Guidelines for Prevention of Substance Use – Drug Addiction

Giving goo guidelines to your children on matters relating to substance abuse and drugs go along way in shaping their future.

When one has grown to the age where they can on their own will chose to indulge in substance abuse then we can comfortably say that such individuals are able to make positive decisions of stopping the indulgence. Often young people are faced with a number of challenges in life but of all these challenges much as they have some effects on you they can never be any ware close to the effects of experience when one uses alcohol or drugs. The decision you take about alcohol and drugs will influence your health, school performance, your job, career or your relationship and freedom. The effects of alcohol and drug abuse are fatal and life threatening. Because of the seriousness consequences it is important to know that as an individual young or old you first ore yourself the duty of care to be responsible for your own well-being and then to others around you.  When discussing the guidelines for substance abuse prevention and especially in our young ones we must take note of these two very important factors:

• At what age do you first use alcohol and drugs?
• Family history of alcoholism and drug addiction.

Guidelines for Prevention of Substance Use – Age of First Use of Alcohol and Drugs

Indulgence in alcohol consumption and drugs use at attender age when the brain is still developing and has not fully matured will definitely increase your risk of being an addict in the future for alcoholism and drugs. When you begin using drugs or consuming alcohol early say 15 years of age, because of the state of your brain at this time you will be more likely increase your risk to develop alcohol abuse or dependence compared to those making their first taste of the same at the age of 21 or more. This theory has been confirmed by several researches done of late.

Guidelines for Prevention of Substance Use – Family History of Alcoholism or Drug Addiction

Normally the choices individuals make to use alcohol or drugs are often influenced by their surroundings, peer, family and the availability of the drug in question. The moment an individual begins using these substances whether they are illicit or not their risk of developing alcoholism and drug dependence is largely influenced by genetics. It is necessary to note that alcoholism and drug dependence are not moral issues and therefore they are not based on choices or lack of willpower. Plain and simple, some people’s bodies respond to the effects of alcohol and drugs differently.  If you have a family history of alcoholism or addiction, you are four times more likely to develop a problem. 

Therefore as young people it is only necessary that you take measures to protect yourself and reduce the risk of alcohol and drug abuse. The following are some of the guidelines you may use:

Be confidence to Say No – don’t just do thing because the majority is doing it. Chose only to do what is right regardless of what your friend may be encouraging you to do. Be principled and stand with your decision even if you are the only one. If someone is pressuring you to do something that’s not right for you, you have the right to say no, the right not to give a reason why, and the right to just walk away.

Associate with Your Friends but Avoid Negative Peer Pressure – choose your friend very carefully avoiding those that are likely to be of bad influence like the company of smokers and alcohol abusers. It is said that birds of the same feathers flock together. Associate with people whom even if you were to mimic their behaviors there will be no harm or risk of being addicted to drugs.

Make Connections With Your Parents or Other Adults – as you grow up, having people you can rely on, people you can talk to about life, life’s challenges and your decisions about alcohol and drugs is very important. The opportunity to benefit from someone else’s life experiences can help put things in perspective and can be invaluable.

Enjoy Life and Do What You Love but Don’t Add Alcohol and Drugs – Learn how to enjoy the satisfactions of life and the people in your life, without compromising on alcohol or drugs.  Alcohol and drugs can damage who you are, limit your potential and complicate your life.  Whenever you are bored get out and engage in an active in school and community activities such as music, sports, arts or a part-time job.

Follow the Family Rules about Alcohol and Drugs – as you grow up and want to assume more control over your life, having the trust and respect of your parents is very important.  Don’t let alcohol and drugs come between you and your parents. Talking with mom and dad about alcohol and drugs can be very helpful.

Get Educated about Alcohol and Drugs – you cannot rely on the myths and misunderstandings that are out there floating around among your friends and on the internet. Your ability to make the right decisions includes being educated.

Be a Role Model and Set a Positive Example – Don’t forget actions speaks louder than words and your actions will be setting the foundation and direction for your life and where are you heading to.

Plan Ahead – as you make plans for the party or going out with friends you need to plan ahead. You need to protect yourself and be smart. Don’t become a victim of someone else’s alcohol or drug use.  Make sure that there is someone you can call, day or night, no matter what, if you need them and do the same for your friends remember we are pooling together.

Speak Out, Speak Up, Take Control – take responsibility for your life, your health and your safety. Speak freely about what alcohol and drugs are doing to your friends, your community and encourage others to do the same.

Get Help – if you or someone you know is in trouble with alcohol or drugs, look for AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under Doctor Akoury who is an addiction professional of many decades and together with her team of experts she will help you bet better in many natural ways but still focus on Neuroendocrine Restoration (NER) to reinstate normality through realization of the oneness of Spirit, Mind, and Body, Unifying the threesome into ONE and remember you are not alone.

Guidelines for Prevention of Substance Use – Drug Addiction