Alcohol and drugs

The use and misuse of alcohol and other drugs is one of the more controversial issues in our society, and often a source of conflict between generations and between sections of society.

Worried about drink or drugs?

It's not the purpose of this page to tell people how to behave, or to seek to label them as alcohol or drug abusers. Alcohol and other drugs are powerful substances with a potential to harm users or to tempt them into over-indulgence, so it is important to take care of yourself when considering using them and to avoid taking any risks which you might regret later. What is seen as risky behaviour by one group is accepted as normal by another.

If you are wondering about your drink or drug use and want to keep yourself safe, ask yourself honestly how many of the following apply to you?

• Have you ever used drink or drugs to escape from a problem which you might be able to solve if you faced it? Boyfriend or girlfriend dumped you, exam pressure, parents nagging, shyness?
• Have you used drink or drugs to feel confident or happy, but the effect was borrowed time?
• After drinking or using drugs have you felt depressed, anxious or even suffered a loss of reality?
• When you used drink or drugs did you feel skint, did you spend more than you intended?
• Have you ever got into trouble with your parents/carers or the police as a result of drink or drugs, coming home late, missing school, causing damage to property when under the influence?
• After drinking, have you ended up bruised for no reason, can't remember how you got home, not sure if you had sex, been worried you're pregnant, concerned you have got a sexually transmitted disease, think you might have upset someone, said too much?
• Whilst drinking, did you feel more argumentative, unable to control your emotions, unable to say no to unwanted sexual advances?
• When you were out drinking did someone else seem more argumentative, pick a fight with you for no real reason?
• When out with friends doing drugs or drinking together, have you accepted a lift from someone who was off their head?
• Have you ever woken up somewhere and can't remember how you got there, or not even sure where you were?
• The next morning do you feel terrible; headache, very thirsty, nauseous, not quite able to function as you would normally?
• Have you taken something and not known what it was or what it would do to you?

All these things might not happen to everybody. You may be lucky and avoid any serious mishaps. However, all these consequences are seen routinely enough to know that it's best to check the facts and keep yourself safe.

Time to find out more about what drink and drugs do to you?

Maybe it's time to know more about what drink and drugs do to you?

Check out the external links.

Need help in North Yorkshire:

• Selby: Compass - www.compass-uk.org/
• Hambleton Richmond: HARCAS - www.harcas.ik.com/ - for more information see download. 
• Harrogate and Craven: www.coda-craven.org/
• Scarborough: Cambridge Centre - www.cambridgecentre.org.uk or email info@cambridgecentre.org