83 A teetotaller is a person who never drinks alcohol on principle. Is anyone you know a teetotaller? There are endless debates about the possible use of marijuana as a medication, since, apparently, it alleviates the pain of multiple sclerosis and nerve pain in general. Generally speaking, there are different approaches to dealing with drugs around the world. Some countries place a greater emphasis on law enforcement while others do not. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a free fellowship of people who come together to solve their drinking problem. There are no age or education requirements to participate. ONLINE RESOURCES Drugs Alcohol ADDICTIONS: DRUGS AND ALCOHOL Experimentation during adolescence is common. However, while some teens experiment with a drug or alcohol and then stop, or continue to use it occasionally, others may develop an addiction, i.e. a compulsive, chronic, physiological, or psychological need for something. Alcohol addiction Advertising, magazines, and television make alcoholic drinks seem fun, and peer pressure easily makes a teen start drinking, too. Binge drinking is the action of consuming several drinks in a row. Drug addiction Teenagers at risk of developing serious drug problems include those with a family history of substance use disorders, who are depressed, who have low selfesteem, and who feel they do not fit in. Abused drugs may be: legal, which include alcohol, prescribed medications, inhalants (fumes from glues, aerosols, and solvents), and over-the-counter medications; illegal, such as marijuana , stimulants (cocaine, crack, meth), LSD, opiates, heroin, and designer drugs (ecstasy or the most recent fentanyl). There are many signs that a teen is using drugs although it can be difficult to tell the difference between the mood changes of adolescence and actual drug use. Some common signs of drug abuse include a drop in school marks, bloodshot eyes, laughing for no reason, loss of interest in activities, careless personal appearance, avoiding eye contact, excessive hunger, and withdrawal. Several treatment options are available, and most people experiencing addiction will receive a combination of approaches which include detoxification, rehabilitation programs, counselling, and behavioural therapies. This excessive drinking can lead to difficulty in concentrating, memory lapses, mood changes, along with more serious and longer-lasting risks. Alcohol poisoning is the most life-threatening consequence of binge drinking. It affects the body s involuntary reflexes including breathing and the gag reflex. If the gag reflex is not working properly, a person can choke to death on their vomit. Other signs of alcohol poisoning include: extreme confusion, inability to be awakened, vomiting, seizures, slow or irregular breathing, low body temperature, bluish or pale skin. There are many treatment options available, such as behavioural treatments, medications, and mutual-support groups such as AA . bloodshot: iniettato di sangue to choke: soffocare death toll: bilancio delle vittime drop: calo gag reflex: riflesso faringeo in a row: di seguito lapse: vuoto over-the-counter: da banco seizure: convulsione withdrawal: chiusura in se stessi 164 ADOLESCENTS