Alcohol, Vaping & Drugs: Facts, Risks & Help for Young People
🍺 Alcohol
- Only 37% of 11–15‑year‑olds in England have ever tried alcohol, and under‑18 alcohol hospital admissions are decreasing.
- UK Chief Medical Officers advise avoiding alcohol under 15, and if over 15, only drink once a week in a supervised setting.
- Risks include alcohol poisoning (fainting, vomiting, seizures), risky choices, mental health issues, and damage to brain development.
🌬️ Vaping
- Vapes heat liquids to create inhalable vapour; most contain nicotine and flavours.
- In Great Britain, ~18% of 11–17‑year‑olds have tried vaping; around 4% vape regularly.
- Most disposable vapes are high-strength (20 mg/ml nicotine ≈ 48 cigarettes).
- Nicotine is addictive, especially for developing brains, and vaping may impact memory, attention, mood, and mental health.
- Illegal vapes sometimes contain other drugs like cannabis concentrates (“shatter”), which are unsafe and unregulated.
💊 Common Drugs & Street Names (UK Teens)
| Drug Type | Street Names | Effects & Risks |
| Cannabis | Weed, pot, dope, grass, skunk, kush, dab, wax, shatter | Smoked or vaped; impacts memory, motivation, and sometimes increases anxiety. High-potency forms (e.g., wax, shatter) are stronger. |
| Cocaine/Crack | Coke, blow, Charlie, snow; crack also “rock” or “flaky” | Stimulant—increases energy and risk-taking; can stress the heart. |
| Heroin | Smack, H, horse, junk | Opioid—high risk of overdose, dependency, injection-related harm. |
| MDMA/Ecstasy | X, E, Molly, Mandy | Party stimulant; can cause overheating, dehydration, depression, anxiety. |
| Mephedrone (Bath Salts) | Meow Meow, miaow, M-Cat | Synthetic stimulant—can cause paranoia, agitation, addiction. |
🔁 What Is Addiction?
- Addiction means you can’t control using a substance even if it’s causing harm.
- You need more for the same effect; stopping might trigger withdrawal (e.g., anxiety, headaches).
- Triggers include stress, peer pressure, low mood, or trauma.
🧩 Coping & Harm-Reduction Strategies
For Alcohol
- Use healthier ways to cope: exercise, hobbies, mindfulness, chatting with someone.
- Drink slowly, don’t mix with drugs, alternate with water, eat first.
For Vaping & Drugs
- Know the facts; be aware of legal stuff.
- Delay urge—try deep breathing or going for a walk.
- Squeeze ball, drink water, distract yourself.
- Avoid risky settings or peer pressure.
📞 Support & Treatment in South Tyneside
- Matrix Young People’s Service (for under-18s):
14 Marketplace, South Shields, NE33 1JF
☎ 0191 497 5637 · Email: matrixenquiries@southtyneside.gov.uk
Help: assessments, counselling, relapse advice, sexual-health links. - South Tyneside Adult Recovery Service (18+ but precious for families):
19 Cookson House, South Shields, NE33 1TL
☎ 0191 917 1160. - NECA / North East Council on Addictions:
Focus on substance misuse recovery including youth counselling
☎ 0191 456 9999. - Spectrum Community Health CIC (South Tyneside):
Clinics for addiction support, prescriptions, counselling, family support. - WithYou: confidential support for young people
Webchat: 9 am–9 pm weekdays; phone finder online. - Hope UK: drug & alcohol education, training, youth-friendly info
☎ 020 7928 0848. - FRANK: national drug info & 24/7 helpline
☎ 0300 123 6600 · talktoFRANK.com.
🚨 If Things Feel Risky or You’re in Crisis
- Call 999 if you or someone else is in immediate danger or unresponsive.
- NHS 111 – select mental health option for urgent help.
- Kooth – anonymous online counselling for under-19s.
- Childline (NSPCC) – free 24/7 support: ☎ 0800 1111.
- Talk to a school nurse, GP, or trusted adult right away.
You’re not alone. Asking for help is strong, not weak. Take small steps, talk about it, and use the support around you.
