Stress, Alcohol, Drugs & Gambling

Signals of Too Much Stress• It may be tough to tell when you’re experiencing good or bad stress,

but there are important ways that your body lets you know that you’re struggling with too much stress. Watch out for the following warning signs:• Inability to concentrate or complete tasks• Get sick more often with colds • Body aches• Other illnesses like autoimmune diseases flare up

• Headaches• Irritability • Trouble falling sleeping or staying awake• Changes in appetite• More angry or anxious than usual

Good Stress/Eustress

• Motivates us to continue working• Keeps us alert• Keeps our edge• Keeps us interested• Keeps us focused• Keeps us energized• Raises alertness (while biking on a busy street)

Bad Stress/Distress

• Distracts us • Leads to negative coping mechanisms such as overeating, loss of

appetite, drinking, smoking• Brings on boredom• Takes our energy• Exhausts us• Leads to poor decision making• Wears down the body, may lead to sickness

Alcohol, Drugs, Gambling

FACTSADOLESCENCE DRINK LESS FREQUENTLY THAN ADULTS, BUT when they do drink, they drink more heavily than adults. (NCADD)

Why? Adolescence is a time when an appetite forAdventureRisksExcitementImpulse behavior

Is Alcohol and Other Drugs on the Rise

Drugs and other drugs is not universal (widely used) amount youth in high school.

Alcohol is still the most commonly used drug by teens.Marijuana is the next most common used drug.Prescription pills without doctor’s consent is a concern.

Affects of AlcoholBlood Concentrations

Why Do Teens Use Alcohol and Drugs?

• because their friends do• to feel more comfortable in social settings• sometimes to manage their moods• to cope with stress and pain in their lives

BC Statistics on Youth Drinking Related AccidentsYoung people have the highest rates of traffic deaths.Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among 16 – 25 year olds, and alcohol and/or drugs are a factor in 55% of those crashes.16-25 year olds make up 13.6% of the population in 2010 (all of Canada), but made up almost 33.4% of the impaired-related traffic deaths.

Youth and traffic fatalitiesBritish Columbia needs to increase random testing of young drivers as well as implement vehicle impoundment to reduce fatalities among drivers 18 years of age and younger, the head of MADD Canada said Wednesday.

(MADD – Mothers Against Drunk Drivers)

FACT

Research shows that brain development continues well into a person’s twenties. Alcohol can affect this development, causing youth to make irresponsible decisions, encounter memory lapses.

Canada and BC Laws on Drinking & DrivingDriving with a BAC higher than 0.08 per cent is a punishable offence against the criminal code in Canada.

Learner and Novice drivers must have a zero BAC at all times - a BAC higher than 0 results in an extension of the graduated licensing program and possibly other penalties.

Cell Phone Use

How Common is Drug Use Among Youth?

Alcohol is the #1 drug used by teens.

The second most popular drug used by students is high-caffeine energy drinks

Almost 50% of students had this drink in the past yearMore than a third of grade 7 students had this drink21% of Canadian students report mixing energy drinks with alcohol

Cannabis (marijuana, hash or hash oil) is the third most popular drug (and most common illicit drug (forbidden by law).

The fourth most popular drug used by students is the non-medical use of prescription pain relievers, such as codeine, Percocet, Percodan, Demerol, or Tylenol #3

Drugs are obtained from homePrescriptions were not prescribed for themStudents are using over-the-counter cough and cold medications to get high

Cigarettes rank next.

Not all students use drugs.

Fentanyl

Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more toxic than morphine, and may be mixed with other drugs without the user knowing, said police. (Canadian Press)

Youth and Gambling Facts

youthgamblingfacts.ca

What is gambling – risking money or valuables on a game, contest, ore event where the outcome is dependent on some level of chance

Underage Online Gambling

bc.rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Sites such as e-casinos, card games, live bets and poker are popular among teens. Thee sites require you to be 80 or 19 years of age. Youth from 13 to 19 years of age can be held criminally responsible for activities related to online gambling.

Problem in BC

By the age of 18, 56% of BC youth will have gambled

The Average age to start gambling is 13

Research shows the earlier a young person starts to gamble, the more at risk they are of developing a problem.