Dealing with an addiction
In your life you may have to manage an addiction of your own or live with or support someone with an addiction. Here are some practical guides to help you and resources to find further information.
Table of Contents
Useful Links
Programme goals
We have identified three key goals for each lifeguide.
Click on each goal for more information.
Get to know your surroundings
A great way to prepare for anything new, is to become familiar with it. This builds your confidence to develop the skill.
What can I do to prepare?
Top tips to help you succeed whatever the situation.
Addiction to alcohol or energy drinks
Addiction to smoking, vaping or cannabis
Addiction to gambling, slot machines, online sports, card games
Online addiction, social media, gaming, porn sites
What to do in unexpected events
Handy Tips
Some handy reminders in sequence, to help your confidence flow.
Resources available to you
Spend some time getting to know these helpful websites before completing this skill.
Spend some time getting to know some useful information on some websites to develop your skill. We have selected some key pages that are useful for you, taking you straight to the information that matters.
Mind
Mind has a range of useful links for drug and alcohol addiction as well as sex and gambling addiction, and discusses the effects on mental health and where to get help.
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Turning Point
Turning point is a charity that supports people with addictions and learning disabilities, with free and confidential support.
Addiction Family Support
This charity supports family members of someone with an addiction
Communication
Key phrases to practice and say, talking to new people can be tricky but people really do want to help so get used to asking for key things. Having a lanyard or card that explains your hidden disability can also be useful to show people. Self advocacy is important and remember people with disabilities have a right to equal access to opportunities!
Vocabulary
Looking for helpful resources? Check out our toolkit. You’ll find everything.
Addiction
Addiction is a disease that affects the brain, changing how it works and making it hard for people to control their actions.
Peer pressure
when friends or classmates influence you to do something, usually to "fit in" or be liked. It’s the feeling that you have to join in.
Illegal
If something is illegal, it means the law says "you cannot do it" and you could go to prison.
Withdrawal
the physical and mental, sometimes dangerous, response to suddenly stopping or reducing the use of addictive substances (drugs or alcohol)
Trusted adult
a safe, reliable, and non-judgmental adult chosen by a young person to confide in, seek support from, and discuss problems with.
Substance abuse
is when an adult or teenager uses drugs or alcohol in a way that is unhealthy, unsafe, and out of control. It is often explained as a "problem habit"
tolerance
the capacity to endure continued subjection to something such as a drug or environmental conditions without adverse reaction
programme
a structured, organised initiative designed to address drug misuse through education, prevention, treatment, or legal diversion.
What causes addiction, and why is it hard to treat?
As of 2021, more than 36 million people were estimated to be experiencing substance use disorder. This condition spans a spectrum of patterned drug use that causes issues in a person’s life, with substance addiction at the more severe end. Why are some people more susceptible to addiction, and why can it be so difficult to treat? Judy Grisel takes a look at how addictive drugs affect the body.
Questionnaire
Looking for support on-the-go?
Download Our Toolkit
A range of useful printable templates to help you become organised and prepared for each lifeguide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have any questions just ask !
Where can I find information for under 18's?
https://www.mind.org.uk/for-young-people/how-to-get-help-and-support/useful-contacts/
has a list of useful contacts,
Youngminds.co.uk is also a good website.
Where can I find information about other addictions? shopping? hording?
https://www.ukat.co.uk/addiction/behavioural/shopping/
Help and advise with shopping addiction.
Still have questions?
Just contact us, we are happy to help.