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Injuries

Health Problems

Effects On The Brain

Behavioral Problems

Birth Defects

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Effects of Drug Abuse and Addiction | Gateway Treatment Centers

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The Effects of Drug Abuse and Addiction can harm the body in a variety of different ways, from health problems to behavioral problems.

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As a young person you are faced with many challenges. However, very few have the potential to affect your life in a more significant way than the decisions you make about alcohol and drugs. The decisions you make about alcohol and drugs will influence your health, your grades, your relationships, your job or career, maybe even your freedom.

So, what can you do to protect yourself and reduce the risk of alcohol and drug problems?

Here are Ten Tips for Prevention--Youth:

Don't Be Afraid to Say No: Sometimes, our fear of negative reaction from our friends, or others we don't even know, keeps us from doing what we know is right. Real simple, it may seem like "everyone is doing it," but they are not. Don't let someone else make your decisions for you. If someone is pressuring you to do something that's not right for you, you have the right to say no, the right not to give a reason why, and the right to just walk away.

Connect With Your Friends and Avoid Negative Peer Pressure: Pay attention to who you are hanging out with. If you are hanging out with a group in which the majority of kids are drinking alcohol or using drugs to get high, you may want to think about making some new friends. You may be headed toward an alcohol and drug problem if you continue to hang around others who routinely drink alcohol, smoke marijuana, abuse prescription drugs or use illegal drugs. You don't have to go along to get along.

Make Connections With Your Parents or Other Adults: As you grow up, having people you can rely on, people you can talk to about life, life's challenges and your decisions about alcohol and drugs is very important. The opportunity to benefit from someone else's life experiences can help put things in perspective and can be invaluable.

Enjoy Life and Do What You Love - Don't Add Alcohol and Drugs: Learn how to enjoy life and the people in your life, without adding alcohol or drugs. Alcohol and drugs can change who you are, limit your potential and complicate your life. Too often, "I'm bored" is just an excuse. Get out and get active in school and community activities such as music, sports, arts or a part-time job. Giving back as a volunteer is a great way to gain perspective on life.

Follow the Family Rules About Alcohol and Drugs: As you grow up and want to assume more control over your life, having the trust and respect of your parents is very important. Don't let alcohol and drugs come between you and your parents. Talking with mom and dad about alcohol and drugs can be very helpful.

Get Educated About Alcohol and Drugs: You cannot rely on the myths and misconceptions that are out there among your friends and on the internet. Your ability to make the right decisions includes getting educated. Visit Learn About Alcohol and Learn About Drugs. And, as you learn, share what you are learning with your friends and your family.

Be a Role Model and Set a Positive Example: Don't forget, what you do is more important than what you say! You are setting the foundation and direction for your life; where are you headed?

Plan Ahead: As you make plans for the party or going out with friends you need to plan ahead. You need to protect yourself and be smart. Don't become a victim of someone else's alcohol or drug use. Make sure that there is someone you can call, day or night, no matter what, if you need them. And, do the same for your friends.

Speak Out/Speak Up/Take Control: Take responsibility for your life, your health and your safety. Speak up about what alcohol and drugs are doing to your friends, your community and encourage others to do the same.

Get help!: If you or someone you know is in trouble with alcohol or drugs, get help. Don't wait. You don't have to be alone.

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As a young person you are faced with many challenges. However, very few have the potential to affect your life in a more significant way than the decisions you make about alcohol and drugs. The decisions you make about alcohol and drugs will influence your health, your grades, your relationships, your job or career, maybe even your freedom.

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               Effects of Substance Abuse

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               Effects of Substance Abuse

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Don’t Be Afraid to Say No

Connect With Your Friends and Avoid Negative Peer Pressure

Make Connections With Your Parents or Other Adults

Enjoy Life and Do What You Love

Follow the Family Rules About Alcohol and Drugs

Get Educated About Alcohol and Drugs

Be a Role Model and Set a Positive Example

Plan Ahead

Speak Out/Speak Up/Take Control

Get help!:  If you or someone you know is in trouble with alcohol or drugs, get help. Don’t wait. You don't have to be alone.

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             Substance Abuse Prevention 

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             Substance Abuse Prevention 

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       Youth Substance Use Disorder Prevention

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       Youth Substance Use Disorder Prevention

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Warning Sign: Behaviors indicating drug abuse

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Warning Sign: Behaviors indicating drug abuse

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Mood changes (temper flare-ups, irritability, defensiveness)

Academic problems (poor attendance, low grades, disciplinary action)

Changing friends and a reluctance to have parents/family get to know the new friends

A "nothing matters" attitude (lack of involvement in former interests, general low energy)

Finding substances (drug or alcohol) in youth’s room or personal effects

Physical or mental changes (memory lapses, poor concentration, lack of coordination, slurred speech, etc.)

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9 out of 10 people who abuse or are addicted to nicotine, alcohol or other drugs began using these substances before they were 18

People who began using addictive substances before age 15 are nearly 7 times likelier to develop a substance problem than those who delay first use until age 21 or older

Every year that substance use is delayed during the period of adolescent brain development, the risk of addiction and substance abuse decreases