Avoiding Alcohol and Other Drugs

1
Avoiding Alcohol and Other Drugs

• In this lesson, you will Learn About
• How alcohol and drug use poses risks to your
  physical, mental/emotional, and social health.
• Reasons to avoid alcohol and drugs.
• Alternatives to using alcohol and drugs.
• Reasons to say no to alcohol and drugs.

2
Avoiding Alcohol and Other Drugs

• The Vocabulary term in this lesson is
• Assertive.

3
Understanding the Risks

• People who drink alcohol or take other drugs
  expose themselves to serious and deadly physical,
  mental/emotional, and social harm.
• Being aware of the consequences of alcohol and
  drug use can help you
• Stay away from risk situations.
• Make the right decision if you find yourself in a
  risk situation.
• Feel confident about choosing not to use alcohol
  or drugs.

4
Physical Risks

• Negative effects of alcohol and drug use on
  physical health may include
• Short-term effects such as dizziness and vomiting
  
• Long-term effects such as brain damage
• Delayed physical development.
• Increased risk of accidental injuries
• Increased health risks due to impaired judgment

5
Physical Risks (contd.)
Loss of physical coordination
Reduced strength
Difficulty walking, running, dancing, and playing
sports
Low energy levels
Slowed reflexes
Muscle twitches and cramps
Decreased endurance
6
Risks to the Unborn

• Use of alcohol or other drugs by pregnant females
  can result in
• Serious diseases and birth defects in the fetus.
• Delays in development and learning disabilities.
• Addiction to drugs at birth.
• Fetal alcohol syndrome, which causes
  developmental delays and psychological and
  behavioral problems throughout life.

7
Mental/Emotional Risks

• The psychological consequences of substance use
  are very serious
• Drug and alcohol users often feel bad about
  themselves and have trouble relating to others.
• The ability to think and learn is impaired by
  alcohol and drug use.

8
Mental/Emotional Effects
Reduced ambition
Addiction
Suicide
Trouble communicating
Confusion
Depression
Irritability
Lack of concentration
Anger
Poor judgment
Anxiety
Loss of memory
Loss of inhibitions
Inability to solve problems
9
Social Risks

• Drug and alcohol use has many social risks. It
  can cause users to
• Experience mood swings and personality changes.
• Lose control over their behavior, which can
  strain or end relationships.
• Lose interest in family and friends.
• End friendships or lie to cover up their
  addictions.

10
Risks in School

• Teens who use alcohol or other drugs may
• Be late or miss school often.
• Do poorly in school because they are unable to
  pay attention.
• Behave in ways that get them suspended or
  expelled.
• Miss the opportunity to be involved in school
  activities.
• Let down classmates or teammates because of poor
  performance.
• Lose the chance to learn new skills and develop
  their abilities.
• Fail to meet long-term goals.

11
Risks to the Family

• An alcohol or drug-abusing family member may
• Fail to nurture other family members.
• Become violent and hurt other family members.
• Spend time away from home and be moody and
  unpredictable.
• Lie or steal to support the habit.
• Lose his or her job or fail to fulfill other
  responsibilities.

12
Risks with the Law
Anyone who buys, sells, or possesses illegal
substances can face arrest, fines, and a sentence
in a detention center. It is also illegal for
anyone under 21 to buy or possess
alcohol. Adults who sell alcohol to anyone under
21 are also breaking the law. An underage person
who is caught driving while intoxicated will lose
his or her license.
13
Risks with the Law (contd.)

• While under the influence of alcohol or drugs,
  teens may
• Become violent.
• Commit crimes or become victims of crime.
• Risk injury or death because they are unable to
  make responsible decisions.

14
Getting Help

• To get help for yourself or for a friend, or
  family member who has an alcohol or drug problem
• Talk to trusted adults like parents, teachers,
  religious leaders, or counselors.
• If you feel uncomfortable talking to these adults
  about your problems, you can turn to
  organizations that offer counseling and
  treatment.

15
Reasons to Avoid Alcohol and Drugs

• There are many good reasons to avoid alcohol and
  drugs. Remind yourself
• Alcohol and drugs can harm my health.
• I do not show respect for myself if I use alcohol
  or drugs.
• My future means too much to me to ruin it.
• Id rather be in control of what I do.
• Alcohol and drugs can take away my energy.
• Using alcohol or drugs means breaking the law.
• My true friends dont try to convince me to use
  drugs.

16
Alternatives to Substance Use

• Finding healthy ways to spend time is a good way
  to avoid substance use. Here are some ideas
• Join an activity at school.
• Volunteer.
• Participate in any alcohol- and drug-free events
  taking place in the community.

17
Refusing to Use Alcohol and Drugs
Peer pressure is one of the main reasons that
teens use alcohol or drugs. An effective way to
deal with peer pressure is to avoid social
situations where substance use might take
place. When you cannot avoid these situations,
be assertive and use effective refusal skills.
18
Reviewing Terms and Facts

• Define the term assertive.

• Assertive means willing to stand up for yourself
  in a firm but positive way.

19
Reviewing Terms and Facts

• Name five mental/emotional effects of alcohol and
  drug use.

• Anger
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Poor judgment
• Loss of memory
• Loss of inhibitions
• Inability to solve
• problems

• Suicide
• Addiction
• Confusion
• Irritability
• Reduced ambition
• Trouble communicating
• Lack of concentration

20
Thinking Critically

1. How might you be affected if one of your close
   friends developed a substance use problem?

21
Chapter Review
22
Reviewing Terms and Facts

• Medicine that you can get only with a doctors
  written order is a(n)
• __________________.

prescription medicine
23
Reviewing Terms and Facts

• Long-term drinking may cause _______, a disease
  that destroys liver tissue.

cirrhosis
24
Reviewing Terms and Facts

1. Glue, gasoline, and spray paint are examples of
   narcotics.

• True
• False

25
Reviewing Terms and Facts

1. Glue, gasoline, and spray paint are examples of
   narcotics.

• True
• False

26
Reviewing Terms and Facts

1. An injury to the spinal cord can cause paralysis.

• True
• False

27
Reviewing Terms and Facts

1. An injury to the spinal cord can cause paralysis.

• True
• False

28
Reviewing Terms and Facts

1. You can get help for yourself, or for a friend or
   family member who has an alcohol or drug problem,
   from

• A support group
• An alcohol or drug treatment center
• A drug hot line counselor
• All of the above

29
Reviewing Terms and Facts

1. You can get help for yourself, or for a friend or
   family member who has an alcohol or drug problem,
   from

• A support group
• An alcohol or drug treatment center
• A drug hot line counselor
• All of the above

30
Thinking Critically

• Why is alcohol and drug use considered a
  preventable cause of nervous system disorders?

31
Thinking Critically

• How can avoiding alcohol and other drugs support
  a teens decision to abstain from sexual
  activity?

32
Thinking Critically

• Do you think warning labels on alcohol are
  necessary? Explain your answer.

33
Thinking Critically

• Explain the role of immunizations and treatment
  with medicines in disease prevention.

34
Thinking Critically

• What is the most important reason for you to stay
  substance free?