It is about time there was a little positive news about teenage drug and substance abuse.  According to an article on EmaxHealth and the 2008 Iowa Youth Survey, fewer teenagers are reporting alcohol and marijuana use.

The survey was taken in October 2008 and 81 percent of those surveyed said they had not consumed any alcohol in the past 30 days. And 87 percent reported no binge drinking in the past 30 days. Binge drinking is defined as consuming five or more alcoholic drinks in a short time span.

Also, 94 percent reported not using marijuana in the past 30 days when the survey was taken.

The real question is what does this really say about teens in Iowa and across the United States? Is alcohol and marijuana use really down? Surveys like these have to be taken with a grain of salt. Because the survey considers such a small amount of time, 30 days, in the life of a teenager when it comes to alcohol and marijuana use.

So what if they didn’t consume it within the last 30 days, what about the rest of the year? Perhaps the survey should be changed to include how many times a year a teenager drinks or uses marijuana.

Despite the decline in the substance abuse, there is another thing that the survey revealed. More teenagers are experiencing being threatened via the internet or over text message.

These surveys are a great way to talk about substance abuse with your family and the children in their family.  Surveys help get a little bit of a dissection of what is going on in a certain area. It is always beneficial to consider the type of children that were surveyed, their socio-economic standing and many other factors.

Talking about these statistics and taking them into consideration is wise. The more information the better!

When it comes to success stories of people who were able to recover from alcoholism or drug addiction, we often hear about men and women who have made a successful transformation and reached success as adults. Recovery doesn’t have to wait until a person has “matured”. Teens and young adults can take advantage of a second-chance and take their lives into a new direction.

A young celebrity rehab success story is Drew Barrymore. Her troubles with alcohol began as a child and Barrymore was a teen in rehab by age 13. She talks about her bout with substance abuse in her book, Little Girl Lost. Although the book was written nearly 20 years ago, her story is sadly still relevant to teens today. Despite going through rehab as a young adult, Barrymore pushed past the substances in her life by continuing her acting career with great success and has also gone on to produce and direct her own films.

It can also be reassuring to know that you don’t have to be a larger than life superstar to get through rehab when you’re young. There are more success stories from other young adults who have struggled with the disease of addiction than you might think.

Robert K. shared his story with the Partnership for a Drug Free America. His addiction to drugs and alcohol lead him to assault his own sister with a knife at the age of 17. After rehab and becoming clean, at the age of 24 he started helping his local community by spreading meth awareness throughout Wisconsin.

Another young adult success story can be found in Christine, who started using drugs to cope with ADHD and her somewhat dysfunctional family life. Even though she started drinking at age 11, she didn’t get help until she was arrested at 16. She would relapse and go back into treatment before fully living in recovery. She was able to find happiness in her new life and married her childhood sweetheart, who never used.

Sometimes when a person is at the lowest point of addiction, it seems impossible for a change to occur. The ability to live a “normal” life seems too good to be true – like something in a dream or a fairy tale. What is truly amazing is that not only is every addiction unique to the individual, but the path to recovery is also a uniquely special journey. Each person has to discover what will work for them. When that spark happens, and they finally have the desire to clean themselves up, they have to hold on to those feelings and endure the rocky road of recovery, if they want to truly transform their life. Not everyone gets a second chance, but when given the opportunity, young people really can be successful after rehab.

This month has revealed just how deeply-rooted drug abuse is within sporting communities. Parents have had a lot to talk about with their kids thanks to the Michael Phelps weed video, and with Alex Rodriguez admitting he used steroids while playing with the Texas Rangers. When kids ask, "Why is using drugs a bad thing? A-Rod did it." – it can be hard to give a clear cut answer.  Out of all the recent buzz on drugs, President Obama was asked for his reflections on the matter. He gave a clear outline of the reasons why athlete drug abuse is depressing and just wrong.

It’s true – there are no shortcuts, not in sports or in life. If you want to achieve a lifelong goal or dream, it takes time and effort. When people choose shortcuts, they end up cutting themselves short. Real strength takes effort and hard work to build, and even though it is a slow process, there is visible improvement over time. When given guidance and long-term support, it takes away the pressure and stress that sometimes inhibits young adults from achieving their goals. Reassure the young person in your life and let him or her know that they have your support. Sometimes that’s all it takes to encourage someone to take the high road instead of a shortcut.   

In addition to health dangers and potential addiction risks, using drugs – even just once – can destroy years of hard work. Drug abuse taints an athlete’s record and reputation. Respect and trust that was built with fans and within the industry has to be rebuilt. Sponsorships and endorsement deals that took years to earn can disappear in seconds. For a few minutes of what might feel like ecstasy, an athlete may end up cleaning up after those moments for the rest of their life.

Michael Phelps, a record-breaking Olympic gold medalist, is today’s example of how one-time drug use can send even the most clean, respected and accomplished of athletes into a frenzy with an uncertain future. Prior to the picture of Phelps smoking weed, he was well-known as an athlete against drugs and as a supporter of the World Anti-Doping Agency. By using drugs, his anti-drug messages have lost their validity. Teens and young adults who look to Phelps for inspiration as a role-model have been let down. Not only is this unfortunate from an ethical point of view, but letting down his fans could have an impact on his current and future opportunities. CNN interviewed sports attorney Ryan Smith, and during the interview he explained that, “A lot of endorsement deals have clauses that say that you can’t do bad actions like this, not only crimes, but just things that you do bad in public could result in the termination of your contract.” Additionally, “a lot of these companies that are sponsoring him really are focused on kids and how actions of their athletes affect children.”

After the picture of Phelps smoking weed came forth, he quickly issued a statement apologizing for his behavior – “I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again.” Such bold promises are very hard to keep, especially if Phelps is dealing with a substance abuse problem. This incident wasn’t the first for Phelps, as he was caught drinking under the influence in 2004. If his illegal substance usage continues, bouncing back may not be an option for him.

This is why people who play sports just shouldn’t use drugs. It puts their career in jeopardy and taints all of their efforts. People start to remember them for the scandalous activities they were involved in and not for their athletic abilities.

Can you imagine driving around on the holidays and getting hit by a drunk driver? For Bob Kent, and many others, this story is all too familiar. Kent lost his own son and two of his friends on Christmas Day, 2004. This holiday season, Kent shared his story with others as a reminder of the lives that are lost every holiday to people who drink and drive.

The statistics for drunk driving are staggering. It’s scary to think that “every 30 minutes, nearly 50 times a day, someone in America dies in an alcohol-related crash. This means you, your friends, your family are regularly at risk” – as documented by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It’s disheartening that “Americans who drink and drive after holiday parties and festivities make the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s one of the year’s most deadly and dangerous seasons due to alcohol-related crashes.”

Adults and teens are both regularly found guilty of drinking under the influence. Of course for teens, underage drinking is illegal and they shouldn’t be intoxicated in the first place. But adults, both young and old, who are over the drinking age have a choice – to be responsible. The CDC and NHTSA have both come up with lists of ways to prevent impaired driving and DUI accidents.

Before going to a party, you pretty much know if there will be alcoholic beverages served or not. If you’re not sure, ask the party host – make a plan and be prepared. Designate a sober driver before the party starts or arrange for a taxi ahead of time. Leave your car at home. Doing so will take away the temptation – the entire option – to drive home intoxicated.

If you are hosting the party, ask your guests if they have a designated driver when they RSVP for the event. For guests who are not drinking at the party, ask if they would like to be a designated driver and be sure to thank them for their help. If you are hosting a party and know that some of your guests are alcoholics, or former alcoholics who are currently in rehab or recovery, it will be appreciated if you choose to serve non-alcoholic beverages. You can also request your bartender to monitor the alcohol intake of your guests.

We have the power to change how alcohol affects our society by changing ourselves and our attitudes toward alcohol consumption and driving. Once we have changed our own behaviors, then it’s possible to help our friends and family make better choices.

Why is it that so many influential musicians, writers and artists are often associated with addiction? Throughout history, praised entertainers and creative forces have fallen victim to drugs and alcohol: American country singer Johnny Cash abused amphetamines; iconic French singer Edith Piaf was an alcoholic and eventually died of liver cancer; famous guitarist Jimmy Hendrix died of a mix of alcohol and barbiturates; American writer Jack Kerouac abused drugs and alcohol.

CNN reported recently that a link between mood disorders and creativity has shown in a number of psychology studies. Experts say that mental illness does not necessarily cause creativity, and vice versa, but a ruminating personality type may contribute to both mental health issues and art. Characteristics of this personality include hypersensitivity, constant contemplation and reflectiveness — a temperament found to be underlying in depression and bipolar disorder.

Although the studies do not link addiction with creativity, the high correlation between depression and substance abuse presents an indirect connection. For creative types who are mentally unstable and tend to overanalyze, drugs and alcohol can be a form of self-medication, a way to quiet the restless mind. Many singers who’ve experienced addiction, like Cash and Piaf, incorporate the dramatic highs and lows of their mental states into performances, pouring their emotionality and obsessive nature into lyrics.

People who are depressed may try to mute their inner demons with drugs, but art can be used as a therapeutic tool in recovery. In fact, many artists find that their work suffers when their minds are muddled by drugs and alcohol, stunting creative performance. To overcome addiction, some people need to rediscover their passion for art — a high that can’t be matched by any drug.

Drug rehabilitation is one of several drug treatment options for those suffering from drug addiction – or even alcoholism or other substance abuse. Tough government policies often make getting treatment more difficult, especially if abusers are sent to jails with no rehab facilities or programs. Serving time may encourage people to think twice about using drugs, but for some who are seriously addicted, prison provides no cure to their addiction.

That’s why some states across the nation are revisiting the local drug laws to force drug rehab onto offenders, instead of putting them into prisons. California is in the midst of a new proposition, called the Nonviolent Offender Rehabilitation Act (NORA). If passed, the Act will provide drug rehab services to people suffering from illegal drug addictions.

Not everyone thinks the policy will be successful. Actor Martin Sheen is reported by the Los Angeles Times to be against the proposition, because it affords drug abusers too many second chances without consequences. The topic is relevant and personal to Sheen – he has openly discussed his own struggle with alcoholism, and the difficulties his son Charlie Sheen has had with substance abuse. As someone who has experienced the negative aspects of alcohol and drug abuse, on his own life and the effects on his family, he has said it’s important to keep consequences into place – to stay tough on the issue of drugs.

Both points of view raise very good issues. Rehab can be forced on to someone, but unless the person wants to change, they won’t. If the Act passes, the state of California will need to have an excellent drug rehab program into place to ensure success.

All the time, young adults hear about the troubles their favorite singers got into for underage drinking or the car accidents from the actors/actresses who decided to drive drunk. Athletes, superstars, and role models everywhere are making poor life choices, giving teens and young adults the idea that it’s okay to drink alcohol or abuse drugs.

But not all celebrities have problems with alcoholism. In fact, there are more people in the public eye who don’t drink alcohol than you might think. Some used to be alcoholics and they gave up the drink to stay sober and clean up their lives. Samuel L. Jackson, David Bowie, and recently Gary Oldman learned to abstain from alcohol to get rid of its damaging effects.

Some people just don’t do alcohol, period. Take Bruce Lee for example. He didn’t drink or do drugs, because he believed in keeping his body clean – and his body was unbelievably healthy during his lifetime. CNN reported that legendary comedian Jay Leno “drinks no alcohol and says he’s never smoked a cigarette or a joint.” Wikipedia has a whole list of famous people who have decided not to drink alcohol, complete with sources for verification. It’s a positive resource, especially if you’re looking for some support or starting to think staying clean is impossible.

Everyone can make good life decisions or poor life choices – even celebrities.

Alcoholism has affected yet another young adult Hollywood star. Shia LaBeouf’s future as an actor has been looking bright until now. Success from last year’s blockbuster Transformers and working opposite Harrison Ford in the franchise revival flick, Indiana Jones: Kingdom of the Crystal Skull has brought the young actor nothing but praise. Filming for Transformers 2 is underway, but LaBeouf had to undergo hand surgery after a car accident. He was driving drunk at the time. There is no official word yet regarding how long, if at all, his surgery will delay filming.

New evidence reported by the L.A. Times suggests that LaBeouf may not have caused the accident itself, but there is no question he was seriously intoxicated. Unfortunately, his substance abuse began at home. It’s difficult for young adults who have a parent or parents who use drugs or have an alcohol addiction. In LaBeouf’s case, in an interview that appears in the September issue of Details magazine he reveals that together him and his father “would drink together and smoke together, and it’s just a bad deal."

It takes a lot of hard work to achieve success and critical acclaim as an actor. It’s a real shame to risk it all due to problems with alcohol and drinking. LaBeouf is aware of his alcohol addiction. In the same Details interview he openly states: “I don’t know how to have one drink.” Do you think his Transformers co-stars should step in with an alcohol intervention?

Hopefully as he recovers from surgery he will also have some time to think about alcohol abuse treatment or an alcohol rehab program.

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid’s son, Garrett, was sentenced to drug rehab for 2 years. Garrett Reid was serving time in jail due to an auto accident that occurred when he was on heroin. He was surrendering himself on the charges related to the crash and tried to smuggle 89 prescription pills inside his rectum. Because of this, a judge sentenced him to 2 years in drug rehab. Part of that time, about seven months, will be spent in jail. Following the jail time, Garrett Reid will be involved in a program that may include halfway houses, private facilities and possibly staying at private residences.  Reid will also be on probation for 3 years once he completes the program and subject to random drug tests. If he does not complete the program, Garrett Reid will have to face the judge again who will decide if Garrett will go to prison for two years. Judge Steven O’Neill told Garrett Reid, “You are an addict. The intention is to get this young man treatment. His addiction is deep, long-lasting and he is in need of treatment.”