Be A Friend

If you're on this page, you're probably wondering if someone you care about might be using substances in excess. You might wonder if your friend's actions are normal for a teenager, or if there's something serious going on. First, read through the Understanding Substance Misuse page. Ask if any of the signs and symptoms match your friend. Keep in mind that many substance misusers hide the extent of their use, so you may not have had a chance to see some of the signs.

Then, go through the 5 steps. Unfortunately, the "help connect" step may be difficult as many misusing substances are reluctant to get help. You probably will need to tell a school counselor, parent, or other trusted adult about your friend's misuse so they can get the help they need.