Health Management Plan Where Do You See Yourself? Whether you are starting high school or preparing for graduation, you have probably thought about your future plans. These plans could include getting into your top choice of college, landing your dream job, or traveling to a different state or country. No matter the plan, your health can impact whether you reach your goals. For example, imagine you want to hike the Appalachian Trail. To prepare, you begin walking more and improving your endurance to tackle the uneven terrain of the trail. Now, imagine trying to accomplish this goal if you develop an addiction to a hazardous substance like nicotine, alcohol, or drugs. Maybe your lungs are damaged, and you have shortness of breath from inhaling harmful chemicals. Completing the trail now seems impossible. Open your health management plan. Create a new entry called “My Future Plans.” Using the following steps, consider how hazardous substances can impact your health, goals, and future. 1. Create a list of at least 10 plans or goals you want to accomplish in your lifetime. These can be plans for activities in a few months or 20 years from now. An example is “I would like to travel across Europe for a month.” 2. Now, imagine what would happen if you started using a substance—by smoking or vaping, drinking alcohol, abusing medications, or using drugs. As you read the information in this unit, take notes about how each of your plans could be affected. 3. Record your thoughts about how using a substance and developing an addiction could decrease your chances of reaching your future goals. 4. After reading this unit, create a list of decisions you can make and SMART goals you can set to advocate for your health. What skills or steps can you take to ensure you live a substance-free life and reach your future goals? 361