Alcohol, smoking & drugs
As a young adult you may come into contact with alcohol, tobacco, solvents and drugs. It’s important that you know the score so you can make wise decisions. What are the effects and risks? What does the law say? What can go wrong? Find out more and get details of local and national support services using the links below.
Alcohol
Smoking
Drugs
Solvents
Alcohol
Many people enjoy a drink and in that way alcohol is widely used and accepted – as long as it’s kept within reasonable limits. However, there are risks you should be aware of.
Drinking alcohol can make you feel more relaxed and sociable, but it can also make you do things you wouldn’t normally, like becoming aggressive and getting into fights, having unprotected sex, falling over and injuring yourself…
Long term heavy drinking can cause liver and heart problems. Binge drinking, or drinking a large amount in one session also puts a huge strain on your liver. You shouldn’t mix alcohol with drugs either as this is very dangerous.
What does the law say?
- It’s illegal to sell alcohol to under 18s.
- The police can confiscate alcohol from under 18s who are drinking in a public place and causing disorder.
- It is illegal to drink and drive.
- It is illegal to drink alcohol in some public places.
Click on the following link to learn more facts about alcohol and its effects or visit Talk about alcohol for information and quizzes.
Is alcohol causing you problems?
If drinking (either your own or somebody else’s) is worrying you, there are many ways for you to get help.
- You could start by talking it over with Frank. Phone 0800 77 66 00, go online or email Frank anytime of day or night.
- Adsis offer confidential advice, information and support on any alcohol related problem. Phone 01785 259156 (8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday) or visit the website.
- Alcoholics Anonymous have a 24 hour help line. Phone 0845 769 7555 or visit the website.
Smoking
Sometimes it can be tempting to start smoking – especially if you hang out with a group and you're the only one who doesn't smoke. But read the facts first and then make up your own mind.
Smoking facts
Cigarettes contain over 4,000 chemicals - including arsenic, carbon monoxide, mercury, lead and tar. They also contain nicotine - a highly addictive drug that makes your heart beat faster and makes your blood pressure go higher.
Smokers are at severe risk of heart disease, lung disease and various forms of cancer. Smoking also has a bad effect on your skin leading to more wrinkles. Smoking makes your hair, breath and clothes smell and can make your teeth and skin turn yellow.
Most people who start smoking find it very hard to quit because nicotine is one of the worlds most addictive drugs.
Click on the following link to learn more facts about smoking, why people smoke and its effects or visit Quit because for films, facts and help with quitting.
Support to quit smoking
- NHS - Visit the website for tips and advice on how to quit smoking or call the NHS Stop Smoking helpline on 0800 022 4 332
- Time to Quit - South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust offer help with quitting smoking. Read their leaflet to find out more.
- Talk to Frank - Free and confidential information, advice and support on alcohol, smoking and drugs. Visit the website or phone 0800 77 66 00 (or textphone 0800 917 8765 if you have a hearing impairment.) The service is available 24 / 7. Interpreters are on hand if you want to talk to Frank in another language.
Drugs
Drugs such as heroin, cocaine, speed, ecstasy and cannabis can be highly dangerous. It’s illegal to sell them, use them or have them in your possession.
Effects and risks
The effects they can have on you vary wildly from drug to drug – and different people may experience different effects.
Apart from the risks to your health (use the links below to find out more), people who are ‘high on drugs’ are at risk of injury from accidents, abuse and attack. Accidental death from overdose is also a real possibility, and many people who get ‘hooked’ turn to crime or prostitution to fund their drug habit.
Get the full picture
Getting to know the score about different drugs – from the effects to the risks involved – can help you resist any peer pressure to get involved. Find out more with the following links:
Getting help and support
If drugs are a problem in your life - or you’re worried about a friend - there are many ways for you to get help.
- You could start by talking it over with Frank. Phone 0800 77 66 00, go online or email Frank anytime of day or night.
- You can contact local services that provide drugs information, advice, counselling and treatment. Visit the Talk to Frank website select ‘Need help’ and ‘Finding support.’ Type in your postcode and select the service you need.
- You can contact your doctor for help and advice.
Solvents
Everyday items such as glue, paints and aerosols contain solvents. Children and young people can legally buy them – but if you were to misuse these substances by sniffing or breathing them in (inhaling), it would be extremely dangerous.
Sniffing kills more young people than all other illegal drugs - one person dies every week.
Effects and risks
The effects they have on you are similar to being drunk with loss of coordination... But the use of solvents is very dangerous! They can cause heart failure and instant death in some cases (even the first time you try them). Accidental death or injury is also possible when a user isn’t in full control.
Long term use of solvents can affect your liver and kidneys. It can also cause depression and forgetfulness.
Get the full picture
Getting to know the score about solvents can help you resist any peer pressure to get involved. Find out more with the following links:
Getting help and support
- If you’re worried about your own or someone else's misuse of solvents phone Re-solve (Society for the Prevention of Solvent and Volatile Substance Abuse) on 01785 817885. Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, or email: youth@re-solv.org
- You can talk it over with Frank. Phone 0800 77 66 00, go online or email Frank anytime of day or night.
- You can use the Talk to Frank website to find local services that provide information, advice, counselling and treatment . Just enter your postcode and select the service you want.
- You can contact your doctor.
