Channel: Lee Health

Category: Education

Tags: alcoholfifth gradealcohol addictionacting like a different personchange metabolismaddiction resourcesdrugsspeak with your childrenaddictiondrug addictiondangers of alcoholaffecting relationshipsinhibiting lifestylebraininhibit brainlifestylelosing interest in thingsdangers of drugsexposed to alcoholbetter to know earlyinjury prevention education specialistchanges your brainhit rock bottomkids

Description: Drugs and alcohol can wreck your life. Lose your job lose your family lose your kids lose your home your driving privileges lose your life. That’s why Lee Health injury prevention education specialist Tracey Thornton says it’s critical you speak with your kids about the dangers as soon as possible. "Usually by the age of fifth grade they’ve already been exposed and they know about it so the earlier the better." If a loved one is a drinker, it’s important to check in and make sure they aren’t taking it too far. "If it’s inhibiting their lifestyle if their behavior is changing they’re starting to act like a different person they’re losing interest in things they want to have interest in or it’s affecting their relationships." Thornton says addiction is a disease, not a disorder. "Some common myths about alcohol and drugs is that if you have enough willpower you can stop you don’t need help and that’s not true it does inhibit your brain it changes your metabolism it changes how your brain is wired so people absolutely need help to quit." Someone doesn’t need to hit rock bottom in order to get help. "The sooner the better it’s going to be a whole lot easier if you start that recovery process in the beginning then the end." You can find addiction resources on our website leehealth.org. View More Health Matters video segments at LeeHealth.org/Healthmatters Lee Health in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of health care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For more than 100 years, we’ve been providing our community with personalized preventative health services and primary care to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries. Lee Health - Caring People. Inspiring Care. Visit LeeHealth.org