Understanding Teen Substance Use
Why is substance use especially dangerous for teens?
The brain is still developing!
The last part of the brain to develop controls judgement, emotions, impulse control, and decision making. The brain does not fully develop until around age 25!
What is an overdose?
An excessive and dangerous amount of a drug. An overdose is often deadly.
Name some ways that substance use impacts teens' education.
Lower grades, lower attendance, loss of focus, loss of memory.
What is a relapse?
When a person returns to using substances after a period of sobriety.
You are a bad person if you use substances.
False.
What is substance misuse?
The use of illegal substances, or over-the-counter or prescription medications in a way that they are not meant to be used and could be harmful to you or others around you.
What type of drug causes the most overdoses?
Opioids, specifically fentanyl.
Substance use affects a teen's relationships with who and what?
Parents, teachers, friends, significant others, activities and other interests.
Define relapse triggers.
People, places, and things that remind us of our past drug use and cause a desire to use.
Only "hard" drugs are addictive.
Ex. Heroin, cocaine, meth, etc.
False
What are the FOUR most common substances used by teens?
Marijuana, alcohol, prescription/over-the-counter medications, tobacco/vaping
What medication reverses an opioid overdose?
Naloxone (AKA Narcan)
~Call 911 before administering Naloxone!~
Needing to use more and more of a substance to get the same feeling is called building what?
Tolerance.
Define relapse coping skills.
Things to do to keep you from relapse/using drugs.
Can be healthy (playing a game, watching a movie, taking a walk, talking to a supportive person, meditating, etc.)
or unhealthy (binge eating, self harm, avoidance, over-sleeping, etc.)
CBD (cannabidiol) cannot get you high.
True
Name 3 or more situations and conditions that can make teens more likely to try or misuse drugs and alcohol?
Childhood abuse and/or other childhood trauma
Pre-existing mental health conditions (depression, anxiety, ADHD, etc.)
Biological mother used substances during pregnancy, parents do not accept sexuality or gender identity, close relatives have a substance use disorder, lack of parental supervision
Difficulty in school, friends use substances, bullying, lack of friends
Name 3 or more signs of an opioid overdose.
(ex. fentanyl, heroin, meth, morphine)
Blue lips or nails, dizziness and confusion, can't be woken up, choking or snoring sounds, slow or no breathing, difficulty staying awake.
Name 3 or more ways that substances affect behavioral/emotional health.
Can cause anxiety, depression, difficulty regulating mood, anger, and risky behaviors.
Name 3 or more warning signs of a relapse.
Risky behavior, destructive thoughts, neglecting coping skills, withdrawal from healthy habits, return to unhealthy behaviors and environments, dishonesty/deception, mood swings, romanticizing drug/alcohol use, depression, anxiety, isolation
Caffeine can be used to "sober up."
False