A: All drugs of abuse affect the way your brain and body function. Drugs have an immediate effect on your body, but they can also create long-lasting changes even when you have stopped taking the drug. For instance, the effects of marijuana can "last" up to several hours from a single joint. When people smoke pot, they may experience many things, such as feeling high, mellow, or relaxed. But there are other feelings that you may have too. Some people experience paranoia, high anxiety, irritability, mood swings, depression, and hallucinations while marijuana is in their bodies.

Drugs work by changing the way the brain normally works. Drugs cause a release of a chemical called dopamine that the brain interprets as being pleasurable. The drugs also interact with several other neurochemicals (like serotonin and adrenaline) that alter many different parts of the brain.

Once drugs wear off, they can leave a permanent mark on your body and brain. Drugs today are much more potent than they were 30 years ago, and scientific research has shown that they can cause long-lasting or even permanent brain damage. This is true for all drugs of abuse, including alcohol and marijuana. People who use drugs for a long time can experience problems with memory, learning abilities, and can have problems with impulse control, even if they are not currently using drugs.

A: Well this is a complicated question. There are multiple factors. First, there is the drug itself. We know that some drugs have more "addictive" potential than others; that is, some provide a more "reinforcing effect" than others, which could increase the likelihood that you will try it again. Second, there is the person. Each individual's genetic make-up, family history, and personality impacts the likelihood that he or she will keep using a drug and potentially develop an addiction. Also a person's current emotional or physical state (that is whether you are feeling anxious, depressed, in pain, etc.) is a factor too.Third, there are environmental factors, which in my opinion are what most people underestimate. For example, if a drug is easily available to you, you are likely to use it more often than if it is hard to get. So if it is always around and easy to obtain, or you have friends offering it to you, you might find yourself using it more often. Similarly, if you use and you don't get in trouble because your parents don't watch you closely or they are lenient about drug use, you are also more likely to use more often. Lastly, it's important that you realize that there are multiple and varying risk factors, and because of that, everyone is at risk.

A: Due to the severe withdrawal symptoms, cocaine is a very difficult substance to stop using. Frequent use can deplete the body’s dopamine, and leave your friend susceptible to depression, possibly severe depression. This can be a huge problem when quitting, along with all the other side effects and health risks that go along with frequent substance use. The best thing you can do is to encourage your friend to get help, professional help. Your friend should be evaluated by a trained substance-abuse professional to find out how severe the use is, to formulate a treatment plan, and to work to implement that plan. If your friend isn’t willing to get help, maybe you can encourage him to talk to his parents. If this doesn’t work, you might need to speak to his parents on your own. It is not easy to quit using cocaine on your own. Having the help and support of a friend like you, along with professional intervention, is the key to your friend’s recovery.

A: I can safely say that any help you receive from a professional psychologist, counselor, therapist, or social worker, or school counselor is going to be confidential. The behavior of these professionals is guided by very strict laws of confidentiality and codes of ethics from their professional organizations. Confidentiality is taken very seriously, as it is one of the most important factors in allowing individuals such as yourself get the help they need, without your confidence being compromised.

A: Percocet and hydrocodone are opiate medications used for pain. They are highly addictive because they are powerful drugs that, in some people, can create feelings of euphoria, calmness, sedation, and emotional numbness. If you have been taking these drugs for more than a year, it is highly probable that your body is now dependent on them. If you stop taking the medications cold-turkey you could develop signs of opiate withdrawal, which include diarrhea, anxiety, muscle aches, sweating profusely, running nose, cramping, and intense desire to take more opiates.

The withdrawal from opiates is not life-threatening but it can be very difficult and uncomfortable to overcome.Left without treatment, the period of withdrawing from opiates can last anywhere from three to 10 days. Cravings for opiates are a strong sign of withdrawal and is often the last symptom to go away on its own. Most people who are addicted to opiates are so worried about the withdrawal process that they continue to use even though they know it will not help. Nowadays people should not have to go through withdrawal on their own. There are plenty of places and medications that are available to make the detoxification/withdrawal process go much smoother and without complications.

People who get into treatment will start feeling good again as soon as they get help to deal with the withdrawal symptoms. People who don't get this help tend to continue to struggle with cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and are not able to stop taking the opiates on their own.

A: The answer is clearly "yes." Marijuana use, like other drugs, poses multiple risks for teens. One of those risks is addiction. Addiction involves both psychological and physical components. This may mean that you find yourself often using more marijuana than you had planned, (for example, using more on a single occasion or more often than you thought you would). In other words, your use starts feeling out of control.

Similarly, you may promise yourself that you won't use anymore or that you won't use so much or so often, and then find yourself back using at the same or greater rate than before. You may notice that the process of getting pot, using it, and being high, is taking more of your time each week, and you stop doing things you used to do like sports or other activities. You may find that you need more marijuana to get the same high, or find that the same amount doesn't produce the same effects that it used to; this is called developing "tolerance" to a drug.

Last, if you smoke pot frequently (multiple times per week or per day), you may notice when you stop that you may feel irritable, nervous, restless, have sleep problems, less of an appetite, and maybe even feel depressed. These are withdrawal symptoms that have been associated with quitting marijuana.

You might also want to know that teens appear to be at a somewhat higher risk statistically for developing dependence on marijuana than adults because of the stage of a teen's brain development which makes them more vulnerable. We are not sure why teens are more vulnerable, but it may have to do with the stage of a teen's brain development, the general feelings of invincibility, rebellion, and impulsivity that are a normal part of teen development, or environmental influences such as peers or friends that get high or the struggle to fit in socially.

A: This is in actuality a fallacy. Drug addicts will not stay sober by staying busy with hobbies. Boredom for addicts is often a manifestation of depression. So it is important that your brother see a psychiatrist who has experience treating addicts. Not treating his depression will endanger his sobriety. He doesn't do drugs because he is bored, however. He does drugs because he is an addict and there is something very wrong with his program of sobriety. He may need more structure, as I said above, he might need associated disorders treated, and he clearly needs to increase his meeting attendance and work more diligently with a sponsor.

A: No, it's a common misconception that only people who use "hard-core" drugs ? also known as "street drugs" ? need treatment. Any substance, when used to excess, can become addictive or cause a person to become dependent. Treatment is available, and very often necessary, for people who abuse any substance, including alcohol, marijuana, prescription pills, over-the-counter substances, meth, heroin, etc.

Drug abuse can have a significant impact on all areas of a person's life including their physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, relational, and financial well-being. As the abuse continues, problems multiply and start a difficult downward spiral. Treatment can interrupt this negative process, help people put their lives on a positive path, and work towards improving on the losses drug abuse may have caused.

A: Drug addiction is a brain disease. One of the reasons that people who are addicted to drugs just can't stop on their own is that this disease is so powerful that it changes the way people think and behave. Imagine if someone said to you to just cut back your eating from three meals a day to just one every other day. After a while, you would get an intense hunger and the only thing you would think about is food.

Drug addiction is very much like that - there is an intense hunger or craving with drugs that doesn't just go away with willpower. Furthermore, patients with drug addiction have been shown to have abnormalities in the areas of the brain that are responsible for self-control. So, when these parts of the brain are damaged, no matter how hard someone tries to stop, he or she cannot do it without admitting the problem and getting help.

The good news is that once a patient with a drug addiction decides to quit, the success rates for treatment are actually pretty good. This is especially true when they have support from their families, friends and doctors in order to recover. Sometimes the toughest part about treating patients is just getting them motivated to start treatment.

A: All sorts of people can become addicted to drugs from all walks of life ? young and old, rich and poor, males and females. What you are pointing out is that there are several environmental risk factors that contribute to a person developing drug addiction.

One of the most powerful risk factors is spending time with other people who use drugs and alcohol. It is important to note, though, that just hanging out with people who smoke pot won't make you into a drug addict. There are a lot of other risk factors that make people become addicted, some of them genetic and some of them environmental.

For instance, research has shown that people who have a lot of stress in their lives (from dealing with a family divorce or being the victim of physical or sexual abuse) have an increased likelihood of developing a drug addiction. Another example of a major risk factor is family history. If you are related to someone with a drug addiction problem, the chances that you will develop an addiction are higher.

Nowadays, we don't usually say that people have an "addictive personality." Instead, we emphasize that some people are born with a higher genetic risk to develop addictions than others. For instance, people who have a positive experience the first time they take drugs are more likely to develop an addiction. We know this is partially controlled by genetics. Overall, we know that everyone exposed to drugs could become addicted, especially under certain circumstances. This is why it is so important to prevent young people from using drugs in the first place.

A: Yes, there are a variety of ways to seek help without going into a treatment center. However, you may find out that a treatment center might be most beneficial for you. To find out, I would recommend talking with someone who is educated in the field of substance abuse and addiction. A professional's assessment can help you to determine the extent of your drug dependency. From there, you will be able to determine the appropriate course of action for you.

If you are struggling to build trust, it may be helpful to talk to people who have been in a similar situation. Local support group meetings can assist you at this critical time and help you realize that you are not alone.

There will be people there who can relate to you and what you're going through. Also, you can find help locally by calling NCADI(National Clearinghouse of Alcohol & Drug Information) at 1-800-788-2800 to be referred to a confidential hotline in your area or receive other resources.

A: That's good news that your friend has gotten help! Treatment is difficult, but living a clean, healthy life of recovery and sobriety after treatment is even more difficult. Rehab is often a very safe environment for a person to get clean and begin to learn the basics of recovery. Once treatment is completed, the person is challenged to put those practices to work in a less safe environment ? the real world.

In order to stay healthy, your friend has to avoid those people or things that encourage unhealthy behavior. It's a good idea to avoid people that your friend used with and places where they used. There is a saying that goes something like this, "if you spend enough time in a barber shop, you're bound to get a haircut." If your friend spends enough time after treatment associating with those people or places that lead to her unhealthy behavior, she is bound to return to that behavior eventually.

If you want to be a part of your friend's recovery and support your friend, then yes, it's a good idea for you to choose not to hang around the people who contributed to that unhealthy behavior.

A: You must be an awesome friend to be courageous enough to ask this question! Yes, I agree you should do something to help your friend. If your friend is being hurt or abused, it is important to get help for her as soon as possible. You can tell your friend that you are worried about her and her situation, and even ask her if she would like to go with you to talk to somebody. But even if she disagrees, it’s still important for you to talk to someone. You may want to start with talking to your parents or your school guidance counselor—any trusted adult that can help you start the process of helping your friend with her situation. From there, you and the trusted adult can work to get your friend the help she needs. Good luck!

A: The effects of alcohol withdrawal can vary significantly depending on how often a person drank, how much they drank, and how consistently they drank. Withdrawal can range from headaches and general lethargy - what many people refer to as a "hangover", to more dangerous physiological symptoms.

If you, or anyone you know, has a significant problem with alcohol and they are now trying to quit, it is very important to enlist the help of a trained professional. An experienced counselor, psychologist, or physician with training in substance abuse can help determine the extent of use, and the potential withdrawal symptoms, and then help the person formulate a plan to stop using in the most effective and healthy manner possible.

A: This is a difficult situation, and you are definitely a good friend for wanting to help your peers. One of the best ways you can help your friends is to let them know you disagree with what they are doing ? sometimes just having that conversation with them is enough to encourage them to change their behavior. Often, teaming up with another friend to talk to your peers can be encouraging and help you get your message across. If this doesn't help, it may be a good idea to talk to a trusted adult about the resources available in your school, or in your community.

A: It's tough to stay away from drugs once a person gets started, but it can be done. It is easier to lead a healthy life away fromdrugs and alcohol with support. The fact that you're setting a boundary with your boyfriend is very good, but you may also want to encourage him to find other resources to help him stay clean. Seeing a trained professional can be helpful and will allow him to develop coping skills to deal with his cravings to use. That professional can also work with him to help him identify potential triggers that cause him to want to use, and how to avoid those triggers or lessen their pull on him.

It may be a good idea for your boyfriend to consider changing his friends if he wants to stay clean ? if he continues to associate with them frequently, and if they continue to use, the combination would likely lead him to using again.

Finally, you have to know that it's not your responsibility to fix this problem for him. You can't make him stay clean, but you can support his good decisions and healthy lifestyle.

A: The fact that you told him that you're concerned about his drug use is the first step (and often the hardest). You can't force your brother to stop using drugs, just like he can't force you to do anything that you don't want to do. One of the most effective ways to help him is to be consistent with what you say to him. For instance, you might say, "you know, I worry about you when you take drugs. If you ever change your mind and need help, I will always be here to help."

Another piece of advice is to make sure that you don't do anything that will enable him to continue using drugs. For instance, don't give him money, don't cover up for him with your parents and don't protect him from the consequences of his drug use (like doing his homework or his chores).

Finally, if you need more support for yourself, there are groups called Al-Anon (which includes Ala-teen for younger people) or Nar-Anon that are for the family members of drug users ? these support groups can give you a lot of other ideas on how to deal with your brother's drug use.

A: The hardest part about getting help is taking the first step and asking for it; once you take that courageous step, you will find that there is a wealth of information, and people willing to help you. Consider confiding in someone you trust and let them know you need help. It might be easiest to start with a friend, and then ask him/her to help you talk to an adult.

It is important that, at some point, you talk to someone who is trained and who has experience with the problems you're dealing with. Whether you are struggling with drug use, family pressures, body image, or food-related concerns (or any other stress that you're feeling), there are professionals trained to help while also respecting your confidentiality.

There will be people there who can relate to you and what you're going through. Also, you can find help locally by calling NCADI (National Clearinghouse of Alcohol & Drug Information) at 1-800-788-2800 to be referred to a confidential hotline in your area or receive other resources.

A: This is a tough situation for everyone involved, but your wanting to help is important in saving her life. It is very important to diagnose and treat eating disorders as soon as possible. At first, eating disorders are often difficult to detect, and teens usually make excuses or deny having a problem or needing help, just like your friend does. But this is exactly when the problem needs to be addressed.

No matter how patient and supportive you are, your friend may not admit to needing help. This can be very stressful and discouraging for you, especially when your friend doesn't listen. You may want to consider discussing your concerns with a respected school nurse or physician, teacher, coach, or counselor. Then they may be able to talk privately with your friend or involve a parent.

Ultimately, she is the one who must realize her eating habits are harming her health, and she may need professional help in order to do this. Keep in mind, that the earlier eating disorders are addressed, the better the outcome.

A: This is a very difficult situation. There are many facts that you could share with him, most of which can be found on this Web site. Here are a few facts:

• Marijuana is a drug that you can get addicted to.
• More teens are in treatment with a primary diagnosis of marijuana dependence than for all other illicit drugs combined.
• Pot smoke contains some of the same cancer-causing substances as tobacco and is harmful to the lungs.
• Marijuana abuse affects your memory and school performance.

These facts may get him to think twice and are worth letting him know about. But even more important is that you tell him you're concerned about him. Check out the Help section for some ideas and examples of what to say and how to try to reach your friend. Making a careful plan and even practicing what you might say is a good idea. Continue to let him know that you are worried about him, that you like him better when he's not stoned, and that you'd like to be his friend, but not when he's using. Even offer to help him quit. Most importantly, don't give up on him, but also don't support his use. Be clear that you'd like to be friends with him, but that he needs to quit for you to spend time with him. Last, try to remember that there is only so much you can do. Be proud that you are trying to help, but don't take responsibility for changing him.

A: There are many effective treatments for depression that can be used instead of, or with, medication. It would be helpful to talk to the professional who diagnosed you so that you can know the intensity of your depression, and to work with them to make healthy choices for treatment – you may find that your depression is at a point where medicine would be helpful, or that these other methods might be better. At any rate, I highly encourage you to work with a professional counselor, therapist or psychologist to determine the best, and most personal, course of action for your situation. With effective talk therapy, you may also want to try improving your diet – less processed food and fast food; more fruits, veggies and whole grains can help your brain chemistry fight off depression. So can a healthy schedule of regular exercise like running, swimming, biking, weight lifting and sports. You may also want to try particular exercises like yoga or tai chi, which can be helpful for anger management as well. I also recommend learning about deep breathing and meditation for depression and anger. Any one of these, or in some combination, may be the key for you. But again, I would highly recommend that you work with a trained professional to monitor your progress, and to formulate a plan that fits your needs.

A: Depression affects much more than just the mind and brain. A common saying among mental health professionals is that “depression hurts”. Many patients with depression experience body aches and pains throughout the day, without a clear reason. The pain can be so severe and difficult to deal with that people cannot work, sleep or relax. Depression can change how well hormones work in our bodies, affecting some that control how strong our muscles are and how much nutrition we take in. It is very possible, although not entirely proven, that depression could affect growth among young people. The combination of increased stress hormones, poor nutrition and poor sleep could possibly affect one’s final obtainable height. Depression can also affect your immune system, which makes you more likely to suffer from colds and infections.

A: This really seems to be a question about respect – does he respect you enough to know you are serious about not using? If he does, the question should never come up, and you should never have to say “No”. On the other hand, do you respect yourself, and your recovery, enough to let him know you don’t want to use? Do you respect yourself enough to walk away from the relationship if he doesn’t understand and persists in trying to get you to use again? It is very difficult to maintain a relationship where one person is using and one person is trying to stay clean. The differences in beliefs and behavior between the two people are a considerable strain on the relationship. As the differences continue to grow, there really is nothing in common between the two people. However, should both people work towards recovery, not only does it help the relationship, but it certainly helps each individual. I would hope you could be a positive influence on him, before he is a negative influence on you.

A: When sadness and feeling down become so intense that you feel like hurting yourself or 'ending it all', it is a definite sign of depression. Other signs that may be present, but don't have to be for depression, would be a noticeable change in eating habits and/or sleeping habits, withdrawal from friends and family, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and a lack of enthusiasm or motivation.

The best way to find out for sure is to work with a trusted professional who has experience in helping others with these kinds of problems. Usually a counselor or therapist is your best bet. Even thought there may be days you feel "happier than ever", the fact that you are experiencing those very sad days you described, it would be highly recommended to talk to someone about it. By working with a professional that can help you get on track to have more of those 'good days', and put the bad ones behind you. For information on resources and support near you visit http://www.samhsa.gov/treatment/ or call 1-800-662-HELP.

A: Depression as a clinical disorder can be treated in a variety of different ways. Medications are not always needed or used in effective treatment plans but they can be extremely helpful when used properly. Research studies have shown repeatedly that the best method to treat depression is a combination of medications, individual counseling, and lifestyle changes (like regular exercise, healthy nutritional habits, and learning new ways to cope with stress). Antidepressants can be very helpful to improve sleep, concentration, restore energy, reduce the intensity of negative thoughts, and help people be more present during conversations. Counseling is most helpful to deal with life stress, develop new ways of dealing with the world and for understanding how and when depressive symptoms show up.

Whenever parents or family members disagree about depressive symptoms, it is recommended that family meeting take place between all involved persons and the mental health specialists. This meeting will help to figure out which "symptoms" are from the depression, which ones are side effects of the medications, and which ones are part of a person's personality. Whenever patients feel trapped or caught in between family members, meeting with a therapists is the best way of adding clarity to the situation.

A: Depression, like many other psychiatric disorders, runs in families and can be inherited. Science is beginning to figure out which genes are responsible for passing on the risk that makes a family member vulnerable to developing depression. The other major factor that determines whether or not someone becomes depressed is the environment that one lives in. People who experience high amounts of life stress, such as abuse, violence, financial stress, or troubled relationships all have an increased chance of developing depression.

There are a lot of possible warning signs of depression. The most common symptoms are being sad most of the time, not being able to enjoy things, sleeping poorly, not having an appetite, having difficulty completing daily tasks and not having any energy or motivation. Other signs of depression that people don't always consider include being irritable, not being able to feel any emotions, and/or doing things that are different from your usual personality. The best way to tell if you have a treatable, clinical depression is to see a doctor or a counselor.

A: We all have the occasional bad day, or string of bad days. Fortunately there are a variety of ways to cope with bad days without taking it out on friends or family. Music, exercise, and engaging in constructive hobbies are just a few of the things you can do. I recommend calm, relaxing music with deep breathing or meditation. Engaging in strenuous exercise like running or weight-lifting can also have a calming effect. Finally, hobbies, even video games, as long as they are used in moderation, can be fun and helpful for relaxation and de-stressing.

If these methods don't work, it may be helpful to talk to a guidance counselor at school to discuss other coping strategies.

A: Facebook and MySpace have become very popular in recent years. However, that doesn't mean you must have one. Understanding your reasons for not wanting to be a part of these networks is the key to fighting off peer pressure. If you can put these reasons into words, you can express it to those who are pressuring you. Those friends who respect you will also respect your reason for not being a part of MySpace or Facebook, and will stop peer pressuring you.

A: Although it may seem like everyone is smoking marijuana in your school, they are really not. In fact the majority of teens do not smoke marijuana. In 2007, only 16 percent of teens ages 12-17 reported using marijuana in the past month. There are plenty of kids at your school making the smart choice not to use it. It would be a great opportunity for you to build friendships by seeking these kids out. You will find a lot of people your age who aren't using drugs and are doing well in sports, academics, and other areas of life. Spending time with these kinds of people, being a part of these groups, and saying "no" and meaning it will keep you strong in your conviction.

A: Many factors can contribute to a person becoming depressed, and alcohol or drug use are two factors that do make depression more likely to occur. Many people have the wrong impression and think that alcohol is a stimulant, but it is actually a powerful depressant. Depressed people often use alcohol to try to feel better or fit in socially, but this "self-medication" results in the opposite effect ? greater depression. What is known about marijuana is that use, particularly frequent use, causes memory and learning problems, distorted perception, difficulty thinking and solving problems, and a loss of motivation. Chronic pot smoking has been associated with depression, anxiety, and personality changes.

You should feel very good about having made the important choice to stop smoking pot and drinking. Now you can think more clearly about the potential causes of your mood swings and depression, and what to do about them. The teenage years are one of the prime times when depression is common, particularly for girls. Although feeling sad or "blue" can happen fairly often to teens, it is important to recognize when depressive moods are increasing and starting to interfere with daily life, relationships, and responsibilities. It is important that you have a support system, usually with your friends and family, to help you continue to avoid drug and alcohol use, but also to help you decide if you need to seek professional help to get through this low point in your life.