Katie Riddle

The entire industry of gambling has undergone a tectonic shift in recent years, as gambling is now legal in 38 states. More people are struggling with problem gambling. Experts warn it triggers the same pathways in the brain as substances can. Ben Yu struggled for years with problem gambling.

Yu is in recovery now. He says some parts of his life are damaged permanently. Katie Riddle, NPR News.

Yu is in recovery now. He says some parts of his life are damaged permanently. Katie Riddle, NPR News.

During the pandemic, many adults started taking stimulants for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The researchers who conducted this study looked at how people are using these drugs in light of this new demand. They underscored that most people do use stimulants safely and effectively and emphasized that it's important to keep them widely available.

During the pandemic, many adults started taking stimulants for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The researchers who conducted this study looked at how people are using these drugs in light of this new demand. They underscored that most people do use stimulants safely and effectively and emphasized that it's important to keep them widely available.

However, they did also find that more than 25% of adults with a prescription reported misuse. That means taking too much of a drug or too often or any other ways their doctor did not prescribe. This kind of behavior is correlated with substance use disorder of other kinds that can be quite dangerous. The researchers called for careful monitoring of people using these drugs. Katie Ruttle, NPR News.

However, they did also find that more than 25% of adults with a prescription reported misuse. That means taking too much of a drug or too often or any other ways their doctor did not prescribe. This kind of behavior is correlated with substance use disorder of other kinds that can be quite dangerous. The researchers called for careful monitoring of people using these drugs. Katie Ruttle, NPR News.

It's not so much time spent watching screens, but what they're watching that can be dangerous for teens. That's why talking to them is important. Mitch Prinstein is chief science officer with the APA.

It's not so much time spent watching screens, but what they're watching that can be dangerous for teens. That's why talking to them is important. Mitch Prinstein is chief science officer with the APA.

Parents don't need to have all the answers, says Prinstein. They just need to stay engaged. Katie Riddle, NPR News.

Parents don't need to have all the answers, says Prinstein. They just need to stay engaged. Katie Riddle, NPR News.

Some of the people most in need of mental health services here are children. Thousands of students are at a crucial point in their recovery and need help processing their traumatic experiences in order to avoid developing post-traumatic stress disorder. Pacovia-Levitt works for the North Carolina schools. She says helping students in a situation like this, there's just not that much precedent.

Some of the people most in need of mental health services here are children. Thousands of students are at a crucial point in their recovery and need help processing their traumatic experiences in order to avoid developing post-traumatic stress disorder. Pacovia-Levitt works for the North Carolina schools. She says helping students in a situation like this, there's just not that much precedent.

Levitt says mountain communities are seeking help and advice from people in coastal North Carolina. That part of the state is more prepared for hurricanes. Katie Riddle, NPR News, Asheville, North Carolina.

Levitt says mountain communities are seeking help and advice from people in coastal North Carolina. That part of the state is more prepared for hurricanes. Katie Riddle, NPR News, Asheville, North Carolina.

But the trade-offs, the ability for our kids to go out the door and play on the grass knowing that there's 20 or 30 other sets of eyes out there that care about them and look after them, you know, that has certain lovely nostalgia that we all as parents, I think, aspire to have for our kids.

But the trade-offs, the ability for our kids to go out the door and play on the grass knowing that there's 20 or 30 other sets of eyes out there that care about them and look after them, you know, that has certain lovely nostalgia that we all as parents, I think, aspire to have for our kids.