In recent years, mental health has been a growing area of discussion; the beginnings of a global acceptance to what has previously been overlooked or pushed aside. Of particular concern, especially in America, is the state of children’s mental health.

While COVID-19 turned the world as we knew it upside down, data from the last several years shows that children’s mental health was already on a downward trend. US Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, declared adolescent mental health a public concern stating, “Even before the pandemic, an alarming number of young people struggled with feelings of helplessness, depression, and thoughts of suicide — and rates have increased over the past decade.”

Recent studies show that the pandemic exacerbated this already growing mental health crisis in our youth. In response, many parents and school systems are taking a proactive approach to address these mental health concerns and ensure children are receiving adequate care and attention.

Children’s Mental Health Pre-Pandemic

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), prior to the pandemic, mental health challenges were the leading cause of disability and poor life outcomes in young people. Roughly 1 in 5 children, aged 3 to 17 in the U.S. meet the criteria for a mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorder.

Pre-COVID, teachers, guidance counselors, and school psychologists would identify changes in behavior or symptoms of mental distress and connect those kids to resources, acting as an observer and form of “first responder” who triages and refers.

How COVID-19 Changed The Response

That model proved challenging, however, when schools transitioned to a virtual learning environment. Within the first year of the pandemic, many children who developed symptoms related to their mental health did not receive help right away.

This gap in identification and referral occurred for many reasons. Resources were strained, school staff members were experiencing their own mental health concerns, and more students than not were experiencing mental unrest so it was deemed the “norm considering the circumstances.” In general, school administrators’ focus was on adjusting and adapting to this brand new way of teaching and learning, prioritizing curriculum and content in attempt to raise test scores as they were the lowest they’d been in 30 years.

Luckily, the nation was aware of the crisis and in March of 2021, President Biden passed The American Rescue Plan Act. The law included $170 billion in school funding, a large portion of which was allocated to address and uphold the mental health of students. Just over 6 months later, in October, the Biden administration and U.S. Department of Education released new guidance for schools to better help students’ mental health needs.

Despite the funding, resources, and guidance, however, in December 2021, the U.S. Surgeon General issued the Advisory on Protecting Youth Mental Health, a document which outlines the pandemic’s unprecedented impacts on the mental health of America’s youth and families. Additionally, it discusses the mental health challenges that existed before the pandemic (e.g. the shortage of child psychologists, school guidance counselors, and the disparities of access to school and community-based mental health care).

Especially in this moment, as we work to protect the health of Americans in the face of a new variant, we also need to focus on how we can emerge stronger on the other side. This advisory shows us how we can all work together to step up for our children during this dual crisis.

Current Trends In Children’s Mental Health

Since the onset of COVID-19, children and adolescents have experienced an upheaval of the very things that helped them to feel a sense of safety and security during important developmental stages of their lives.

Many of our youth have experienced unprecedented grief, loss, and hardship over the past several years. They’ve lost loved ones and caregivers, they’ve been isolated and disconnected from their peers and lost the ability to be completely carefree.  They’ve had to worry about catching COVID-19 and had to learn to adapt to their new schooling environment. Many young people and their families witnessed financial insecurities and uncertainties regarding food and necessary household supplies like toilet paper. They have been exposed to images of social injustices, the insurrection of US Capitol, and heart wrenching gun violence in countless settings from malls to concert venues to churches and schools.

In the Fall of 2022, many children returned to a physical classroom bringing with them their experiences from the last few years and many other unseen stressors and traumas. Due to the increasing prevalence and threat of gun violence, students are not only faced with adjusting to new changes, new people and faces, new routines, and COVID-related precautions, but must also learn and adjust to active shooter safety protocols. All the while, many children are exhibiting developmentally delayed social skills and rusty time management and organizational skills.

Initially, school staff and administration thought that returning to school would create long-sought normalcy, yet soon discovered that children were experiencing mental health fallout and residue of the disruptions of the past nearly 3 years. In fact, in the 2021-22 academic year, 76% of US public schools reported increased concerns around students showing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and trauma, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Signs And Symptoms Of Mental Distress In Children And Adolescents

Often, children and adolescents don’t always have the proper language or knowledge of how to articulate their emotions. Subsequently, signs of anxiety, stress, and depression mimic emotional and behavioral disorders that may present (in no particular order) in the following ways:

• Skipping, missing, or walking out of class
• Turning in homework late or not all
• Sleeping in class
• Defiance with authority figures
• Disruptive behaviors like arguing, angry outbursts, or humor at inappropriate times
• Low frustration tolerance, appear to give up quickly
• Disinterest in extracurricular activities
• Hypersensitivity (easily hurt feelings, easily angered and agitated)
• Crying frequently (often without knowing why)
• Changes in appetite
• Insomnia and/or not wanting to sleep alone
• Bed wetting
• Self-deprecating comments
• Isolation and withdrawal
• Somatic complaints of feeling sick and headaches
• Experimental use of mood-altering substances
• Difficulty focusing, staying on task, distractibility, restlessness, and forgetfulness
• Self-harm or hurting others
• Comments of hopelessness, passive death wish or suicide

Suicide: An Increased Concern For Children’s Mental Health

In October of 2021, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry declared the state of children’s mental health a national emergency. Across the nation emergency rooms have seen an alarming increase of self-injurious behavior and thoughts of suicide.

As we see in the news, suicide can seemingly come out of nowhere, so well hidden beneath the victim’s smile and happy demeanor. Families, school systems, and communities must be alert and aware of signs and symptoms of suicidal ideation and passive death wishes. Pediatricians and/or mental health professionals should screen all kids for mental health distress.

New Suicide Helpline

In July of this year, 988 was designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline which is open and operating 24/7.

When people call or text 988, they will be connected to counsellors who are part of the existing Lifeline network. These mental health professionals are trained to listen with empathy, provide support, and connect the caller to resources if necessary. It is important to note that the previous Lifeline number (1-800-273-8255) will still (and always) remain operational and thus available to people in suicidal crisis.

Continued Mental Health Awareness And Support Is Necessary

During this continued transition to a new normal, we must remember many kids are feeling anxious and struggling to get back into routines. Now more than ever, we must embody the timeless adage: it takes a village. Families, school systems, and communities need to remain diligent and aware of the myriad of mental health challenges plaguing our nation’s young people and commit to providing the support and resources they require.

If you are worried about your child’s mental health, especially as we enter the holiday season, don’t hesitate to get help now. Learn more about online therapy options from the comfort of your own home and take the first step today.

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The post Back To School: Children’s Mental Health Requires Support appeared first on Addiction Center.

From mask-wearing to Zoom meetings to more Americans experiencing the #workfromhome life, the onset and continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the way we all live and experience our lives. However, while many adults have more or less smoothly transitioned to this new largely virtual lifestyle, children are having a much harder time adjusting. While health professionals and others in the industry have been seeing higher levels of mental health maladies in the nation’s youth, in the Fall of 2020, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) declared an emergency in children’s mental health.

Nationwide, numbers have been surging as more and more children are showing signs of mental distress. In the first 9 months of 2021, 38 children’s hospitals across the United States saw more than 47,000 visits to the emergency department for mental health crises; 40% higher than the same period in 2020. In some instances, families seeking outpatient mental care were faced with a wait time of anywhere from 3 weeks to 9 months.

Schooling In A “Post”-COVID World

Before the pandemic even reached our shores, children’s mental health had been on the radar of concern. In 2019, 1 in every 3 high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness and 1 in 5 children aged 3-17 were diagnosed with a mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorder. COVID-19 has done nothing but exacerbate these already alarming trends. Across the country, schools are seeing kids acting out, exhibiting behaviors typical of ages and grades much younger. Some schools have seen higher numbers in violence against authority as well as rises in self-harm as well as suicidal thoughts and attempts.

Dr. Tami Benton, psychiatrist-in-chief at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, attributes much of the behavioral issues and overall aggression to the return of regular schooling, explaining that the time away from the structure and “normalcy” of school has hindered a great deal of social and behavioral skills. Kids are missing out on those life experiences that help teach them both the importance of emotional regulation and how to do it. Even now that many districts have resumed in-person learning, “you’re sort of catching up on all of that under extraordinary circumstances,” Benton explains.

Challenges In Treating Children’s Mental Health

Due to the nature of the institution, in many cases, schools were “first responders” in terms of noticing children’s mental health and anything out of the ordinary or “neuro-diverse.” However, with the increased prevalence of virtual schooling, a lot of issues that might have been caught earlier are slipping through the cracks. Not to mention the fact that even when school was regularly conducted in person, many districts suffered from a lack of guidance counselors and other mental health personnel – a result of inadequate funding, certainly even worse in lower income areas.

Nationally, an estimated 175,000 children lost a parent or primary caregiver to COVID-19 and because of already skewed systematic inequities, children of color are disproportionately affected. “There are some children who have lost generations of family members and then [must go] [to] school…and manage that stress without necessarily having a therapist available or a school counselor or nurse,” youth psychiatrist and chief medical officer of a telehealth company, Dr. Nicole Christian-Brathwaite expresses. Mariana Souto-Manning, president of Erickson Institute (a child development-centered graduate school) explains also that there is also an issue with a lack of insurance in many cases and a shortage in bilingual providers that might better serve other language-speaking communities.

Working Toward Sustainability

In response to the numbers, the incidents, and the general morale of students, schools are benefiting from small amounts of national aid in the form of the CARES and American Rescue Acts. These funds provide school districts the resources to hire more counselors and social workers to help combat this children’s mental health crisis. Some schools have even reached out to various mental health professionals asking for ways in which their administrators can better support and care for the mental health of their students amidst this continuously challenging and confusing time. Some states, like Kentucky and Massachusetts, are toying with new bills that would grant students mental health days, built like sick days, into their school schedule. If passed, the bills would allow children time off to receive care or simply to regroup, prioritize self-care, and establish a stronger sense of interconnectedness with their thoughts, feelings, and emotions.

The way in which we are living and continuously moving forward, while certainly an improvement, is still not necessarily sustainable and it is important to be aware of the ways we approach and interact with children. Souto-Manning says, “whether it’s online or in person is not as important as if the people who are educating and supporting their development and their families are well. So it’s really important for us during this time to attend to adult well-being in mental health, so that we’re not projecting onto children so that we are not causing issues and really exacerbating some of their anxieties.” Too often we seem to forget just how impressionable and perceptive young people are; monitoring our own mental health might be paramount in addressing children’s mental health, especially considering the height of the stakes.

In general, the world is still reeling from all the events of the past few years and it is reflected in the mental healthcare market. Across the board, from adolescents to adults, there is a need for care and support and a gaping lack when it comes to service providers.

Oversaturated Need For Mental Health Care

Speaking of the general population and the increased need for mental healthcare, co-medical director of psychiatry for Roper St. Francis, Dr. Sarah Coker explains the pressure that she and so many other mental health providers are experiencing:

I’ve talked to other psychiatrists in the community. They’re working on days off. They’re opening Saturday clinics just because there are so many people needing treatment for depression and anxiety. There’s no physical way to meet the demand of how many people need help right now. There are just not enough providers for the number of patients.

With no other alternative, those who are struggling with intense feelings of anxiety, depression, loss, grief, or guilt must continue to soldier on with or without treatment.

More and more, mental health and how to care for it has become normalized. More and more, it is paramount that we treat the minds of our nation’s youth with the same level (if not more) of care for their internal wellbeing.

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Speak With A Treatment Provider Today

Unnoticed and untreated, mental health disorders can lead to substance abuse and addiction. Sometimes, anything that quiets the thoughts and numbs the senses comes as a relief to the whirring inside. If you are noticing habits or behaviors in yourself or a child you love that are concerning, remember that you are not alone. There are treatment professionals that specialize in varying forms of therapy and inpatient and outpatient services. Call or chat with a treatment provider for free to discuss any questions about treatment options. Reach out today.

The post Children’s Mental Health Crisis; Is COVID-19 To Blame? appeared first on Addiction Center.

By and large, winter festivities are meant to be a time to relax and unwind. They can afford us a crucial opportunity to rest, recharge, take stock of our lives, give thanks, and plan for the next year. However, for some, staying sober during holidays can seem like a Herculean task.

It doesn’t have to be. Those who are afflicted by substance use disorders or mental health conditions of any kind may have at least 2 options when the holidays roll around: choose to spend time with family and/or friends in as healthy a way as possible, or elect to go one’s own way — and in so doing, potentially make the most of this important period of rejuvenation and reflection.

Ideas about how to pursue either course most effectively are below. No matter your faith or lack thereof, your country of birth, or your personal history, you deserve to enjoy a well-deserved break.

Tips For Family & Friend Gatherings

The most strongly-held resolves and most closely-protected recoveries can seem to shatter when you are around potentially triggering elements like people you knew while you were using, the stressors of having to plan or attend large social gatherings, and/or environments where a lot of alcohol is being consumed.

Following some of the advice below may not only help you with staying sober over the holidays, but may also lead to feeling — if not “merry and bright” — far better than you would have otherwise.

• Make a plan. It’s been said that no plan survives contact with the enemy. But by outlining a few key things — like when you’ll arrive and leave, what transportation you’ll use, which words you’ll select to say “no” to a drink or a drug (“no,” by the way, being a fine option) — you can give yourself a strong foundation to lean on when the “enemy” of relapse rears its head.
• Get a Trojan horse. Grab a soda water with lime, a mocktail, a non-alcohol beer, a glass of fruit juice, or whatever you need to feel (and look) like you’re drinking while keeping your BAC on the ground floor. It might relieve the social pressure — and it might even taste good, too.
• Have a buddy. Let a sponsor, friend, relative, neighbor, or trusted coworker know that staying sober during holidays can be tough for you. Ask them if they wouldn’t mind your calling during the festivities to vent, check in, or ask for advice. If your list of contacts is short these days — and no one could blame you for that — then consider taking a break to spend time with a good book or a movie; additionally, thinking of a role model you have and imagining what they might do in the situation could be beneficial.
• Find a way to move. Sitting still can make us anxious and facilitate cravings. Get a reason to shuffle your feet and get your blood pumping: it can be dancing, cooking, cleaning, going for a walk, playing a game, or even just stretching. By getting into your body, you mitigate your mind’s ability to tell you stories you’ll regret believing tomorrow.
• Remember to HALT. You’re certainly at risk of not being entirely yourself when you’re peckish; additionally, anger, loneliness, and tiredness can make us act in ways that are out of character and maladaptive. Remember, when you’re hungry, angry, lonely, or tired, it’s time to halt — take no action until you meet those needs fully and have time to process what the “real you” really wants.
  
  

  

  

  

  

  

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Choosing To Do Your Own Thing

Sometimes, no matter the coping strategies available, being around others just isn’t on the menu; if that’s what you need to accomplish staying sober over holidays, so be it.

That could be a blessing in disguise; it’s possible that spending time alone or with new, likeminded people can be immensely beneficial. Here are some ways to do just that.

• Volunteer. Contact a local food bank, visit the Salvation Army’s website, consider charities like the Linus Project or Give Kids The World. Identify a cause that’s important to you, or people you care about, and go help. As a result, you might think about yourself less — and feel the warm glow of having acted out of compassion for no reason other than compassion’s sake.
• Get a room. Book a hotel room for yourself. Fill it with whatever you want: favorite movies, books, trinkets, photos, or memories. Be wary of being too isolated, however, and consider talking over the phone or videoconferencing with someone you know — or at the very least, making some chit-chat with the staff. But if you want to get away from it all until the hubbub is over and lock yourself away in sheets you don’t have to wash, you have that right.
• Attend a group. Support groups meet both in-person and virtually; holidays are especially important times for these groups, and they know to expect new visitors concerned with staying sober over the holidays. Alcoholics Anonymous (based on the 12 Steps and a higher power) and SMART Recovery™ (based on self-efficacy and less concerned with faith or belief) are 2 great options — they’re easily searched for online, and they’re free.
• Get out in nature. This may not be feasible everywhere! If you can, though, consider going for a hike or another activity that allows you to surround yourself with the great outdoors. If you’re somewhere frigid, bundling up as tightly as you can and going for a walk — provided it’s safe — could still be a good way to clear your head.
• Create your new year. Sit down with a pen and paper, or just your imagination, and draft your “mission statement” for the new year. Outline goals. Consider personal values and boundaries. Act like you’re the CEO of a company and you’re implementing a strategic action plan to increase the bottom line (your happiness). Visualizing helps. If you can see the possibilities, they’re already within your reach.
  

Staying Sober During Holidays And Beyond

You’re not in this alone (unless you want to be — and even then, just know isolation can be hazardous and that we’re all rooting for you.)

If you want more advice or more help on staying sober during holidays and beyond, consider learning some new traditions for a new year (and a new life) inside of a treatment center or via outpatient care.

Contact a treatment provider now, for free, for more information.

In the meantime, happy new year!

The post Guarding Sobriety Over The Holidays appeared first on Addiction Center.

Recovering from addiction is not linear. There are ups and downs, and sometimes a step forward leads to two steps back. Relapse is, unfortunately, a common part of recovery. According to the American Medical Association Journal, about 50% of people relapse within a year of treatment. Nearly half of the people recovering from drug, alcohol, or behavioral addictions may take several tries to kick a habit completely. 

Still, backsliding into substance abuse or a behavioral addiction is not something that happens overnight. It is a slow process that begins with a thought and then a few more until it leads to use. It can start weeks or months before an individual picks up a drink or drug. People in later stages of relapsing typically experience thoughts like, “One drink is okay,” or “I’m just hanging out with friends. It’s not a big deal if I smoke,” long before actually using. But during those moments of denial, a person has already entered the early stages of relapse. 

Signs Of Relapse

Though relapse is common, with the right tools and support of loved ones and treatment professionals, it is avoidable. Recognizing the signs is vital but not easy. It is easier to distinguish resurfacing toxic habits in some versus others. Still, there are some universal ways to identify if your loved one is amid a rebound. Below are some of the common signs of relapse, according to several medical studies and researchers.

High Levels Of Stress

If your loved one is experiencing high stress levels due to a significant change or a build-up of minor things, pay closer attention to them. Stress is one of the most powerful predictors of relapse, and unfortunately, there is a lot of it in the modern world. Circumstances like searching for a job, divorce, or even adjusting to life outside of rehab can lead to a slip. Other indicators like an over reaction to “spilled milk” or misplaced keys can also indicate your loved one is feeling overwhelmed by the smaller inconveniences of life. 

Attitude And Behavior Towards Sobriety 

When a loved one first leaves rehab, they may seem proud and excited to continue their journey towards recovery. They will attend support groups, engage with sponsors, and practice habits learned during treatments. But if you notice those practices are beginning to fall off, take note. If your loved one, for whatever reason, is participating less in their recovery program or seems less enthusiastic about their sobriety, something is wrong. If you see a change in their healthy routines or find their behavior defensive and avoidant, that is a red flag.

Social Avoidance And Isolation 

Right after leaving a treatment facility, it is normal for a person to feel uncomfortable around others. But if the individual is making no attempts to socialize or always has an excuse for why they can’t attend an event, something is off. Your loved one may even be cutting off people who support their sobriety. If you notice their hygiene is worsening whenever you do see them, a change in their weight, or that they look tired, take note.

 Risky Behavior And Exposure

For individuals to maintain and support their recovery, they have to make a complete lifestyle change. But when someone is relapsing, they may begin to fall back into old habits like making risky decisions. They make irrational choices like attempting social drinking or recreational drug use. If you notice your loved one is having trouble making healthy choices, seems confused, or has self-control issues, they may be relapsing. Another indicator is if they are hanging out with the same social circles who influenced their use in the first place. 

Ways To Prevent Relapse 

The symptoms listed above are only some of the common ways to identify relapse. Sadly it is not always easy to recognize when someone you love is backsliding. It could take weeks or months before anyone notices the problem. The phenomenon is intrusive, sneaky, and can happen to anyone in recovery. Still, there are ways to combat it. 

Below are some of the most common ways to help your loved one combat a relapse: 

• Encourage self-care.
• Please do your best to make them feel safe communicating with you.
• Identify their triggers and help your loved one avoid them.
• Keep things light and fun by suggesting new activities or travel.
• Have an open mind and avoid judgment.
• Ask them if they’d like you to attend therapy or support groups with them.
• Keep alcohol or drugs out of sight.
• Be honest about your struggles and how you overcame them.
• Offer support whenever possible.

Relapses happen; it is part of the recovery process. The path towards sobriety is achievable yet often messy. If you notice your loved one is possibly relapsing, do your best to help. Pay attention to the signs and intervene as soon as you can. But remember, if they do relapse, it is not because of anything you did or did not do. So be patient with them and with yourself. It’s all part of the process.

Find Help For Relapse Prevention

If you or a loved one are experiencing a relapse, there is help available. Treatment providers can answer rehab-related questions and provide treatment information. Reach out to a treatment provider today.

The post Signs My Loved One Has Relapsed appeared first on Addiction Center.

Snapchat, the popular photo and instant messaging app, is integrating a new approach to lowering the dealing of drugs on the platform. These efforts are being made in attempt to keep the community of those who use Snapchat safe from the devastating impacts of the Fentanyl crisis. 

For years, social media sites have been used as avenues for drug dealers to remotely access and influence young people to purchase illicit substances. In the last few years, the selling of deadly counterfeit prescription pills has increased. This increase has been specifically true for Snapchat where messages are designed to disappear after a certain amount of time. Counterfeit pills being sold through social media look almost identical to real prescription drugs, such as Percocet, OxyContin, or Xanax. 

What makes the use of counterfeit pills so dangerous is that there is a high chance that they have been made with Fentanyl, a synthetic Opioid that is stronger than Morphine and less expensive to produce than other substances. Because a lethal dose is very small, anything over 2 mg, pills containing Fentanyl have been linked to a dramatic increase in overdose deaths in the US. Teenagers and young adults are especially at risk for overdose from Fentanyl because counterfeit pills are so accessible through platforms like Snapchat. In 2020, it was reported that 48% of internet users who use Snapchat are between the ages of 15 and 25. 

DEA Public Safety Alert

On September 27th, 2021, the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued a public safety alert for the first time in 6 years. This alert warned of the threat caused by an increase in lethality and availability of fake prescription pills containing Fentanyl or Meth. The DEA reported that just this year 9.5 million counterfeit pills have been seized. Two out of every 5 of these fake, confiscated pills that contained Fentanyl contained enough of the substance to cause an overdose. 

Anne Miligram, DEA spokeswoman, told Today that social media companies are not doing enough to stop the selling of these harmful pills. Milgram went on to say, “Social media companies know that their platforms are being used for this. And they need to understand that Americans are dying. They are dying at record rates and they need to be a partner in stopping it.” 

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Snapchat’s New Drug Related Initiatives

Following this public safety alert, pleas from Milgram, and support from parents, Snapchat has decided to take steps towards improving this situation. The platform’s new safety initiatives include improved automated systems to detect the sale of drugs, hiring more staff to respond to law enforcement for criminal investigations, and an in-app education portal called “Heads Up.” 

Through Heads Up, Snapchat users can be educated on the dangers of Fentanyl and counterfeit pills with resources from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), the Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC), and non-profit organizations. App users who search for certain drug terms or for substance abuse help will be directed to Heads Up. Already, the platform has teamed with Song For Charlie, a family run nonprofit, to develop a video advertising campaign on the topic. According to Snapchat, this video campaign has been viewed 260 million times thus far. Additionally, the platform will be rolling out a new national filter that will bring awareness to the issue and direct users to the Head Up portal. 

While many parents are calling for more extensive parental controls, social media platforms like Snapchat are hesitant. Even though parental controls may have the ability to prevent potential overdoses, they also may threaten the privacy of the app’s users. Snapchat responded to the rising Fentanyl crisis in a blog post saying that they are working to find the balance between safety and privacy on the platform. They hope to empower their community to express themselves without a fear of harm. 

What Are Other Social Media Companies Doing?

Although Snapchat has been the main platform linked to counterfeit pill overdose, other social media companies play a role in the overall Opioid epidemic. Facebook’s policies state that ads cannot promote the sale of illicit or recreational drugs. Despite reports of the platform being used by drug cartels, little has been done to stop these violations of the site’s drug rules. The company removes flagged pages as they see fit but many of them still operate openly. The system that allows offenders to repeat drug dealing or cartel behavior has not been changed. 

Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, was also said to be a place for drug cartels to recruit, train, and pay hitmen. In 2019, the photo sharing app had issues with some of their recovery based hashtags. Comments promoting the sale of illicit drugs were found on photos with hashtags, like #opioidcrisis and #opioidaddiction, that were intended to help those struggling with Opioid use. After this, the platform attempted to crack down on the use of these hashtags and make efforts to support those in recovery. 

In response to the DEA’s safety alert and Milgram’s comments, TikTok spokesperson, Hilary McQuaide, stated that the video sharing social network has systems in place to prevent drug dealing activity. McQuaide cited the app’s technology which removes accounts that promote illegal drug sales and the human reviewers who are used to find and evaluate violative material. 

Working Together To Limit Online Drug Deals

Even though individual social media companies are making efforts to vanquish online drug dealing, very few have yet to work together on the issue. Currently, drug deals tend to occur across multiple platforms. Dealers may use one site to connect with potential buyers, another to communicate, and a third to make the final sale. 

For 6 months, Snapchat has been using intelligence from a public health data company that searches all over the internet to catch drug dealers. This includes looking on other websites and the dark web to find drug ads that list a Snapchat account. According to Snapchat, their detection skills have allowed them to increase the number of removed accounts by 112% in the first half of 2021. Sharing data between the platforms may be the key to lowering Fentanyl overdose deaths amongst young people in the US.

The post Snapchat Making Efforts To Stop Drug Dealing appeared first on Addiction Center.

Last month, the Chinese government enacted new restrictions intended to mitigate video game addiction in children. Gamers under the age of 18 may now spend no more than 3 hours a week on online gaming; other restrictions, like those limiting youth gaming to 1.5 hours a day on weekdays and banning gaming between 10 PM and 8 AM, have existed since 2019.

China has long taken a severe stance on video game addiction. Chinese state media has recently referred to video games as “electronic drugs” and “spiritual opium;” the Chinese government has also reportedly participated in the operation of draconian treatment programs meant to curb gaming addiction. Multiple deaths have occurred in treatment programs like these. Brutal methods like beatings, electroshock therapy, and solitary confinement have allegedly been used as ways to “treat” gaming addiction in China.

Many in the United States struggle to limit their online gaming; some are concerned that similar programs might soon be established to treat video game addiction in the US if they don’t exist already. As one Vice News reporter wrote, “the US already has a network of boot camp, wilderness and other poorly regulated residential programs… During the 90s and 2000s, dozens of children died in these programs, which often used similar tactics to those described in the Asian ones.”

Safe, effective treatment for video game addiction is a priority; the pandemic has only increased the amount of Americans struggling with the condition. Fortunately, many qualified treatment centers exist to aid in recovery; some treatment options are detailed below.

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The Pandemic Has Affected Video Game Addiction

The global spread of COVID-19, the proliferation of lockdown orders, and the ever-increasing number of video games available to gamers have all correlated with a recent increase in people struggling with video game addiction.

The Guardian reported in June that “The number of children and young adults entering treatment for gaming addictions and disorders tripled over the last year.” Dr. Anand Nadkarni, psychologist and founder of the Indian Institute for Psychological Health, says he’s seen twice as many cases of internet addiction since lockdown measures began. One teenager was even hospitalized after he developed an addiction to the video game Fortnite; the boy had become isolated, would not speak to others, and required professional intervention.

The increases in video game addiction cases could be explained by merely how much additional free time at home many have had since the pandemic began; the stressors of recent months, however, may also play a role.

“Life is hard,” as Dr. Scott Teitelbaum, professor of psychiatry and neuroscience and director of the University of Florida’s Health Florida Recovery Center, told Healthline. “People are always looking for something to soothe themselves, and some people get pathologic attachment.”

There’s no shortage of reasons why self-soothing might be in vogue these days. But if a “pathologic attachment” has indeed developed, then it must be addressed. The good news is, there is also no shortage of relevant treatment modalities available for video game addiction.

Many Gaming Addiction Treatment Options Exist

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been demonstrated effective in the treatment of video game addiction; the researchers behind one study, conducted in Germany and Austria, reported a 70% remission rate after the use of CBT to treat gaming addiction.

One of the study’s authors, Kai Müller, said that treatment “usually starts with a thorough inventory of the patient’s characteristics that are contributing to the development and maintenance of the gaming disorder.” Patients studied also kept a diary, mindfully observed triggers and emotions associated with their video game addiction, and received help changing the problematic aspects of themselves and their behavior.

Other treatment modalities, like adventure therapy, which can involve collaborating with a team and solving problems in an exciting and novel setting may scratch the sensation-seeking itch scratched by video gaming in a more healthy and sustainable way. Learning to get fulfillment from rising to the occasion of a real-world challenge rather than that of a virtual one could help to combat video game addiction.

Different treatment centers may offer different treatment plans; a wide variety of solutions may therefore be available to the individual struggling with gaming addiction. If you have tried to cut back on playing video games and failed, help is available. Reach out to a treatment provider who can answer your questions and discuss your treatment options. There may be underlying or co-occurring conditions present in addition to the video game addiction; the sooner they are identified and addressed, the better.

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The internet has made it easier than ever to connect to content, creators, and companions. With so much to do and see online, be it on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, or a myriad of other platforms, it can be tempting to get lost in a sea of infinite scrolling and endless notifications. But with almost all pleasures and pastimes in life, there’s a fine line between harmless indulgence and addiction.

It’s been estimated that internet and social media addiction affects over 200 million people across the globe. Often this maladaptive preoccupation with viewing and sharing content online stems from a fundamental dissatisfaction or disconnection with one’s circumstances that fuels a ceaseless cycle of dopamine-driven hunger for more.

Below are just a few questions that could help determine whether or not social media use has risen to the threshold of addiction. Once the problem has been identified, the individual can be empowered to receive treatment and recover from the grip that their phone or computer has taken over their lives.

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Signs Of Social Media Addiction

1. Has virtual socializing come to replace face-to-face interaction in your life or have you come to prefer the former over the latter?
2. Do you begin to feel negative emotions either while using social media or when attempting to cut down or stop social media use?
3. Have you experienced the fallout of excessive social media use in your life, but still persist in the activity anyway?
4. Could your use of social media be described as obsessive?
5. Does social media provide an undue sense of importance or meaning to your life?
6. After a period of abstaining from social media use, do you find yourself returning to social media in the same way an abuser of drugs or alcohol may be unable to stay away from their substance of choice?

An affirmative answer to even one of the questions above may indicate social media addiction. Answering yes to 3 or more could mean the problem has become severe. Of course, every individual and every social media platform is different, but if the underlying trend lines of compulsion have become apparent, it’s time to take action to regain control of your life and of your relationship with technology.

The Effects

Social media addicts have been shown to be less satisfied at work, as well as less able to juggle the demands of their professional lives and their personal lives simultaneously.  It’s almost as if social media takes on the role of a third entity between work and home that comes to steal attention, investment, and enjoyment from the other two.

Students who are afflicted with social media addiction see their grades suffer as a result, potentially affecting their professional future for the remainder of their lives. Mental health tends to be poor when social media use is high. Sleeplessness, low mood, and high stress levels have all been linked to too much time spent online. Low self-esteem has been connected to overzealous internet activity, meaning there’s likely a relationship between having an unhealthy view of oneself and social media addiction.

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Ways To Beat Social Media Addiction

Individuals often begin using social media because they feel lonely, because they don’t want to lose touch with old friends, or because they feel bored. Conversely, if one is looking to conquer social media addiction, it can be good to consider the right way to satisfy these key emotional motivators.

Joining a club, church, sports team, or volunteer effort can provide meaningful connection and stimulation. Writing letters to old friends or calling former acquaintances on the phone instead of looking for them on the internet can also help one keep in touch without losing touch with what’s really important in life. Planning a short trip or learning a new hobby can help one feel like one’s life is varied, engaging, and exciting as opposed to a dull routine that one is driven to escape from.

Getting Help With Social Media Addiction

Social media addiction can be formidable. Human beings aren’t built to thrive in solitude, and the continuous search for novel and intriguing experiences is a hallmark of our species. However, there’s no pot of gold waiting at the end of the colorful rainbow of your social media feed: just more loneliness, more craving, and more despair. If you need help breaking the cycle, talk to a treatment provider today about treatment options.

A little connection can go a long way and, with help, a former social media addict can find their life has become exactly what they thought they were looking for online. If you are considering therapy for social media addiction, you can find additional information on online therapy options here.

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On June 14th, 2021, Youtube announced a ban on alcohol, gambling, or prescription drug-related ads on its homepage. Specifically, the platform banned controversial ads from appearing on its highly visible rectangle across the top of the homepage, also known as a masthead. The shift follows a chain of changes Google (its parent company) is making due to public scrutiny.

Youtube, Google, And Toxic Marketing

Over the past few years, Alphabet Inc. has received backlash for exposing its billions of users to harmful advertisements while making a profit. In 2011, the tech giant was forced to pay $500 million in a settlement by the U.S. Federal Drug Agency for selling online ads to Canadian pharmacies targeting Americans. For nearly a decade, dozens of online pharmacies in Canada sold illegal prescriptions through advertisements on Google.

During the preceding, prosecutors discovered that Alphabet Inc. knew of the illegal advertisements created by the Canadian dispensaries. According to investigators, drugstores were preying on vulnerable consumers, like addicts, through, “online consultation rather than a prescription.” The companies then charged a premium for the online meeting because they knew, “individuals seeking to obtain prescription drugs without a valid prescription were willing to pay higher prices.” All the while, according to critics, Google knew about the toxic advertising strategies.

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The Public’s Outrage On Advertisements 

Google is not the first site to be flagged for harmful advertising practices. Just recently, after a public media outrage, TikTok banned content that promotes drug abuse and eating disorders. Still, sites like Facebook continue making a hefty profit by allowing pharmaceutical companies and data brokerage firms to target vulnerable clients. Which begs the question, how invasive and dangerous are these media advertising policies? How do they affect those susceptible to addiction?

Advertising And Addiction

Digital advertising has surpassed traditional marketing. Thanks to data-tracking software, companies can now target individuals based on their ethnicity, disabilities, sexual orientation, and more. The plethora of data gives these invasive advertisers the power to be even more persuasive than ever before. According to privacy activists and browser-makers, companies that perpetuate eating disorders or create prescription drugs can even target people battling trauma, drug abuse, and eating disorders.

Not only can these marketers efficiently mark people susceptible to addiction, but they can also mislead them to purchase their products. According to a research study, only 26% of direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising (DTCPA) describe the risk factors associated with their drugs, and only 25% mentioned its prevalence. DTCPA typically misinforms consumers by omitting critical information like the likelihood of developing a substance use disorder. 

Another concerning problem is the trust placed on these advertisers by consumers. Nearly 50% of people believe that the government approves all ads broadcasted on TV or online. Unfortunately, direct to consumer ads (DTC) are loosely regulated. Though claims in advertisements must be truthful under the law, many marketers find advantageous loopholes to avoid omitting less than glamorous truths about their products. Once live, DTC ads are dangerously trusted and effective. On average, 43% of viewers believe that medications must be entirely safe to be advertised.

Raising Awareness

Advertisements can have adverse effects on vulnerable populations like those prone to addiction. The unwarranted trust placed on marketers is a powerful tool capable of triggering or worsening substance use disorders. Historically drug-producing companies put profits over public safety. For example, Purdue Pharma is under federal investigation for instigating the United States Opioid epidemic. To protect vulnerable populations, lawmakers need to regulate all broadcasted ads thoroughly. In the meantime, we must all be vigilant and raise the public’s awareness of the dangers advertising has on those battling addiction. For more information on substance use, addiction, and treatment, contact a treatment provider today.

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TikTok has a new recovery community sprouting on its platform. Within the popular app, users are rejecting content that encourages drug use or behavioral disorders. Instead, creators are posting pro-recovery material that combats substance abuse, behavioral addictions, and stigmas. Through social media, they challenge the world’s views on what it means to be a recovering addict.  

How It All Started

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, TikTok became one of the most popular apps in the world. The video-sharing service’s eye-catching 7 to 60-second clips became a light during those bleak quarantine moments. People who were stuck at home dove into countless short-form stories as a form of entertainment. As weeks passed, various niche genres like bread making, thrifting, and education gained traction. One of those niches turned into an outlet for today’s recovery community. 

How TikTok’s Recovery Community Is Changing the Narrative 

Much like Instagram once did, TikTok has given space to a group of individuals rising above addiction. Content creators cultivate an area where it’s ok to struggle, laugh, and share the “ugly.” Many of them share posts showcasing their recovery from alcohol abuse and overcoming obstacles. Others who battle co-occurring disorders post countless videos of recovery benchmarks and relapses.  

The social network is no longer an app for just dancing kids and teens. Adults, both old and young, are destigmatizing society’s views on addiction through the viral platform. With hashtags like #soberlution, #wedorecover, and #recoveringaddict, the narrative is changing. Every day, individuals are shedding light on the true experiences of recovering users.

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The Challenges 

TikTok may be providing a space for the recovery community to use their voice, but the app is not perfect. According to the Guardian, harmful pro-anorexia content was easily searchable on the platform. A different investigation by the Sun discovered hundreds of videos glamorizing drug use. Based on the same study, posts also taught users how to take substances like Cocaine or magic mushrooms. 

In response to these studies, TikTok launched an investigation in 2020. Since then, they have taken measures to prevent the posting of harmful content and advertising. Still, despite their best efforts, the toxic messages continue to seep through. There are thousands of videos flying below the network’s algorithm. These videos, coined as “underground” trends, range from live videos of influencers sharing their experiences during a “trip” to challenges like the Benadryl challenge, which encourages users to take large doses of the antihistamine to induce hallucinations. 

TikTok, The Recovery Community, And The Future

TikTok may have illicit videos circulating through its platform. Still, it also has its fair share of positive messages surrounding recovery. The social network is a sea of information with the potential of causing both harm and good. While TikTok continues improving its algorithm and prohibiting pro-drug use content, it is up to TikToker’s to decide which videos to consume. 

Find Treatment For Substance Abuse Today

If you or someone you love is battling a substance use disorder, there is help available. Contact a treatment provider to discover treatment options. The group of committed individuals can help answer any of your rehab-related questions. You do not have to battle substance abuse alone. Take an empowered step towards recovery by contacting a treatment provider today. 

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