Is your child taking a performance enhancing drugs?
As American fascination with weight, and performance enhancing drugs continues so as the use of ephedrine (an over the counter drug containing Ephedrine), despite the dangerous side effect.
Many of the users are teens and young adults using the drug to both lose weight and stay awake. Ephedra with caffeine is used for improving energy and it also stimulates the fat burning process. There are side effects including dramatic interference with other drugs that one may be taking currently.

Certain drugs such as Ephedra are contraindicated for people with a history of anxiety or untreated high blood pressure. College students cramming for exams often take Ephedra with caffeine to increase their energy and stay awake at night. The serious side effects are increased heart rate, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), high blood pressure, dry mouth, heartburn and insomnia. Reported adverse cardiovascular and central nervous system events associated with dietary supplements use of this drug.

Behavior can be dramatically affected. Statistics regarding vandalism, property damage and police involvement are only some of the manifestations of substance abuse.

These tragic consequences can be reduced if there is a collective effort on the part of the students, teachers, administrators, counselors, and social workers to be informed by the facts so that the behavior prompting drug use can be addressed.

Zari Alipour, Ph.D.
Making Wise Choices in a Disruptive Age
www.DrZari.com
Zari@DrZari.com
310-849-4680

Dr. Zari is a psychologist for adolescents and adults. She teaches adolescents how to make decisions that are in their best interests and empowers teachers, counselors and parents with the words and accountability tools that reinforce healthy choices.