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Drugs and alcohol, information for 17 or under

Whether you are worried about yourself or a friend, you can find more information below to help you know the facts and navigate tricky situations.

Alcohol

Drinking alcohol and getting drunk affects the way you think and feel. Alcohol can affect you even in small amounts. Decisions can be harder to make. And we think we can do more than if we’re sober. It’s one of the reasons so many serious accidents happen after people have been drinking lots of alcohol.

Drugs

A drug is a chemical that you take into your body, which changes the way you feel and act. Some drugs are prescribed by a doctor for illnesses. But when people talk about drugs they usually mean drugs that are illegal or unsafe. There are always risks involved when taking any kind of drug. Some drugs can be unsafe and could make you very ill.

Peer Pressure

There are lots of reasons why people take drugs or drink. Some people try alcohol or drugs because friends are doing it or to look popular in front of people. Some people think alcohol or drugs can help them forget about feeling sad or hopeless, problems at home or problems at school. And some people may like the thought of doing something dangerous or illegal.

Know the facts

Knowing the facts is really important, Childline have straightforward information on drugs and alcohol.


Getting More Help

Talking to family and friends about your worries can help you feel more supported. You might want to talk to someone outside the family like a GP, teacher or mentor at school, or even a friend’s parent. Choose someone you trust and if you find it difficult to talk about how you are feeling, you could write them a letter or send them a text. Support is also available through Childline, Compass Phoenix and Recovery College Online.

Childline

Childline provides a free and confidential telephone service for children and young people up to the age of 19.

Visit Childline website Call 0800 1111

BUZZ US

Compass Phoenix offers a confidential text messaging service, called BUZZ US, to young people aged 11-18 across North Yorkshire.

Visit Compass Phoenix website Call 07520 631168

Recovery College Online

The Recovery College Online provides a range of online educational courses and resources to people with mental illness.

Visit Recovery College Online website

Getting Urgent Help

If you’ve seriously injured yourself or taken an overdose call 999 or get immediate medical advice from NHS 111.

If you are in a crisis and feel like you can’t cope, speak to somebody straight away. Search below for help or see the Urgent Help page for contact details for the North Yorkshire single point of access Crisis Service.


Things you might find useful

Drug and Alcohol Support Service

If you are a young person who lives in North Yorkshire aged 10-19, or up to 24 with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) and need support around drugs or alcohol, NY Rise – Waythrough provides a free, friendly and confidential service. NY Rise deliver targeted early intervention and prevention 1:1 sessions for substance misuse. Please submit the referral form to [email protected].

 

Visit NY Rise - Waythrough Call 01723 330730

Rise Above

Exploring the issues on your mind – smoking, drugs, drinking, sex.  Provides advice and tips on making better decisions that are right for you.

Visit Rise Above website

Friendly, confidential advice about drugs

Learn the facts about drugs, read real life stories and access helplines.

Visit Talk to Frank website Call 0300 123 6600

Support for people worried about someone with a drinking problem

Receive help and support for teenage friends and relatives of alcoholics. Teens can come together to share experiences to find effective ways to cope with problems.

Visit Al-Anon website Call 0800 0086 811

Young Minds

Find out how drugs and alcohol can affect your mental health.

Visit Young Minds website

Adfam - Families, Drugs and Alcohol

Improving life for families affected by drugs and alcohol

Visit the Adfam website

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