Teenagers are often uncomfortable discussing sex with their parents, clergy or counselors. Girls who feel unloved will sometimes want a baby, because "someone will love me." Boys who are not doing well in school feel accomplished as a fathers because they see themselves now as adults.

Many teen pregnancies are the result of  unwanted sex which often occurs after drinking beer and other alcoholic drinks and/or taking drugs all of which lower inhibitions.

Here are some interesting statistics. A Kaiser Family Foundation study of US teenagers done in 2005 revealed 29% of teens reported feeling pressure to have sex, 33% of sexually active teens reported "being in a relationship where they felt things were moving too fast sexually", and 24% had "done something sexual they didn’t really want to do".  Other studies have shown that teens often have sex as a result of peer pressure.

Unplanned pregnancies aren't the only results of casual sex. Sexually transmitted diseases are another consequence.

Be your own boss. Don't let anyone pressure you into anything you know won't have good results. Pick your friends carefully. Stick with a crowd that has a healthy attitude.  Want more information. Visit the offices of Planned Parenthood. They have good information and offer you privacy. You can also visit them on line at www.plannedparenthood.org. 

Posted by answersforteens at 5:09 PM EST

Updated: Friday, 17 January 2014 12:01 PM EST

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I want to share the following material with you. After you finish reading it ask yourself, "Am I being protective of myself?" You need to take good care of yourself. If you feel you need medication ask a doctor. Someone else's prescription is probably not the answer to your problems.

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Survey: Many Teens Have Unsupervised Access to Their Prescription Medications by Join Together Staff Filed in Parenting,Prescription Drugs, Research & Youth

A survey of eighth and ninth graders prescribed medication finds 83.4 percent say they have unsupervised access to the drugs at home. This included 73.7 percent who took pain relief, anti-anxiety, stimulant and sedative medication that have the potential for abuse,Science Daily reports.

The online survey and in-person interviews with 230 teens is published in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

"It was surprising to me that parents were not storing medications securely because I expected them to be locked up and for parents to administer the medications,” said lead researcher Paula Ross-Durow, PhD, of the University of Michigan.

She said parents don’t think about their teens’ friends coming into their homes and stealing medications. In addition, teens may give their prescription drugs away, thinking they are helping a friend and not understanding the risk. They also may not realize their friends may sell the drugs.

"It is critical that clinicians educate parents and patients about the importance of proper storage and disposal of medications, particularly those with abuse potential,” the researchers conclude.

Posted by answersforteens at 4:40 PM EST

Updated: Friday, 27 December 2013 4:58 PM EST

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You all know by now how I am always reminding you that alcoholism and addiction in general are hereditary. National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) has a test to help you determine if you are in danger of overdoing alcohol. Basically you should not even be taking a whiff of alcohol. If you want the test scored you can take it at:  

http://www.ncadd.org/index.php/for-youth/self-test-for-teens

However, you and I know that any question answered “yes” here needs serious consideration. Listen to the alarms.

NCADD Self-Test for Teenagers:

Posted by answersforteens at 4:38 PM EST

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The following may sound a little wordy but be patient and pay special attention to the second paragraph:

"The Children’s Hospital Association is offering a webinar tour of the newly launched Speak Now for Kids website at www.speaknowforkids.org. Speak Now for Kids is a nonpartisan online advocacy network designed to help raise public awareness of the unique challenges children and families face in our changing health care system. Advocates are encouraged to: interact with other champions for children’s health care by learning about issues affecting kids’ health; exchange information through an online forum; and take action in support of public policies that benefit kids and families.

 We're parents, grandparents, teachers, nurses, doctors, hospital workers, teens — people like you, who care about how kids' health care affects our future. Join us and become a champion for children's health."

My point here is go to their web site and tell your story. If you feel you have gotten good help let them know. If you feel you have gotten poor help tell your story. You deserve to give your side of the picture. Perhaps you will learn where you can get more help in your neck of the woods with your problems at home. Just do it.

Posted by answersforteens at 6:33 PM EST

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I am updating The Resource Chapter in the book, FOR TEENAGERS LIVING WITH A PARENT WHO ABUSES ALCOHOL/DRUGS. As you know addresses change. New help agencies are born. Some help agencies close down. While doing my research I came across the following new site. I want you all to have it before the new edition comes out. If you ever feel down, blue or need help visit these people.

CTL (Crisis Text Line) helps individuals in crisis by connecting them with a compassionate, trained listener through a toll-free texting service. CTL is available nationwide and 24/7. Text “CTL” to 741741 You can also visit their web site www.crisistextline.org 

Posted by answersforteens at 11:04 PM EDT

Updated: Monday, 7 October 2013 11:15 PM EDT

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Mood:  hug me

It's suicide week but I truly feel being aware of feeling blue, feeling threatened needs to be done year round. If you have a friend, relative or you yourself are feeling down copy, paste this browser into your computer: http://www.youmatter.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/2013/09/11/abbie-walks-and-talks-for-suicide-prevention/

It's important to reach out. If the first person you talk to isn't on your page go to someone else. Lets hear from you.

Posted by answersforteens at 2:20 PM EDT

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September is recovery month. No matter what is going on in your life you can do something for yourself. Join an event in your neck of the woods. Just go to: 

http://www.recoverymonth.gov/Community-Events/Find-An-Event.aspx

You should be able to find something near you. Joining other teens in the same situation will strengthen you, give you new ideas and give you peace.

You may also want to share your story with others. Remember it is all anonymous. Go to:

http://www.recoverymonth.gov/Voices-for-Recovery.aspx

Feel free to write us what you did. 

Posted by answersforteens at 5:26 PM EDT

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Mood:  bright

I have discovered a sweet web site named IN THE ROOMS. It is a place where you can vent your worries and talk to teens with similar worries. Some of you may worry that you have inherited your parent(s)’ addictions. The possibility exists that you may on the other hand say, “Oh, forget it. I am not like my parent.” Yet, you may have replaced your parent(s)’ addiction with another just to think you are different from them. However, addiction is addiction no matter what you use.  If you have no addiction it is still good to let people know what you are going through. You can join any of the meetings and let them know what life is like in your home. It’s all anonymous  so you will not be invading your family’s privacy. No one will know who you are. Go for it.

In the words of In The Rooms: Whether you're in recovery, seeking help from any addiction, family or friend, register for IN THE ROOMS now. You'll get exclusive free access to Daily Meditations, Speaker Tapes and Daily Online Video AA / NA meetings. There are over 240,000 members who are willing to share their experience, strength and hope with YOU.

Posted by answersforteens at 5:04 PM EDT

Updated: Saturday, 31 August 2013 5:09 PM EDT

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I do hope that those of you who read this do not consider yourself a bully. Those of you who are bullied may want to get together with others who are bullied in your school and discuss what you can do to help. Educators are becoming more and more aware of the problem. If you love to write or make movies the item which I just received and am quoting may be of interest to you. Read on:

 2013 NO BULL National Education Conference and Teen Video Awards To be Held August 10th in Los Angeles

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (August 8, 2013) -Celebrities from Movies, Television, Music and Sports will gather alongside national bullying activists on Saturday, August 10th in Los Angeles for the 2013 NO BULL National Education Conference and NO BULL Teen Video Awards.  The awards show will narrow down 15 nominees who wrote and directed short films and Public Service Announcements about the importance of bullying prevention and digital responsibility.  Grown Up's 2 star actor, Nadji Jeter, will host and Brett Ostro, a former producer on the Teen Choice Awards, the Cartoon Network Hall of Game Awards, and Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, will serve as the producer for the annual event. Special guest performers include #1 recording artist Ryan Beatty, Epic Records recording artist Marcus Canty and artist Allan I.

The NO BULL Teen Video Awards is a blend of "Oscars meets the Grammys" where social change starts at the youth level. Awards presented include Best Acting, Best Directing, Best Documentary of the Year, Best Message, Best Visual Effects, Best PSA of the Year and more. Through the magic of filmmaking and the power of peer-to-peer influence, The Great American NO BULL Challenge empowers teens to become leaders by taking action to address a significant issue and need within their daily lives, bullying prevention, campus safety and the importance of being digitally responsible. The NO BULL Challenge is providing the much-needed platform and spark to encourage youth activism to inspire the world's 200 million teenagers to make a difference on one magical evening.

All 15 NO BULL Award Nominees have won an all expense trip to this years' award show, and "Noble" award winners will receive prizes such as a college scholarship for $500, GoPro video cameras, an internship with Emmy award-winning filmmaker Lee Hirsch (BULLY!), trip to the Sundance Film Festival, VIP and backstage access to the 2013 FOX Teen Choice Awards. Past award winners have appeared on The Today Show, The Steve Harvey Show and many other media outlets as well as special youth guests at schools around the country and for Washington DC's National Bullying Prevention Summit, hosted by the federal government.

Materials from the event will be developed for distribution by NO BULL's Education Academy. This includes the campaign's award winning short films, ready-to-use classroom curriculum and assembly programs available at no cost to schools across the country.
Celebrities expected to attend include:
World War Z stars Abigail Hargrove and Fabrizio Guido, Big Time Rush's Kelli Goss, Tucker Albrizzi and Savannah Jayde, Glee's Lauren Potter, actor and DWTS contestant Kyle Massey, Nickelodeon actress Kayla Maisonet, television hosts Joey and Elise Luthman, The Middle actors Brittany Ross and Brock Ciarelli, Man of Steel actress Jadin Gould, MTV's The Wanted Life crew, Hit The Floor actor Jonathan McDaniel, ABC's The Secret Life of The American Teenager actress Camille Winbush, Pretty Little Liars actor Cody Christian, Are We There Yet actor Coy Stewart, Racecar driver Zach Veach, ABC's Family Tools actor Brandon P. Bell, The Awakening star Brandon Tyler Russell, Hannah Montana actress Romi Dames, So You Think You Can Dance's Allison Holker, Step Up Revolution's Stephen "tWitch" Boss, Disney's Crash & Bernstein star Landry Bender, Cartoon Network's Incredible Crew actress Shauna Case, The Twilight Saga's Amadou Ly, Disney Channel A.N.T. Farm star Carlon Jeffery, Nickelodeon Zoey 101 star Christopher Massey, General Hospital's Haley Pullos and Kristen Alderson, Nickelodeon's The Thundermans star Lou Wegner, Olivia star Laci Kay, musician Noah Urrea, X-Factor's Mali Nicole and more.

 

Posted by answersforteens at 8:11 PM EDT

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