Find your own way to unwind!
Self-care is about making choices that keep you healthy AND make you happy. When you need to de-stress, you do you.
When to draw the line
When you’re feeling stressed, healthy activities can help you unwind.
Practicing gratitude is a great way to reboot your mood.
Generosity is a great way to take care of others—and yourself.
Live Your Best Life.
Saying “no” to drugs and alcohol is a great start to living your best life. But there are many other positive choices you can make that have nothing to do with illicit substances.
Check out six areas of your life that will help you find your worth.
Know the Consequences
When you smoke, vape, or misuse drugs or alcohol, there will be some negative effects. And the potential consequences go much further than just health risks or punishments. Below are just some examples.
Health Risks
Weakened immune system
Changed brain chemistry
Possible death
Punishments
Family: Grounding and lost privileges
School: Detention or expulsion
Legal: Arrest or fines
Social Effects
Loss of parents’ trust
Broken friendships
Negative peer pressure
Internal Effects
Lower self esteem
Apathy (lack of caring)
Tendency toward other addictive behaviors
Don't be fooled. LEARN THE FACTS
There’s a ton of misinformation out there about alcohol and drugs, especially on the internet. For example, lots of YouTubers that are paid to “review” vaping products make it seem like they’re totally safe. But it’s dangerous to trust biased sources. Click on each substance to get the real story behind each.
Being a teen is tough. For some, it's even tougher
Today’s teens are dealing with more than probably any other time in history. Bullying, the pressures of social media, the distractions of technology and the stress to get ahead in school and sports all take their toll. But some teens have even more to face. Sexual, physical or emotional abuse, neglect, food insecurity and homelessness, chronic illness or living with an adult who’s an addict are all forms of trauma. It’s important to address these issues and not turn to alcohol or drugs to deal with them.
Looking to numb the pain?
Help the hurt.
Sometimes people use substances because it numbs the pain they feel. For them, it’s a coping mechanism to get through the day. But they may be ignoring a deeper issue. If you’re experiencing any of the feelings below, click on the link to learn more.
Feeling restless or jumpy
Nausea, trembling or dizziness
Muscle tension, headaches
Racing heart or shortness of breath
Loss of interest in daily activities
Appetite or weight changes
Sleeping a lot more or less than normal
Trouble concentrating or remembering
Talking about wanting to die, even jokingly
Feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
Withdrawing or isolating yourself
Feeling like you’re a burden to others
Take the Next Step
If you or someone you know is living with a mental health issue or an addiction, take the first step toward getting help.
Call 877-257-0208
for immediate help
Text Worth to 494949
Talk to a friend
Find a local provider
