Alcohol
Is alcohol a drug?
Yes. A drug is any substance, other than food, that is taken to change the way the body or the mind functions.
Smoking cannabis changes your sense of time and distance. True or false?
TRUE. People who drive after using cannabis can misjudge the speed at which they are driving, and the amount of time required for breaking, increasing the risk of accidents.
Smoking causes most incidents of lung cancer. True or false?
TRUE. Researchers estimate that 80-90% of all lung cancer is smoking-related.
Is playing pool with friends for money considered gambling?
YES. Gambling is defined as "the act of risking money, property or something of value on an activity with an uncertain outcome".
Strict parenting prevents substance use. True or false?
FALSE. Being very strict does not guarantee that teens will stay away from alcohol and drugs. Sometimes, it makes teens more sneaky and reluctant to ask for help.
Is alcohol a depressant or a stimulant?
Alcohol depresses activity in the brain.
Is smoking cannabis less harmful than smoking cigarettes?
NO. Similar to tobacco, smoking cannabis can damage your lungs. Second-hand cannabis smoke contains the same toxins as tobacco smoke.
Nicotine is the main toxic ingredient in cigarettes. True or false?
FALSE. Nicotine is the most addictive ingredient in cigarettes, but it is the other 7000 chemicals in tobacco that cause harm, particularly tar and carbon monoxide, which cause breathing difficulties and cancer.
Some video games contain elements that are similar to gambling. True or false?
TRUE. Some video games are designed to be similar to casino games, motivating players to continue to play by offering rewards, the acquisition of skills, and the chance to gamble using real or virtual money.
If teens use substances, will they eventually grow out of it?
Maybe. Assuming that a teen's substance use is just a phase they'll grow out of is a dangerous gamble. It may be true, or they may develop an addiction that will be difficult for them to recover from.
When a person stops drinking suddenly after prolonged heavy drinking, they can get very sick and even die. True or false?
TRUE. When the body gets used to having alcohol in the system, the person becomes physically dependent on the alcohol to function. If drinking is suddenly stopped, the person experiences withdrawal symptoms, which include nausea, hallucinations, seizures, and even death.
The majority of Alberta teens in grades 7-9 have tried cannabis. True or false?
FALSE. In a study conducted in 2016-17, about 90% of Alberta teens in grades 7-9 had never tried cannabis.
Electronic smoking products (e.g., vaping) are a safe alternative to smoking. True or false?
FALSE. Vaping can lead to nicotine addiction and lung problems, as well as a risk of injury from battery malfunction. The long-term risks of using electronic smoking products are still not known.
If a flipped coin comes up heads 4 times in a row, the next flip will more likely come up tails. True or false?
FALSE. There is no relationship between previous outcomes and the next flip of a coin. The coin is just as likely to come up heads as tails (50-50 chance). People who gamble often feel that they have some control over the outcome, but they don't.
Whether a person develops an addiction to alcohol or drugs depends on their character. True or false?
FALSE. Anyone can develop an addiction to alcohol or drugs. Substance use does not represent someone's character.
If you drink only beer, you won't develop a drinking problem. True or false?
FALSE. The form of alcohol you consume makes no difference. The effect of the pure alcohol contained in all beverages is the same.
Is cannabis addictive?
YES. Regular use of cannabis at an early age increases your chances of becoming addicted to it.
Most Alberta students in grades 7-12 have never tried a cigarette. True or false?
FALSE. 80% of students in grades 7-12 have never tried a cigarette.
It doesn't matter if you lose. If you keep gambling, eventually you'll win your money back. True or false?
It's a fact that over time you will lose more and more money, even if you occasionally win.
Drug or alcohol addiction is a choice. True or false?
FALSE. This is a common misconception. While initial drug/alcohol use may be voluntary, eventually the continued use of substances changes your brain in ways that lead to compulsive, uncontrollable use.
It's okay to binge on alcohol if you only do it once in a while. True or false?
FALSE. Binge drinking (4 or more drinks for women, 5 or more for men) is associated with serious health problems, such as unintended injuries, cancer, and heart disease.
How does cannabis interfere with your learning?
Research suggests that marijuana use during adolescence and early adulthood can damage the part of the brain associated with learning and memory, leading to reduced IQ, poor academic performance, and higher risk of dropping out of high school.
Smoking helps people relieve stress. True or false?
NO. Research shows that smoking increases stress levels overall. The relaxing effect of smoking comes from taking a break, taking a few deep breaths, and from the relief of symptoms (e.g., anxiety, irritability, restlessness) caused by nicotine withdrawal.
What does it mean to have a gambling problem?
you have a gambling problem when you lose control over your gambling. For example, you spend more money than you intend, you spend too much time on gambling, you gamble when you should be doing other things, and you can't stop thinking about gambling.
What are 3 factors that might protect teens against substance use?
Protective factors include high self-esteem, good self-control, resilience, good social support, spirituality, positive role models, parental involvement, social involvement, recognition for positive behavior and achievement, and clear expectations from home, school, and community.