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Section 17.4
Choosing to Be Drug Free
Objectives
Identify three treatment options for people who
abuse drugs.
Name three steps you can take to stay drug free.
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Dear Advice Line, My friend Greg tried
methamphetamine at a party a few months ago. Soon
he started doing it regularly. He gets defensive
and aggressive when I ask him if he needs help.
Im scared to talk to him anymore, but I want to
help.
What advice would you give Gregs friend? How can
she help Greg?
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Treating Drug Abuse

• Before a person can be helped, the person needs
  to acknowledge that he or she has a drug problem.

• The next step would be for the person to explore
  possible treatment options.

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Acknowledge the Problem
Many abusers deny their behavior others deny the
underlying problems that led them to drug abuse.
Signs of Possible Drug Abuse
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Explore Treatment Options

• Treatment options for drug abusers include

• detoxification

• therapeutic communities

• supervised medication

• Programs exist for family members trying to
  understand their loved ones drug problem.

• Some drug treatment programs are available at
  little or no cost.

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Detoxification

• A person who enters a detoxification program
  undergoes gradual but complete withdrawal from
  the abused drug under medical supervision.

• Detoxification programs include counseling to
  help people deal with their abuse and cope with
  the underlying problems.

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Therapeutic Community

• A therapeutic community (thehr uh PYOO tik) is a
  residential treatment center where former drug
  abusers live together and learn to adjust to
  drug-free lives.

• Therapeutic communities provide both medical care
  and counseling.

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Supervised Medication

• A third treatment option involves replacing the
  abused drug with a drug that produces some of the
  same effects, without the high.

• Because methadone and other drug replacements can
  cause dependency, a trained professional must
  carefully monitor treatment and slowly lower the
  dosage.

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For Updates on treating drug abuse
Click above to go online.
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Staying Drug Free
Practicing refusal skills, seeking help when you
need it, and getting involved in drug-free
activities can help you stay away from drugs.
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Resisting Peer Pressure
Materials
bag of jelly beansset of five role-playing cards
per group
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Resisting Peer Pressure
Try This
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Resisting Peer Pressure
Think and Discuss
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Refusing Drugs

• To be effective, be sure to clearly state your
  personal reasons for not wanting to take drugs.

• No thanks I want to keep a clear head.

• I dont want to become addicted.

• I dont do drugs.

• If the person offering you drugs continues to
  pressure you, take a definite action and remove
  yourself from the situation.

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Seeking Help

• If you decide that the stresses and problems in
  your life are too much to manage, find someone to
  talk to.

• parents

• teachers

• friends

• siblings

• school counselors

• school nurses

• members of the clergy

• A second option is to call a national drug-abuse
  hotline.

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Alternatives to Drugs

• Engage in physical activity. Physical activity
  boosts your mood and relieves the negative
  effects of stress.

• Volunteer. Helping other people can give you a
  good feeling about yourself, too.

• Join a youth group. Participating in a youth
  group can give you a sense of belonging and a
  connection to others.

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Vocabulary
therapeutic community
A residential treatment center where former drug
abusers live together and learn to adjust to
drug-free lives.
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QuickTake Quiz
Click to start quiz.
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For Chapter 17 self test
Click above to go online.
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• End of Section 17.4
• Click on this slide to end this presentation.