Substance Use: What Does It Mean To You?

Take a moment to think about the phrase "substance use."

Prompt: What does "substance use" mean to you, and why is it important to talk about it?

Decision-Making and Substance Use

This guide provides prompts for a class discussion on substance use and decision-making. Encourage open and respectful dialogue.

Part 1: Defining Substance Use

• Question 1: What are some common substances that people use (e.g., medications, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, other drugs)? How are they different?
  • Follow-up: Can the use of any substance become problematic?
    
    
    
• Question 2: We often hear terms like "use," "misuse," "abuse," and "addiction." What do these terms mean to you? Can you think of examples for each?
  • Follow-up: Why is it important to understand these differences?
    
    
    

Part 2: Influences on Our Choices

• Question 3: What are some internal factors (things within yourself, like feelings, beliefs, or curiosity) that might influence a person to try or not try a substance?
  • Follow-up: How do our personal values play a role?
    
    
    
    
    
    
• Question 4: What are some external factors (things outside yourself, like friends, family, or media) that might influence a person to try or not try a substance?
  • Follow-up: How does advertising or social media portray substance use?
    
    
    
    
    
    

Part 3: The Power of Choice

• Question 5: Why is it important for you to understand the potential effects of substance use and develop strong decision-making skills, even at your age?
  • Follow-up: What are the potential consequences of making unhealthy choices regarding substances on an individual and their family/friends?
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

Peer Pressure Scenarios: Responding with Confidence

Instructions: In your small groups, read the scenario assigned to your group. Discuss how the character in the scenario could respond to the peer pressure. Brainstorm at least two different ways to handle the situation effectively and maintain a healthy choice. Be ready to share your responses with the class!

Scenario 1: The "Cool" Party

You and your friends are at a party. Someone pulls out a vape and offers it to you, saying, "Come on, everyone here is doing it. Don't be a square!" You know vaping isn't good for you, and you don't want to try it, but you also don't want to look uncool.

How could you respond?

Scenario 2: The Energy Drink Challenge

During lunch, your friends are all chugging large energy drinks, bragging about how much caffeine they can handle. One friend says, "You look tired, you should grab one! It'll wake you up. You don't want to be slow for practice later, do you?" You've heard energy drinks can be bad for your heart, and you don't really like the taste.

How could you respond?

Scenario 3: The "Just One Sip" Dare

You are at a friend's house, and their older sibling has left an alcoholic drink unattended. Your friend dares you to take a sip, saying, "Just one tiny taste, no one will ever know. Don't be such a baby!"

How could you respond?

Scenario 4: The Study Group Stress

It's late, and your study group is struggling to finish a big project. One member suggests, "I've got some of my mom's prescription pills for focus. We could take one and power through this. It's totally safe, she uses them all the time." You feel stressed, but you're also uneasy about taking unprescribed medication.

How could you respond?

Making Healthy Choices: Reflection

Instructions: Read the questions below and provide thoughtful responses based on what you have learned today. Remember, your health is in your hands!

Part 1: Understanding Influences

1. Think about the internal factors that might influence your decisions. What are two of your personal values or goals that would help you make a healthy choice regarding substance use?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. What are some external factors in your life (e.g., friends, family, media) that you think have the most influence on young people's choices about substances? Explain why.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 2: Responding to Pressure

3. Imagine a situation where a friend offers you an energy drink, and you don't want one. What is one way you could say no while still being a good friend?
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Besides saying "no," what is another strategy you could use to avoid or get out of a peer pressure situation involving substances?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 3: Energy Drink Awareness

5. Name at least three potential dangers of consuming energy drinks that we discussed in class.
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Part 4: Personal Reflection

6. Based on today's lesson, what is one new thing you learned about substance use or making healthy choices that you found particularly important?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Substance Use Quiz Answer Key

This answer key provides the correct responses and reasoning for the Substance Use Quiz.

Question 1: Which of the following is an internal factor that can influence a person's decision about substance use?

• Correct Answer: Personal values and beliefs
• Reasoning: Internal factors come from within an individual. While external factors like peer pressure, family rules, and advertisements can influence choices, personal values and beliefs are an individual's own guiding principles.

Question 2: What is the term for taking a substance in a way not intended, such as taking more than the recommended dose of medicine?

• Correct Answer: Substance misuse
• Reasoning: "Substance misuse" specifically refers to using a substance in a way other than prescribed or intended, often leading to potential harm. "Use" is general, "abuse" is repeated misuse causing problems, and "addiction" is a compulsive disease.

Question 3: Describe two healthy strategies you can use to deal with peer pressure related to substance use. (Think about what we discussed for saying NO.)

• Correct Answer (Examples):
  1. Saying no clearly and firmly: Directly stating "No, thanks" or "I'm not into that" shows confidence.
  2. Walking away: Physically removing yourself from the situation if it feels uncomfortable or unsafe.
  3. Changing the subject: Redirecting the conversation to a different topic.
  4. Suggesting an alternative activity: Proposing something else to do to shift the focus.
  5. Blaming your parents/guardians: Using an excuse like "My parents would ground me forever if they found out" can sometimes be an easy way out.
  6. Finding a supportive friend: Having an ally who also makes healthy choices can make it easier to resist pressure.
  7. Remembering your values: Thinking about your personal goals and what's important to you can strengthen your resolve.
• Reasoning: These strategies empower individuals to assert their boundaries and protect their well-being in challenging social situations.

Question 4: Which of these is a potential danger of consuming energy drinks, especially for young people?

• Correct Answer: Heart problems and anxiety
• Reasoning: Energy drinks contain high levels of stimulants, primarily caffeine, which can lead to adverse health effects such as increased heart rate, irregular heart rhythms, high blood pressure, and heightened anxiety. They do not improve concentration universally, increase hydration (often the opposite), or lead to better sleep quality.

Question 5: Explain why it is important to think about the consequences before making a decision, especially concerning substance use.

• Correct Answer (Example): Thinking about the consequences helps you make informed choices that align with your values and long-term goals. It allows you to anticipate potential negative outcomes (like health problems, legal issues, or damage to relationships) and choose actions that protect your physical and mental health, ensuring a safer and healthier future.
• Reasoning: Reflecting on consequences promotes critical thinking and responsible decision-making, helping individuals avoid regret and make choices that contribute positively to their lives.

Personal Action Plan: My Healthy Choices

Objective: To create a personal action plan that outlines your commitment to making healthy choices regarding substance use and navigating challenging situations.

Why this is important: This project will help you apply what you've learned about substance use, influences, and decision-making to your own life. Having a plan can empower you to stay strong in difficult moments.

Instructions: Follow the steps below to create your personal action plan. You can present your plan as a written document, a poster, a digital presentation, or any other creative format approved by your teacher.

Part 1: My Values and Goals

1. Identify Your Top 3 Values: What are three things that are most important to you in life (e.g., health, family, friends, success, happiness, respect)?
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2. Long-Term Goals: What are two goals you have for your future (e.g., going to college, becoming a professional athlete, having a happy family, pursuing a specific career)?
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Part 2: Understanding My Influences

1. Positive Influences: List 2-3 people, groups, or activities that positively influence you to make healthy choices. Explain how they support you.
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2. Potential Challenges: Identify one type of situation or external pressure that might make it difficult to make healthy choices regarding substances. (e.g., a party where substances are present, social media trends).
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Part 3: My Healthy Choice Strategies

1. Refusal Skills: Describe at least two specific ways you would say "no" to an offer of a substance (e.g., alcohol, vape, unprescribed medication, excessive energy drinks). Make your responses clear and confident.
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2. Alternative Actions: What is one healthy activity you could suggest if you are in a situation where substance use is happening, but you want to do something else?
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3. Trusted Adults: List at least two trusted adults you could talk to if you are ever feeling pressured or unsure about a substance-related decision.
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Part 4: My Commitment Statement

Write a short statement (2-3 sentences) affirming your commitment to making healthy choices for yourself and your future.

Rubric: (Teacher will provide a separate rubric for this project)

Substance Use True or False Challenge

Instructions for Teacher: Read each statement aloud. Students will indicate whether they believe the statement is True or False (e.g., by giving a thumbs up for True, thumbs down for False, or using pre-made cards).

Goal: Quick recall and reinforcement of key facts about substance use and healthy choices.

1. Statement: "Substance use" only refers to illegal drugs.
   • Answer: False (It includes legal substances like alcohol, nicotine, and even misused medications).
2. Statement: Peer pressure is always direct, meaning someone directly tells you to do something.
   • Answer: False (Peer pressure can also be indirect, like seeing others do something and feeling a need to fit in).
3. Statement: Your personal values and beliefs are examples of external factors that influence your decisions.
   • Answer: False (Personal values and beliefs are internal factors).
4. Statement: Walking away from a situation is a healthy strategy to deal with peer pressure.
   • Answer: True
5. Statement: Energy drinks are generally harmless and can help improve your sleep.
   • Answer: False (Energy drinks can lead to heart problems, anxiety, and disrupt sleep due to high caffeine content).
6. Statement: "Substance misuse" means taking a substance exactly as prescribed by a doctor.
   • Answer: False (That would be proper "use"; misuse is taking it in a way not intended).
7. Statement: Talking to a trusted adult about substance use concerns is a sign of weakness.
   • Answer: False (It's a sign of strength and a healthy choice).
8. Statement: The "STOP, THINK, ACT" model is a helpful way to make healthy decisions.
   • Answer: True
9. Statement: All types of caffeine, like in coffee or tea, are as dangerous as the caffeine in energy drinks for young people.
   • Answer: False (Energy drinks often contain much higher and more concentrated amounts of caffeine, along with other stimulants and sugars, making them more risky).
10. Statement: It's okay to try a substance "just once" because it won't have any consequences.
    • Answer: False (Even one-time use can have serious and unpredictable consequences, especially for developing bodies and minds).