October is Substance Use and Misuse Prevention Month - making it the perfect time to chekc in with yourself and reevaluate your relationship with alcohol and other drugs. In difficult times, the desire to drown your sorrows in excessive amounts of alcohol can seem appealing, by continuously turning to tequila or vodka as a coping mechanism can have long-term consequences.
A Note on Language: Use vs. Misuse
Substance use is as simple as it sounds: using alcohol or other drugs. People may use substances for a number of reasons, including pain management, stress relief, or socialization. Substance misuse, however, reflects the difference between healthy use and unhealthy use. Misuse can refer to binge drinking, using prescription drugs any way other than prescribed, or repeated use of a substance even when it's causing you harm.
What You Can Do
Prevention education builds critical life and social skills, including decision-making, peer resistance, and coping with stress - and it all begins with a conversation. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or mentor, talking to the young person in your life about alcohol and other drugs doesn't have to be scary. According to Get Smart About Drugs, the following opportunities can serve as teaching moments:
- If you see them smoking, have an open conversation with them about why they're using commercial tobacco.
- While watching a movie or TV show, ask your youth if they think it makes using drugs look cool.
- If you see an interesting news story, discuss it openly.
In addition, you can go beyond talking to acting to prevent substance misuse. For example, you can lock up or safely store your medication so that it can’t be used by anyone else. You can also get rid of unwanted medication by taking it to your nearest pharmacy, which should have a take-back program.
And if you are concerned that your substance use is turning into misuse, help is available. Contact 211 for substance use treatment and recovery services that are right for you. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a substance use issue or mental health concern, please call 988.
