Teen drugs of choice have long included alcohol, marijuana and prescriptions, but many of the newest drugs to hit the street are potentially even more dangerous. Not only can they cause
serious health issues or even death, but designer drugs are cheap and easy for teens to get. Consequently, abuse is on the rise. And, since new chemical formulations are continually being created and sold, designer drugs are difficult for the government to regulate. Take a look at what you need to know about three of the most alarming new teen drugs.
Effects of “Meow Meow” Drug Use
It may sound like a cute name, but Meow Meow is the street name for mephedrone, a psychoactive stimulant that is quickly becoming one of the most popular teen drugs. Also known as MCAT, Drone and White Magic, Meow Meow produces effects that are similar to those of cocaine and Ecstasy, but it also provides a thrilling energy and an increased sex drive. These characteristics, along with the fact that Meow Meow is cheap, make this designer drug especially enticing to teens.
Teens under the effects of this drug often experience mood swings, hallucinations and other psychotic effects such as anxiety and paranoia. Meow Meow, available in powder and pill form, can overstimulate the heart and nervous system, and has been implicated in a number of deaths already. This hazardous drug also has been linked to violent behavior.
Risks of Using the Drug Known as Flakka
Of all of the new teen drugs, Flakka, also known as Gravel or Flocka, is considered by many to be one of the most dangerous. Just like Meow Meow, this designer drug is incredibly cheap; teens can buy a dose for about $5 in many parts of the country.
Worse, it’s easy to take, as it can be smoked, snorted or inhaled through an e-cigarette. And, because Flakka can be ground down into sugar-like crystals, it even can be laced into candies like gummy bears. This hallucinogenic designer drug is highly addictive and causes an excited delirium that often leads to extreme paranoia, violent aggression and self-injury. Flakka can also cause metabolic problems that impair kidney function, leading to death as a result of renal failure.
Dangers of NBOMe
An increasing number of teens are experimenting with NBOMe, a hallucinogen that is promised to create a powerful high that surpass that of LSD. It is more potent as well, requiring just micrograms, rather than grams, to feel the effects.
Kids most often snort this designer drug as a powder, but it also sold in liquid form and on blotter papers. NBOMe, also known as Dime, 25C, N-Bomb and DOB, is perhaps the most deadly of the new teen drugs, as just a trace amount can cause seizures, respiratory or cardiac arrest, or even death.
At Havenwood Academy, we have developed a variety of successful treatment strategies for teens struggling with drug use and addiction. Our trained professionals utilize proven intervention techniques to help girls and young women overcome their challenges and go on to live healthy, happy lives. Call us today if you suspect your daughter or another young woman in your care may be abusing these or any other teen drugs.
Think Havenwood Might Be For You?
We encourage any visitors considering placing their daughter in treatment to fill out our online assessment as soon as possible. This two minute form will give our admissions team all the information needed to determine if your daughter is a good fit for our program.
Eric Allred was born and raised in Rigby, Idaho. He grew up on a family farm where he learned the value of work. He graduated from Rigby High School and attended Rick’s College, now known as BYU-Idaho. He received his bachelor’s degree in journalism from Utah State University, received a master’s degree in organizational behavior and human relations from the University of Phoenix and a second master’s degree in marital and family therapy from Phillips Graduate Institute. Eric has been involved in Rotary and was president of a local Rotary Club. He enjoys being with his family and doing outdoor activities such as fly fishing.
Chase was very fortunate to start in this industry as a struggling 17 year old kid looking for a mentor and something to be passionate about. Wilderness therapy was Chase’s first stop in this industry and was truly a transcendental experience for him. Chase has an enormous love for this line of work and the power that it has in creating change in everyone involved. Chase’s biggest belief is the power a mentor, strong, healthy relationships, and accountability can have on anyone, especially youth. Taking a very relational approach to his work, Chase has always been very relatable to the students he works with. Being able to understand and relate to a vast variety of the same struggles as a lot of the students he works with has been able to help him continue to grow, learn, and teach. Chase believes that with great rapport and trust, he can use his experience to continue to coach and train new staff, and has the ability to find those staff with the passion for this industry, and help them grow. His love and passion can be felt the moment you talk with Chase about this industry and he passes that on to others he works with. In his spare time you will find Chase cheering for the Eagles, Yankees, and Mavericks, hanging out with his brother, learning more about Eastern Psychology, and continuing to grow and learn.