Teens Who Use Herbals More Likely to Abuse Drugs

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Question:

This is a very interesting article. It brings up some questions however. Why was the title of the article chosen to be "Teens Who Use Herbals More Likely to Abuse Drugs"? Shouldn’t the article have been titled "MD’s Need To Be More Thorough with Teen Patients"? To link the latter half of the article about alternative health care choices and uses to the initial slant of use of "herbals" and abuse of drugs is underhanded and typical of the allopathic propaganda machine. The first part of the article (assumingly peer-reviewed and published) speaks to "herbal products" without indicating whether these were prescribed to them by a physician (i.e., a chiropractic or naturopathic physician) or not. Were these herbal products lumped together with, say, the "packet of vitamins and herbs" sold at gas stations, etc.? Or "herbal weight loss products". Were these therapeutically prescribed or not? The real question should be the use of "feel good" drugs/herbs, whether prescribed by an MD or self-prescribed, has the same outcome of higher likelihood of reaching for illegal drugs later in life. Chiropractic Physicians have always said no to drugs. To lump prescribed therapeutic herbals that are standardized by reputable companies that do third party assays with the crap sold in stores is ridiculous. Right, Mark, well, well, how about that. Same old propaganda, different century. See below specific comments to the article:

THIS IS WHERE THE ARTICLE TAKES A TURN INTO LINKING THE SUPPOSED UNHEALTHY LINK BETWEEN "HERBAL PRODUCTS" LEADING TO DRUG ABUSE AND OTHER UTILIZATIONS OF CAM PROVIDERS (much more common is a visit to a Chiropractor vs. a spiritualist or clergy or, to a certain degree, massage therapist.) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> In a separate 1996 survey of over 7,000 youth under the age of 21, > Yussman and her colleagues found that about 2% of parents reported > arranging a visit to a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) > provider for their child or adolescent. Of these, only 10% shared this > information with their healthcare provider. The most common providers > of CAM were chiropractors, clergy or spiritualists, and massage > therapists. > Using the data, the researchers estimated that about $127 million was > spent on CAM visits within a one-year period, and that $22 million was > spent on remedies. More girls than boys used CAM, and more older teens > than younger teens sought CAM help. Dissatisfaction with their usual > source of care was a predictor of greater CAM use. > In an interview with Reuters Health, Yussman said, "Those children > that are ‘high users’ of conventional care are ‘high users’ of > alternative care. So, they are seeking lots of answers from different > places." > She added, "As a conventional care provider I want to know, I need to > know, what my patients are taking. We want to be able to work > together." > The data show that if both parents use CAM, the adolescent was 47 > times more likely to use CAM than if their parents did not choose such > treatments. > "I think one of the most important points of this study is the impact > that parents’ use of CAM has on their adolescents and children," > Yussman said. > Yussman suggests that teens "try to keep open the lines of > communication with your parents and with all of your sources of > healthcare, including your conventional physician. Let the adults know > what you are using, and how it is affecting you, so physicians can > provide the best source of care possible." > In a third study also conducted by researchers at the University of > Rochester, Heidi Dwyer and colleagues looked at why teens don’t tell > their doctors about the use of herbal remedies. > In this random telephone survey of more than 300 teens aged 14 to 19, > researchers found that about 54% of adolescents said they had used > some form of CAM in the last 6 months. > While 50% told their providers of CAM use if the purpose was for a > specific medical condition, only 21% mentioned it if the purpose was > "to stay healthy." The two most common reasons for not telling their > provider were because they "didn’t think it was a big deal" and "it > didn’t come up in the conversation." > Teens were more likely to tell their doctor about the use of megadoses > of vitamins, visits to a chiropractor or the use of performance > enhancers and were less likely to disclose therapeutic massage, prayer > or faith healing or herbal remedies. > In an interview with Reuters Health, Dwyer said, "It was clear from > their answers that they weren’t specifically being asked about their > CAM use by their physicians, so they didn’t think it was important to > tell them."

The 5-minute history-taking sessions need to be lengthened a bit, I’d say. It’s important to know the attitudes and choices of our teens which takes trust (iow, time). Important message to get out to medics and osteopaths. But to link the dangers of drug abuse to CAM does a great injustice to those who may have benefited from chiropractic care and proper prescription of herbal remedies but are now afraid to do so because of the supposed drug abuse issue. Let’s take a look at Ritalin and such and it’s link to drug abuse, legal or illegal, later in life. Surprising things are beginning to come out of the research community on that issue. > Dwyer stated, "Physicians need to know they should ask, and the > patients need to know they should be asked."

Chiropractic Physicians know they should ask, most of us do, as we ask about all drugs and herbal use/abuse, legal, illegal, or over the counter. What does it mean, "…patients need to know they should be asked"? They need to know to go to a different MD if they are not asked! This type of article just absolutely infuriates me with its covert, fear-based propaganda barely disguised as a useful tool for raising children. You said it, Mark, unbelievable, literally.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’m going to guess that most of the association is accounted for by the > use of ephedra preparations, which are often marketed as "legal <fill in > the name of illegal drug>" or as athletic performance enhancers. It seems > reasonable that those would particularly appeal to kids who are also > likely to abuse "standard" drugs. > I agree with you, Eric. Ephedra & Mahuang are both easy to get & give > many teens the "boost" they think they need for sports participation, > to stay awake while holding a part-time job & keeping up with their > studies, & (usually in the case of girls) to stay slim. > I’ve also spoken with teens who tell me they mega dose on Kava & > Valerian. Whether that’s harmful I can’t be sure, but it seems to be > a sign that the teen is willing to take stuff to change the way they > feel — & alcohol & illicit drugs do that too. It makes perfect sense > that the same kid who’ll take ephedra or kava to alter their moods, > behavior, or performance would also be willing to toss back a few > drinks (usually more than just a few), do some GHB, or take steroids.

I agree with your post since I believe that it is not what the kid abuses, but the fact that they are willing to take something that is nothing more than a chemical to alter their mood or behavior that is the important sign. Parents should be on the alert for this type of behavior and use it as a signal for additional work on drug abuse awareness.

Response:

i don’t see how they can rule out someone who is ‘more likely’ to use drugs due to herbs vs. any that haven’t tried herbs. how many teens were actually honest, do you suppose? and how many teens who are controlled by ultra religious parents are going to answer a survey like this with any amount of honesty? the slant of this post seems to be an attempt to point out that ‘if you use herbs, you will become a drug addict’ which is, of course, ludicrous. besides, it’s common knowledge that the the pharm industry provides us with scads of drug addicts. hey, just look to the first family of FL. not to mention the chemical industry. (paints, glue, etc) herbs should be the least of anyone’s worries when it comes to drug addiction, imho. — The generation of random numbers is too important to be left to chance. Robert R. Coveyou, Oak Ridge National Laboratory We can’t all be heroes because somebody has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by. Will Rogers

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Well, well, well. How about that! > Unbelieveable! > Teens Who Use Herbals More Likely to Abuse Drugs > Mon Mar 11, 5:31 PM ET > By Esther Csapo Rastegari > BOSTON (Reuters Health) – High school students who use herbal products > may also be more likely to use cigarettes, alcohol and illicit drugs, > researchers reported at the Society for Adolescent Medicine annual > meeting here. > "Kids who used an herbal product were almost six times as likely to > use cocaine, almost seven times as likely to use methamphetamine, > almost nine times as likely to use heroin, and about eight items as > likely to use other illegal drugs," according to Dr. Susan Yussman. > The 1999 survey of a random sample of more than 2,000 high school > students living in Monroe County, New York found that about 29% of > students said they used herbal products to either feel better or > perform better in sports or school. Those students were much more > likely to be using other drugs, said Yussman, of the University of > Rochester School of Medicine in New York. > "From a clinical standpoint, we should definitely be asking our > adolescents what herbal products they are using," Yussman stated. > "This could potentially be a marker for needing…a thorough, in-depth > substance abuse history." > The investigators found that use of herbal products increased from 25% > of freshmen to nearly 30% of seniors and was more common among > Hispanics (33%), whites (31%) and Asians, Native Americans and Pacific > Islanders (29%) than among African Americans (12%). > In a separate 1996 survey of over 7,000 youth under the age of 21, > Yussman and her colleagues found that about 2% of parents reported > arranging a visit to a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) > provider for their child or adolescent. Of these, only 10% shared this > information with their healthcare provider. The most common providers > of CAM were chiropractors, clergy or spiritualists, and massage > therapists. > Using the data, the researchers estimated that about $127 million was > spent on CAM visits within a one-year period, and that $22 million was > spent on remedies. More girls than boys used CAM, and more older teens > than younger teens sought CAM help. Dissatisfaction with their usual > source of care was a predictor of greater CAM use. > In an interview with Reuters Health, Yussman said, "Those children > that are ‘high users’ of conventional care are ‘high users’ of > alternative care. So, they are seeking lots of answers from different > places." > She added, "As a conventional care provider I want to know, I need to > know, what my patients are taking. We want to be able to work > together." > The data show that if both parents use CAM, the adolescent was 47 > times more likely to use CAM than if their parents did not choose such > treatments. > "I think one of the most important points of this study is the impact > that parents’ use of CAM has on their adolescents and children," > Yussman said. > Yussman suggests that teens "try to keep open the lines of > communication with your parents and with all of your sources of > healthcare, including your conventional physician. Let the adults know > what you are using, and how it is affecting you, so physicians can > provide the best source of care possible." > In a third study also conducted by researchers at the University of > Rochester, Heidi Dwyer and colleagues looked at why teens don’t tell > their doctors about the use of herbal remedies. > In this random telephone survey of more than 300 teens aged 14 to 19, > researchers found that about 54% of adolescents said they had used > some form of CAM in the last 6 months. > While 50% told their providers of CAM use if the purpose was for a > specific medical condition, only 21% mentioned it if the purpose was > "to stay healthy." The two most common reasons for not telling their > provider were because they "didn’t think it was a big deal" and "it > didn’t come up in the conversation." > Teens were more likely to tell their doctor about the use of megadoses > of vitamins, visits to a chiropractor or the use of performance > enhancers and were less likely to disclose therapeutic massage, prayer > or faith healing or herbal remedies. > In an interview with Reuters Health, Dwyer said, "It was clear from > their answers that they weren’t specifically being asked about their > CAM use by their physicians, so they didn’t think it was important to > tell them." > Dwyer stated, "Physicians need to know they should ask, and the > patients need to know they should be asked."

Response:

The term is from the article. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->What is an "herbal?" That is an adjective, not a noun! Perhaps you meant >"herb". Or are you just…. >…nevermind…. > Well, well, well. How about that! > Unbelieveable! > Teens Who Use Herbals More Likely to Abuse Drugs > Mon Mar 11, 5:31 PM ET > By Esther Csapo Rastegari > BOSTON (Reuters Health) – High school students who use herbal products > may also be more likely to use cigarettes, alcohol and illicit drugs, > researchers reported at the Society for Adolescent Medicine annual > meeting here. > "Kids who used an herbal product were almost six times as likely to > use cocaine, almost seven times as likely to use methamphetamine, > almost nine times as likely to use heroin, and about eight items as > likely to use other illegal drugs," according to Dr. Susan Yussman. > The 1999 survey of a random sample of more than 2,000 high school > students living in Monroe County, New York found that about 29% of > students said they used herbal products to either feel better or > perform better in sports or school. Those students were much more > likely to be using other drugs, said Yussman, of the University of > Rochester School of Medicine in New York. > "From a clinical standpoint, we should definitely be asking our > adolescents what herbal products they are using," Yussman stated. > "This could potentially be a marker for needing…a thorough, in-depth > substance abuse history." > The investigators found that use of herbal products increased from 25% > of freshmen to nearly 30% of seniors and was more common among > Hispanics (33%), whites (31%) and Asians, Native Americans and Pacific > Islanders (29%) than among African Americans (12%). > In a separate 1996 survey of over 7,000 youth under the age of 21, > Yussman and her colleagues found that about 2% of parents reported > arranging a visit to a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) > provider for their child or adolescent. Of these, only 10% shared this > information with their healthcare provider. The most common providers > of CAM were chiropractors, clergy or spiritualists, and massage > therapists. > Using the data, the researchers estimated that about $127 million was > spent on CAM visits within a one-year period, and that $22 million was > spent on remedies. More girls than boys used CAM, and more older teens > than younger teens sought CAM help. Dissatisfaction with their usual > source of care was a predictor of greater CAM use. > In an interview with Reuters Health, Yussman said, "Those children > that are ‘high users’ of conventional care are ‘high users’ of > alternative care. So, they are seeking lots of answers from different > places." > She added, "As a conventional care provider I want to know, I need to > know, what my patients are taking. We want to be able to work > together." > The data show that if both parents use CAM, the adolescent was 47 > times more likely to use CAM than if their parents did not choose such > treatments. > "I think one of the most important points of this study is the impact > that parents’ use of CAM has on their adolescents and children," > Yussman said. > Yussman suggests that teens "try to keep open the lines of > communication with your parents and with all of your sources of > healthcare, including your conventional physician. Let the adults know > what you are using, and how it is affecting you, so physicians can > provide the best source of care possible." > In a third study also conducted by researchers at the University of > Rochester, Heidi Dwyer and colleagues looked at why teens don’t tell > their doctors about the use of herbal remedies. > In this random telephone survey of more than 300 teens aged 14 to 19, > researchers found that about 54% of adolescents said they had used > some form of CAM in the last 6 months. > While 50% told their providers of CAM use if the purpose was for a > specific medical condition, only 21% mentioned it if the purpose was > "to stay healthy." The two most common reasons for not telling their > provider were because they "didn’t think it was a big deal" and "it > didn’t come up in the conversation." > Teens were more likely to tell their doctor about the use of megadoses > of vitamins, visits to a chiropractor or the use of performance > enhancers and were less likely to disclose therapeutic massage, prayer > or faith healing or herbal remedies. > In an interview with Reuters Health, Dwyer said, "It was clear from > their answers that they weren’t specifically being asked about their > CAM use by their physicians, so they didn’t think it was important to > tell them." > Dwyer stated, "Physicians need to know they should ask, and the > patients need to know they should be asked."

Response:

> I’m going to guess that most of the association is accounted for by the > use of ephedra preparations, which are often marketed as "legal <fill in > the name of illegal drug>" or as athletic performance enhancers. It seems > reasonable that those would particularly appeal to kids who are also > likely to abuse "standard" drugs.

I agree with you, Eric. Ephedra & Mahuang are both easy to get & give many teens the "boost" they think they need for sports participation, to stay awake while holding a part-time job & keeping up with their studies, & (usually in the case of girls) to stay slim. I’ve also spoken with teens who tell me they mega dose on Kava & Valerian. Whether that’s harmful I can’t be sure, but it seems to be a sign that the teen is willing to take stuff to change the way they feel — & alcohol & illicit drugs do that too. It makes perfect sense that the same kid who’ll take ephedra or kava to alter their moods, behavior, or performance would also be willing to toss back a few drinks (usually more than just a few), do some GHB, or take steroids. Michele

Response:

I’m going to guess that most of the association is accounted for by the use of ephedra preparations, which are often marketed as "legal <fill in the name of illegal drug>" or as athletic performance enhancers. It seems reasonable that those would particularly appeal to kids who are also likely to abuse "standard" drugs.

Response:

What is an "herbal?" That is an adjective, not a noun! Perhaps you meant "herb". Or are you just…. …nevermind….

Response:

Well, well, well. How about that! Unbelieveable! Teens Who Use Herbals More Likely to Abuse Drugs Mon Mar 11, 5:31 PM ET By Esther Csapo Rastegari BOSTON (Reuters Health) – High school students who use herbal products may also be more likely to use cigarettes, alcohol and illicit drugs, researchers reported at the Society for Adolescent Medicine annual meeting here. "Kids who used an herbal product were almost six times as likely to use cocaine, almost seven times as likely to use methamphetamine, almost nine times as likely to use heroin, and about eight items as likely to use other illegal drugs," according to Dr. Susan Yussman. The 1999 survey of a random sample of more than 2,000 high school students living in Monroe County, New York found that about 29% of students said they used herbal products to either feel better or perform better in sports or school. Those students were much more likely to be using other drugs, said Yussman, of the University of Rochester School of Medicine in New York. "From a clinical standpoint, we should definitely be asking our adolescents what herbal products they are using," Yussman stated. "This could potentially be a marker for needing…a thorough, in-depth substance abuse history." The investigators found that use of herbal products increased from 25% of freshmen to nearly 30% of seniors and was more common among Hispanics (33%), whites (31%) and Asians, Native Americans and Pacific Islanders (29%) than among African Americans (12%). In a separate 1996 survey of over 7,000 youth under the age of 21, Yussman and her colleagues found that about 2% of parents reported arranging a visit to a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) provider for their child or adolescent. Of these, only 10% shared this information with their healthcare provider. The most common providers of CAM were chiropractors, clergy or spiritualists, and massage therapists. Using the data, the researchers estimated that about $127 million was spent on CAM visits within a one-year period, and that $22 million was spent on remedies. More girls than boys used CAM, and more older teens than younger teens sought CAM help. Dissatisfaction with their usual source of care was a predictor of greater CAM use. In an interview with Reuters Health, Yussman said, "Those children that are ‘high users’ of conventional care are ‘high users’ of alternative care. So, they are seeking lots of answers from different places." She added, "As a conventional care provider I want to know, I need to know, what my patients are taking. We want to be able to work together." The data show that if both parents use CAM, the adolescent was 47 times more likely to use CAM than if their parents did not choose such treatments. "I think one of the most important points of this study is the impact that parents’ use of CAM has on their adolescents and children," Yussman said. Yussman suggests that teens "try to keep open the lines of communication with your parents and with all of your sources of healthcare, including your conventional physician. Let the adults know what you are using, and how it is affecting you, so physicians can provide the best source of care possible." In a third study also conducted by researchers at the University of Rochester, Heidi Dwyer and colleagues looked at why teens don’t tell their doctors about the use of herbal remedies. In this random telephone survey of more than 300 teens aged 14 to 19, researchers found that about 54% of adolescents said they had used some form of CAM in the last 6 months. While 50% told their providers of CAM use if the purpose was for a specific medical condition, only 21% mentioned it if the purpose was "to stay healthy." The two most common reasons for not telling their provider were because they "didn’t think it was a big deal" and "it didn’t come up in the conversation." Teens were more likely to tell their doctor about the use of megadoses of vitamins, visits to a chiropractor or the use of performance enhancers and were less likely to disclose therapeutic massage, prayer or faith healing or herbal remedies. In an interview with Reuters Health, Dwyer said, "It was clear from their answers that they weren’t specifically being asked about their CAM use by their physicians, so they didn’t think it was important to tell them." Dwyer stated, "Physicians need to know they should ask, and the patients need to know they should be asked."

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