Hey Reader, 

Good day, Good evening, no matter the time you might be reading this in, we hope you’re having a good one and we also hope you stay till the end

As you may or may not know, this month of April is the Substance abuse awareness month and in honor of this, we at the kingdom Partners, thought it right to help raise awareness with our weekly news letters. 

For today, we will be handling some brief introductions on the topic, in order to help us understand this “Hidden epidemic “ known as substance abuse. 

So what IS substance abuse? Well, the internet defined it as "Using drugs, alcohol, or prescription medications in a way that harms your physical or mental health, relationships, or daily life." 

Simply because we now have the privilege, we asked an AI to describe this in a way that would resonate with Gen z and this was what it had to say "Substance abuse is when you use substances like drugs, alcohol, or prescription meds in a way that's harmful to your mind, body, or relationships. It's like, when you're using something to cope with stress, anxiety, or other feelings, but it ends up controlling you instead of the other way around.

It's not just about the substance itself, but about how it affects your life and the people around you. And, honestly, it can happen to anyone – regardless of age, background, or socioeconomic status."

I believe we can all agree with the AI in the fact that anyone can be held down by the shackles of substance abuse and sometimes it might not even be the conventional hard stuff such as cocaine, hemp etc it could be in the most minute things, as long as there it can go from a coping mechanism to an addiction. Statistically speaking, it is approximated that 2 out of 10 people in a group are likely to be abusing substances.

At the kingdom Partners, we care about our communities and loved ones and so we will be outlining some ways to identify amongst us, those who are suffering from this epidemic.

They have been grouped into three and they are;

PHYSICAL SIGNS

1. *Changes in appearance*

: Weight loss or gain, poor hygiene, or changes in dress or grooming habits.

2. *Bloodshot eyes*: Red, watery, or glazed eyes.

3. *Slurred speech*: Difficulty speaking clearly or slurring words.

4. *Tremors or shakiness*: Shaky hands, tremors, or unsteady movements.

5. *Unusual odors*: Unpleasant breath, body odor, or clothing smells.

BEHAVIORAL SIGNS

1. *Mood swings*: Irritability, anxiety, or sudden mood changes.

2. *Secrecy*: Hiding substance use, lying about activities, or becoming evasive.

3. *Changes in relationships*: Withdrawal from friends and family, or associating with new, unfamiliar people.

4. *Loss of interest*: Decreased participation in hobbies, activities, or interests.

5. *Defensiveness*: Becoming overly defensive or hostile when confronted about substance use.

PSYCHOLOGICAL SIGNS

1. *Anxiety or depression*: Increased anxiety, depression, or mood disorders.

2. *Memory problems*: Difficulty remembering events, conversations, or tasks.

3. *Confusion*: Disorientation, confusion, or difficulty concentrating.

4. *Paranoia*: Suspicion, paranoia, or irrational thinking.

5. *Hallucinations*: Seeing or hearing things that aren't there.

OTHER SIGNS

1. *Financial problems*: Unexplained financial difficulties, missing money, or stolen items.

2. *Work or school problems*: Absenteeism, tardiness, or decreased performance.

3. *Legal problems*: Arrests, citations, or other legal issues related to substance use.

4. *Physical injuries*: Unexplained injuries, accidents, or near-misses.

Keep in mind that these signs and symptoms can vary depending on the substance, individual, and circumstances. If you suspect someone is struggling with substance abuse, it's essential to approach the situation with compassion and seek professional help. 

We hope this helped to enlighten someone on the prevalence of, and how to spot someone suffering from a substance abuse. 

The partners in our name is not just for show and so to that, we’d love to get to know some of our readers and future leaders… let’s have an introduction shall we? 

we are the kingdom partners, an NGO designed by God to build leaders who will lead leaders in every aspect of life. We have the desire to see revival outside of the church walls. At the kingdom Partners, we believe that there can come a day when believers would have an upper hand in the affairs of this world, where men of God can be presidents and Pastors, where the world’s economy is designed by God. 

We would love to hear your feedback and read some of your comments so please, don’t be shy share your thoughts with us. Thank you for reading till the end. We love you and Jesus loves you more.

Have a blessed weekend 

With love from

The partners~