3. What is Alcohol Abuse?
When drinking causes people to hurt themselves or take unnecessary risks.
4. Am I Too Young To Become An Alcoholic?
A teen can become addicted to alcohol quicker than an adult because the body doesn't fully mature until around the age 21.
5. Is The Nicotine In Tobacco Addictive?
Nicotine dependency is the most common form of drug addiction; nicotine is as addictive as heroin, cocaine, and alcohol.
6. How Does Smoking tobacco Put Young People At Risk?
People who become addicted to illegal drugs usually begin by using nicotine and alcohol. Young smokers are more likely to use other drugs.
7. How Does Smoking Tobacco Affect Your Health Today?
Some affects of smoking – like coughing and shortness of breath – are immediate for even the youngest smoker. Smoking also hurts your performance in any sport or activity. The most harmful effect is the likelihood of a lifelong addiction leading to many serious diseases.
8. Is Spit Tobacco Safer Than Smoking?
Smokeless tobacco can cause gum diseases; tooth loss; and cancer of the mouth, throat, and esophagus and internal organs. All tobacco contains nicotine – which is very addictive.
9. Why Is Driving Under The Influence Of Alcohol Or Other Drugs So Dangerous?
Good reflexes and sound judgment are critical when driving, but drugs impair both.
10. If I have A Problem, Where Can I get Help?
Contact your school counselor, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), or local alcoholism or drug council for information and referral services, or call these numbers for local facilities and/or written materials: National Drug & Alcohol Treatment Service 1-800-662-HELP (4357); National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information 1-800-729-6686.
How Dangerous Are Tobacco, Alcohol, and Marijuana?
They are considered "gateway" drugs because use of them can lead to use of other illegal drugs. They are also dangerous in their own right. Tobacco and alcohol are easily accessible, yet are responsible for more deaths than any other drugs. They seriously harm your health, and can be easily abused, leading to dependency.
Why Do Teens Use Drugs?
Studies show that peer pressure is the most frequent reasons teens try drugs. They may also experiment with drugs to try new experience; state their independence; escape problems; control their weight; or deal with stress, depression, and feelings of low self-esteem.
What Are The Stages of Drug Use?
Stage 1: Experimentation. A person tries drug to experience the effects.
Stage 2: Use. The person seeks drugs because he or she likes the effects.
Stage 3: Abuse. The person has frequent, regular use for the drug.
Stage 4: Addiction. Increasing levels of the drug are needed to feel OK and use is continued in spite of bad consequences.
What Is Chemical Dependency?
When someone needs drugs to feel physically or psychologically "normal," he or she is said to be chemically dependent or "hooked". If the drugs are not available or drugs use is stopped, he or she may suffer serious, dangerous physical symptoms.
What Is Addiction?
When someone continues to use a drug in spite of the fact that the drug is causing problems in his or her daily life (i.e. problems at home, school, with relationships or with the law), he or she is said to be addicted.
What Are The Main Dangers of Drug Use?
Drugs can:
1: cause health problems and become "escapes," causing psychological problems
2: harm relationships, affect your grades and change your outlook on life
3: con tribute to risky behavior leading to accidents, arrests, unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease
4. be addictive and drugs overdoses can kill.
What If I Think I Might Have a Problem?
1. Admit the problem to yourself as soon as you can. If possible, also admit to others in your family or to an adult you can trust so that can help provide you with support.
2. Contact a group that offers treatment and/or moral support. Get List of 800#'s!
HANDLING PEER PRESSURE SUCCESSFULLY
1. Reverse the Pressure: Tell your friends you can't believe they're pressuring you when they know you don't use alcohol, tobacco or other drugs. Pressure them not to pressure you.
2. Prepare Your Answers: "I have a game tomorrow." "It's against the law." "I don't feel like getting in trouble tonight."
3. Dare To Be Different: If you use lose your friends because you choose no to drink (or use tobacco or other drugs), they weren't true friends.
4. Work With Your Parents and Other Adults: Having limits that are set and enforce by your family, school officials, and other trusted adults makes it easier to say "NO" when your peers pressure you.
5. Find New Friends: If your friends continue pressure you, find friends who accept you and respect the healthier choices you are making.
Got more questions? We have more answers!
City of Paterson
Department of Human Services
Paterson Municipal Alliance Prevention Program
125 Ellison Street 1st Floor
Paterson, NJ 07505
Phone: (973) 321-1242 ext. 7
Fax: (973) 321-1224
Or send us e-mail at:jrodriguez@drugfreepaterson.org
