Snow Storm It's Just Another Teen Party Drug Or Is It

It was a typical Friday night for Mary and her friends. They were bored, tipsy, and couldn't think of anything to do. So the sixteen-year-old and her companions decided to buy some cocaine. "It started out as experimentation. But the second I tried it, I loved it," recalls Mary, now eighteen. Her use quickly escalated to serious proportions. She did lines before, at, and after school, and even during work. "I was doing an eight ball [a three-and-a-half gram dose about the size of a teaspoon] a day, and up to five grams a day on weekends," she says. And even though Mary wanted to stop, she couldn't give up the habit. Within months, she checked into an intensive rehabilitation center to help her with her addiction.

Cocaine, an illegal and highly addictive stimulant derived from a plant, is nothing new (it's been used since the 1800's), but the age at which teens are using it definitely is. According to fifteen-year-old Alisse, "It's as common now as drinking and smoking. Even when I was in eighth grade, people were doing it." Cole Rucker, the cofounder and CEO of Echo Malibu, a California rehabilitation center for teenagers, agrees: "Nowadays, we treat girls as young as twelve."

One major factor might be the alleged popularity of the drug among celebrities. "People say famous girls do it, which makes it seem acceptable," says sixteen-year-old Eloise, from New Jersey. Adds 20-year-old New York resident Audrey, "Teens think that since IT girls use coke, it'll make them cool, too." This isn't the first time that cocaine has been perceived as glamorous. Cocaine was popular during the seventies and eighties. People used it when they were in social situations because it made them feel like they could talk to anyone.

Other teens cite their growing responsibilities as a trigger for cocaine use. "Some think coke is a good way to relax," says Rucker. In fact, it does just the opposite, causing blood pressure to raise, the heart to beat irregularly, and blood vessels to constrict. Rucker also points to the easy availability of cocaine as part of its appeal. As Cleo, from New York, attests, "I'm seventeen and I could make a phone call now and get any drug I wanted within a half hour."

Because cocaine has a reputation as a "party drug," many teens think it's no big deal-and don't realize how addictive it is. The body can easily develop a tolerance to the drug (causing the user to desire larger and larger quantities). Many teens start out trying it casually, but it becomes the center of their lives. They steal, trade sex, or forfeit relationships just for some white powder.

Health wise, the damage cocaine causes can be devastating. "Users can feel a surge in the heart, bloodstream, and brain," says M. Steven Sager, M.D., medical director of Echo Malibu. "There have been occurrences of people going into cardiac arrest, seizures, and strokes after trying the drug just once." Teens think the damage that can occur to the brain and body may be negligible (since it's not always immediately visible), says Sager, until they witness the repercussions the drug can have on their looks: "Young women come in who have holes in the septum of their noses from chronic use. Some times the cartilage just caves in, resulting in a squashed look."

It may seem obvious, but the best way to protect yourself from addiction is to avoid cocaine altogether. Mary, for her part, wouldn't wish her struggles on anyone: "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, but I'm shocked that it didn't kill me," she says. "I hope people will take my word for it. I'm only eighteen, and I've already been through the hardest years of my life."

Something I told Mary I want to share with you. She told me she has already been through the hardest times of her life. Good, because the fact is she has moved past these past experiences. Today, those past pains do not determine who she is now or what she will accomplish. Mary does see a counselor to talk with about her past addiction and lifestyle. One area of the treatment process for many counselors is constantly focusing on those past events. I personally strongly disagree; however, I would never interfere, with someone's choice.

I simply told Mary, if constantly reminding yourself of pain, hurt, disappointment is making you a stronger person today, then counseling is great. However, I would forgive yourself and not attach anymore-negative thoughts, feelings, and actions to situations in the past, which have absolutely no significance on today, unless you let them. Mary, empower your personal greatness and live a dream-infused life!