Substance Misuse
Drug Misuse
Long term drug misuse can seriously harm people's emotional and physical well-being,
as well as leading to a variety of other family and social problems. Find
out here about local support and information if you or your family is affected
by drug misuse problems
Drug Misuse
Long term drug misuse can seriously harm people's emotional and physical well-being.
Not only that, it can destroy family and other relationships, lead to debt
and the use of illicit drugs or their possession is a serious criminal offence.
National surveys show that about a third of the UK population have used an
illicit drug at some point in their lives. Although some will not experience
problems, many people will find that drug misuse can have a large impact on
their physical, mental and emotional health. Also, drug misuse can limit education,
economic and social opportunities.
Some people can experience serious problems with drugs. Sometimes it can be
a long time before they realise it's becoming a problem. If you're not sure
whether your drug use is beginning to get out of hand, try asking yourself
a few questions...
- Do you ever use drugs when you're alone?
- Do you use drugs because you're bored, lonely or anxious?
- Do you think
a lot about drugs and drug use?
- Do you plan your day to make sure you can
use drugs?
- Do you need to use more and more drugs to get the effect you
want?
- Do you feel irritable or anxious if you don't use drugs?
- Do you miss
your favourite drug if you don't use it for a while?
The more you answer 'yes', the more you might benefit from taking a step
back and thinking again whether your drug use might be a problem. If you
want to talk to someone to discuss this, there is a lot of support available
both locally
and nationally.
Adults who may be experiencing problems with drug misuse are advised
to contact their own GP, or EDP(see
below)
For further information and support:
- EDP South Devon Drug Services for adults and young people - open
to anyone for information, advice and support around drugs or alcohol,
call 01626 351144 (www.edpservices.org.uk)
- Talk to Frank - For free confidential drugs information and advice
24 hours a day talk to FRANK, call 0800 917 8765 (www.talktofrank.com)
- Addaction - a leading UK charity working solely in the field of drug
and alcohol treatment, supporting clients with a variety of needs.
(www.addaction.org.uk)
- Young Addaction - services for young people and their families helping
to manage the effects of drug and alcohol misuse, 0800 0196 0197 (www.youngaddaction.org.uk)
- Mind, Body and Soul - a new website which aims to give young people
aged 14-16, the low down on health issues in a fun and interesting
way. (www.mindbodysoul.gov.uk/alcohol/alcmenu.html)
- Drug Scope - drugs information website for 11 - 14 year olds (www.drugscope.org.uk/wip/24)
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If you are a young person you can talk confidentially to a youthworker,
an EDP young persons worker(see below for contact details), school
nurse or GP.
If you don't
want to see your own GP, there is a confidential young person's
drop-in service at the Junction Community and Young
Persons Venue (behind Newton Abbot Leisure Centre) on Fridays
from 2.45pm - 4.00pm. There is a doctor there especially for
young people
and you can discuss any health issues with them, including drug misuse. |
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