Young people in society column

Provided by the Professional Order of Social Workers of Québec (Ordre professionnel des travailleurs sociaux du Québec), these articles are intended to help you deal with everyday life. They could also help you help a friend!

Come back to read it!

What kind of drug user are you?¹

By Nathalie Grondin, Social Worker

One way to prevent drug addiction is to know yourself. Reading this text will help you figure out what kind of user* you are and learn more about mood-altering drugs**, another good way to prevent drug dependence.

1. The non-user or abstinent teen
   This type of person has never taken or is no longer taking mood-altering drugs.
   
   
2. The experimental teen user
   This person experiments with new things and wants to know how drugs will affect him. He is curious and seeks to experience new sensations.
   
   
3. The occasional teen user
   This teen uses drugs at specific, chosen times like at concerts or special events. Her primary motivation is to seek pleasure and socialization.
   
   
4. The regular teen user
   This person uses drugs regularly: a few times a week or every weekend. He may develop a psychological dependence (the urge to use and plan to buy drugs). Often, his friends exhibit similar behaviour.
   
   
5. The frequent teen user
   This teen spends most of her time, energy and money buying mood-altering substances, taking them or talking and thinking about them. Often, frequent users take various substances at the same time and their lives center around drugs or alcohol. Everything else (family, school, friends) is contingent upon the drugs. Outside help is needed.
   
   
6. The teen abuser or problem user
   This user tends to consume large amounts of drugs, whether he is an experimental, occasional, regular or frequent user. He goes on a binge each time, as though he can't help himself. His consumption is uncontrollable, often in an effort to compensate for something, blow off steam or even forget his problems. Outside help is needed.

A qualified counsellor can help you figure out your profile. Regardless of what kind of user you think you are, there are different forms of help, ranging from prevention to rehabilitation and treatment.

If you need help, call the CLSC in your area or contact a drug counsellor at your school (often a teacher). You can also call "Drugs: Help and Referral" at 1-800-265-2626 or 514-527-2626.

¹Paquin, P. « Les jeunes, l'alcool et les drogues : valeurs, profils, problèmes » in Brisson, P. « L'usage des drogues et de la toxicomanie », 1988

*The masculine and feminine genders are alternately used throughout this document this document for the sole purpose of brevity; it is not, in any way, intended to be discriminatory.

** Mood-altering drugs: legal and illegal substances that affect your brain. They include all types of drugs, alcohol and medication.