Are Drugs Cool?It's really important to understand that using drugs and alcohol is often portrayed as being harmless in pop culture. You may have watched music videos, seen movies or social media references that make using drugs and alcohol look very appealing. But this portrayal only tells one side of the story. Using drugs and alcohol has become normalized in our society and it is important for you to get the full story before you make life choices.
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Find Someone You TrustIt's important to find someone you feel comfortable with to ask questions. Try to find someone you know who has some good life experience to offer you. This can be anyone from parent, teacher, coach, aunt or uncle. It's important to find someone with some quality long term life experience, which friends your age just haven't been alive long enough to provide.
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Don't Be Afraid to Ask QuestionsFinding a trusted adult (starting by considering your parent) is usually the best place to start.
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Why Bother?Here's why along with some ways to start the conversation.
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Or if That Just Won't Work, Research Some Trusted Places OnlineIf the adult route won't work right now, research some TRUSTED places online. Drugs and alcohol are uncharted territory for most teens, and like anything else in life, it is best to seek guidance and information from people who have experience, and online resources that you think have a lot of integrity. Here's one great online resource for teens and here's another.
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Hmm I Wonder if I Have An Issue With DrugsCommon signs may include a decline in school or work performance, missing or skipping school, loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy, feeling withdrawn or irritable for more than a couple of days, not being able to go long periods of time without using, choosing drugs or alcohol over things that used to be important to you, or feeling the urge to just need to use drugs or alcohol. If you would like to talk with a teen-friendly professional about your questions, please find our resources page. Or, you can text "GA" to 741741 for a confidential youth crisis line that can answer your questions.
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