|
|
 |
| Are drugs really that bad for you?
|
Yeah, they are. While they might make you feel great at first — like the best thing that's ever happened to you — it doesn't last long. Over time, you'll find that you need more and more to get the same high — and this really increases your risk of addiction, and in some cases, overdose. And even if you never O.D., drugs can ruin your health, force you to drop out of school, lose your friends, and impair your judgment enough that you'll do some really dangerous stuff. You might do things you wouldn't do while sober — like engage in unsafe sex or put other people's lives at risk on the road. Sure, this might all seem fun while you're doing it but it's not so funny when you have an unwanted pregnancy, get injured in a car accident, or have to wait for results from an AIDS test.
Also, drug users can develop psychological problems such as suicidal depression or serious physical problems such as liver damage and brain damage. Of course, there's also the risk of dying from an overdose.
|
| What's the deal? Why can't some people handle drinking and drugs?
Top of Page |
There's just not a perfect answer to this question. Drinking or taking drugs is often a sign of trying to avoid problems: pressure from friends, stress in the family, concerns at school, hassles at work, adults are on their case, feeling different from everyone else in the world. In the beginning drugs can make you feel like you're escaping to something that's easier, something that feels better. But after awhile, escaping becomes harder because, over time, the body needs more and more of a drug to get the high that once came easily. Often, you just end up chasing after the first high. Unfortunately, the more drugs you take, the higher the risk of getting addicted or overdosing.
Other people take drugs or drink as an experiment. They figure it is just part of what you do when you're figuring out your way in the world. Yeah, experimentation is part of growing up — but some experiments can lead to permanent damage. And for people whose families have a history of alcoholism or addiction, experimenting is really risky. Just like heart disease and cancer, substance abuse often runs in families so, for those people, a bit of experimentation could lead to serious dependency in no time at all. But you're not off the hook if substance abuse doesn't run in your family. Addiction is a powerful thing, and it can take hold of anyone at anytime. Basically, if you've got the insatiable craving, you're addicted and it doesn't matter if you've only used once or everyday for months.
The current thinking on addiction is that it is a brain disease that develops after exposure. People are not born addicts (though some are genetically more susceptible to addiction.) But after exposure to a drug, the brain chemistry changes, "a switch is flipped, " and you become an addict. The thing no one knows is how much of a drug it takes to flip the switch in one's brain.
|
| Is there any way for a drug user to get help?
Top of Page |
Definitely — but first, they have to admit they might have a problem. For somebody to avoid developing a real habit, they really have to want it and get ready to do all the work necessary to move on with their life. (It is a myth that a person must "hit rock bottom first" before they can get help. Many people recognize the need to change before they lose everything and are able to recover successfully.) Then they have to reach out for help. It's not impossible to get clean on your own, but it's much easier with support. Fortunately, there are many places out there to help you as you work to overcome your problems.
There are many confidential, self-help organizations that will help out anybody who has a drinking or other drug problem and wants to do something about it. The members of these organizations are recovering alcoholics and addicts, so they understand. New members are encouraged to stay away from alcohol or other drugs "one day at a time."
Where to start? You can contact the National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Routing Service web site at www.health.org/referrals/ or call them at 1-800-729-6686. You can call the Girls and Boys Town National Hotline at 1-800-448-3000, a 24-hour crisis resource and referral line staffed by trained counselors. And, of course, you can always turn to your parents, a school counselor or your family doctor for help and support.
|
| Why is it so hard for alcoholics and drug abusers to ask for help?
Top of Page |
It's tough for most people to believe they have a serious substance abuse problem. It's even harder for them to admit it. After all, nobody likes to admit a weakness. People who have a serious problem with drinking or other drugs might believe they're not using that much and they won't get addicted. They deny the problem to themselves — and to everybody they know, and that becomes almost as big a problem as the drinking or drug use itself. Becoming dependent on alcohol or other drugs makes you want to cut off the people who care about you, and you can end up feeling lonely and afraid — and turning to more alcohol or drugs to make yourself feel better. But, the reality is this: Getting better doesn't work that way. People have to admit that alcohol and/or drugs are messing up their lives.
|
| How can I tell if a friend’s drug use is out of control?
Top of Page |
Since drug users are usually pretty secretive about their dependency it's kind of hard to tell. Watch your friend for any of the following signs, and, if one or more appear, you might want to talk to your friend about getting some help:
- Gets drunk or high on drugs on a regular basis.
- Gets drunk or high alone.
- Lies about things, or about the amount of drugs they are using.
- Avoids you so they can go get drunk or high instead.
- Stops doing stuff that used to be a big part of their life (sports,
homework, or hanging out with friends who don't do drugs).
- Plans drinking or drug use in advance, hides alcohol or drugs,
and uses them when alone.
- Has to drink or use more drugs than ever before to get the same
high.
- Doesn't think they can have fun unless drunk or stoned.
- Has a lot of hangovers.
- Seems withdrawn, depressed, tired, and cares less about
personal grooming and physical appearance.
- Changed eating and sleeping patterns; rapid loss of weight.
- Has difficulty concentrating.
- Red-rimmed eyes or runny nose not related to cold or allergies.
- Pressures other people to drink or use other drugs.
- Takes risks, including sexual risks.
- Has "blackouts" and forgets what they did while under the
influence.
- Feels run-down, hopeless, depressed, or even suicidal.
- Sounds selfish and doesn't care about others.
- Constantly talks about drinking or using other drugs.
- Gets in trouble with the police.
- Drives while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Gets suspended from school for drug-related problems
|
| So what do you do when a friend is abusing drugs?
Top of Page |
If you're worried about your friend's drug problem, you need to learn how you can help before you can actually offer help. Talk with a teacher or guidance counselor you know and trust. If you're worried about breaking your friend's trust, ask the person you go to for help to keep the conversation confidential — you don't even have to tell him your friend's name.
Here are some things to keep in mind when you do finally talk to your friend:
- Make sure the timing is right. Talk to your friend when they're
sober — before school is usually a good time.
- Tell your friend that you really care about them and are very
worried about the direction they're going in.
- Don't accuse your friend of being a drug addict. Just let them
know that things have been a little different lately, you're
worried, and you're there to help.
- Tell your friend what you've seen when they use drugs. Be specific. Let your friend know that the stuff they did scared you and that you want to help.
- Try to watch your tone — don't sound like you pity your friend or like you're mad. Use the same tone of voice the two of you always use with each other.
- Don't be surprised if they get angry. Your friend may say there's nothing wrong and may get mad at you. This isn't unusual — many drug users react this way.
- Find out where help is available. You must follow through if you offer to go with your friend to get help. It's what happens after the conversation ends that will let your friend know that you're really there for them.
- Know that you can make a huge difference by reaching out to help a friend, but that it ultimately is up to your friend to help him or herself succeed. Do not feel it is entirely your
responsibility, or your fault, if things do not turn out as you hope.
|
| OK, so I'm thinking about talking to my friend about his drug use. What's going to happen to our friendship?
Top of Page |
If you step in you might upset your friend, but if you don't do something to help out, your friend could get seriously hurt or even die. When a friend's problems include drug or alcohol abuse, it's worth risking the friendship to save the life. Remember, to be a real friend, you should always have your friend's best interests in mind. Eventually, he or she will realize that your actions were based on genuine concern. And if you pretend that something is not a problem, then you're actually part of the problem. So bite the bullet and say what needs to be said. You won't regret it.
But you also need to take care of yourself. Make sure you talk to someone you trust about your feelings and your friend's problem. Your parents, a teacher, a guidance counselor, or another adult in your life can help you understand and sort out your personal feelings. If you don't feel comfortable talking to somebody you know, join a support group for friends and family of addicts. Again, know that you can make a huge difference by reaching out to help a friend, but that it ultimately is up to your friend to help him or herself succeed. Do not feel it is entirely your responsibility, or your fault, if things do not turn out as you hope.
|
| I'm concerned about my drug and alcohol use and I'm not sure where to turn. There's no way I'm talking to my parents. What should I do?
Top of Page |
Sometimes you may think it seems pointless to talk to parents. You suspect that they'll just react poorly by getting mad, worried — or both. But as hard as it may seem, your parents were your age once. They also had to deal with many questions about drugs. They're not as out of it as they might seem to you at times. Also, your parents might have some ideas that you haven't thought of before. They might have some ideas about figuring out whether you should be concerned about your drug use. And let's face it, hiding stuff from your parents always backfires because more often than not, they find out about your drug use anyway and then there's a huge fight about lying to them and now they can't trust you at all. They'll trust you more if you start the conversation.
|
| How do I talk to my parents about getting help? What should I say?
Top of Page |
One of the hardest things in this world is to live by fear. And remember — our fears are much bigger than what actually happens when we try something new. So challenge yourself — think of talking to your parents as an act of courage, of toughness. Some kids are closer with one parent and not the other so there's no rule that you have to talk to both parents together. Start with one if that feels better to you. Also, you might start with your fear and ask your parent to not be angry with you. You might say, "You know, Mom (or Dad), I want to talk to you about something that's hard to talk about but I'm scared you'll just get mad." See how that introduction feels and then, "I'm wondering if I should be thinking about whether I have a problem with drugs."
|
| Is it possible to talk to my parents about getting help -- without admitting anything about my drugs or alcohol use?
Top of Page |
Sure, it's possible. You may just not be ready to talk to your parents, but you might want to talk to a psychologist about it. You can say to your parents that you need to talk to someone professionally, a therapist, but you are not ready to talk to them about it. You want them to respect that for the moment and that maybe in the future you can talk to them, but you know you need to explore some stuff with a neutral person — someone who will be objective. You need that safety for the moment. You might even ask for just one session with the therapist and see how that goes.
|
| I've tried talking to my parents about my drug and alcohol use but they're rigid about their views and out of touch with what's going on out there. They just won't listen to anything I have to say. Who can I talk to about my real feelings and concerns?
Top of Page |
It's unfortunate that you can't talk to your parents. This usually suggests a serious problem with communication, which must be addressed. But for now, try talking with a school counselor, clergy, family doctor, older relative, or close friend's parent — just make sure it's someone you can relate to. Hopefully, this person will be knowledgeable about the issue and can provide you with accurate information and another point of view. You can also call a teen help hotline and talk (anonymously, if you wish) with a person trained to discuss these matters. Most young people report that they feel much better after finally "spilling their gut" to someone.
|
Call a help hotline or search for a treatment center near you.
|
|