Stress

        I was super stressed about my drivers test. I was worried that my family would be upset with me if I didn't pass. My neighbor let me know about a pill called Ativan that would help me relax. I got hooked. I started to care less about school, and even failed some of my classes. Eventually my family found out and got me some help. They took me to professionals who got me through it.

     10% of American Adults struggle with drug abuse at some point in their lives. 100% of those seeking drug use experience more stress than they did originally. Drugs cause more anxiety and stress the more you need to have them grows. Too often are people willing to sacrifice their well-being to gain access to drugs.

Injury

    I was working on a roof one day, when I accidentally slipped and fell. I broke my right leg and was given strong pain medication. After I got out of the hospital, I realized I was addicted. I would steal prescribed medication from people I knew. After some time, I realized just how detrimental taking the drugs was to my health. I did the hard thing and put myself in treatment, and now I'm better.

    21-29% of people on prescription opioids for pain misuse them. Around 1-in-6 trauma patients become repeat users over the course of the two years following that injury. Altogether, injuries account for about 11% of opioid abuse in America, and research has found that the injured are around 1.4% more likely to abuse opioids. Thankfully there is a focus on injury prevention not just to reduce death and disability, but to also help reduce the amount of opioid misuse in the US.

Peer Pressure

    I never had many friends at school. A girl approached me one day inviting me to a party that weekend. When I showed up at the party I realized that everyone was drinking and smoking. Someone offered me a pill and I took it. I became addicted. I kept wanting more and more. One of my friends was worried about me, and finally asked me what was going on. I told her and she helped me talk to someone who could help me with my addiction.

    55% of teenagers say they tried drugs because of peer pressure. Approximately 90% of all teenagers experience peer pressure in their lifetime. Often, people submit to this peer pressure in an effort to fit in or belong. This often results in health risks due to participating in dangerous events.