Coping Skills
Name 2 things you can do to work through anxiety/worry which does not involve substance use.
Deep Breathing, calling a friend, distracting yourself with something fun, talk to family, draw or do art, lift weights or run, etc.
Who is at risk of becoming addicted to substances
Anyone can become addicted. Addiction impacts people of all races, classes, and social groups.
What is the definition for the word drug?
Anything you put in your body that changes you emotionally, socially, or physically.
This substance has "cultural acceptance" but is still dangerous to your health and to those around you
Alcohol
This is how many teens start use which later lead to addiction
Experimentation
If you find yourself feeling sad or down for a long period of time, what is possible way to help yourself feel better without substances.
Speaking with someone you trust about it, spending some time in nature, journaling about what you are experiencing, hanging out with friends, seeking help from a therapist or counselor, etc..
Name 3 negative effects of substance use?
loss of trust, finances, increased stress, harm to families, health problems, mental health symptoms, fear, confusion, incarceration, poor judgement, failing school, loss of job
Name 3 signs of an opioid overdose.
Slow, shallow, irregular or absent breathing (less than 1 breath every 5 seconds). Unresponsive – can’t be woken up. Unusual snoring, gurgling sounds, or choking. Blue lips or nails, pale cold or clammy skin
This drug has been linked to increased depression, anxiety, and paranoia and could cause psychosis/schizophrenia
Cannabis, Weed, Marijuana
REDUCED effect of a drug after repeated use, possibly indicating the start to physical addiction
Tolerance
What are triggers?
People, places, and things that were associated with use of substances. These triggers managed through use of coping skills
This is what the acronym DWI stands for.
Driving while impaired. This Could be under any substance. Not only is this dangerous for you and those around you, but will cause you major legal issues.
What is naloxone (NARCAN)?
Naloxone is a drug used to reverse the effects of opioid overdose. It is not harmful. It is administered by needle or nasal spray.
This substance cause illusions, delusions, and hallucinations and is illegal to use, posses, and manufacture in California.
Hallucinogens: LSD, Shrooms, MDMA etc.
At this stage someone has a use pattern, or follow a schedule of of use (i.e. Only on the weekend, only after school, only before bed)
Habitual substance use
What do coping skills help us with?
Coping skills help us work through and process our emotions so that we can reduce the effect that stressors have on our lives. They may not instantly make us feel better, but aid us in managing what is happening now so that we can get to a better emotional state in a healthy way.
Name one of the two types of dependence.
Emotional dependence- where you are psychologically addicted to the substance (I.E. mood depends on substance, cravings, using it to cope with life, anxiety if without substance, etc.) Physical dependence- where your body needs the substances to survive and function (i.e. can't stop substance without getting sick or needing more and more substances.)
It only takes 3 grains of salt worth of this drug for it to be lethal and cause an overdose
What is fentanyl?
Not only does this substance put you at risk of overdose and death, but trying to stop using this substance could take a long time and require the use of medication.
Opioids: Prescription pain pills, Heroin,
At this stage, use becomes chronic and frequent despite known negative consequences, which the individual may be in denial about how much substances effect their lives.
Abuse of substances
If you are using substances and they have caused negative situations or consequences. What can help your life now and in the future.
Meeting with a professional behavioral health specialist to help you manage your use (finding new ways to cope, cutting back, making and sticking to new limits, or stopping)
Without help, substance use often leads here
Death
Early drug use can lead to a combination of two things
Substance use disorder and Mental health disorder, also known as co-occurring disorder
This drug causes a 1200% increase of dopamine in the brain, which could cause severe brain damage to the reward center of the brain.
What is methamphetamine?
At this stage, substance use becomes compulsive, and may have cravings for substances. An individual will spend much of their time on or thinking about substances, and may put substances before family, friends, and their own wellbeing.
addiction