Reducing consumption of stimulants and other drugs
We know that some young people use alcohol and other stimulants such as cigarettes or drugs. As with all things, it’s useful to think about the role alcohol or drugs plays in your life and whether that relationship is a healthy one. Some find that reducing consumption will make their mind feel sharper and their body feel healthier, particularly since hangovers or 'come-downs' can exacerbate symptoms of anxiety or depression. Reducing consumption can also help you to examine whether or not you feel pressured in to participating by peers or social situations, and whether certain environments have been negatively affecting your mental health.
We understand that, for some, moderate use of alcohol can be fun and help distract from difficult feelings or problems. As with other substances, it can also be addictive, so it’s important to understand your limits and to try to avoid crossing them.
Here are some charities to help you with substance use if you feel that it is affecting you badly:
Drinkaware are a charity working to reduce alcohol misuse and harm across the UK
FRANK offers honest information about drugs and offer email, phone and text support.
We are with you, formerly Addaction, offer free, confidential support with alcohol, drugs or mental health from one of our local services or online
Turning Point - (England only)
Turning Point work with young people who want support with their alcohol or drug use with 300 locations across England.
DAN 24/7 - (Wales only)
DAN 24/7 offers a free and bilingual support for those wanting support with their alcohol or drug use and their helpline is open all hours every day of the year.
Know the Score - (Scotland only)
Know the Score offer help and support to those struggling with alcohol or drugs in Scotland. Their support includes a helpline which is open 8am -11pm
NIDacts - (Northern Ireland only)
NIDacts offer support for those atruggling with alcohol and drugs in Northern Ireland with individual DACT offices available across the country.
There isn’t much academic research in the area of self-care for young people who are living with mental health issues. We are trying to find out more about what works for different people so we can better advise other young people what to try.
If you’ve tried this activity when you were struggling in relation to your mental health, please let us know if it helped you and how by clicking on the ‘Did this activity help you’ button.