Drugs and alcohol
Drugs and alcohol can change the way you behave and how you feel. You might want to use them because your friends are doing it, because you want to forget problems you are experiencing, or because it seems exciting/relieves boredom. Sometimes you could be forced or pressured into using drugs or alcohol. Whatever the reason, you should always be aware of the risks involved, what could happen to you and how to get support.
Drugs and alcohol are linked to most forms of exploitation. They can be addictive, so criminals will use them to encourage young people into illegal activity. Drugs and alcohol can also affect your ability to make safe choices, so by using them this could increase the risk of you being exploited and harmed.
People might offer you drugs and alcohol as a way of convincing you to do things for them. If you carry drugs for a group or gang, they might arrange for you to be robbed, so that you have a drug debt to them and you have to work more to pay it off. It is also in their interests to get you to use drugs – you could become reliant and involved in exploitative activities, so that you are given more drugs.
Drugs and alcohol can impact your ability to consent. Sexual activity without consent is abuse.
What are the signs?
It can be tempting to experiment with drugs and alcohol, but you should always look out for signs that someone might be trying to exploit you. These might include:
- Being offered free drugs and alcohol
- Being pressured into using drugs or alcohol
- Being told that you have a debt to pay off because you have been given drugs and alcohol before
- Being asked to do something in return for drugs or alcohol, such as delivering a package, looking after a weapon or sexual activity
You might notice some changes in your behaviour or appearance, such as:
- Mood swings, becoming angry or anxious
- Feeling unwell, dizzy or out of control
- Unable to make safe choices or decisions
- Having problems with schoolwork or being absent from school
- Keeping secrets about what you are doing and where you are going
- Spending time with new friends, who might be older than you and ignoring old friends
- Smelling of alcohol
- Red eyes and tiredness
- Losing interest in hobbies and activities
- Changes in personal appearance/neglecting self care
What could happen to me?
Using drugs and alcohol can change your behaviour and make you more willing to take risks. You could find yourself into a dangerous situation or do something you regret, such as having a fight, or having unprotected sex, or sex you wouldn’t normally want to have if you hadn’t taken anything. Unprotected sex could put you at risk of sexually transmitted infections or an unplanned pregnancy.
Drugs aren’t free and you can find yourself in debt to a dealer, or having to do something illegal or exploitative to pay for drugs – you could also face violence and threats if you are in debt.
Another danger with drugs is that you don’t know what you are taking, they can vary in potency and they often contain a range of substances, which can cause a range of unwanted effects that could result in an adverse reaction or an overdose that could kill you.
Drugs are illegal and if you are arrested for possession, you could receive a criminal record, which can seriously affect your future such as where you can work and travel.
Using drugs and alcohol can affect your mood and hurt your relationships with people who care about you. It can cause arguments at home and if your friends don’t like what you are doing, you could lose those important friendships.
The teenage years are an important time for your brain to develop and using drugs and alcohol can have a serious negative effect on this, affecting your memory and how you learn. Your mental health can also suffer, causing problems like anxiety and depression.
You should also be aware of spiking, where someone gives you alcohol or drugs without your permission, such as putting something in your drink. Sometimes the drugs that are used can sedate you and make you vulnerable to harm and abuse.
If you think you have been spiked, get yourself somewhere safe, seek emergency medical attention and report to the police.