It was six feet to the floor. Paula Lowry, 52, of Fairview Heights tumbled off a ladder and landed on her back in a world of hurt. Her doctor gave her the pain reliever oxycodone, a narcotic related to morphine and heroin. He upped the dose when the pain got worse after back surgery. When her pain didn't go away, he raised it again. And again. But she got no relief. Her heart was racing. She was short of breath, in constant pain, and worried. [continues 1343 words]
Can Change Wiring In Head ST. LOUIS - Teenagers who drink, smoke and use drugs can derail their brain development and set themselves up for lifelong addiction. And parents who strictly monitor their teens' behavior are one of the most influential forces preventing kids from using drugs and alcohol. Now that might not sound like news to you, but truth is, until recently most of what science has known about addiction in teenagers has been extrapolated from research in adults. Now, new brain-imaging studies have shown that the teenage brain is a rapidly changing organ and doesn't work the way an adult brain does. Researchers now believe that drugs and alcohol can disrupt that massive renovation of the brain during adolescence, making it more vulnerable to drugs and easier for teens to get addicted. [continues 785 words]
ST. LOUIS - Teenagers who drink, smoke and use drugs can derail their brain development and set themselves up for lifelong addiction. And parents who strictly monitor their teens' behavior are one of the most influential forces preventing kids from using drugs and alcohol. Now that might not sound like news to you. But truth is, until recently most of what science has known about addiction in teenagers has been extrapolated from research in adults. Now, new brain-imaging studies have shown that the teenage brain is a rapidly changing organ and doesn't work the way an adult brain does. Researchers now believe that drugs and alcohol can disrupt that massive renovation of the brain during adolescence, making it more vulnerable to drugs and easier for teens to get addicted. [continues 485 words]
Teenagers who drink, smoke and use drugs can derail their brain development and set themselves up for lifelong addiction. And parents who strictly monitor their teens' behavior are one of the most influential forces preventing kids from using drugs and alcohol. Now that might not sound like news to you. But truth is, until recently most of what science has known about addiction in teenagers has been extrapolated from research in adults. Now, new brain-imaging studies have shown that the teenage brain is a rapidly-changing organ and doesn't work the way an adult brain does. Researchers now believe that drugs and alcohol can disrupt that massive renovation of the brain during adolescence, making it more vulnerable to drugs and easier for teens to get addicted. [continues 1202 words]
