Substance Abuse: An American Epidemic !

An American Epidemic

Elizabeth Vargas

Arizona State University

Substance Abuse: An American Epidemic !2

Abstract:

This paper explains the various outcomes and consequences that result in substance abuse

within the youth. Establishing a drug or alcohol habit could tremendously affect the outcome of a

young adults life if it is not moderated in the near future. Most young adults have been exposed

to the drinking life or usage of alcohol at a very young age in America and sadly become con-

sumed into this potentially fatal lifestyle.

Keywords: Abuse, Addiction, Epidemic

Substance Abuse: An American Epidemic !3

Substance Abuse: An American Epidemic

As a young teen in America, the pressure from media, friends, and the culture we live

in validates that drinking and drug use is the ultimate trend. We live in a country where binge

drinking is the norm; pre-gaming, drinking games, smoking with friends, and getting high

together are the most valued ways in spending time together. High school and college years

are said to be the most cherished, but we fail to do so because we drink or use drugs to the

state of oblivion; most having a case of amnesia the next day. But what happens when one

does not know their limit, or when these young adults now become dependent on these sub-

stances in order to feel normal or have a good time?

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, teens who start

drinking as young as freshman and sophomores are four times more likely to see alcohol as a

necessity in their later years. In many cases this cycle may come to an end in overdose or be-

come fatal, but only some can miraculously break the cycle and help prevent others into get-

ting into this abusive habit. Substance abuse in America among teens has become an epidem-

ic where no matter where you come from, or who you are can drag you into this cycle of a

different kind of self harm; there is no age limit for addiction.

From personal experience I have seen people reach their lowest points and hit rock

bottom, where drugs or alcohol is the only source in finding happiness or even numbing the

pain; but they are quick to defending their poison even though its the one thing thats slowly

killing them. If you asked any person whos abusing a substance why they cant quit or stop

using, theyll give you an answer along the lines that it is not our business or we will never

know what it is like unless we are put in their shoes; but when those substances start affect-
Substance Abuse: An American Epidemic !4

ing the person negatively, that person will start affecting the community and the people sur-

rounding them negatively. The NIDA Blog Team explains how drug usage is not only about

feeling good, but how it is a broken record that creates this cycle of drug abuse. They argue

that this symptom of wanting to use a drug again is more of a habit caused by withdrawals.

Author of the blog Sara Bellum explains that, Taking away the chemicals that alter your

brain through drugs of addiction is a pretty harsh reality. Your body and brain react strongly,

even violently sometimes, because of missing the chemicals theyve come to depend on

through repeated drug use.(Bellum, 2017). Breaking this habit not only takes a mental toll

on the user but also a physical one.

Although withdrawals from a substance may affect the person negatively, there is

nothing more damaging than the repercussions loved ones and those surrounding someone

whos addicted go through. In 2015 a large amount of teens were suicidal because of how the

drug opioid affected their parents, which had an effect on the teens. Studies shown that 60% of

kids in an Ohio County with suicidal thoughts were kids with parents who were addicted to

opioids (Murgia, 2017). When theres an epidemic of a drug addiction in a certain area, espe-

cially a small town, its troublesome and exhausting to avoid falling into the same vicious

cycle the rest of the town has become victim to.The road to recovery may not be an easy

journey, but there are plenty ways to receive help especially for teens and young adults who

still have time to stop this habit before it ends the life they havent experienced yet. Fortu-

nately for young adults and teens, there are certain levels of help that could be used to avoid

the dangers of substance abuse. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

suggests different methods and approaches such as stricter laws and price alcohol higher,
Substance Abuse: An American Epidemic !5

providing classes at school to teach kids on the consequences of alcohol, and for parents to

be more involved; this could range from having strict rules in households or even moderating

aspects of the childs social life (NIH, 2017).

As a young adult and first year college student, especially at ASU, Ive heard and

witnessed numerous accounts of people passing their limit and going into a dysfunctional

state; my first three days on campus and I watched a minor pass out on the sidewalk and

waited for the ambulance to pick her up. Theres been times where Ive seen my peers being

dragged up to their room because they are unable to function properly. Of course this college

is a dry campus as I assume many other universities across the country are, right? A good

friend of mine who goes to a small religious university in the middle of North Dakota has

filled me in with stories of the substance abuse they have witnessed on their campus; drug

and alcohol abuse is not selective to a certain group of people, this habit is inclusive to all

different walks of life. What I should address first that may come off as me arguing the fact I

believe that having one drink or smoking once will mean someone life is over, but more of

the amount of consumption in one setting and reasoning behind it. If one drinks a couple

beers as a social factor or does it occasionally, that person is not necessarily an alcoholic, but

if they rely on it in order to cope or function (even though thats the last thing they are going

be able to do after too many drinks), then that becomes a sign of creating a dangerous habit.

The American Society of Addiction medicine state that, Addiction is characterized by in-

ability to consistently abstain, impairment in behavioral control, craving, diminished recogni-

tion of significant problems with ones behaviors and interpersonal relationships, and a dys-

functional emotional response. Like other chronic diseases, addiction often involves cycles
Substance Abuse: An American Epidemic !6

of relapse and remission. Without treatment or engagement in recovery activities, addiction is

progressive and can result in disability or premature death (ASAM, 2011).

Our brains are not done developing until the age of 21, which means anything we do

now can prevent the process and become damaging. Teens are more subjected to learning

consequences AFTER a situation instead of learning and educating ourselves before hand of

the dangers of drinking and using drugs. My freshman year of high school I learned that not

all drugs and herbs are not all natural and can sometimes be synthetic. I was shown a video

of a young teen who smoked weed for the first time but wasnt aware of where it came from,

and it unfortunately turned out to be synthetic weed; soon after she was hospitalized. In some

cases, those consequences of abusing a substance could potentially lead to fatality or over-

dose even if that was not expected. There was a jump of overdose death rates within teens

from 2014 to 2015. Although many of these overdoses were caused by opioids, along the list

of drugs was heroin as well. CNN reports that Donald Trump brought attention to this drug

abuse epidemic and called it a national crisis(Kounang, 2017) that needs to be stopped by

reaching the attention of teens first to make a greater impact on stopping drug addiction.

Preventing drug and alcohol abuse for young adults may be challenging because we

are known to be naive to the consequences and choose not to listen, but what if we changed

the narrative by listening to each other instead? Young adults are more likely to listen to their

peers and social media, so why not plug into their online world and grab their attention

there? The internet and social media are the biggest medium with multiple platforms to reach

out to teens to educate them on the damaging and sometimes fatal consequences of substance

abuse. If we shed more light on stories and testimonials from young adults themselves
Substance Abuse: An American Epidemic !7

whove used these harmful substances and experienced those harmful consequences, teens

will be more willing to listen. What teens dont understand is that were not only physically

and mentally harming ourselves, but those around us as well. Addiction is a real and selfish

habit that drags everyone into this blackhole that is strenuous to leave. America needs to stop

enabling the future generation to become a victim of the nation wide epidemic of drug abuse

and stop romanticizing binge drinking culture; prevention should be the first step in avoiding

intervention.
Substance Abuse: An American Epidemic !8

references

Kounang, N. (2017, August 16). Teen overdose death rate

climbed 19% in one year. Retrieved October 17, 2017, from http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/16/
health/teen-overdose-death rate/index.html

N. (2017, February). Underage Drinking. Retrieved October 12, 2017, from

https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/UnderageDrinking/UnderageFact.htm

Murgia, M. (2017, August 22). Connecting the dots: How the

opioid epidemic affects suicide in teens and children. Retrieved October 17, 2017,

from http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/health/ct-teen-child-suicide-and-

opioids-20170822-story.html

N. (2017, September 25). "Getting High" Is ReallyAbout Not Feeling Low.

Retrieved October 03,2017, fromhttps://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/post/gettinghigh-

really-about-not-feeling-low

A. (2011, April 19). American Society of Addiction Medicine. Retrieved November 04,
2017, from https://www.asam.org/resources/definition-of-addiction