Substance Use

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

Substance use disorder is a disease that affects the brain. Substance abuse can lead to addiction, a complex condition in which a person cannot control the abuse of illegal/legal drugs, prescribed medications (like opioids), alcohol, recreational drugs, and nicotine.  When a person has a substance use disorder, their body craves substances, and they are unable to stay away from them or stop the addictive behavior.  The most common addiction is drugs (such as pain relievers, nicotine, and opioids) and alcohol.  One in 10 Americans has an addiction to both. The common signs of substance abuse disorder include increased secrecy, memory loss, tiredness due to lack of sleep, personality changes, significant adverse changes in established relationships.  Seeking early intervention from a qualified professional is critical in minimizing physical, emotional, and psychological damage from substance use disorder and will also start the road to recovery. This section has a variety of resources that will help you better understand substance use.

Books for Adults

• What’s the Big Deal About Addictions? by James J. Crist
• Understanding and Helping an Addict by Dr. Andrew Proulx
• Sociological Perspectives on Substance Use and College Life: An Ethnographic Investigation  by Patrick O’Brien
• Psychosocial Interventions for Mental and Substance Use Disorders: A Framework for Establishing Evidence-Based Standards by Mary Jane England, Adrienne Sith Butler, Monica L. Gonzalez
• Psychopharmacology: Straight Talk on Mental Health Medications by Joseph Wegman

Links to Articles

• Top 8 Reasons Why Teens Try Alcohol and Drugs, Partnership to End Addiction
• Responding to Students With Addiction, Edutopia
• Teachers: Classroom Resources on Drug Effects, National Institue on Drug Abuse
• Why is Teenage Drug Abuse on the Rise?, Sierra by the Sea
• Teen Substance Use & Risks, Centers for disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Article on Drug Addiction and Youth, The Pathway Program
• Teenage Drug Abuse And Addiction, Addiciton Center
• Addiction Resources for Children, Teens, Parents and the Community, Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
• Mental Health Disorders and Teen Substance Use, Child Mind Institute

Video Links

• Teen Health: Substance Use and Abuse | (2:52 minutes)
• Substance Abuse and Its Consequences | Simpleshow Foundation | (2:02 minutes)
• How Addiction Affects The Brain | Dana Foundation | (2:28 minutes)
• The Science of Addiction and The Brain | Brainbook | (9:26 minutes)

Books for Children

• Know How to Say No to Drugs and Alcohol: A Kid’s Guide by Jim Auer
• I Chose Not to Use Coloring Book: Anti-drug Awareness Coloring Book (Ages 3-7)
• You Can Say “No” to Drugs! (A Drug-Free Kids Book) by Gretchen Super
• What Should Danny Do? (The Power to Choose Series) by Adir Levy
• No Smoking, No Drinking, No Drugs by Sally Huss
• I Can Take Care of My Body (Healthy Me) by Andi Cann
• Me and My Amazing Body by Joan Sweeney (Ages 3-7)
• My Body by Patricia Carratello (Ages 6-9)

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These resource links are being provided for informational purposes only. The North American Division of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is not responsible for the accuracy, legality, or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Please contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.