade may be required

Body packers and body stuffers may require critical care monitoring. The body packers pack their gastrointestinal tract with bags of cocaine. However, occasionally the cocaine-containing package ruptures or the packages may cause gastrointestinal obstruction.
 

All symptomatic body packers and body stuffers require intensive therapy. Charcoal may have to be introduced in the stomach to bind the cocaine and prevent absorption and surgery may be required to remove the packages.
 

Asymptomatic patients may be treated with laxatives and bowel irrigation to remove the cocaine bags. Surgical removal may also be indicated in patients with bowel obstruction.
 

Some individuals may suffer a Cocaine washout syndrome (cocaine crash syndrome) which is characterized by sudden and severe exhaustion with mental slowness, depression, suicidal ideation, anxiety and increased appetite, lasting as long as 18 hours after the last consumption. Cocaine washout syndrome is usually self-limited, and only requires supportive therapy.

Once the acute phase is stabilized, patients may require further therapy to treat the complications of cocaine. It is highly recommended that these individuals enter into a rehabilitation therapy program.
 

Treatment approaches to Addiction
 

Treatment of cocaine addicts is a multi million dollar business. Treatment programs are available throughout North America. The treatment is complex and involves changing the mind as well as altering the psychological, social, familial and environmental factors
 

Pharmacological Approaches
 

There are no approved medications currently available to specifically treat cocaine addiction. Few emerging compounds currently being investigated to assess their safety and efficacy in treating cocaine addiction include disulfiram, terguride, topiramate and modafanil. Additionally, baclofen, a GABA-B agonist, has shown promise in a few individuals who use excessive cocaine. The use of anti depressant drugs has been recommended during the early phase of cocaine abstinence, because of the moderate depression that occurs.
 

Behavioral Interventions
 

Many types of behavior therapies have been used to treat cocaine addiction, and involve both residential and outpatient approaches. Behavioral therapies are frequently the only available effective treatment for cocaine addiction. However, amalgamation of both medical and behavior treatments are more effective in the treatment of cocaine addiction.
 

Behavior therapy which has been shown to be beneficial includes vocational rehabilitation, career counseling, contingency administration and cognitive-behavioral treatment. Therapeutic communities (TCs), or residential programs with intended lengths of stay of 6 to 12 months, present another option to those in need of treatment for cocaine addiction. TCs concentrate on remobilization of the individual to society, and can incorporate on-site vocational rehabilitation and other helpful services.

Enrollment in deterrence programs, such as Narcotics Anonymous, may be of benefit for some patients.

Des Moines Register — Monitoring your teen’s activities is an important deterrent to drug use.
 

Research shows that more teens begin using tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana between spring break and the summer months than any other time.
 

Parents can play an important role in helping their teen stay drug-free by setting clear rules, knowing who their friends are, and by having open and honest discussions about drugs.
 

Q. Why is summer a risky time for teens?
 

A. Summer is a time that often has little structure for teens. This can lead to boredom.

According to a study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, teens who report they are "often bored" are 50 percent more likely to smoke, drink, get drunk and use illegal drugs than teens who aren’t.

Another risk factor for teens during summer is having friends who use drugs. Teens are more likely to feel pressured to experiment with drugs if their friends do.

The summer months also have more unsupervised time, which can lead to involvement in risky behavior.

Q. My teen will be unsupervised at home for most of the summer. What can I do to make sure he stays out of trouble?

A. There are steps you can take to ensure your teen stays safe and healthy.

- Lean on other responsible adults in your neighborhood. Network with other adults in your community to build a safe environment for young people.

- Use technology to your advantage. Teens these days use many forms of communication technology including e-mail, cell phones, text messaging and instant messaging, to name a few. Use these forms of technology to check in with your teen each day.

- Get to know your teen’s friends. They can be an important factor in your teen’s decisions about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

- Plan regular check-in times throughout the day with your teen.

- Find supervised activities in your community that your teen enjoys. Youth who are involved in constructive, supervised activities during non-school hours are less likely to use drugs. Talk with your child about what she would like to do during the summer and see if you can find a summer program in your community.

Q. How do I start the discussion about drug use with my teen?

A. Teens need to be educated by their parents about drug abuse, expectations in the home, and consequences. This can be a difficult conversation to have but the steps below can help guide you though the process.

1. Talk with your partner to agree on rules and consequences if your teen does use drugs. This information should then be shared with your teen so he knows and understands the expectations.

2. Practice ahead of time what you are going to say to your teen. Be prepared for various reactions from your teen and practice how you will react.

3. Make an agreement with yourself to not get upset or angry. Stay as calm as possible. Remember, you are the parent and you are in charge. Be kind and direct in your statements to your child. Know that you are doing the right thing.

Q. What are some signs to watch for if my teen is using drugs?

A. Look for signs of depression, withdrawal from friends and family, carelessness with grooming, or hostility. Also ask yourself, is your teen doing well in school, getting along with friends, and taking part in regular activities? Some additional signs to look for are:

- Increased secrecy about possessions or activities.

- Increase in borrowing money.

- Unexplained injuries.

- Impaired short-term memory.

- Items or money missing from home.

- Illness, shakiness, or tremors.

Q. What other resources are available?
 

A. A great resource for parents is called "The Anti-Drug," which can be found at www.theantidrug.com. This Web site has a wealth of information for parents about drug education, support from other parents striving to keep their teens drug-free, and helpful articles and advice from experts in the parenting and substance abuse prevention field.

Maryland — The lifestyles of Jean Duley’s clients run the gamut: long-time street drug users, those who were prescribed powerful painkillers after an injury or operation and are now addicted, and middle-class housewives who abuse prescriptions, to name a few.

"Prescription drug abuse is the biggest kept secret," said Duley, program director at Comprehensive Counseling Associates in Frederick. "It’s a lot more prevalent than people can imagine."

In December, Comprehensive Counseling became one of three practices in Frederick County to prescribe suboxone, which Duley calls a "miracle drug" for those addicted to pain medication. The center now prescribes suboxone to about 50 clients.

Suboxone is a partial opioid agonist, containing enough buprenorphine (an opioid) to eliminate cravings and symptoms of withdrawal. The pill also contains naloxone, an opioid antagonist, which blocks the user’s ability to get high on any other drug, Duley said.

Clients usually come to the center for suboxone in the midst of withdrawal, and with regular treatment, clients have gone from "living a nightmare, to feeling like they have a brain for the first time in a long time," said Dr. Allan Levy, a psychiatrist at Comprehensive Counseling.

Duley said while some people lie about the severity of their pain to acquire their abused prescriptions legally, physicians themselves can fuel prescription addiction. Some prescribe increasing strengths of painkillers and then abruptly stop after patients have already become dependent, forcing them to get their fixes from either prescriptions sold on the street or illegal drugs like heroin.

Others prescribe painkillers too loosely. Duley said some of the center’s suboxone clients have Percocet "handed to them like candy for every little ache and pain — it’s a culture of doctors not paying attention. The worst is OxyContin. That drug — is so highly addictive, it’s so difficult to come off of."

Some people can stop taking suboxone after a few months, but most continue for as much as a year before weaning themselves off, Levy said. For others, it becomes a lifelong maintenance drug.

While suboxone addresses the neurological aspect of addiction, Duley said giving medication without regular therapy defeats the drug’s purpose. She facilitates a support group at the center three times a week, and suboxone users are asked to attend at least once a week.

"They usually have all kinds of issues going on at the same time (as the addiction)," Duley said, including problems with employment, family and mental health. "You have to address the whole piece. The drug alone doesn’t work by itself."

And all addiction treatments should revolve around the key factor — a person’s health, Duley said.

"(Beating addiction) is a complicated issue, but it’s very doable," she said. "It’s not a moral issue, it’s not a criminal issue, it’s a health issue."

Utah — “Methamphetamine addiction has the worst long-range organic effect on the brain of any drug,” said Glen Hanson, University of Utah Addiction Center director.

Hanson’s blunt comment defines extent of the the public health problem in meth-damage control in Utah.

He was speaking at an all-day meth workshop before 30 participants; family members, caregivers and health care professionals in Roosevelt on June 21.

Addiction of any kind is a learned repetitive behavior, but meth is the worst, ” explained Hanson, “It alters the brain biology in ways similar to Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease.”

Why would anyone choose to damage their brain to such a degree? The answer, because “it feels good,” may be the best an addict can offer after treatment.

Simplistic as it sounds, it is not wrong. Meth over-stimulates the “feel-good” portion of the brain and can severely damage a person’s cognitive abilities.

“The brain is a network of 100 billion cells that transmit information by making 2,000 connections individually,” Hanson said, telling the group why an addict’s ability to communicate has been compromised.

“Stimulated brain cells respond by releasing dopamine to anything that feels good” he continued. “Over-stimulated brains release too much dopamine. Then the free radicals that are chemically abundant in dopamine will eventually destroy portions of the brain.”

Meth stimulates the release of dopamine in excess. The more an addict uses the more they crave. It affects the cognition system in the brain by “turning-off” the prefrontal cortex.

As a consequence, meth addicts loose inhibitory control, tending to act on impulse rather than reason. They overreact to situations, tending toward rage.

This is partly due part to the “damage to the orbitofrontal cortex which ultimately inhibits saliency,” said Hanson. “The addict becomes motivated most by getting and using meth over anything else.”

It fouls up the meth addict’s ability to appreciate consequences like taking care of their children, themselves or being cognizant of others.

“Meth addicts may steal from or abuse their family members with little conscience,” the researcher explains. “All they think of is the drug, because the reward portion of their brain is on all the time.”

Hanson referred to the amygdala reward-region of the brain, which processes memory and emotional control. Damage to the region and the adjacent hippocampus region leaves the addict agitated and often aggressive.

Once these areas are damaged the memory portion of the addict’s brain often fails to recover even with treatment.

“Rehabilitating cognitive systems requires exercise,” explained the researcher. “Sometimes that means establishing new pathways in the brain around damaged portions that will never return.”

“Treatment is lengthy,” he continued, “requiring five to seven months for brain function to stabilize and restore saliency. It’s hardest for meth addicts because their familial support systems are often irreparably damaged. They’ve hurt the very people they need most.”

In the end, there are successful treatments to re-develop cognitive skills through mental exercise. One way, Hanson explained is through literacy education, which seems to help re-establish cognitive functions.

So, why with all this wreckage would anyone choose to use meth? Hanson’s research suggests that there is a strong sociocultural component contributing to the meth scourge in Utah.

“Meth abuse demographics indicate that it is the primary drug of choice among women,” he explained. “Thirty-seven percent of all women in treatment are addicted to meth. Men use it too, but represent fewer addicts in treatment than women.”

Some women are attracted to meth as it is readily available, cheap and long-lasting in effect. Others discover more energy, weight loss or help with social inhibitions through meth abuse.

“In Utah, there’s a sociocultural tendency of women toward perfection,” said Paul Smith, eastern Regional Director of the Division of Child and Family Services. “Perfect wife. Perfect mother. Perfect beauty. Too much pressure toward perfection drives the social component of meth abuse.”

“Whatever the cause, abuse is only part of addiction,” Hanson said. “Only 15 percent of users become severely addicted, which means 85 percent of users are out there managing their drug use.”

Why people become addicted may, in part, be genetic. For example, researchers found that many women in treatment suffer from other repetitive disorders like smoking or alcoholism.

The most interesting connection was re-occurrence of attention deficient-hyperactivity disorder. The familial connection of ADHD or alcoholism may include a predisposition toward drug addiction among family members.

There’s also the social aspect of addiction. Meth tends to stay in the family. A documentary shown at Saturday’s seminar showed women frankly admitting that, “My daughter introduced me to meth and then I gave it to my sister, and so on.”

Hanson notes that addictions like alcoholism re-occurs in families, but there is hope. Children removed from addictive families show no greater addiction rates than children from non-drug abuse families.

However, children left in addictive families are almost certainly going to experiment with drugs. Addictions, particularly those with long-term treatment requirements like meth are a burden on Utah society.

“Forty-seven percent of women in treatment for meth addiction have children,” Hanson continued. “Worse still, 45 percent of female meth addicts end up in prison. Incarcerated women cost the state $30,000 each and an additional $33,000 for each child placed in foster care. All totaled, jailed addicts cost the state about $100,000 a year.”

Treatment, on the other hand, costs the state about $15,000 per person. More recently, the treatment alternative has become policy in the criminal justice system of Utah. The effort is to stop the revolving door of prison addicts.

“New strategies for treatment are highly successful, but the addict must remain in rehabilitation,” said Hanson. “Judges are learning that success requires mandated, long-term compulsory treatment. I guess they figured that success means more taxpaying Utahns.”

(CNN) — The transitional year between child and teenager is crucial in fighting teen drug use, according to a new survey.

The research by the Columbia University’s National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse found age 12 to 13 to be a time when children are increasingly exposed to drugs and often moving away from the control and influence of their parents.

"In no other year do teens’ perceptions and attitudes shift so markedly," the center said.

The survey found a 13-year-old is three times more likely than a 12-year-old to know how to buy drugs. It also found about twice as many 13-year-olds do not have adult supervision at home after school.

"America’s children have been crying out for help and not enough people are listening," said the center’s president, Joseph A. Califano Jr.

The annual survey of 1,000 teen-agers, 824 teachers and 822 principals found for the fourth year, teens believed drugs were their most pressing problem. In all, 39 percent of 17-year-olds said they drank alcohol, 23 percent said they smoked in the last 30 days, and 41 percent said they have smoked marijuana.

Teenagers who used one substance such as alcohol were more likely to use another such as marijuana, and marijuana uses were more likely to drink.

The survey documented a wide gap between the students and principals in perceived drug use in their schools. More than half of teen-agers and 41 percent of teachers said the drug problem at their schools is getting worse, but just 15 percent of principals saw an increasing problem.

Eighteen percent of principals, compared with 78 percent of teen students, said their schools were not drug-free.

"Principals make monkeys of themselves as they reveal their see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil posture," said Califano, a former secretary of Health, Education and Welfare in the Carter administration.

The survey did find some hopeful statistics. It reported teen-agers who attend religious services are less likely to smoke cigarettes or marijuana or spend time with those who do.

It also found teen-agers who have never smoked marijuana are more likely to heed their parent’s opinions.