Understanding Drugs & Addiction Science

🚫⛔️⭕️💚𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐔𝐃

𝑺𝒕𝒊𝒈𝒎𝒂 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑺𝑼𝑫 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆.

Don’t forget to focus on self-care for your mental and physical health. Here are some ways to take care of yourself one small way each day.

Alcohol and Your Brain - A Rollercoaster Ride Through Your Brain - NIAAA/NIH on Oculus Quest 2 Hop on board a rollercoaster as it travels through the brain with stops at the primary areas affected by alcohol. At each stop, you will learn about each brain structure and how alcohol negatively affects it.

There are many warning signs that may indicate that someone is affected by bullying—either being bullied or bullying others.

Recognizing the warning signs is an important 1st step in taking action to . https://stopbullying.gov/bullying/warning-signs

📣 The UNODC DAPC grants programme 2023 seeks applications from not-for-profit organisations working in the area of substance use for and with youth.

⌛ Apply by 28 July 2023!

Click the link for details 👇
https://www.issup.net/knowledge-share/news/2023-07/call-proposals-dapc-grants-2023

On this , let's pledge to quit harmful substance use and move on to a more healthy and lifestyle

The longer you stay away from to***co, the healthier you get ⬇️

Commit to quit today! Quitters are winners!

If someone you know has depression, remember:
𝘐𝘯 𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘵𝘰𝘰. 💙

Don't get hooked ❗
E-cigarettes are presented in thousands of appealing flavours and with misleading claims to hook children and adolescents.

Congratulations!

ISSUP has reached an incredible milestone - we now have over 30,000 members worldwide! 😍
http://ow.ly/SjhG50NGWaA

ISSUP Namibia and UNODC invite you to attend their forthcoming event on the Early of Drug Use.

⏰ This Friday, Feb 24 at 3pm Namibia / 1pm UK
Register: http://ow.ly/ZJHy50MZinJ

Take time each day for things you enjoy and to stay connected with those you ❤

✅Keep in touch with people you care about
✅Think about what you can do for others
✅Reach out to a trusted person or health worker if you need help

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=651216946810602&id=100057669060206&mibextid=Nif5oz

Experience the world's first international symposium in Borneo. Interact with and gain insights from international healthcare professionals, including professors, doctors, psychiatrists, psychotherapists, mental health counsellors, caregivers, and researchers from the field of addiction therapy and recovery, behavioural health, psychiatry, and drug demand reduction.

📌 When: Sep 18-21, 2023
📌 Where: Imperial Hotel, Kuching, Malaysia

⌛ Early Bird offer ends 31 May 2023.

https://www.issup.net/events/calendar/2023-09/international-recovery-symposium-2023

We all face difficulties & it's completely normal to feel anxious, isolated or overwhelmed.

Small steps can help improve mental health:

🚶🏻Exercise
🧘🏽‍♀️Mindfulness
🥘Healthy food
🛌Adequate sleep

More tips: https://bit.ly/40VO4CY

Don't get hooked❗️

E-cigarettes are presented in thousands of appealing flavours and with misleading claims to hook children and adolescents.

Understanding Mental Health Understanding mental health is important for maintaining o...

Su***de is complicated & tragic, but it is often preventable. Knowing the warning signs for su***de & how to get help can help save lives. If you or someone you know is struggling or needs support now, call or text 988 or chat https://988lifeline.org ***deAwareness

Don’t forget to focus on self-care for your mental and physical health.
Learn some ways to take care of yourself one small way each day.

Recovery is real and possible. It works if you work it!

𝗥𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:

𝗘𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗿. 𝗧𝗲𝗻𝘇𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆

𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙙𝙞𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩?
I started abusing drugs when I was 16 years old. While I was studying, I stayed with my relatives since my village is far from school. Due to my judgmental mind, I didn’t see myself as a fair share like other kids. I felt like I was doing all the chores at home. As I couldn’t maintain an open mind to all these feelings as a positive responsibility, I started abusing drugs.

My first substance abuse started with dendrite. After completing high school, I got a small job. Thinking that the job I owned can be lost, I then started abusing alcohol after quitting dendrite. Since then, I became addicted to alcohol. Associated with alcohol addiction, I started gambling and it became an unhealthy obsession which caused serious consequences in my later life. As of today, I realize that I could not maintain a self-awareness of the discernment I had, and I don’t blame my relatives.

𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙙𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣?
The mindset of quitting alcohol would have been a big enough wake-up call for me to get help, but my body developed a heavy dependence on alcohol. I used to think I was a ‘functional alcoholic’ but my tolerance was so high that I eventually received little to no effect from it. As I couldn’t stand the withdrawals, I just drank more.

𝘿𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙧𝙚𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚?
It’s easy to let that time slip away, but once it’s gone you can never get it back to ask for forgiveness. As an addict, I could neither fulfil the wishes of my parents nor was I helpful to society. Moreover, I was not able to provide care and affection to my family. I wish I had requested forgiveness more from my dearest sister who passed away in 2010. She rendered tremendous love and support during my difficult times in terms of value and kindness. I had squandered all her support into substance abuse. Though she is not with me for this day, I am indebted with much gratitude and apologize for everything, not I want to be brave, but I know that she has made effort for my excellence.

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮?
After being addicted to alcohol for a long time, I had many questions in my mind. Most of the time, I realized that when the odds are against me, I can't afford to lose. I also compared it with my friends who are doing great in their lives. I feared death and the terror was something I only wish nobody ever had to go through. From the last booze, I had at Hongkong Market in Thimphu, I was admitted to JDWNRH. In the hospital, while I got detoxed there was no one looking after me, and I had to confess to myself that everything was gone. I just wanted to run away from life and had no idea what awaited me. I never thought it was possible to reach that bottom.

The alcoholism and compulsive gambling brought me down to my knees and finally I realized at all the wreckage there were only two choices- let myself go for good, or ask for help. As a wise man says, a decision is the hardest thing to make, especially when it is a choice between where you should be and where you want to be.

𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙢?
In initial, I didn’t get any support to avail treatment and rehabilitation programs. Then I got sponsorship from Her Majesty Azhi Kezang Wangmo Wangchuck and Lama Zhenphen and procedural assistance from Mr. Phub Dorji for the three-month treatment program at Serbithang. I am very grateful for their support.

The treatment program saved my life and forced me to see clearly that my recovery had to be the most important thing in my life. I learned that I had to get sober not for other people or to look good in the face of my regrets but for myself to learn that I was worth it. My sobriety is a redemption from all the discernment I had in my life. I am so thankful to my Counselors.

𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙞𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙨𝙤𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙩𝙮?
I have got family, and I try to stick to the commitments of my family and I give guidance to my children for the right understanding and right living. I try to remain as vigilant as possible in everyday life. As I have got a basic counseling background and volunteered for many young people with substance use disorder, I was recruited as the Male Resident Coordinator at the Bhutan Institute of Well-being.

In the Institute, I help those young people who are seeking long-term recovery. I try to remain mentally and physically active. I am also a passionate singer and during my leisure time, I compose songs. I have recorded many songs and also played a lead character in the music videos of my songs. To keep physically active, I play games and engage in other meaningful physical activities. Sometimes, I do meditation and contemplate the aspects of my life. I also give inspirational talks to young people not to glorify myself but for them to learn positively from my mistakes in life. As I believe that nothing is personal until we make it personal, I am hopeful that my story could inspire them.

𝘿𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙨𝙤𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙩𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙜𝙜𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣?
In our country, alcohol addiction is one of the common problems and it is too legal. Most young people are vulnerable to it. Any other addiction problems such as gambling, s*x, etc. can blow through the family budget, cause fights, ignore children, and otherwise impair the health and happiness of the people we love.

My message for the young people is that- please feel worthy, and take any hurdles in life positively. There is a solution to your problem. So, try to appreciate the things you do and the person you are. If you are longing to quit your addiction, please visit Bhutan Institute Well-being to avail of our services. "𝙇𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙖 𝙛𝙚𝙬 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙣, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙯𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙩 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙥𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜".

Have a teenager in the house 🏡?
Be sure to check out SAMHSA's Tips for Teens series, designed to help teens learn more about multiple substances and their harmful effects ➡️ https://fal.cn/3vutY

https://www.facebook.com/47271809641/posts/10159946656104642/

Medical ma*****na can quickly cause addiction, new study warns A US study found that turning to medical cannabis failed to improve patients’ symptoms of anxiety and depression while doubling their risk of addictive disorders.

In addition, a stack of studies link regular family dinners with lowering a host of high risk teenage behaviors parents fear: smoking, binge drinking, ma*****na use, violence, school problems, eating disorders and s*xual activity.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/01/12/the-most-important-thing-you-can-do-with-your-kids-eat-dinner-with-them/

The most important thing you can do with your kids? Eat dinner with them. Good for mind and body.