Resources For Help
There are good online resources that can help, but your teachers, counselors, therapists, friends, church leaders, and school administration care and love you. People are not perfect, but if you reach out for help, someone will reach back!
Anonymous and trusted help can be found at Utah 211. You can call or chat online to get the help you need. Another good resource for any type of crisis is Utah Suicide Prevention.
"Always work hard and never give up on your dreams, because if you quit five minutes before the miracle or the success you are about to have, you would be withholding another person from seeing you overcome that adversity. Your success no matter how small can lead to the success of others in their lives. Don’t ever quit trying, don’t ever give up and keep moving forward."
-- Court McGee
Did You Know?
- One in four youth under age 18 lives in a family where a person abuses alcohol or suffers from alcoholism.
- Young people with alcohol- or drug-addicted parents are four times more likely to become addicted if they choose to drink alcohol or use illegal drugs.
- 50% of all suicides and over 50% of all violent crimes are caused by alcohol and/or drugs.
- Pain killers, tranquilizers and stimulants are the most commonly abused prescription drugs.
- Marijuana, Cocaine, and hallucinogens are the most commonly abused illegal drugs.
- 13 is the average age children experiment with drugs.
- Individuals who begin using drugs as juveniles are at greater risk of becoming addicted compared to those who begin drug use as an adult due to the immaturity of the teenage brain, particularly of that part of the brain that controls impulses.
- Although a number of genes play a role in the development of substance abuse, this is a disease in which other factors more strongly influence its occurrence.
- The younger a person is when they begin using drugs the more likely they are to develop a substance-abuse problem and the more likely they are to relapse into drug abuse when trying to quit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I have a family member with an addiction. What can I do?
A: Millions of youth worry about their parents or siblings drinking too much or using drugs. It’s a big problem that happens in every kind of family. It's important to remember that addiction to alcohol or drugs is a disease. People with this disease often do things that are confusing and hurtful.
It is important to find caring adults who can help you. Talking to them really helps, and it is not being disloyal to your family if you seek help for yourself.
Many schools have assistance programs that offer support groups for students who are living with alcohol or drug abuse in their families. These programs help with problem-solving, and they give you the opportunity to meet other young people who are struggling with the same problems.
Q: How do I know if I'm addicted?
A: If you feel like you have built up a tolerance to a substance and you need a larger dose each time to get the same effects, you may have an addiction. If you're frequently craving a drug or you're no longer using it to have fun or get high, then you have become addicted. If your whole life centers around the need for the drug and you no longer feel like there's a choice, you should reach out for help.
Q: How can I get help?
A: Unfortunately, overcoming addiction is not easy. It will be difficult, but there is hope! It's not a sign of weakness if you need help from a treatment program or therapist. Most people who try to overcome drug or alcohol problems need assistance to be successful. Recovering from addiction is a lifelong process. It will be helpful to surround yourself with people who understand or who have gone through the same experiences you have.
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