ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG ABUSE
Underage Drinking The Dangers, Why Teens Drink, and How to Talk About It
Alateen- A place just for teens affected by someone else’s alcoholism
Drug Abuse and Addiction Warning Signs and Next Steps
Party Drugs Facts, Stats, and Definitions
What is Addiction?
Addiction: a disease involving continued use of a substance despite serious substance-related problems, such as loss of control over use, health problems, or negative social consequences.
Addiction Facts
Addiction is a disease. Addiction causes changes in the brain’s structure and functioning. It is not caused by poor willpower or character flaws.
Addiction can grow slowly and isn’t always easy to see. Many people with addiction continue to function in some parts of their life, but have problems in other areas.
Relapse means returning to regular substance use after a period of sobriety. A lapse, on the other hand, is an isolated incident of use without returning to old patterns of substance use.
Relapses can happen at any point during recovery, which is a lifelong process. Those who are in recovery are at heightened risk during periods of stress.
Physical Effects
Building tolerance: Needing more of the substance to get desired effect
Experiencing withdrawal: physical or psychological symptoms when not using the substance
Social/ Occupational Problems
Not fulfilling major obligations at work or school
Decreasing or giving up social activities
Loss of Control Over Substance Use
Using more of the substance than intended
Difficulty reducing substance use
Significant time spent obtaining, using, or recovering from substance
Risky Use
Using the substance in situations that are physically dangerous
Physical or psychological problems caused by continued substance use
Go Guardian Parent Resource Limit and monitor screen use and internet access
OCHS Rules about Alcohol or Drug Use
