“Of course people will hate the way they look if they stare at themselves for hours trying to figure out what is wrong with them. ”
—Amy, 15, CA
Why do people try drugs?
Everyone has different reasons for trying drugs. They may have heard that it makes them feel good. Others do it because their friends are doing it, or because they are curious about what it'll feel like.
Sometimes, people use drugs or drink because they're unhappy or stressed out and they think drugs and alcohol will make them feel better. There are a few problems with this thinking.
First of all, depending on the drug they choose, they can actually end up feeling worse.
Second, people who use drugs to feel better will often combine drugs, which is about the worst thing they can do. It's harmful enough to take any of the drugs listed in this section; combining these drugs kills people again and again.
It's totally normal to want to try new things. At the same time, there are SO many risks involved with trying drugs, even once. There are so many ways that drugs harm the body, and you don't hear a lot about how addictive drugs are--including alcohol and nicotine.
If you haven't yet started drinking or taking drugs, your best bet is not to start.
If you have started already, or if you know someone who has, it's never too late to stop. Some teens find it helpful to talk with an adult in their life who they know well and trust. Others will seek out support from others, like Alateen.
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Your Comments
about to try drug: Response
Posted by: StacieS on Aug 14th, 2007 12:24pm
Don't start. Doing drugs just so that you can do exactly
what your friends is doing is lame. Is that really worth
screwing up your life? With drugs, there is a 100% chance
that they will hurt your brain or your lungs in some way or
another. Tell yourself and your friends that you are more
interesting and more original than that! Save those brain
cells for when you go back to your high school reunion and
you brag about how well you are doing!
about to try drug
Posted by: ainsley on Aug 13th, 2007 8:32pm
im 15 and going into high alot of my friends have already
started drugs and drinking. ive already started drinking at
parties. im really close to trying drugs i want to do what
my friends are to. what should i do?
it's never too late... or is it?
Posted by: StacieS on Feb 15th, 2007 9:53am
Hi Hovanak1, thank you for sharing your perspective. I'm
sorry this is so diffcult. No, it won't be easy, but I
believe it is possible - with help. Quitting on your own
would be excruciating. Quitting with support from other
people would definitely be better. Have you looked into
Narcotics Anonymous Meetings? These have helped many, many
people stop using.
http://portaltools.na.org/portaltools/MeetingLoc/
drugs
Posted by: hovanak1 on Feb 14th, 2007 7:47pm
hi im a 14 year old girl in high school and i started drugs
2 years ago.. mi older sister (3 years older) was addicted 2
thim at a young age and i grew up with it around me all the
time becouse all my friends did it 2 and i dissagree with u
that its never 2 late 2 stop becouse when ur addicted as bad
as me and my sister ull never b able 2 quit , i wouldent be
able 2 even if i tryed (and i have tryed) but im 2 drawn in
2 thim i guess,on avrage i smoke 2 joints a day,and i no i
wont be able 2 quit
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why?
Posted by: fijiinautumn on Feb 23rd, 2008 1:52am
not trying to start an argument, but it feels like kind of
an assumption that a teen doing drugs is almost always just
doing it because friends are, or that someone who doesnt
want to stop is automatically labeled as "addicted" or
should find help. I really dont believe that this is always
the case.