Chapter 4: Adolescence "My Friend has a Drug Problem"

Introduction
Students have read about the problems associated with adolescence and how some adolescents turn to drugs and alcohol. In this exercise, students will review a pamphlet published by the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI) about how to help a friend who has an alcohol or other drug problem.

Lesson Description
Students will use information from the NCADI's A Guide for Teens Web site to learn about ways in which they can help a friend who has a drinking or drug problem. Students will learn how to tell if someone has a substance abuse problem, what substance abuse can lead to, and how they can talk a friend into getting help. Students will then answer four questions and apply this information by writing a short skit about a character trying to talk to a friend about a substance abuse problem.

Instructional Objectives
1. Students will be able to describe the symptoms of substance abuse, the problems that it can lead to, and the help available for the abuser.
2. Students will be able to use this knowledge to write a short skit about two characters confronting a substance abuse problem.

Student Web Activity Answers
1. Students answers will include getting drunk or high on a regular basis; lying; avoidance; giving up friends who do not use drugs or alcohol; giving up activities; planning to use drugs or alcohol; needing to drink more to get the same high; believing that in order to have fun they need to drink or use drugs; frequent hangovers; taking risks; blackouts; pressuring others to use drugs or alcohol; feeling hopeless, depressed, or even suicidal; constantly talking about drugs or alcohol; getting into trouble with the law; drinking or taking drugs and driving; and suspension from school for an alcohol or other drug-related incident.
2. Substance abuse can lead to many harmful behaviors. Physical problems can include brain and liver damage. Using drugs and alcohol can impair judgement, causing people to do things that they wouldn't normally do if they weren't under the influence. Unprotected sex, one such risky behavior, can lead to pregnancy, AIDS, or other sexually transmitted diseases. Because substance abuse can rob the individual of his or her health, friends, and values, it can lead to suicidal depression.
3. It is hard for people to admit when they have a serious substance abuse problem, and so they may try to deny it. Hiding the problem prevents abusers from getting the help they need.
4. To figure out how you should approach your friend, talk to someone you trust - a counselor, teacher, doctor, nurse, parent, or someone at your church or synagogue. If you decide to talk to your friend, realize that giving your support and understanding will help. The hardest decision for your friend will be admitting the problem and accepting help. Talking to other people who have had drinking and other drug problems and who are now in recovery, such as the members of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA), may give your friend additional support.
5. Students' skits will vary.

Student Web Activity