Smoking is not that cool!  Most teens begin to smoke because their friends smoke or they want to look cool.  Some teens see their parents smoke so they feel it is okay for them to smoke.  Believe me, smoking is not cool.

I had my first smoke when I was in the 6th grade.  My friend began smoking so I wanted to see what it was like.  I choked on my first drag.  Years later when I entered high school, I began to smoke because my friends were able to buy them -- they were not carded!  The people who sold them the cigarettes could have been in major trouble for selling to minors.

I thought smoking made me look cool and it seemed to melt my troubles away.  I didn't come from a "white picket fence" background.  My family life was a mess and smoking seemed to alleviate all the pain I was feeling.  Unfortunately, smoking is only a temporary relief.

Luckily for me, I wasn't a constant or heavy smoker.  I'd stop and start and wouldn't smoke that much.  However, the fact that I was smoking wasn't a good sign.  My lungs didn't appreciate it!

When you smoke, your hair and clothes stink.  Your teeth get stained which doesn't make for a pretty picture.  Of course, I didn't realize all of this until I quit smoking three years ago. When I was around smokers, I noticed how my clothes smelled.  Yuck!  First of all, I love fashion.  It makes no sense to spend good money on clothing if you're going to ruin them with cigarette smoke!  And, I love to get my hair done.  It makes no sense to spend over $100 to get your hair cut, styled, hi-lighted, and colored if you're going to smoke because it will dull your hair.

FYI:  I haven't had cigarette since 2007 and it's been great.  I have more stamina, and I can hike South Mountain Park in Phoenix, AZ without huffing and puffing!

Before you light up and begin smoking, ask yourself "why" you're smoking.  What appeals to you about smoking?  How does it make you feel?  What influence do your friends and parents have on you?  Think about these questions before you put that cigarette to your lips and inhale.  You could save yourself from medical complications now or down the road!

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More and more teens are huffing.  Using inhalants to get high is not cool or smart.  When you inhale harmful chemical vapors, they can alter your mental and physical state.  Abusers usually feel euphoric which is why they use inhalants.  Inhalants can kill you, cause kidney failure, and affect your brain.  Why would you want to cause harm to you and your body?

Being a teen is a time of exploration, but sometimes that can lead to trouble.  It's true that heavy drugs like cocaine, heroin, and meth are prevalent in society, but certain drugs can be found under your kitchen and bathroom sinks.  These drugs are cheap and easy to buy.  Your parents are probably unaware that you're experimenting with huffing.  They usually find out when it's too late.

What is huffing?

According to Inhalant.org huffing is "the deliberate inhalation or sniffing of common products found in homes and communities with the purpose of "getting high."  Inhalants are easily accessible, legal, everyday products.  When used as intended, these products have a useful purpose in our lives and enhance the quality of life, but when intentionally misused, they can be deadly.  Inhalant Abuse is a lesser recognized form of substance abuse, but it is no less dangerous.  Inhalants are addictive and are considered to be "gateway" drugs because children often progress from inhalants to illegal drug and alcohol abuse.  The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that one in five American teens have used Inhalants to get high."  For more information on huffing and sniffing, visit Inhalant.org.

Products teens use to huff

1.  Computer cleaner
2.  Hairspray
3.  Deodorant
4.  Air Freshener
5.  Magic markers
6.  Nail polish remover
7.  Paint remover

Why huffing?

Many common household products contain chemical vapors.  The most common product used by teens is aerosols like computer compressed air.  What teenagers find thrilling and euphoric about sniffing compressed air is beyond me.  What is the deal with that?  Teens, is sniffing compressed computer air that thrilling?  Perhaps you could find some better use of your time or channel your energy into an art project.

Teens if you want to die an early death then continue to huff.  I know what you'll say, "...my parents experimented with drugs or everyone experiments with drugs."  If everyone decided to jump off a bridge, would you follow the crowd?  Here's a tip:  stop following the crowd.  Your parents may have done some crazy stuff back in the day, but that doesn't mean you have to do the same thing.  Learn from their experiences so you can avoid falling into the trap of following the crowd.

Just say no!

If you want to live a happy and successful life, stop huffing right now.  Ask for help or accept help if it's offered to you.  Do you really want to die from sniffing aerosols?  If your friends have say you're not cool if you don't huff, those people are not your friends.  Real friends wouldn't ask you to put yourself in life threatening situations.  Think about that before your start huffing!

Many teens are surrounded by drugs because drug pushers hang around schools.  Stay away from anyone that pushes drugs on you because it's not worth it.  Once you get addicted it may take you some time and money to break the addiction.  It's better to avoid drugs at all cost. 

Drug pushers prey on teens because they're easy targets.  Most teens want to look cool so they'll go along with the crowd.  Learn to be yourself and just say no!  There's nothing cool about frying your brain on drugs.  If you do too many drugs, you run the risk of overdosing which means you can die.  Do you really want to die at a young age from drugs?  Think about that before you purchase drugs.

Teens you may experiment with drugs.  You are not the first teenagers and will not be the last ones to try drugs.  Avoid drug pushers at all costs because they may not be "pushing" the real deal.  They could have mixed the drugs with something else that will cause your death in an instant.  Think about before you buy something from the street.

The hardcore drugs like cocaine, meth, and heroine can screw you up big time.  Of course, they can also kill you.  Then again you could die from sharing needles if you "shoot up."  Using a dirty needle means you can contract STDs, Aids, and other diseases.  Are these diseases worth it to get a high that doesn't last that long?  When you come down from your high you could go through withdrawal and become sick.  Does that sound like fun?  Does puking and going into convulsions sound like fun?  Think about that before you do any type of drug that is pushed on you.  If you don't know the side effects, you could die in an instant.  The headline will read "Dead at 16."  Is that what you want?  The choice is yours.

Drug pushers who target teens have nothing else to do with their time.  If they really wanted to run a drug business, they'd push the drugs onto high profile people who can afford the good stuff.  That's just the way it is.  Many people believe that drug addicts are derelicts when in fact most addicts are rich and successful.  So why would drug pushers sell to teens?  They do this to get you hooked.  Before you know it, you'll become a regular customer.  Here's a tip:  spend your money on something else and forget about drugs.  It's not worth it!

Teens if you want to be healthy stay away from drug pushers.  Once you become addicted you may have a tough time breaking the addiction.  Plus, you better have the money to pay drug pushers.  They mean serious business.  If you don't have the money, they will find a way to get it from you or someone close to you.  That's the way it goes because it is a business.  Stay in school, do your best, and stay clean and sober.  There's enough crap in the atmosphere that can pollute your lungs.  You don't have to seek it elsewhere!

Underage teen drinking is nothing new.  Many teens try alcohol at one point during the teen years.  Mom and dad may not be thrilled about this, but chances are they probably engaged in underage drinking when they were your age.  Does underage teen drinking happen?  Yes, it does.  Can it be avoided?  Yes, it can.

Most teens will feel peer pressure to try a beer or shot of whiskey.  You don't have to follow the crowd.  Alcohol impairs the brain and before you know it, you could be jumping naked into your neighbor's pool.  Even worse, your friends could take pictures of you and send them to people.  How would you like to go to school on Monday and have people snickering or pointing at you?  It will not make you feel good.  You will feel embarrassed and probably get mad at your friends.  Even worse, all parties involved can get into serious trouble for "snapping" those pictures.

Teenage drinking is not uncommon.  Over the years, newscasts have reported the deaths of teenagers due to underage drinking.  The laws are more serious now than they were in the past; you could face jail time if you cause the death of a person.  Think about that before you get behind the wheel of a car and decide to drive drunk.

Drinking is not that big of a deal in many countries.  Why?  Teens are allowed wine with meals.  By the time teens in other countries such as France or the UK reach the legal drinking age, alcohol is no big deal.  It's not a taboo subject as it is in America.  The more you know about alcohol and drinking the better off you will be.

Underage teen drinking is not a good idea.  Alcohol impairs your judgment and you end up of doing stupid things.  Believe me, I know.  It's not worth it.  If you lose friends over drinking, so be it.  They were never your friends in the first place if they "dump" you because you wouldn't drink a glass of wine.

Drinking doesn't make you cool, older, or sophisticated.  It's packed full of calories that can spike your blood sugar levels.  It will make you act in ways that you never thought you'd act before in your life.  The next time someone offers you a beer, think twice about accepting it.  You could be saving your life.

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Growing up with alcoholism can be frightening, stressful, and just plain awful.  It's worse if both parents are alcoholics.  If there is mental, emotional, and physical abuse "mixed-in" with the alcoholism, it only makes life worse.  Alcoholism takes a toll on you mentally, emotionally, and physically.  The good news is that you have the POWER to make a change.  You can do this by seeking help.  Reach out to someone, and they will reach back!

When a parent or both parents drink, life seems to spin out of control.  The alcoholic parent can lash out with a punch or even worse, hurtful words.  Words HIT HARDER than a punch to the face.  These scars run deep and can be lasting unlike a bruised cheek or split lip that will eventually heal and may not leave a physical scar.

Alcoholism:  is drinking alcoholic beverages at a level that interferes with physical health, mental health, and social, family, or job responsibilities.  Read more at Google Health.

It's not your fault that one or both of your parents are alcoholics.  It's considered a disease or DIS-EASE by many experts.  Your mom or dad has a choice.  They can stay an alcoholic or get help.  You may feel that you don't have a choice, but you do.  You can tell a close friend, family member, or teacher about what is going on within your family.  This may not be easy at first for many reasons:  you're embarrassed, you feel it's your fault, you're afraid you'll be taken away from your family, or you're afraid of the repercussions that will happen.  The KEY and GOAL is to get your parent(s) help and to help you as well.

It's said that most children would rather be from a broken home than be in one.  Being in a dysfunctional family seems to be the norm today.  Being from a family of alcoholics is not that uncommon either.  Remember, everyone (including your mom or dad) makes choices; therefore, they are RESPONSIBLE for the choices in their life.

Organizations That Can Help You

1. Alcoholics Anonymous.  This organization was formed in 1935 by Bill Wilson, a man that ruined a promising career with alcohol and Dr. Bob Smith, a member of the Oxford Group. 
2. Al-Anon / Alateen.  Organization that offers 'strength and hope" to those who are dealing with family or friends that are alcoholics.
3. WebMD.  5 Alcoholic Types in Alcoholism.
   

If you're a teen living with alcoholism, get help.  Did you know that "one-third of Alateen members received some kind of medical, emotional, or spiritual care BEFORE coming to Alateen?  Did you know that most new Alateen members are most like to say treatment, counseling, or therapy was important BEFORE attending Alateen? (statistics are from Alateen's website).

You are important.  It's up to you to TAKE CARE of you!  Your mom or dad made the decision to be an alcoholic and they can make the decision to stop.  There's no reason that you 1) have to follow in their footsteps, 2) blame yourself, and 3) suffer any longer.  Remember, it's NOT your fault.  You are loved and important.  Make the decision to receive counseling/therapy.  There's nothing wrong with this.  If you do, you'll be able to live a happy, healthy, and fulfilled life!