Alcohol
What type of substance is alcohol: a stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogen?
A depressant. It slows down activity in the central nervous system.
What is a trigger?
Something that can cause thoughts, emotions, memories, or urges related to substance use.
What substance in cigarettes and most traditional vaping products causes addiction?
Nicotine
True or False: You can become addicted to nicotine even if you vape instead of smoking cigarettes.
True
What is the main psychoactive chemical in marijuana that produces the "high"?
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).
Name two ways alcohol can affect a person's behavior or thinking.
impaired judgment, slower reaction time, poor decision-making, difficulty concentrating, increased impulsivity, or changes in mood.
Name two types of triggers.
people, places, things, emotions, memories, situations, stress, or certain times of day.
Name two common forms of nicotine use.
cigarettes, cigars, vapes/e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, or smokeless tobacco.
True or False: If someone doesn't use a substance every day, they cannot have a substance use problem.
False. Substance-related problems aren't determined solely by how often someone uses.
Name two things marijuana can affect.
Possible answers: memory, attention, coordination, reaction time, judgment, motivation, mood, or perception.
True or False: Drinking alcohol can make it harder to accurately judge how impaired you are.
True. Alcohol can impair judgment and make someone underestimate how intoxicated they are.
True or False: Having a craving automatically means you are going to relapse.
False. A craving is an urge, not an instruction. People can experience cravings and choose not to act on them.
What is one reason nicotine can be difficult to quit?
Nicotine can cause dependence and cravings, leading the brain and body to become accustomed to having it.
True or False: "Everyone who uses marijuana will become addicted."
False. Not everyone who uses cannabis develops an addiction, but cannabis use can lead to cannabis use disorder or other substance use disorders for some people.
True or False: Because marijuana is a plant, it cannot be addictive.
False. Some people who use cannabis can develop cannabis use disorder and experience cravings or difficulty cutting down.
Someone says, "I only drink on weekends, so I can't have a problem with alcohol." Is this statement necessarily true?
No. The frequency of use alone doesn't determine whether alcohol use is problematic. Amount, loss of control, consequences, cravings, and impact on daily life also matter.
You get into an argument with someone and immediately think, "I need to get high." Name two things you could do instead of using.
Possible answers: leave the situation, call someone supportive, exercise, listen to music, practice grounding, distract yourself, journal, take a walk, use breathing exercises, or attend a recovery meeting.
Someone quits vaping and becomes irritable, restless, and has strong urges to vape. What might they be experiencing?
Nicotine withdrawal and cravings.
True or False: If someone has a craving, they have already failed at recovery.
False. Cravings are common in recovery. Learning how to recognize and manage them is an important recovery skill.
A person uses marijuana before school because they believe it helps them relax. What are some possible problems with using it as their primary way of managing stress?
They may begin relying on marijuana instead of developing healthy coping skills, and it may interfere with attention, memory, motivation, or functioning.
A youth drinks alcohol and gets into an argument, makes an impulsive decision, and later regrets it. What are two ways alcohol may have contributed to the situation?
Alcohol can reduce inhibitions, impair judgment, increase impulsivity, and make it harder to regulate emotions.
Put these steps in the best order:
A. Choose a coping strategy
B. Identify the trigger
C. Notice the craving
D. Decide how you want to respond
Identify the trigger → recognize the craving → choose a coping strategy → decide how to respond.
A youth says, "I vape because it helps me deal with stress." What is one concern with using nicotine as a coping strategy?
It can create a cycle where stress leads to nicotine use, nicotine becomes associated with relief, and cravings or withdrawal can then contribute to continued use.
MYTH OR FACT: "The only way to deal with a craving is to distract yourself until it goes away."
MYTH. Distraction can help, but there are many strategies, including grounding, urge surfing, talking to someone, changing environments, identifying the trigger, relaxation techniques, and challenging thoughts.
Someone says, "Marijuana doesn't affect driving because it isn't alcohol." What is wrong with this statement?
Marijuana can impair reaction time, coordination, attention, judgment, and perception, which can make driving dangerous.