Teens

The article addresses teen gaming addiction, distinguishing it from a hobby by focusing on behavioral patterns like loss of control and negative impacts on school, sleep, and relationships, rather than just time spent gaming. This addiction is rooted in how video games activate dopamine pathways in the still-developing adolescent brain, potentially leading to issues with […]

The article addresses teen gaming addiction, distinguishing it from a hobby by focusing on behavioral patterns like loss of control and negative impacts on school, sleep, and relationships, rather than just time spent gaming. This addiction is rooted in how video games activate dopamine pathways in the still-developing adolescent brain, potentially leading to issues with […]

The article addresses the growing concern of social media addiction in teens, defining it as compulsive technology use that, unlike normal screen time, results in loss of control, withdrawal symptoms, and disruption of responsibilities. This dependency is fueled by the adolescent brain’s unique response to the platforms’ engineered reward systems, which can exacerbate issues like […]

This article addresses the growing concern of screen addiction in children and teenagers, emphasizing the need for parents to differentiate between heavy use and genuine addiction characterized by impaired control and harm to wellbeing. It outlines common symptoms like withdrawal and preoccupation, explains the neurobiological role of dopamine in driving this behavioral addiction, and provides […]

Before diving into this discussion on how cannabis legalization affects students’ academic performance, it’s helpful first to understand my role in this context. I am the Vice President of Educational Partnerships at Mountainside Treatment Center, and my goal is to ensure that no student loses their education to substance use disorder. Students should not have […]

Recreational nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) use is a growing trend among young adults, fueled by its easy accessibility online and in stores, and normalized by social media. Despite being falsely perceived as safe due to its medical use, inhaling nitrous oxide without medical supervision carries acute risks like sudden death from hypoxia and frostbite, and […]

Recreational nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) use is a growing trend among young adults, fueled by its easy accessibility online and in stores, and normalized by social media. Despite being falsely perceived as safe due to its medical use, inhaling nitrous oxide without medical supervision carries acute risks like sudden death from hypoxia and frostbite, and […]

Adopted children and teenagers face a significantly higher risk of developing substance use disorders due to a complex interplay of genetic predisposition, early life trauma, attachment issues, and challenges in identity formation. Recognizing these factors and understanding the warning signs are crucial for adoptive parents to provide proactive support. Specialized treatment programs that combine evidence-based […]

Collegiate Recovery Programs (CRPs) offer a highly effective student success model, boasting significantly higher graduation rates (nearly 90%) and GPAs (3.6) for students in recovery compared to institutional averages. These programs build social capital through peer support, mentorship, and leadership opportunities, addressing academic, career, and mental health needs holistically. Universities can learn from CRPs’ integrated […]

This article explains what happens during an Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), which provides structured support for teens dealing with substance abuse while allowing them to maintain their daily routines. The program includes assessments, group and individual therapy, family involvement, educational components, skill-building activities, and ongoing progress monitoring. IOPs aim to help adolescents develop coping […]

Halloween is one of the most popular nights when it comes to binge drinking. Educating yourself about the dangers of alcohol could save your life or someone else’s.

The viral TikTok trend - BORGs - is being called a "hangover-proof" drink by teens. But there's a catch. Here's everything you need to know.