Dear Dr. DQ:
Why do people take mood-altering drugs in the first place?
Signed, Puzzled
Dear Puzzled,
There are many reasons why people use mood-altering drugs: to be cool, to rebel, to celebrate, to feel grown up, to relax, to escape, to forget problems, to belong to a group, to change their feelings, because of peer pressure, because they're bored, because they're curious, because their friends do, because they like the feeling, because they have low self-esteem, or because they are addicted.
BUT THERE ARE LOTS OF BETTER ALTERNATIVES.
If you're unhappy or bored, it's okay to want to change your feelings. It's just that using drugs to do so is unpredictable and potentially dangerous physically, emotionally, legally. (Remember, no one starts out saying, " I want to take this so I can become an addict.")
If you're wired and stressed out, ride a bike, take a hike, talk with a friend, take a buddle bath, write a poem, or listen to your favorite music.
If you're feeling tired and bored, take a nap or a brisk shower, read an interesting book, play fast music. Best of all, try doing something nice for someone else.
If you're hurt and angry, cry, draw a picture about your feelings, talk about it with someone you trust, or do something physical, like playing the drums, jogging, or shooting hoops.
GET THE IDEA?
YOU are in control of how you respond to your feelings. If you don't like them CHANGE THEM. Just make sure you do so safely, WITHOUT the use of drugs. Because once you decide to let drugs do the job for you, YOU are no longer in control, the drugs are!
Signed, Dr. DQ