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new year's eve!!

12/15/2014

As we enter into the holiday season, one of the most highly anticipated events for kids and adults alike is New Year’s Eve. While it can provide a lively opportunity to connect with family and friends, it is also one of the most dangerous nights of the year for teens, for whom the celebration often means an “all rules are off.” Just as adults can tend to “de-stress” with parties and alcohol, teens gravitate toward alcohol and other substances at their own get-togethers.

Though most adults are able to enjoy some alcohol in moderation, unfortunately teen alcohol consumption often leads to unsafe behavior. And because the developing teen brain can’t process alcohol and marijuana in the same way the adult brain is able to, judgment can become quickly impaired.

New Year’s Eve can be a difficult night for parents to set guidelines for their teens. More than any other event, this night is associated with drinking. Teens put pressure on their parents to let them go to unsupervised parties and sleepovers. Parents go out with their own friends and may be less vigilant about supervision. But be smart – have an in-depth conversation with your teens about New Year’s Eve plans and check on the details. Be clear about communicating your expectations, and connect with the parents of your teen’s friends about their expectations of responsible behavior.

Consider the following guidelines:

If your teens are going to a party, find out where, exactly what the time frame is and who will be supervising. Double check with the responsible adult – actually speak to the parent.
Talk with your teen about how they will safely get home. This is an ideal time to talk about drunk driving, reinforcing the message never to ride in a car driven by someone who has been drinking.
Model responsible alcohol consumption.
If you are hosting a party, do not leave unsupervised alcohol around where it is accessible to underage guests. Even if you trust your child, your child’s friends may be tempted by what’s available in your home.
Talk about the risks of providing alcohol to other teens, especially if you have returning college students who might let teen siblings “join the party.”
Don’t relax your family rules during the holidays -- it will be hard to revert back to previous expectations.
Talk to your child about the dangers of alcohol and marijuana on the developing brain, and set clear expectations and consequences regarding substance use at any time.

As an alternative, make New Year’s Eve a family night! You will be helping your child to change the association of New Year’s Eve from that of an alcohol-related event to a family fun night!

Wishing you a safe and healthy holiday season!

Holidays can be a hard time of year....
We encourage everyone to print this card and carry it.
1-800-273-TALK (8255)

-Katie Bryant

The 411 about "study drugs"

12/9/2014

It’s that time of year when students are gearing up for finals and they may be taking prescription drugs illegally to help them pull an all-nighter. Before you dismiss this article saying, “That’s not my kid!” know that in a recent study 1 percent of parents said their teenage children had taken drugs such as Adderall or Ritalin without a prescription. That is much lower than the percentage of teens that surveys suggest are using the drugs. For example, a 2012 study of high school students found that about 10 percent of sophomores and 12 percent of seniors said they had used the drugs without a prescription.

The term "study drugs" refers to prescription drugs used to increase concentration and stamina for the purpose of studying or cramming. Study drugs are prescription stimulant medications that are used improperly by a person with a prescription, or more often, illegally by a person without a prescription. These medications are used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which affect attention span, impulse control, self-discipline, and hyperactivity in the case of ADHD. Prescription stimulants used to treat ADD and ADHD include Ritalin®, Adderall®, Concerta®, and Focalin®. Using or buying these medications without a prescription is illegal. Selling your own prescription is also illegal.

Aside from legal repercussions it is important to be aware of the side effects of these medications.

·         Irregular heartbeat
·         Increased blood pressure
·         Restlessness
·         Anxiety
·         Nervousness
·         Paranoia
·         Headache
·         Dizziness
·         Insomnia
·         Mouth dryness
·         Suppressed appetite
·         Diarrhea or constipation

Prescription stimulants like Adderall® and Ritalin® have potential for physical and psychological dependence, especially among people who do not have ADHD. Continued use will result in higher tolerance to the drug and eventually require larger doses to reap the same effects. Once discontinued, withdrawal effects such as depression may occur.

We understand that some students may feel like study drugs and cramming are their only options for success. There are a number of resources at Westlake to help deal with academic and more generalized stress.

Reminder of free Tutoring Hours – Monday and Wednesdays 4:30 – 6pm and Tuesday and Thursdays 6-8PM. Additionally, most teachers offer tutorials before the class day starts. And a reminder to look at Study Skills 101 to study smarter, not harder! Finally, Katie and I are always available for help dealing with stress and anxiety.

-Kristi Waidhofer

Fish Oil to Boost Attention

12/3/2014

Boosting attention span in teenagers seems to be one of parents largest concerns, especially in this digital age where information overload means that attention spans for all people are declining to fit the 30 second commercial window. The majority of prescriptions for ADD or ADHD are stimulants, which can be tremendously helpful but also have significant side effects. Many parents are looking for more natural alternatives or adjuncts when the medications just aren’t enough.

Fish oil is gaining in both popularity and credibility as an aid to attention and focus as well as to help nourish the growing brains of children and adolescents. Research has been accumulating steadily to support fish oil as a support for memory and attention, and more importantly establishing that a deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids as one of the contributing factors to low-attention states including ADD, ADHD and autism. A 2001 study by Dr. AJ Richardson states "deficiencies or imbalances in certain highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) of the omega-3 and omega-6 series may contribute to both the predisposition and the developmental expression of dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD and autism." Also important is that there is no known interaction between fish oils and ADHD medications so these therapies are safe to use together.

As a parent then, what is the best choice for finding a fish oil? One key component is how likely it is that your child will actually take it. Many children can’t swallow the typically large softgel size for fish oil supplements and so palatable liquid fish oils or tiny child-sized softgels limit the options. At Peoples Rx our most popular “kid-approved” fish oil liquid is Barleans Omega Swirl, which has a variety of flavors that will please most children and adolescents and even tastes good enough for them to ask for doses. Also, Nordic Naturals makes a strawberry flavored Children’s DHA that is small enough to be swallowed easily by most and delicious enough to be chewed if necessary.

Dosing is another controversial question and most of the research in the literature looks at childrens doses of roughly 1,000 mg of combined EPA and DHA per day. These are considerably high doses and so for many parents the liquid provides a simple way to get higher doses into a child, simply because you can fit more fish oil in a tablespoon than you can in two softgels. Also many families report that they needed more than the typical dose to see results. Fortunately quality fish oils that have been tested for purity, as all of the products at Peoples Rx have been, have a high margin of safety and so dosing is flexible. Attention issues can be linked to deficiencies of valuable omega-3 fatty acids and this should be taken as seriously as any other nutritional deficiency. Supplementing with those fatty acids, including EPA and DHA can help boost focus and attention.

Amy Neuzil, ND with Peoples Rx

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Never disregard medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider or delay seeking it because of something you have read on the Internet, including on the Healthy Chaps site. We urge you to seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition. In case of emergency, please call your doctor or 911 immediately.

new year's eve!!

The 411 about "study drugs"

Fish Oil to Boost Attention

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