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DRUGS & ALCOHOL
Student Wellbeing Information for young people
Why do people take drugs or alcohol? People start using drugs and alcohol for lots of different reasons. Many people start using them to have fun, or because they are curious and want to experiment. Some people use them to help them feel more confident or less stressed. They might use them at certain times to help them get through difficult times or situations. Some people start taking drugs or drinking to fit in with their friends, or because they are being pressured by someone they know. If you are feeling low or anxious, and are using drugs or alcohol to cope, there are lots of places you can get support. Speak to someone you trust about how you’re feeling. What are drugs? A drug is a substance that causes someone to feel or act differently. Drugs come in lots of different forms and are taken in different ways. Often when we talk about drugs we are referring to illegal drugs like cannabis, cocaine or heroin. However, caffeine, alcohol and nicotine in cigarettes are commonly used drugs, and can be bought in shops legally. Even though tobacco and alcohol are legal, they are still addictive and you can become very dependent on them.
What different drugs are there? Drugs can be split into three categories: Stimulants, which speed up your body’s system – e.g. cocaine or ecstasy Depressants, which slow down your body’s system – e.g. alcohol or heroin and opium- related painkillers (morphine, codeine) Hallucinogens, which cause you to hallucinate – e.g. LSD or magic mushrooms Legal drugs A legal drug is a substance that causes you to feel or act differently, but which is not against the law to buy or sell. For example, alcohol is a drug, but people over 18 can buy and drink it (though it is against the law for adults to buy alcohol for people under 18). Sometimes young people use other legal substances, such as sniffing petrol and glue. It is important to remember that these substances were not designed to be sniffed and can have a dangerous effect on the body. Just because a drug is legal does not make it safe. Sometimes people are prescribed legal drugs by their doctor and then use them inappropriately, for example by taking too many of them. This is still very dangerous, even if the drugs are legal. Some people will also buy drugs that are legal from drug dealers instead of being prescribed them by their doctor. In this case, the drug that they are buying might not be the real drug at all, which creates an added danger. Illegal drugs Illegal drugs are drugs that you are not allowed to make, sell or buy. You can be arrested and face fines or time in prison for doing so. However, if you decide to get help remember that this will be treated as confidential, and will not lead to police involvement. For more information on illegal drugs see the websites further on in this resource.
What does addiction mean? Alcohol and some drugs can change your body chemistry if you use them on a regular basis. This means that it is hard to stop using them, and that doing so causes you to have withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms will be different depending on the kind of drug you are using, but can include things like shaking, sweating, feeling sick and a strong urge to take the drug again. If you use a drug often and find it hard to stop using it or experience withdrawal symptoms when you do, this is called addiction. As well as feeling the physical effects of addiction, you might also find it hard to spend time with friends or to relax without taking drugs or drinking alcohol. You may find yourself becoming more and more preoccupied with taking drugs, spending large amounts of your time thinking about them and less time thinking about other things in your life. You may feel uneasy and unhappy until you take them again. If you feel that you are addicted to alcohol or drugs, there is help available. Nicotine in cigarettes/Vapes can also be very addictive and help is also available to people who want to stop smoking.
There are other types of drugs which used to be called ‘legal highs’ that contain chemicals that produce similar effects to drugs like cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy. They are now called ‘new’ or ‘novel psychoactive substances’, and are illegal to make or supply. They include things like ‘Spice’ and ‘mephedrone’. You can find out more about them on the Drugwise website www.drugwise.org.uk When buying illegal drugs, you are unlikely to know what is actually in them or how strong they are, and could end up taking something very dangerous. When can drugs and alcohol become a problem? Drugs can make you feel good for a while. However, if you use drugs or alcohol to help you cope with a situation or feeling, after a while you may feel you need the drug to face that situation or feeling every time. If you spend lots of time with friends who use drugs and alcohol, you’re more likely to use them too. The more often you use drugs and alcohol, the more likely they are to cause different problems, such as: Psychological problems – taking drugs or drinking alcohol often can affect your concentration and memory. This can affect how you perform at school and your ability to do things you enjoy like reading, watching your favourite TV shows or talking to your friends. Social problems – you may find that you start only spending time with other people who are using drugs, and lose contact with other friends. It can also put a strain on your relationship with your family. Physical problems – depending on what kind of drug you are using, your physical health can be negatively impacted in lots of different ways. Financial problems – drugs and alcohol cost money, and if you are using them often you might find that you start to spend all of your money on them and don’t have money to spend on things you enjoy. Try speaking to someone you trust if you feel like using drugs or if alcohol is causing you problems.
In an emergency If you or someone you know has used drugs or alcohol and is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to your local A&E.
Useful helplines & websites Drugwise Topical, evidence-based and non-judgemental advice on drugs www.drugwise.org.uk Talk to Frank Free confidential drugs information & advice line. 0300 1236600 www.talktofrank.com SDAC 0808 802 5000 www.surreydrugandalcoholcare.org.uk NACOA 08003583456 www.nacoa.org.uk CATCH 22 www.catch-22.org.uk/find-services/surrey- young-peoples-substance-misuse
Mental Health Crisis Line 0800 915 4644 Samaritans
116 123 (Freephone open 24/7) www.samaritans.org
Childline
0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk The Mix (under 25’s) 0808 808 4994 (Mon-Fri 4-11pm) www.themix.org.uk SHOUT 24/7 text service for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere Text: 85258 www.giveusashout.org
NHS self help guides
Student Wellbeing is based in the SAFEGUARDING & WELLBEING HUB which is on the Ground Floor of the North Wing in Room N17 If you are struggling with your wellbeing please drop by and arrange to chat with one of the student wellbeing coaches. Alternatively, you can speak to your tutor who can refer you.
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