ukdrugzone.com - your online guide to drugs and their effects

Click on links below:

Alcohol

Amphetamine

Click here for tips on how to cut down or stop using drugs

You can try these sites on the internet:

	www.talktofrank.com		www.alcoholconcern.org.uk
	www.roughguidetodrinking.com		www.brook.org.uk (sexual health advice)

You can e-mail a question to the DECCA (Drug Education, Counselling and Confidential Advice) Team:

dqa1000@hotmail.com

You can text a question to the DECCA Team:

0 77 81 47 27 46

You can call:

	The DECCA Team (0845 838 5317) if you think you have a drug and/or alcohol
	problem and are aged 18 or under.

	Drug Concern (0121 580 4338) if you know someone who is using and you are
	concerned about them/affected by them.

	Head to Head (0121 607 3519) if you have any type of problem and need someone to
	talk to.

	Brook Advisory (01384 239 001) provides free, confidential sexual health advice and
	contraception for people under 25.

	Sandwell Stop Smoking Service ( 0121 607 3337 ) for help for anyone trying to give
	up smoking

	Talk to Frank (0800 88 77 00) for help and advice about drugs.

	Add Action (0121 525 7575) if you think you have a drug or alcohol problem and are
	over 18 years of age.

and as mad as it might sound...

You could try talking to someone you trust. A parent, carer or good friend is
ideal. It might be difficult because, to start with, they might go a bit mad but they
can be really helpful and can give a lot of support when you need it most. If
someone asks you for help try to be there for them but remember the services
above. You don’t need to cope on your own.

If you are using any drug and want to cut down or stop here are a few tips on how to cope:

Instead of using do something else you like. This might be having something to eat (be careful of junk food or it could cause health problems), watching tv or some type of physical activity or sport. If you get your heart going quicker the body releases chemicals that make you feel good anyway so this might be a good place to start.

When it starts to get too much talk about it. Sometimes sharing a problem can be really helpful and the person you speak to can give you support through the diffi cult times.

Avoid people and places you know might tempt you to use. This can be difficult but may be essential in the early stages.

Tough it out. Cravings can last in the mind for ages but physically will pass in a matter of days. With some drugs you may have to be prescribed medication to come off.

Try to take your mind off using by doing something else and reward yourself when you do manage not to use.

Keep a diary of how you feel. You will see how much easier it gets as time goes by.

Speak to a counsellor. There are numbers, at the top of this page,for you to call to get advice over the phone or you could arrange to see someone face to face. You might need some type of medication to help you come off the drug you are using and this can be sorted out by one of these services. You can also e-mail or text a question in if you want some advice without speaking to anyone.