Drugs & Alcohol
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Alcohol
Deciding whether to drink is a personal decision that we each eventually have to make. Get the facts about alcohol.
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Binge Drinking
The definition of binge drinking in the United States is the consumption of five or more drinks in a row by men – or four or more drinks in a row by women – at least once in the previous two weeks. Surprised? Find out more.
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Coping When a Parent Has an Alcohol or Drug Problem
Alcoholism causes anguish not only for the person who drinks, but for everyone who is involved with that person. But there are things you can do to help cope with the problems alcoholism creates in families.
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Amphetamines
Amphetamines are stimulants that speed up brain and body functions. Find out how these drugs can affect you in this article for teens.
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Bath Salts
Bath salts are powerful stimulant drugs that increase brain and central nervous system activity. Find out how they can affect you in this article for teens.
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Cocaine and Crack
Cocaine is a powerful and highly addictive stimulant drug. Find out more about cocaine and its effects.
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Cough & Cold Medicine Abuse
The DXM in cough and cold medicines can cause feelings like out-of-body sensations. But even though these medicines are sold over the counter, there are serious health risks of taking too much. Find out more in this article for teens.
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Depressants
Taken medically, depressants help people get through problems like anxiety. But when used as a recreational drug, they can cause problems and affect some of the body's vital functions. Find out more.
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Drugs: What to Know
It's not hard to find drugs, and sometimes it may seem like everyone's doing them or wanting you to do them. But there are downsides (and dangers) to taking drugs.
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GHB
GHB is an illegal drug that slows down some of the processes in the brain and central nervous system. Because it causes memory loss and is easily slipped into drinks, it's known as a "date rape" drug.
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Heroin
Heroin is a highly addictive drug made from the seed pod of the opium poppy plant. Learn more about heroin and its effects in this article for teens.
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Inhalants
Household products are safe for cleaning, painting, and the other things they're meant to do. But as inhalants, they can cause serious problems, even death.
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Ketamine
Ketamine is a fast-acting and powerful anesthetic that is often used as a date rape drug. Find out more in this article for teens.
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LSD
LSD is a chemical made from a type of fungus. Learn about its effects in this article for teens.
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Marijuana
You've probably heard a lot of conflicting information about marijuana. Here's what you should know.
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MDMA (Ecstasy)
Find out how the drug Ecstasy can affect someone who uses it.
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Methamphetamine (Meth)
Meth is a powerful stimulant drug that's extremely addictive and destructive. Find out how it works and why it's smart to avoid it.
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Mushrooms
Some kinds of mushrooms are considered illegal drugs because they contain substances that cause people to hallucinate. Find out more about hallucinogenic mushrooms in this article for teens.
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PCP
PCP use is pretty rare these days, mostly because of the drug's scary side effects. Find out more about the drug phencyclidine in this article for teens.
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Prescription Drug Abuse
Like all drug abuse, using prescription drugs for the wrong reasons has serious risks for a person's health.
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Rohypnol
Rohypnol is a powerful sedative that has a reputation as a "date rape" drug. Find out more about it in this article for teens.
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Salvia
There are many types of salvia plants. One, salvia divinorum, has a substance that can cause psychedelic experiences. Learn more about salvia in this article for teens.
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Study Drugs
Some people use certain medicines without a prescription because they think these meds help with focus and concentration. If you've heard of "study drugs" and wonder if there are any risks, find out in this article for teens.
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Taking Prescription Opioid Pain Medicines Safely
Opioids are very good at controlling pain, but there are risks to taking them. If you've been prescribed a medicine that contains an opioid, find out how to use it safely.
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What Are the Risks of Steroid Use?
Will using steroids transform you into the most powerful athlete your coach has ever seen? Read this article to learn the facts on steroid use.
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5 Facts About Goal Setting
Here are 5 practical tips on goal setting that can help make it easier to set and reach goals.
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Dealing With Addiction
Find out what you can do if you think you or a friend has a drug or alcohol addiction - from recognizing the warning signs to suggestions to help you stay clean.
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How to Get Tested for HIV
If you think you might have HIV, it’s a good idea to get tested. Learn how to get checked, how testing works, and who knows the results.
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How Can I Help My Partner Stop Smoking?
If your partner smokes, here are tips on getting them to stop.
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How Can I Quit Smoking?
Nearly 1 in 5 deaths in the United States is related to tobacco. Are you ready to kick the habit?
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Secondhand Smoke
Breathing in someone else's secondhand smoke is bad for you. Find out what you can do about it.
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Smokeless Tobacco
Some types of smokeless tobacco contain more nicotine than cigarettes, so it can be even harder to quit using smokeless tobacco than to quit smoking.
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Smoking
Smoking is on the decline, but some people are still lighting up. Why? The answer is addiction. Find out more in this article for teens.
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Smoking and Asthma
Smoking is a bad idea, especially for people with asthma. Here's why.
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Vaping: What You Need to Know
E-cigarettes (or “vape pens”) heat a liquid until it becomes a vapor that's inhaled. Vape juice can contain nicotine or marijuana distillate or oil. Here are the facts on vaping and its many health risks.