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Everyone has a cause close to their hearts. The artworks featured in this editorial are not reflective of the cause, so throw them some favourites.. but while you're looking theres some information that could save your life - or someone elses.

How can you help? Its simple. On the next deviation you post, why not put a little about your favourite cause in the artists comments. Awareness CAN and has saved lives...

DID YOU KNOW...
The United Nations estimates that the world is host to 8 million heroin users, 13 million cocaine users, 30 million users of amphetamines, 141 million cannabis users, 227 million sedative users and 1100 million tobacco smokers.

Alcohol is thought to cause around 33,000 deaths per year in Britain, with one in four hospital admissions being related to alcohol. Drinking is implicated in 60 per cent of suicides, 40 per cent of domestic violence cases and 39 per cent of domestic fires. Some estimates put the number of Britons addicted to over-the-counter drugs and prescription drugs to be around 2 million.

AND ITS NOT JUST TOXINS...
Approximately 3 per cent of the British adult population has a gambling problem. Of these, about 500,000 are ' pathologically compulsive'.

MISUSE AND ABUSE
'Substance misuse' is used to describe a drug user who experiences mental or physical harm as a result of their habit without necessarily being addicted to the substance in question.

Substance misuse needs to be contrasted with substance dependence (also known as addiction). Dependence occurs at a more advanced stage of the addiction process.

Drug abuse refers to the use of a drug for purposes for which it was not attended, or using a drug in excessive quantities. Drug addiction is a state of physical or psychological dependence on a drug.

ADDICTIVE PERSONALITIES
The immature personality
Some people never really become mature adults. They may remain unduly close to their parents. They often boast about those few things that they have actually accomplished, are unable to form close relationships with others and are self-centred.

The anti-social personality
These people are unable to accept frustration. They live for, expect and must have easy and continuous gratification. They often eat a lot, chew sweets and smoke as well as drink heavily. They drink for two reasons - to reduce the personal discomfort that results from frustration and to provide instant and dependable gratification. They are impulsive and do not learn from their mistakes.

The self-punitive personality
Some outwardly docile people are actually repressing aggressive tendencies. This results in inner tension and alcohol helps to relieve this tension. Often alcohol releases the aggression.

The stressed or anxious personality
Some people find stress more difficult to deal with than others. They may use alcohol in an attempt to cope.

The passive-aggressive personality
This term refers to someone with an outwardly calm and acquiescent shell that hides inner anger. They find it impossible to deal with anger-inducing situations.

THE SYMPTOMS
a strong desire or sense of compulsion to take the substance.

difficulties controlling the substance-taking behaviour in terms of when it occurs, being able to stop or the amount consumed.

a physically unpleasant withdrawal state when not consuming the substance.

further substance use to relieve or avoid the withdrawal state.

evidence of increased tolerance (increased doses are required in order to achieve effects originally produced by lower doses).

progressive neglect of alternative pleasures or interests because of the substance use.

persisting with substance use despite clear evidence of harmful consequences.

narrowing of a person's personal repertoire; ie taking the substance becomes more important than anything else.

WHAT TO DO
Talk to people about how you feel. Don't bottle things up. It is NOT a sign of weakness to get help for your problems, in the same way that it would not be to get medical help for a broken leg or a chest infection.

Although you may not be able to do the things you normally would (such as work), try to keep active as much as you can. Lying in bed or sitting thinking about your problems can make them seem worse. Taking physical exercise can also help depression and keep your mind off your worries.

Do not increase your alcohol intake to try and 'drown your sorrows' or help you sleep better. Alcohol will only make the depression worse and harder to treat.

If you are having problems sleeping, try not to lie in bed thinking about your problems and anxieties. Do something to take your mind off your worries such as reading or listening to the radio.

Always remember that you are suffering from an illness. It is not you being weak, and you can NOT simply ' pull yourself together'. Your illness is treatable. You are also NOT ALONE. Depression is extremely common.

QUITTING
Psychological addictions (such as smoking) can be broken without assistance, however there are many services provided to help people break all kinds of addictions

Decide how you want to quit - either by cutting down gradually or, preferably, stopping completely on a pre-determined date.

Make a list of reasons why you want to quit. Carry this with you at all times. When you have an urge for a cigarette, read your list and it will help strengthen your resolve.

Choose a date when you want to quit and stick to it.

Tell your family and friends - that way you'll have to keep to the date.

Find someone who can support you, for example a family member, friend or doctor.

When the day arrives, do something active - throw out your cigarettes and remove all ashtrays, lighters and matches. And spoil yourself by doing something you enjoy, such as going to the cinema or shopping.

Find something else to do for the times when you usually smoke a cigarette.

How is addiction treated?
detoxification (coming off the drug if physically addicted)

preventing relapse

coping with relapse

longer term rehabilitation.

DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE...
If you don‘t manage to quit the first time, don‘t give up, The chances of success get better every time you try to quit. Most people need four attempts or more before they finally succeed. If you fail, just think of it as a rehearsal before you really quit..

HELP
Quit smoking helpline 0800 022 4 332

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I hope you found this editorial both pretty and informative. I'd like to thank ALL the artists whos work I featured. There will be more features coming up - in different colours.

Remember, share your chosen cause with your DA friends, you could so easily save a life by a few minutes of your time.


I guess thats why they call it the blues.

*Flutterings