Prevention Services Newsletter
November 2021
In this issue:
  • Happy Thanksgiving!
  • 12 Tips to Staying Sober During the Holidays
  • Teens Who Use Cannabis Frequently More Likely to Have Premature Baby
  • Gambling Addiction- avoid triggers during the Holiday
  • E-cigarette Doesn't Help Smokers Stay Off Cigarettes, Study Suggest
  • Upstander Circle Opportunity for 7th-12 Graders
12 Tips to Staying Sober During the Holidays

The holidays are a time to celebrate with friends, family, and loved ones, but they often involve alcohol. Holidays can be triggering and stressful, however there are different steps you can take to have substance-free holidays, such as creating new traditions, increasing support, and planning ahead.
Gambling Addiction: Avoid Triggers during The Holiday Season
For many people, the holiday season can be filled with celebrations and gatherings. They bring together family members and friends of all ages to catch up, share meals, and, often, play games. For a recovering problem gambler, the holiday season can be filled with many opportunities to gamble with the people around them, which may threaten their gambling addiction recovery. 
Are you concerned about your gambling habits or someone else's? There is hope and help! Check out this link for more tools for quitting gambling or get free and confidential professional support by calling 1-877-MY-LIMIT/877-695-4648.or visit www.opgr.org
E-cigarette Doesn't Help Smokers Stay Off Cigarettes, Study Suggest
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have suggested that smokers who are unable to quit smoking may benefit by switching from smoking cigarettes to vaping e-cigarettes if they switch completely and are able to avoid relapsing to cigarette smoking. But a new study suggest that e-cigarette use did not help smokers quit and may make smokers more likely to relapse.
Teens Who Use Cannabis Frequently More Likely to Have Premature Baby
Among adolescents, cannabis is the third most commonly used illicit drug, behind alcohol and e-cigarettes. The harmful effects of cannabis on the developing brain have long been a concern of many public health experts. Given that frequent marijuana use during the teen years is associated with changes in brain areas involved in attention, memory, decision-making and motivation. Now a new study have taking it further to suggest that Teen who use cannabis frequently, are more likely to have premature babies down the line. Whether it is eaten, drunk, smoked, or vaped, no amount of marijuana use during pregnancy or adolescence is safe.

Invitation for 7th-12th Graders to Join Virtual Upstanders Circle

Do you know a 7th-12 grader who is passionate about social justice, interrupting harmful behavior, and creating a culture of helping? Consider inviting them to join our Upstander Circle. This is a virtual youth leadership group that will help youth gain leadership skills, use their voice for positive change, learn bystander intervention techniques, work with VOA staff to develop materials and co-facilitate bystander intervention workshops, and more. Participants will receive generous incentives. Contact Anna Bledsoe at abledsoe@voaor.org to learn more.

For more information, questions, or comments, please email Anna Bledsoe abledsoe@voaor.org or call 503 560 4373
Our mailing address is:
3910 SE Stark Street 
Portland, OR 97214
Prevention Services Volunteers of America Oregon