The Internet has transformed everyday life for hundreds of millions, perhaps billions, of people around the world. Today we shop for clothing and groceries, pay bills, trade stocks and connect with our friends online.
Such a powerful tool does not come without its downsides, however. People are also using the Internet to buy drugs overseas without prescriptions and using social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to make drug deals. There are even websites that sell fake urine for people who need to pass a drug test while people looking to make a buck sell their own “clean” urine to desperate people looking to pass a drug screening.
Some of the drug dealers who use social media sites like Facebook as a forum to hawk their wares do so surprisingly indiscreetly, even including their phone numbers next to their profile picture. This phenomenon means that the most vulnerable among us, namely tweens and teenagers, could be discreetly obtaining drugs via sources found on social media sites.
Knowing this, parents should make a concerted effort to monitor their kids’ behavior and social media habits as they see fit. Pharmaceuticals taken right from parents’ and grandparents’ medicine cabinets are some of the most abused drugs by teenagers as they can be the easiest to obtain.
If your teenager has a problem with drugs or alcohol, the addiction specialists at Northbound Treatment Center can help. The team at Northbound has developed a comprehensive program that includes 12-step and individual and group therapies at its rehab treatment center. Visit our website for more information about our programs.
Author
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Paul Alexander is the CEO, President & Founder of Northbound Treatment Network in Newport Beach, California. He believes wholeheartedly in transformational leadership, organizational health and effective, fully integrated substance use disorder and mental health treatment. With over 27 years of experience in behavioral healthcare, Paul has extensive knowledge of “in vivo” treatment modalities, clinical development, operations, strategy, marketing and financial planning. He has been widely recognized for his development of collegiate-based residential treatment programs for students in recovery and authored a research study at The University of California confirming this modality’s effectiveness.
Paul’s comprehensive professional experience, willingness to innovate, and emphasis on organizational health are vital factors in Northbound’s continued success. Paul received his Certified Addiction Treatment Specialist training at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, CA, and was awarded Outstanding Alumni Service Award in 2002. Paul holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology, Law and Society, Summa Cum Laude, from University of California, Irvine, and a Juris Doctorate degree from Loyola Law School of Los Angeles. Paul currently serves on The National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP) board. In addition, he serves on The Family Recovery Foundation board and The CarePossible board in Orange County; both organizations are committed to raising funds for family recovery and treatment for former military personnel. Paul is in recovery himself and lives in Orange County with his wife Silvana and his two young sons, Noah and Dean.
