Drugs and alcohol: information for young people
About this leaflet
This is one in a series of leaflets for parents, teachers and
young people entitled Mental Health and Growing Up. The
aims of these leaflets are to provide practical, up-to-date
information about mental health problems (emotional, behavioural
and psychiatric disorders) that can affect children and young
people. This leaflet aims to point out the problems with misusing
drugs and alcohol, and gives you some ideas about how to avoid
falling into doing this.
Introduction
Lots of young people want to know about
drugs and alcohol. However much willpower you have, it is very easy
to end up finding you have a problem. Although you may initially
think that you have your drug or alcohol use `under control', these
things can be very addictive and may soon start to control
you.
Commonly used drugs
People use all sorts of substances, both
legal and illegal. The obviously illegal drugs are things like
cannabis (hash), speed
(amphetamines), ecstasy (E), cocaine and heroin. Many legal
substances are also harmful and addictive - cigarettes, alcohol,
glue, petrol and aerosols. Society's favourite drugs are alcohol
and tobacco, both strongly addictive and misused by millions. A few
medicines, such as tranquillisers, can also be addictive.
What leads to problems with drugs and
alcohol?
- You may worry that if you don't take drugs, you will be
'uncool' and won't fit in.
- Drugs can make you feel good for a while. Just experimenting
with a drug may make you want to try again ... and again.
- You find that taking a particular drug makes you feel
confident, and may help you to face a difficult situation. After a
while, you need the drug to face that situation every time.
- If you are unhappy, stressed, or lonely, you are more likely to
turn to drugs to forget your problems.
- If you find that you're using a drug or alcohol more and more
often, be careful - this is the first step to becoming dependent on
it.
- If you hang out with people who use a lot of drugs, you
probably will too.
Risks and dangers
Using street drugs or alcohol might make you feel good, but
they can damage your health. Here are some of the basic
facts:
- It is dangerous to mix drugs and alcohol. They each may
increase the effects of the other substance, e.g. ecstasy and
alcohol can lead to dehydration (overheating), and cause coma and
death.
- You cannot know for sure what is in the drug you buy. It might
not contain what the dealer says. Some dealers might mix it with
other substances or you may get a higher dose of a drug than you
are used to, which can be fatal.
- Serious infections can be spread by sharing needles or
`equipment', such as HIV and hepatitis.
- Accidents, arguments and fights are more likely after drinking
and drug use.
- Using drugs can lead to serious mental illness such as
psychosis or depression, and to health problems and overdoses.
Signs that you're hooked
- Do you think about drugs or alcohol
everyday?
- Is it hard to say `no' when they are offered?
- Would you drink/take drugs alone?
- Does taking drugs get in the way of the rest of your life?
If the answer to these questions is `yes', you may be
hooked.
The most common sign that you have a drug problem is the
feeling the drug gives you suddenly, it's not a choice that feels
under your control. Soon, you'll find yourself having to take drugs
more and more to get the same effect. Then, you'll find that you
can't cope without it and that you've got a habit , although you'll
find yourself saying `It's not that I need it but ...'
How to get help
There are different ways of getting help.
Think about talking to someone you trust:
- a close friend
- your parents or a family member
- a family friend
- a school nurse
- a social worker
- a teacher/school counsellor
- someone at your place of worship
- a youth counsellor
- your GP or practice nurse, who can refer you on to relevant
services, and will be able to offer you advice and support
- a local drug project. See your local area telephone book or ask
for the address from your health centre
- your local child and adolescent mental health service - this is
a team of skilled professionals, including child psychiatrists,
psychologists, social workers, psychotherapists and specialist
nurses.
References
- Carr, A. (ed.) (2000) 'What Works with
Children and Adolescents?' - A Critical Review of Psychological
Interventions with Children, Adolescents and their Families.
London: Brunner-Routledge.
- Rutter, M. & Taylor, E. (eds) (2002) 'Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry' (4th edn). London: Blackwell.
- Scott, A., Shaw, M. & Joughin, C. (2001) 'Finding the
Evidence' - A Gateway to the Literature in Child and Adolescent
Mental Health (2nd edn). London: Gaskell.
Sources of further information
© [2004] Royal College of
Psychiatrists. This leaflet may be downloaded, printed out,
photocopied and distributed free of charge as long as the Royal
College of Psychiatrists is properly credited and no profit is
gained from its use. Permission to reproduce it in any other way
must be obtained from the Head
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Please note that we are unable to offer advice on individual cases. Please see our FAQ for advice on getting help.
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