1. Alcohol Effects and You worksheet
http://www.abc.state.va.us/AlcoholBody.pdf

2. Looking at your life Major Life Areas
There are a number of areas of your life that could be, or have been, affected by your alcohol and other drug use.  It is often helpful to look closely at these areas to determine what the consequences have been.  This helps you to focus on what areas you really want to change and builds motivation to do it.

Legal

• Have you ever participated in illegal activity while under the influences of alcohol or other drugs? i.e., theft, dealing, prostitution, pimping, B&E, assault, impaired driving?
• Have you ever been charged with alcohol or other drug-related charges?
• What effect did criminal charges have on your life? i.e., custody, restitution, fines?

Financial

• Have you spent money on alcohol and other drugs, that you wish you used for other things?
• Have you had to take care of court fees and fines?
• Have you ever lost a job and pay because of using?
• Have you been the one that supplies your friends with drugs?
• Have you taken money or pawned items from home in order to buy drugs?
• Have you been in accidents that have caused your insurance rates to go up?

Family

• Do the people in your family trust you? Has this changed because of using?
• Are there arguments in your family because of your use?
• Have you failed to keep promises and meet expectations because of using?
• Does your family avoid you when you use?  Do you avoid them? Have there been incidents of violence in your family because of using?

Friends/Recreation

• Do most of your leisure activities involve alcohol or other drugs? 
• Have your friends suggested that you cut down?
• Have your friends been embarrassed by your behavior?
• Have you argued with your friends about your use?
• Have you failed to keep promises?
• Do you trust your friends?  Do they trust you?
• How often do you participate in non-using activities?
• Are you no longer interested in activities that you used to like?
• Have you lost friends because of using?

School/Job

• Have you been suspended or expelled because of using?
• Have you lost a job because of using?
• Have your grades changed due to using?
• Do you miss school frequently?
• Have you gone to school "stoned" or "drunk"?
• Have your teachers talked to you about whether you are using?

Physical Health

• Have you ever-experienced blackouts, hallucinations, shakes, seizures, Over dosed, vomiting?
• Have you been injured when using? i.e., accidents, fights?
• Has a doctor warned you to stop using?
• Have you had an illness that kept you home due to using?
• Have you ever experience "flashbacks"?
• Have you injected drugs?

Emotional/Spiritual Health

• Do you try to "make it through the day"?
• Have you felt guilty or embarrassed about using?
• Are you depressed about your life?
• Are you moody?
• Do you hide how much you're using from family or friends?
• Do you feel that nothing has turned out right for you?
• Do you use to feel normal?
• Have you tried to hurt yourself? i.e., slashing, burns, skin carving, etc.
• Do you feel less supported and a connected to others?
• Do you feel as if there is no purpose to your life?

If you are concerned about how alcohol and other drugs are affecting your life take the time to talk to your parents or guardians. Other people who would be willing to help are your teachers, coaches, school counselors, youth pastors and even relatives and friends.

3. How Has My Life Been Affected
Rate each Major Life Area, where “1” is an extreme problem and “10” is where you would like it to be.

Choose a number that best reflects how you feel about each Major Life Area.

Legal	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Financial	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Family/Other Relationships	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Leisure	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
School/Job	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Physical Health	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Emotional Health	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Spiritual	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10

Choose the three Major Life Areas from above that cause the most problems, and answer the following questions for each one.

Major Life Areas:	Answers to Questions:
1. What Can I do to move one point up on the scale?
a)	a)
b)	b)
c)	c)
2. Who will support me in that change?
a)	a)
b)	b)
c)	c)
3. What would the MLA (Major Life Area) look like?
a)	a)
b)	b)
c)	c)
4. What would be different
a)	a)
b)	b)
c)	c)