You see them on TV, in movies, in music videos, maybe even in your own family or circle of friends: people who put their lives at risk by using harmful substances. As you delve into this topic, think about these people and what they are doing to their bodies and their futures.

Tobacco

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year, an estimated 443,000 people die prematurely from smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke, and another 8.6 million have a serious illness caused by smoking.

You may know someone who has developed cancer or another serious illness. Or perhaps you know someone who has even died due to smoking, use of smokeless tobacco, or exposure to secondhand smoke.  

When you look at these statistics, you have to wonder why people use tobacco products. People start using tobacco products for a variety of reasons. They may think it makes them look cool, or perhaps they are influenced by family members or friends who smoke. Regardless of why people choose to use tobacco products, it is illegal to purchase these products if you are under the age of eighteen. So there are also legal consequences to using tobacco if you are under the legal age. 

Living a tobacco-free lifestyle is becoming a more popular decision these days. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smoking has declined from more than 40% of American adult smokers in 1965 to 20.6% of American adult smokers in 2009. 

By choosing to live a tobacco-free lifestyle, you are lowering your risk of developing cancer, heart disease, and stroke. You are also improving your cardiovascular endurance, which increases your level of physical fitness. To show you an example of how smoking can affect your cardiovascular endurance, complete the following activity:

When you smoke, the toxins entering your lungs build up. This limits the amount of air that can enter the lungs, thus making it much harder to do daily tasks, such as jogging, walking, or even walking up a set of stairs. If you think it is hard jogging for three minutes using the straw, try playing a game of basketball or walking up and down stairs at the mall.

Alcohol 

Drinking alcohol has an immediate effect on the body because it is absorbed into the bloodstream. The amount of alcohol a person consumes in order to reach intoxication is different for everyone. Body size, stomach contents, and gender determine the amount of alcohol a person could consume before reaching the level of intoxication.

Underage drinking has many consequences, legally, emotionally, and physically. In this interactivity, you will discover more about these consequences. Click the player button to begin.

Many factors are attributed to underage drinking, such as peer pressure, acceptance of use by family, and media messages. Many movies today depict the typical high school party scene with alcohol being the centerpiece of the party. Alcohol commercials advertise a "good time" if you drink their product, and there is an overabundance of popular songs on the radio that encourage the use of alcohol.

Drugs

Drugs can be found in many places in today’s society. Some are considered good, while others are considered bad. Specifically, drugs are substances other than food that change the structure or function of the body or mind. Whether they are prescription medications or street drugs, drugs should never be mixed. Prescription medication should only be used as directed, because improper use can lead to serious illness or even death.

Inhalants and Medicine

All medicines are considered drugs; however, not all drugs are considered medicines. Medicines are used to treat or prevent diseases or other illnesses. Without these medications, some people would not survive. However, some people misuse drugs. When a person intentionally misuses medicines to achieve a desired effect, it is considered substance abuse.

Illegal Drugs

Drugs that are not considered medicine are considered illegal drugs, or street drugs. There are many illegal drugs out on the streets, such as marijuana, steroids, cocaine, crack, ecstasy, inhalants, LSD, PCP, and heroin. Some drugs act as stimulants, which increase the action of the central nervous system, the heart, and other organs. Other drugs act as depressants, which slow down the central nervous system.

Marijuana is one of the most widely used illegal drugs. Derived from the leaves, buds, and flowers of the hemp plant, marijuana is typically smoked for its intoxicating effects. Marijuana is also known as weed, pot, dope, reefer, and grass. This drug is usually smoked as a cigarette, also known as a joint, or in a pipe. It is one of the first drugs that teens experiment with after alcohol. According to the 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 22.2 million Americans aged 12 or older are marijuana users, an increase over the rates reported in all years between 2002 and 2013.

Ecstasy is another illegal drug popular with the teenage population. Ecstasy is a synthetic, psychoactive drug that affects the central nervous system and alters activity in the brain. It is taken orally, usually in the form of a tablet. Ecstasy is found often in night clubs or raves. It is also known as XTC, X, Adam, E, and Roll. Ecstasy can have several effects on the body, such as depression, confusion, intensified feelings, sleep problems, addiction, and anxiety. It speeds up the central nervous system, which causes an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. This effect on the heart and cardiovascular system can result heart problems, stroke, or heart attack. Ecstasy is an illegal drug, and if you are caught using it or in possession of this drug, there are legal consequences.

Drugs are very dangerous, even deadly substances. Many people become seriously ill or even die due to taking drugs that have been tampered with or by mixing the drug with other drugs or foods. When someone buys or is given drugs from a dealer, there is no guarantee that the drug is safe. For some drugs, such as ecstasy, the ingredients are very difficult to obtain. The drug may have been mixed with other substances that can make the drug even more harmful to the body.

Harmful substances such as tobacco, alcohol, and drugs damage your body in various ways. Find out why it is important for your health, now and in the future, to avoid these substances. Place your cursor on each quadrant to learn why you should avoid harmful substances.

View a printable version of the interactivity.

How to Be Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drug Free

You just learned how tobacco, alcohol, and drugs can have damaging physical, social, and emotional effects. Peer pressure, family pressure, and the media all influence teens to use drugs. While it may feel that everyone is doing it, not all teens are using these substances. You have to be willing to take a stand for your decision to be alcohol and drug free.

Remember that there are many benefits to living a lifestyle free of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs:

• Decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and stroke
• Healthier immune system
• Healthier cardiovascular system (improves your cardiovascular endurance, which improves your level of physical fitness)
• Avoiding illegal activities
• Avoiding risky behavior
• A sense of pride for making responsible decisions

Harmful Substances Review

Now that you have learned a bit about harmful substances, review your knowledge in this non-graded activity. Click the player button to get started.