SUBSTANCE ABUSE INFORMATION,
HELP NUMBERS & Helpful
Web Sites
Disclaimer:
Online information found here is made available so that individuals may find
out whether consultation with a counselor or doctor may be helpful. This is a
help site and is not intended to provide treatment, diagnosis, or consultation.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.
Addiction
is a serious illness. Health, finances, relationships, and careers can be
ruined. The abuse of drugs and alcohol is by far the leading cause of
preventable illnesses and premature death in our society. The importance of
substance abuse treatment cannot be overstated, and fortunately many effective
treatments are available. The road to recovery, however, begins with
recognition.*
*ÓLetÕs
Talk Facts About Substance Abuse and AddictionÓ; American Psychiatric
Association, Copyright 2007.
WARNING
SIGNS OF TEENAGE ALCOHOL & DRUG ABUSE**
Physical: Fatigue, repeated health
complaints, red and glazed eyes, and a lasting cough.
Emotional: personality change, sudden mood
changes, irritability, irresponsible behavior, low self-esteem, poor judgment,
depression, and a general lack of interest.
Family: starting arguments, breaking
rules, or withdrawing from the family.
School: decreased interest, negative
attitude, drop in grades, many absences, truancy, and discipline problems.
Social
problems: new
friends who are less interested in standard home and school activities,
problems with the law, and changes to less conventional styles in dress and
music.
Some of
the warning signs listed above can also be signs of other problems.
Parents may recognize signs of trouble and possible abuse of alcohol
and other drugs with their teenager. If you have concerns you may want to
consult a physician to rule out physical causes of the warning signs. This
should often be followed or accompanied by a comprehensive evaluation by a
child and adolescent psychiatrist or mental health professional.
**ÓTeens:
Alcohol & Other DrugsÓ. AACAP.
May 2008.
UNDERAGE
DRINKING Myths vs. Facts***
MYTH Alcohol isnÕt as harmful as other drugs.
FACT Alcohol increases your risk for
many deadly diseases, such as cancer. Drinking too much alcohol too quickly can
lead to alcohol poisoning, which can kill you.
MYTH Drinking is a good way to loosen up at parties.
FACT Drinking is a dumb way to loosen up. It can make you
act silly, say things you shouldnÕt say, and do things you wouldnÕt normally do
(like get into fights or have sex).
MYTH Drinking alcohol will make me cool.
FACT ThereÕs nothing cool about stumbling around, passing
out, or puking on yourself. Drinking alcohol also can cause bad breath and
weight gain.
MYTH All of the other kids drink alcohol. I need to drink
to fit in.
FACT If you really want to fit in, stay sober. Most young
people donÕt drink alcohol. Research shows that more than 70% of youth aged 12
to 20 havenÕt had a drink in the past month.+
MYTH I can sober up quickly by taking a cold shower or
drinking coffee.
FACT On average, it takes 2 to 3 hours for a single drink
to leave the body. Nothing can speed up the process, including drinking coffee,
taking a cold shower, or Òwalking it off.Ó
MYTH Adults drink, so kids should be able to drink too.
FACT A young personÕs brain and body are still growing.
Drinking alcohol can cause learning problems or lead to adult alcoholism.
People who begin drinking by age 15 are 5 times more likely to abuse or become
dependent on alcohol than those who begin drinking after age 20.++
MYTH Beer and wine are safer than liquor.
FACT Alcohol is alcoholÉit can cause you problems no
matter how you consume it. One 12-ounce bottle of beer or a 5-ounce glass of
wine (about a half-cup) has as much alcohol as 1.5-ounce shot of liquor.
Alcopops—sweet drinks laced with malt liquor—often contain more
alcohol than beer.
MYTH I can drink alcohol and not have any problems.
FACT If youÕre under 21, drinking alcohol is a big
problem: ItÕs illegal. If caught, you may have to pay a fine,
perform community service, or take alcohol awareness classes. Kids who drink
also are more likely to get poor grades in school, and are at higher risk for
being a crime victim.
+Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) (2007). 2006 National
Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH).
++SAMHSA.
(2004). The NSDUH Report: Alcohol Dependence or Abuse and Age at First Use.
***SAMHSA.
Underage Drinking Myths vs. Facts.
HELP
NUMBERS
For help or more information
contact any of the following individuals, groups, or agencies:
--Guidance Counselors—
High School
Middle School
Elementary
--Family physician or local/area clinic
--Family
services, social agencies, or clergy
--Check the phone book under Òmental healthÓ,
ÒhealthÓ, Òsocial servicesÓ, ÒhotlinesÓ or ÒphysiciansÓ for phone numbers and
addresses.
An emergency room doctor also can provide temporary
help and can tell you where and how to get further help.
FOR
AFTER HOURS HELP CALL:
24
Hours Daily—Confidential--Free
National Suicide Hotline:
1-800-273-8255
Teen Help Line: 1-800-443-8336
Teen Help Line is not a crisis or ÒhotlineÓ. The line
provides health information & referral services for Iowa teens.
If
you are thinking of harming yourself or know someone who is, tell someone who
can help immediately.
--Call your doctor.
--Call 911 or go to a hospital emergency room to get immediate help or ask a friend or family member to help you do these things.
--Call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline number for the
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
--Make sure you or the suicidal person is not left alone.
Helpful Links for More
Information On Alcohol and Substance Abuse
Scroll
down the page to find web sites about alcohol and substance abuse.
American
Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/teens_alcohol_and_other_drugs
Teens
Health
www.kidshealth.org/teen/drug_alcohol/index.html
Clearinghouse
for Alcohol and Drug Information
http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/facts.aspx?topic=3
Teen
Drug Use: 34 Warning Signs
American
Psychiatric Association (APA)
http://healthyminds.org/factsheets/LTF-SAbuseAddict.pdf
Too
Smart to Start
http://toosmarttostart.samhsa.gov