Taking any drug that has not been prescribed to you by a doctor can be dangerous. Keeping illegal substances in your house or carrying them around with you can lead to arrest and possible imprisonment. Long prison sentences are given for dealing in drugs. Remember drugs you are offered are not always what they claim to be and often contain impurities. The dangers of any drug are likely to be increased if taken while another drug is in the body. The misuse of drugs can lead to unpleasant hallucinations, aggressive behaviour, illness, addiction and even death. The same applies for those who use solvents. If you think you have a drug problem call SUBS. MIND provide information about groups for tranquilliser users in this area.

Volatile Substance Abuse

This used to be called glue sniffing, but now covers a very wide range of products. This is extremely dangerous. People who try it once can be killed at the first attempt. Substance abuse can be habit forming.

Alcohol

Alcohol is a drug. Any amount of alcohol, however small, will affect your judgment, which can lead to accidents. Remember, just one drink can make a difference. Whatever you do, avoid alcohol when driving or working with machinery. Too much, alcohol can cause damage to your liver, brain, heart or nervous system. Physical and mental health can also be affected. Drinking frequently can become a habit, which can be difficult to break.

Tobacco

Attitudes towards smoking are changing. Smoking is now seen to be addictive, anti-social and dangerous. Thousands of people die from smoking related diseases every year. If you stop smoking early enough then you will avoid nearly all the risks of cancer, lung or heart disease, death or disability caused by smoking.

Only you can make the decision to stop smoking. If you really want to give up, that’s half the battle won. Different people have different reasons for giving up but the will power to do so is an all-important factor. Ask your friends and family to support you, as you will need all the help you can get. Giving up smoking is not easy and there are no real short cuts. However, you should feel some benefits of not smoking immediately, such as feeling cleaner and healthier. Long-term effects mean your general health will improve.