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

consumed 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

substances 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

become fatal, but only some can miraculously break the cycle and help prevent others into

getting into this abusive habit. Substance abuse in America among teens has become an

epidemic 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 affecting
Substance Abuse: An American Epidemic !4

the person negatively, that person will start affecting the community and the people

surrounding 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).

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,

especially 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.

Fortunately 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, providing classes at school to teach kids on the consequences of alcohol, and for
Substance Abuse: An American Epidemic !5

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. 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 inability to consistently abstain, impairment in

behavioral control, craving, diminished recognition of significant problems with ones

behaviors and interpersonal relationships, and a dysfunctional emotional response. Like other

chronic diseases, addiction often involves cycles of relapse and remission. Without treatment

or engagement in recovery activities, addiction is progressive and can result in disability or

premature death (ASAM, 2011).

Substance Abuse: An American Epidemic !6

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. In some cases, those consequences of abusing a

substance could potentially lead to fatality or overdose 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 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
Substance Abuse: An American Epidemic !7

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
B.