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∙ Alcohol Any medication whether prescription or over the counter, when taken in amounts above the recommended dosage or that are taken for the purposes of getting “high” can be considered illegal and dangerous. Alcohol and tobacco are also considered “drugs”. At some point you may have to decide whether or not to try them. Drugs are chemicals that are taken into the body. They change your moods and sensations and harm your body. They affect your body’s immune system and its ability to fight disease. Most drugs act directly on the brain. They may cause mental disturbances, which reduce your overall ability to function. You can become dependent on drugs. You are physically addicted when your body gets so used to taking it that it craves more. You feel sick and miserable without it. If you use drugs as a crutch, you are psychologically addicted to them. Users need drugs to get them through the day. Alcohol (back to top) Alcohol is the most commonly used drug. It is a depressant. It can cause slowed reactions and slurred speech. It makes you do foolish things. When you drink more alcohol than your body can handle, your body tries to get rid of it by vomiting. Alcohol can cause a hangover, which is usually a headache and fatigue. The only cure for a hangover is time. If you drink a six-pack in an hour, it could take your body six hours to become completely sober. Games that involve “chugging”-drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short time can kill you. You can become addicted to alcohol if you drink too often. Some people become dependent on alcohol-even if they drink small amounts. If there is an alcoholic in your family you are at special risk. Tobacco (back to top) Tobacco contains nicotine, one of the hardest substances to quit using. Smoking causes lung disease, cancer, heart disease and other illnesses. Your smoking not only hurts you, but it also harms the people around you who breathe in your smoke. Chewing tobacco and snuff causes bad breath, bad teeth, and cancer of the mouth. Other Drugs (back to top) Marijuana (“Pot, Weed, Grass”) is by far, the world’s most commonly used illicit drug and far more dangerous than most people realize. Even in small amounts, marijuana can harm your body. Side Effects Of Drug Use (back to top)
Signs of Substance Abuse (back to top) You may not recognize that you or someone you know is a substance abuser. Here are some signs to look for:
If you need help, talk to your parents, your counselor, your school nurse, religious leader, or any adult that you can trust. There are also agencies to assist you. Listed below are a few of these agencies: Alcohol/Substance Abuse Services |
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
