The effects of substance use on growing minds
Teenage substance use can have a significant impact on a young person’s physical, emotional, and social well-being. Substance use during adolescence can disrupt brain development, leading to problems with memory, attention, decision-making, and impulse control. It can also increase the risk of mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Additionally, substance use can interfere with academic and social development, leading to problems with school performance, relationships, and future career prospects.
Teenage substance use can also lead to risky behaviors, such as driving under the influence, engaging in unprotected sex, and experimenting with other drugs. This can increase the risk of accidents, injuries, and the transmission of sexually transmitted infections.
How You Can Help
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Engage Before it's Too Late
Student Assistance Programs (SAPs) help students fully benefit from their educational experience by strengthening their social and emotional skills and reducing problem behaviors. SAPs work with parents, guardians, and school staff to provide a school-based framework for prevention, early intervention, referral, and support. This includes helping parents, guardians, and schools identify problems early on, and connecting students and their families to resources in the school or community that will help keep them healthy and safe.
Schools can provide programs and activities—like SAPs—to promote emotional health and prevent substance use among students. Schools can also provide education and support to students who are struggling with substance misuse, and a safe and supportive environment for students who are in recovery from substance misuse.
Parents and Guardians can talk to their children about the risks of substance misuse, provide support and guidance, monitor their children’s behavior, and seek help if they suspect they are struggling with substance misuse or mental health issues.
Community Members and Organizations can provide education and support to students and families who are experiencing substance misuse and/or mental health issues. They can also work with government agencies to develop policies and programs to prevent substance misuse and promote mental health.
Resources in New Hampshire
The Partnership @Drugfreenh
The Partnership is a trusted resource for NH and by joining this group of dedicated organizations, you can help individuals, families, and communities get informed, get involved, and get help.
Medication Safety Tips: A Guide to Protecting Children
This guide reviews how accidental medication poisoning occurs and how households can securely store medication and the proper disposal. In addition, it touches on teen misuse of medications.
Screen and Intervene: New Hampshire SBIRT
This website resource, funded by the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, includes exceptional “Playbooks” developed to assist in implementing Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) in different settings.
Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) Resources
The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) collects information on issues youth may be experiencing so schools, parents, and communities have the information they need to reduce risk behaviors and improve academic performance and life outcomes.
Download “Ready, Set, Go, Review: Screening for Behavioral Health Risk in Schools” from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for more information.
The Doorway System
Wherever you live and wherever you are on your journey, The Doorway will connect you to the supports and services and the level of care that’s right for you, including:
- Screening and evaluation
- Treatment, including Medication Assisted Treatment
- Prevention, including naloxone
- Supports and services to assist in long-term recovery
- Peer recovery support services
211 NH
211 NH is the connection for New Hampshire residents to the most up to date resources they need from specially trained Information and Referral Specialists.
NH Alcohol and Drug Treatment Locator
Find treatment agencies and individual practitioners offering substance use disorder services.
The Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative
Promotes individual wellness for Granite Staters by empowering workplaces to provide support for people recovering from substance use disorder.
Visit Recovery Friendly Workplace
New Hampshire Recovery House Registry
Provides information on the voluntary registry for recovery houses.
The New Hampshire Recovery Hub
The New Hampshire Recovery Hub is a comprehensive resource that lists all state-funded recovery centers, ensuring individuals have access to vital support services. Additionally, it offers a full calendar of events for trainings and maintains an active blog to keep the community informed and engaged.