SUBSTANCE ABUSE
INFORMATION,
HELP NUMBERS & Helpful
Web Sites
Disclaimer: Online information
found here is made available so that individuals may find out whether
consultation with a counselor or doctor may be helpful. This is a help site and
is not intended to provide treatment, diagnosis, or consultation. This
information does not replace the advice of a doctor.
Addiction is a serious illness.
Health, finances, relationships, and careers can be ruined. The abuse of drugs
and alcohol is by far the leading cause of preventable illnesses and premature
death in our society. The importance of substance abuse treatment cannot be
overstated, and fortunately many effective treatments are available. The road to
recovery, however, begins with recognition.*
*”Let’s
Talk Facts About Substance Abuse and Addiction”; American Psychiatric
Association, Copyright 2007.
WARNING SIGNS OF TEENAGE
ALCOHOL & DRUG ABUSE**
Physical: Fatigue, repeated health
complaints, red and glazed eyes, and a lasting cough.
Emotional: personality change, sudden mood
changes, irritability, irresponsible behavior, low self-esteem, poor judgment,
depression, and a general lack of interest.
Family: starting arguments, breaking
rules, or withdrawing from the family.
School: decreased interest, negative
attitude, drop in grades, many absences, truancy, and discipline
problems.
Social
problems: new friends who are less
interested in standard home and school activities, problems with the law, and
changes to less conventional styles in dress and music.
Some of
the warning signs listed above can also be signs of other problems.
Parents may recognize signs of trouble and possible abuse of alcohol
and other drugs with their teenager. If you have concerns you may want to
consult a physician to rule out physical causes of the warning signs. This
should often be followed or accompanied by a comprehensive evaluation by a child
and adolescent psychiatrist or mental health professional.
**”Teens: Alcohol & Other
Drugs”. AACAP. May
2008.
UNDERAGE
DRINKING Myths vs.
Facts***
MYTH Alcohol isn’t as harmful as other
drugs.
FACT Alcohol increases your risk for
many deadly diseases, such as cancer. Drinking too much alcohol too quickly can
lead to alcohol poisoning, which can kill you.
MYTH Drinking is a good way to loosen
up at parties.
FACT Drinking is a dumb way to loosen
up. It can make you act silly, say things you shouldn’t say, and do things you
wouldn’t normally do (like get into fights or have sex).
MYTH Drinking alcohol will make me
cool.
FACT There’s nothing cool about
stumbling around, passing out, or puking on yourself. Drinking alcohol also can
cause bad breath and weight gain.
MYTH All of the other kids drink
alcohol. I need to drink to fit in.
FACT If you really want to fit in, stay
sober. Most young people don’t drink alcohol. Research shows that more than 70%
of youth aged 12 to 20 haven’t had a drink in the past month.+
MYTH I can sober up quickly by taking a
cold shower or drinking coffee.
FACT On average, it takes 2 to 3 hours
for a single drink to leave the body. Nothing can speed up the process,
including drinking coffee, taking a cold shower, or “walking it
off.”
MYTH Adults drink, so kids should be
able to drink too.
FACT A young person’s brain and body
are still growing. Drinking alcohol can cause learning problems or lead to adult
alcoholism. People who begin drinking by age 15 are 5 times more likely to abuse
or become dependent on alcohol than those who begin drinking after age
20.++
MYTH Beer and wine are safer than
liquor.
FACT Alcohol is alcohol…it can
cause you problems no matter how you consume it. One 12-ounce bottle of beer or
a 5-ounce glass of wine (about a half-cup) has as much alcohol as 1.5-ounce shot
of liquor. Alcopops—sweet drinks laced with malt liquor—often contain more
alcohol than beer.
MYTH I can drink alcohol and not have
any problems.
FACT If you’re under 21, drinking
alcohol is a big problem: It’s
illegal. If caught, you may have to
pay a fine, perform community service, or take alcohol awareness classes. Kids
who drink also are more likely to get poor grades in school, and are at higher
risk for being a crime victim.
+Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) (2007). 2006 National Survey on Drug Use
and Health (NSDUH).
++SAMHSA. (2004). The NSDUH
Report: Alcohol Dependence or Abuse and Age at First Use.
***SAMHSA. Underage Drinking
Myths vs. Facts.
HELP
NUMBERS
For help
or more information contact any of the following individuals, groups, or
agencies:
--Guidance Counselors—
| High School | Katie Fistler | 421-4426 (Mason City Alternative School) | |
| Dave Jacobson | 421-4432 (Mason City High School) | ||
| Dusty Rhodes | 421-4432 (Mason City High School) | ||
| Karla Wymore | 421-4432 (Mason City High School) | ||
| Middle School | Sara Bucknam | 421-4423 (Roosevelt Middle School) | |
| Gina Friederich | 421-4420 (John Adams Middle Schoo) | ||
| Elementary | Sarah Despenas | 421-4406 (Harding) or 421-4411 (Jefferson) |
|
| Kay Erland | 421-4408 (Hoover) or 421-4415 (Roosevelt) |
--Family physician or local/area clinic
--Family services, social
agencies, or clergy
--Check the phone book under
“mental health”, “health”, “social services”, “hotlines” or “physicians” for
phone numbers and addresses.
An
emergency room doctor also can provide temporary help and can tell you where and
how to get further help.
FOR
AFTER HOURS HELP CALL:
24
Hours Daily—Confidential--Free
National Suicide
Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
Teen Help Line:
1-800-443-8336
Teen Help Line is not a crisis
or “hotline”. The line provides health information & referral services for
Iowa teens.
If
you are thinking of harming yourself or know someone who is, tell someone who
can help immediately.
--Call your doctor.
--Call 911 or go to a hospital emergency room to get immediate help or ask a friend or family member to help you do these things.
--Call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline number for the
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
--Make sure you or the suicidal person is not left alone.
Helpful Links for More
Information On Alcohol and Substance Abuse
Scroll
down the page to find web sites about alcohol and substance
abuse.
American Academy of Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry
www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/teens_alcohol_and_other_drugs
Teens
Health
www.kidshealth.org/teen/drug_alcohol/index.html
Clearinghouse for Alcohol and
Drug Information
http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/facts.aspx?topic=3
Teen
Drug Use: 34 Warning Signs
American Psychiatric Association
(APA)
http://healthyminds.org/factsheets/LTF-SAbuseAddict.pdf
Too
Smart to Start
http://toosmarttostart.samhsa.gov/