Recognize The Signs of Substance Abuse
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1. Abandonment of goals and reduction of ambitions.
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2. Gradual withdrawal from school and other activities.
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3. A drop in the quality of schoolwork and a corresponding drop in grades.
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4. Rejection of family standards and values.
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5. Overreaction to criticism from any source.
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6. Increase in minor illnesses.
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7. Erratic mood changes, apathy, and lethargy.
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8. Neglect of personal appearance and hygiene.
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9. Mispresentation of facts—often lying.
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10. Increased secretiveness, especially about friendships and associates, and radical changes in friendship patterns.
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11. Telephone calls at odd hours.
What You Can Do Before There’s A Problem
The best solution is to not drink alcohol at all. You cannot miss something you’ve never had. Knowing all the negative aspects of drinking could be enough to stop any desire to experiment.
If you do decide to drink, there are some guidelines that are suggested:
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1. Don’t drive with someone who is drinking. Be sure there’s a designated driver for the evening.
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2. If you do drink too much, call for a ride home from a trusted friend or parent.
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3. If you’re invited to a party, try and find out who will be there ahead of time. Once you arrive, if you’re not comfortable, leave and don’t feel ashamed.
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4. If you drink alcohol, try and drink slowly. Alternate with soda or juice.
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5. Hang around with friends that you trust that don’t drink excessively. If you have friends that party heavily, see them at other functions where there’s no drinking.
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6. Get involved with the local chapter of SADD (Student’s Against Drunk Driving). They are positive, energetic students who what to help teenagers stay alive and healthy. There’s a chapter in most towns.
Know Yourself
One of the ways to find out your priorities is to complete a Coat of Arms. You can write the answers to the questions, draw the answers, or even act them out. This can be made into a contest as well (based on creativity). The purpose of any Coat of Arms is to answer the questions honestly, and then take a look at your life. If you are not doing what makes you happy and content, then it’s important to figure out how to change some of your lifestyle so you can be satisfied. A Coat of Arms is a way of setting goals (both long range as well as short term). An example might be the following—Question: What’s my greatest success so far. Answer: Trying to complete school and receive a diploma. It will take many short term plans to finally achieve the long term goal of graduation.
When you know yourself (both good and bad traits), it’s easier to set boundaries. If you’re asked to a party and everyone is drinking, and you’re not comfortable, what will you do? If you known your values, you may chose to leave, or you could stay and only have a drink. If you’re not sure of yourself, you may go along with things that aren’t good for you because you feel insecure saying no to your friends.
(figure available in print form)
If There’s A Family Problem With Alcohol
There are many people who can help teenagers if there is a problem with a family member. You can always go to the school counselor, social worker, or a favorite teacher. All towns have counseling centers based on a sliding financial scale.
Look in the phone book under Alanon and Alateen. Both those organizations are free of charge and welcome anyone with a alcohol problem in the home. It is an anonymous fellowship. Any teenage can listen and say nothing until she is comfortable. In the fellowship, she’ll get phone numbers of other kids having similar situations. It helps students realize that they’re not alone.
If you don’t feel that you can talk to anyone in school or Alateen, discuss your home problem with a minister or friend. Most important of all, don’t keep your feelings inside and don’t blame yourself for your parent (or other family members) drinking. You didn’t cause the problem, and you can’t cure it:
Some Healthy Alternatives To Drinking
Do volunteer work. There are many places that need a teenager’s help (secretarial, filing, clerical, children in hospitals, old folks, the handicapped). Helping someone less fortunate makes you feel good about yourself and deepens the sense of gratitude.
Keep your life as balanced as possible—Rest, have fun, eat nutritious meals, and exercise. If your life has harmony, your attitude will stay positive a majority of the time. Drinking and drugging won’t even be considered an option.
Get involved with sports, or a play, or a part-time job. Keep your life active and productive. Have a hobby, read a book, walk the dog, or babysit. Do whatever you like that’s positive and growth producing.
If You Or A Friend Develop A Problem
If you feel you or a friend might have a problem, get help. There are many services available in the New Haven area that are more than willing to help someone who wants to stop drinking, such as free clinics running drug and alcohol programs, hospitals, treatments centers, institutions, mental health centers, Alcoholics Anonymous, schools, and support groups. Many of these are free of charge or based upon a family’s income (sliding scale). The AA hotline is a 24 hour service for anyone with questions or needing help.
To date, the most successful program available to alcoholics is AA, founded more than fifty years ago by Bill Wilson and Doctor Bob. It also is an anonymous program (as is Alateen and Alanon). There are hundreds of free meetings in New Haven weekly. AA doesn’t push anyone into its program since it’s based on the principle of attraction, not promotion. Meetings are listed in the newspaper and anyone is invited to attend.