Alcohol or other drug problems affect nearly everyone’s lives, directly or indirectly, for different reasons. It is important for young people to know and understand the risks involved when using alcohol or other drugs so that they don’t fall into a cycle of physical or mental dependence, or experience the negative effects of drug abuse, such as addiction, physical illness, overdose, accidents, depression, or even death.

The choice to use alcohol or other drugs is yours---be smart and make the decision for yourself, even if it is different from others’.

Alcohol is a depressant and the most abused drug among all age groups. It affects you mentally and physically---intensifying your feelings and slowing down your heart rate and breathing. It is illegal to drink alcohol if you are under the age of 21.

Marijuana, also known as pot, affects your memory and interferes with your thinking, coordination, feelings, decision making, and ability to learn.

Crack, cocaine, and crystal are stimulants. These drugs are very addictive and extremely harmful to your body---they can cause increased heart rates, heart attacks, and even death.

Look-alike drugs are exactly what they sound like---unidentified substances made to look like drugs.

Nicotine is found in cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and snuff. It is one of the most addictive substances and has been linked to several types of cancer.

Caffeine is an addictive stimulant found in many drinks---soft drinks, coffee, tea, etc. It’s the most popular drug, but overuse can cause health problems such as ulcers, headaches, and high blood pressure.

Prescription drugs are drugs ordered by a doctor to treat a specific condition. These drugs can be helpful when taken properly, but harmful when abused. Do not use drugs prescribed to someone else or not prescribed by a doctor.

Checklist for Alcohol or Drug Use:

The list of questions below can help you determine if your use or someone else's use of alcohol or other drugs is a problem.

Answer YES or NO. Do you or someone you know:

• Drink or use drugs because you have problems? Feel bad?
• Drink or use drugs when you get mad at others?
• Find your grades or work habits are starting to slip?
• Try to drink or use drugs less often and fail?
• Drink or use drugs even when you don't mean to?
• Drink or use drugs in the morning? Before school/ work?
• Think it's cool to pass time by getting drunk or high?
• Have blackouts---large periods of time that you cannot remember.
• Lie about your drinking or use of drugs?
• Get in trouble because of drinking or using drugs?

If you answered YES to ANY of these questions, ASK FOR HELP! To get help or for more information about alcohol or other drugs, contact an agency below.

Alcohol Contacts

Alcoholics Anonymous 713-686-6300 Support groups for teens who need help with their alcohol problem. Call to find out where and when the next meeting is near you.

Bay Area Council on Drugs & Alcohol 281-280-0800 Programs for teens, including alcohol and drug information, and outpatient treatment programs. An on-call counselor is available 24-hours a day.

The Council on Alcohol & Drug Abuse/Houston 713-520-5502 Services are confidential for teens and their families. Offer intervention, evaluation, short-term counseling services, and information and referral about alcohol and other related drugs.

Ft. Bend Regional Council on Alcohol & Drug Abuse 281-261-1370 Education, prevention, intervention, and recovery programs and services available to teens and families affected by the illness of alcoholism, drug addiction, or chemical dependencies.

Palmer Drug Abuse Program (P.D.A.P.) 713-507-5354 Separate self-help groups for adolescents, young adults, and parents. Locations include Spring Branch, Spring, Bellaire, and Oak Forest. Call for more information.