Trying things out (experimental use)
Lucy, who is sixteen, talks about her first experiences of smoking cigarettes.
" Neither my mum or my step-dad smoke so when my mate offered me one I wasn’t too sure, but I took it anyway. I felt really silly because I didn’t really know what to do! The first few mouthfuls I smoked tasted disgusting and I just coughed and everyone else laughed. My balance went a bit, and I felt very dizzy. I decided I did not want any more and gave it to one of my mates as I know they are pretty expensive to buy"
This level of substance or alcohol use is known as experimental use. This can come from personal curiosity about a substance or maybe a friend has suggested taking something to see what happens. The substance will enter the bloodstream and will take effect.
It is then a matter of individual choice whether to try the same substance again or not. Somebody may have a cigarette and feel sick or dizzy and they decide they do not want to do it again right there and then.
However, someone else may try smoking and may like the taste and the effect. That person may move on to a different level of use.
Chilling out (recreational use)
This is when drugs or alcohol are used after the experimental stage. The person has tried a substance and decides to use it when they are relaxing or in recreational time.
Karl is seventeen and technically not allowed to purchase alcohol for his own use.
" I hang out with some older guys if I go surfing, one of my mates drives us there. At the weekends we have a few cans of lager on the beach, maybe go to the pub afterwards. If I give them the money they will buy me a pint. I do look eighteen but my dad would not be happy if I got caught trying to buy it myself. I like to drink but I only do it when I am out with my mates"
Karl chooses to drink with his friends but does not need to drink in order to feel sociable or happy.
Having tried a substance a person may feel the effects were positive and that having some of it when they go out or have mates around is what they want to do. This is recreational use. In Karl’s case he is breaking the law, as are his mates who are buying him the drinks, it’s a risk he is prepared to take.
Gotta have it (dependant use)
This type of drug and alcohol use is known as dependant use. If we take another look at cigarette smoking we can see some people have a different response to that of Lucy.
Sharifa is nineteen and she too can remember the first time she had a cigarette. The effect for Sharifa was very different.
"The first few drags were disgusting and everyone was kind of coughing and giggling but I kept at it. After the first disaster I wanted to try again and get it sorted. The next one tasted ok and I liked the feeling of holding a cigarette it made me feel older. Soon I started buying them and smoking them after school and at the weekends. Spent ages trying to get rid of the smell because my mum and dad would have gone ballistic if they knew. A bit later I found I was waking up and badly wanting a cigarette. Now I smoke twenty fags a day. I was smoking packet cigarettes but I have moved onto rolling my own because it is cheaper. If I don’t have a fag I can’t concentrate and I feel snappy. I can’t go in a club without them especially if I am bit nervous. My parents know but they don’t like it I don’t care. Well I do cos I know you can get cancer and stuff but I can’t stop"
Sharifa has developed a need for nicotine, when she does not get any her body suffers withdrawal and she reaches for another one. If she does not have a cigarette she feels stressed and she has become dependant on nicotine. There is a physical dependancy with nicotine and some people come to rely on nicotine to help them relax.
In fact if Sharifa waited for some time when she got the withdrawal symptoms they would pass. Shariffa thinks that the cigarettes help her relax. In fact the opposite is true. By having a fag and introducing nicotine to her system she then needs to keep topping up her bodies supply when the supply in her bloodstram is low she experiences cravings for the drug. Having a cigarette relieves the craving Sharifa thinks this relaxes her. There are many health risks linked to using nicotine such as cancer, poor circulation as well as smelly breath, clothes, hair&.need I go on!
Out There!
Each stage is different and by entering one it does not mean you will necessarily go onto the next. If you are in one particular stage you can make a move if you want to and there are people out there who can help!
A positive way of handling the choices that come your way is to stay informed about what’s out there. If you visit the Drugscope website you can find out the facts for yourself.
Help!
So maybe it’s you or perhaps a friend who needs to know what help is out there in terms of drug and alcohol services
Confidentiality
These services state that they are confidential. This means they would not share your stuff with others. But it is important to remember that if they hear something, which they feel may put you or others in serious risk, then they may have to share that information with another professional person
Freshfields
You can contact Freshfields on a free telephone number 0500 241952. They offer counseling and advice from trained workers.
They are also available to supply information and literature for you to take away.
The service is confidential
Freshfields also offer a needle exchange service here you can exchange dirty needles for clean ones. The service is non-judgmental and anonymous, so you won’t have to leave your name or details. Sterile equipment, disposal containers, drugs literature, condoms and refreshments are all available at these sessions. Details can be obtained by ringing 01872 223381 or 0500241952.
CADA Cornwall Drug and Alcohol Agency
You can contact these people directly yourself. Ring the number and you can talk to someone and make an appointment if that’s what you feel you would like to do. 01872 263001
If you know someone who is experiencing difficulties with drugs or alcohol you can also ring CADA for advice. Perhaps it’s your parent or carer’s substance misuse that is affecting your lifestyle then CADA may be able to offer you some support too. 01872 263001
SHARE
They are there to offer advice, information, mentoring and counseling for anyone between the ages of 13-25 years.
You can contact them by ringing 0800 181 033.
Connexions
This is where you can gain access to a personal advisor who can offer support and connect you to the right services.
You can call them on 0800 9755111
Remember staying informed and knowing the facts will help you stay safe.
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