Vaping

Even vaping with no-nicotine juice to do cool tricks with the smoke can be harmful, especially if you don’t know what the ingredients are. When trading vape pens with friends, you may also not realize how much nicotine you may be ingesting, if it’s contained in their pens, and this can lead to an addiction to nicotine.

Drugs

Prescriptions for pain, like opioids (oxycodone, hydrocodone, etc.), or for episodes of anxiety, like benzodiazepine (Xanax, Ativan, etc.), are very addictive. Misusing prescription drugs or purchasing from a friend is dangerous. Unregulated pills may have something else in it, like heroin or fentanyl, which can be deadly.

Marijuana

Smoking marijuana only at parties can still lead to unsafe behaviors, such as daily substance use. The effects of marijuana can be confusing. For example, it can both cause and calm extreme anxiety, and it may seem to soothe insomnia, but it may also cause it because it is one of the primary withdrawal effects.

Alcohol

Young people who are curious about alcohol need to learn the risks. In addition to the discomfort of hangovers and getting sick, binge drinking can lead to risky behavior, drunk driving accidents, and alcohol poisoning. Some people drink before realizing they’ve taken pills that day that have toxic effects when combined.

Treatment Options

Many people who are struggling go on to recover from substance use disorder. Recognizing the pattern in yourself is the first critical step. If you want to take a closer look at your decisions around substance use, you can start by doing some research to learn about what you’re using and reach out to us to find assessment and treatment options. 

Some different ways to get support with changing your substance use: 

  • Join a support group of people in similar situations – either online or in person 
  • Talk to a counselor in a substance use program about how to regain control over your use 
  • Talk to a mental health counselor about underlying stressors or related mental health issues to gain insight into why you’re using 
  • Participate in a co-occurring disorder program (both mental health and substance use) so that you can explore the relationship between them 
  • Ask your insurance about inpatient programs for substance use treatment to help you stop using in a safe and supportive environment

Teen Link Substance Use Prevention Line

Teen Link expanded hours of operation from 1-10 pm to include substance use and prevention consultation with a Substance Use Disorder Professional. 

If a teen or an adult concerned about a teen has questions or concerns about drug use, they can now call, chat, or text to connect directly with a Teen Link Substance Use Prevention Clinician. Our staff are able to assist callers with:

  • Strategies to prevent teen drug use
  • Access to drug education materials
  • Finding ways to talk to teens about drugs
  • Referrals to treatment
  • Organizing outreach and drug education clinics  
  • and more!  

Teen Link Substance Use Prevention line is open from 1-10 pm 7 days a week. To reach us, simply call or text to: 866-833-6546 or click here for chat.

Substance Use Prevention Resources are available to you.

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Contact Us

Connect with our Teen Link crisis specialists 7 days a week
1.866.833.6546

Teens Answer: 
Calls 
6 – 10 pm

Chats and Texts
6 – 9:30 pm

   Adult Crisis Specialists and Clinicians Answer:
Early Bird Calls 
3 – 5:59 pm
Substance Use Line 
1 – 10 pm 
Dial 866.833.6546 and press 2
After Hours
866.789.1511 

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