Healthy Coping Strategies
Taking slow breaths, observing your thoughts, body awareness, and repeating words
Meditation
You use substances during school
Your grades, memory, and concentration can suffer
Most teens use drugs or alcohol
Myth
(The belief that everyone is doing it creates peer pressure and misconceptions)
The brain chemical involved in feeling pleasure and reward
Dopamine
(Drugs cause a larger than normal dopamine rush which causes our brains to not feel pleasure in normal activities)
A mental health condition that can cause persistent sadness, loss of interest, and low energy
Depression
Getting sleep, eating well, and limited screen time
Self-care
You vape or smoke regularly
Lungs may become damaged making it harder to breathe normally and do regular activates
You can't get addicted with occasional substance use
Myth
(Occasional use can lead to addiction. Stress, genetics, and mental health can all effect this)
The part of the brain that controls decision making
Prefrontal cortex
(Drugs weakens the control of this)
A condition marked by excessive worry, fear, or nervousness that can interfere with daily life
Anxiety
Professional who helps people manage emotions and stress
Counselor/Therapist
-Asking for help is a sign of strength not weakness
-Anyone can benefit from therapy
You start using substances at a young age
Long term health and addiction at risk
Addiction changes how the brain works
Fact
(Substances can rewire reward, decision-making, and impulse control systems)
A change in brain structure or function caused by repeated substance use
Addiction
Repeated, unwanted thoughts and actions characterize this disorder
OCD
Doing something fun, playing a sport, or learning a new hobby
Creative expression
You are caught using illegal substances
Face fines, legal trouble, and/or permanent record effected
Teens are more vulnerable to addiction than adults
Fact
(Developing brains are more at risk to long term effects)
This can happen when the brain begins to rely on a substance to feel “normal"
Dependence
Building resilience and strong support networks can help manage this naturally
Stress
Trusted group of people (Friends, family, or mentors)
Support System
-Provides emotional support
-Strengthens resilience
- Builds self-esteem
Yourself and others at the risk of an accident and an injury
Vaping releases harmless water vapor
Myth
(Nicotine, metal, and harmful chemicals that damage the lungs are found in vapes)
The need for larger doses of a drug to get the same effect
Tolerance
Taking time to rest and recharge is important to prevent this
Burnout