| Prevention Times |
| “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” ~ Nelson Mandela |
| Contributed By: Melissa Tyrrell Community Coordinator/Educator |
| Herkimer County Prevention Council 61 West Street Ilion NY 13357 Ph: 315-894-8080 Fax:: 315-894-6313 www.herkimercountyprevention.org Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
| Sponsored by Catholic Charities of Herkimer County an Agency of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany |
Past Issues of Prevention Times: Oct 09 Salvia Nov 09 Children of Alcoholics Dec 09 Responsible Partying Jan10 Abuse of Cough Medicine
Feb 10 Inhalants March 10 Problem Gambling April 10 Marijuana May 10 Prom Tips June 10 Parents Who Host
Feb 10 Inhalants March 10 Problem Gambling April 10 Marijuana May 10 Prom Tips June 10 Parents Who Host
| July 2010 Issue 39 |
| Sources: Articlesbase. "Use of Diet Pills by teenagers Increasing." www.articlesbase.com Drug Rehab-Alcohol Treatment. "What Are the Dangers of Diet Pill Abuse?" www.drug-rehabcenter.com Treatment 4 Addiction.com. "About Weight Loss Supplements". www.treatment4addiction.com |
| Diet Pills: Gateway To More Serious Problems |
Diet pills aren’t often associated with addiction but they can be addictive and lead to other health concerns. Most diet pills are classified
as “food supplements” which means they don’t have to be approved by the FDA. They do not have to meet the strict labeling, advertising,
and dosage requirements of FDA approval.
Use of diet pills among young women and teens has been climbing at alarming rates. “Project EAT” (Eating Among Teens) was a study
done by the University of Minnesota. It showed that 27.9% of female teens used very unhealthy weight management methods and 62.7%
used moderately unhealthy weight management methods. Abuse of diet pills, skipping meals, vomiting, or use of laxatives were some of
the methods female teens reported using to lose weight. Girls have reported using diet pills as young as 13 years old.
as “food supplements” which means they don’t have to be approved by the FDA. They do not have to meet the strict labeling, advertising,
and dosage requirements of FDA approval.
Use of diet pills among young women and teens has been climbing at alarming rates. “Project EAT” (Eating Among Teens) was a study
done by the University of Minnesota. It showed that 27.9% of female teens used very unhealthy weight management methods and 62.7%
used moderately unhealthy weight management methods. Abuse of diet pills, skipping meals, vomiting, or use of laxatives were some of
the methods female teens reported using to lose weight. Girls have reported using diet pills as young as 13 years old.
Some diet pills contain powerful stimulants (ex. ephedra *, cascara, guarana, caffeine.) Increases in dosages of diet pills in the hope that
weight will be lost faster can be very dangerous as the stimulants affect the central nervous system which can cause some of these side
effects:
weight will be lost faster can be very dangerous as the stimulants affect the central nervous system which can cause some of these side
effects:
| Other ingredients in many diet pills may cause: Hallucinations Convulsions Seizures Stroke Heart attack Death |
| EPHEDRINE IS ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS INGREDIENTS FOUND IN DIET PILLS. IT HAS BEEN LINKED TO HEART ATTACKS, SEIZURES, AND STROKES. [Banned in 2004] |
MOST DIET PILLS SHOULD NOT BE USED LONGER THAN 3 MONTHS.
CONTINUED USE PAST THREE MONTHS PUTS YOU AT RISK FOR A
RARE LUNG DISEASE CALLED PRIMARY PULMONARY HYPERTENSION (PPH).
WITH IT LIFE EXPECTANCY COULD BE LESS THAN THREE YEARS.
CONTINUED USE PAST THREE MONTHS PUTS YOU AT RISK FOR A
RARE LUNG DISEASE CALLED PRIMARY PULMONARY HYPERTENSION (PPH).
WITH IT LIFE EXPECTANCY COULD BE LESS THAN THREE YEARS.
For some young women diet pills can be the starting point of anorexia. Some diet pills suppress appetite and make the
desire to eat diminish making the transition from “just taking” diet pills to becoming anorexic hard to determine. Abuse of
diet pills can often be hard to detect. Some of the warning signs that someone may be abusing diet pills or has an eating
disorder are…
desire to eat diminish making the transition from “just taking” diet pills to becoming anorexic hard to determine. Abuse of
diet pills can often be hard to detect. Some of the warning signs that someone may be abusing diet pills or has an eating
disorder are…
Most people who have an addiction to diet pills are also facing issues related to their body image. These issues may
include depression, anxiety, trauma, or other factors. A dual diagnosis (offers mental health and substance abuse services)
treatment facility would provide the best chance of successful recovery.
include depression, anxiety, trauma, or other factors. A dual diagnosis (offers mental health and substance abuse services)
treatment facility would provide the best chance of successful recovery.
Increased heart rate Fatigue
Jitteriness Chest pains
Headaches Blurred vision
High blood pressure Breathing problems; shallow breathing
Nausea/Vomiting Palpitations
Anxiety Diarrhea/Irregular bowel movements
Irritability Insomnia
Loss of libido Irregular menstrual cycle
Jitteriness Chest pains
Headaches Blurred vision
High blood pressure Breathing problems; shallow breathing
Nausea/Vomiting Palpitations
Anxiety Diarrhea/Irregular bowel movements
Irritability Insomnia
Loss of libido Irregular menstrual cycle
| CAUTION! |
Signs of unhealthy eating
Poor body image
Rapid weight loss (keeping in mind that teens often experience drastic changes in weight)
Mood swings
Hair loss
Bad breath
Dizzy spells
Increased blood pressure
Poor body image
Rapid weight loss (keeping in mind that teens often experience drastic changes in weight)
Mood swings
Hair loss
Bad breath
Dizzy spells
Increased blood pressure