Most college students have the freedom to do whatever they would like, with little parental supervision. This often leads a student to their downfall. Students are often found turning to drugs and alcohol to help relieve themselves from the pressure of school. Students and even some adults tend to try and find a short term fix to a long term problem. leading many students to substance use. Many of them use drugs and alcohol to help distance themselves from the stress they are faced with. A community with a large number of substance abusers is almost guaranteed to come with more violence, theft, and even gang activity compared to a community where substance abuse is low. Having students stay away from drugs will greatly lower the violence and theft in the community. I believe helping the students is important and crucial in improving the community overall. Students that live a drug and alcohol free life are more likely to stay in school and spend more time on academics. I plan to host a night that will allow the students to see the toll that drugs and alcohol take on a person mentally and physically. Many students have been taught about the side effects, however for many that isn 't enough to stop them. This night not only will show the students what drugs do to the body, it will also give students the motivation that is needed to help them stop using, or prevent them from ever starting. This night will be an eye opening experience for those who decide to attend. My
According to Skidmore, Kaufman and Crowell (2016), “substance use in college students is associated with poor academic performance, unintentional injuries, health problems, heightened rates of engagement in other risky behaviors, legal problems, increased risk of substance use and abuse in adulthood, and mortality” (p. 736). When analyzing higher education substance abuse programs, it is essential to have an understanding of the facts about college student substance abuse, including the dangers of substance abuse, the types of
These substances change how people act and think. One day someone may be the nicest person anyone could meet, and a few days later while under the control of unhealthy substances they become much darker and more dangerous. Students put themselves and others at risk when they decide to be under the influence of drugs and alcohol. “Students who misuse drugs face higher risks of physical and sexual violence, physical problems, and psychological issues”(opposing). It is obvious to see that there is not one, but many connected problems afflicting college campuses. Many Greek Societies lead students to “experiment” with Alcohol or other drugs. This “experimenting” then could very likely lead to being violent or being a recipient of
Many students in college throughout the country participate in drinking for many different reasons. People drink for sports events, social purposes, or simply for a party. Binge drinking is an important issue that requires more attention from students, parents, and the media. Drinking can be acceptable at the correct age and if it is not abused. Many people binge drink for a number of reasons. Alcohol can be often viewed as “liquid confidence”. People tend to partake in the activity to lower social anxiety unfortunately not realizing the physical and emotional effects that may come along. There are many different alternatives that can be taken in place of or to help the use of consuming alcohol. Drinking alcohol can be illegal if underage and taken to a further extent that shouldn’t be reached. There have been many instances where people have been extremely injured or even died due to the use of binge drinking and it needs to be taken more seriously let alone controlled.
As a counselor in training and an advocate for individuals’ mental health and wellness, I chose to become an official member of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and create an advocacy project to enhance adolescent mental health and wellness by advocating for more available protective factor to reduce substance use and abuse among this population. The purpose of this paper/project is to address and improve the rate of substance use and abuse among adolescents in Pitt County, more specifically in Greenville, North Carolina. This paper goes into great detail of the description of the population (adolescents), providing statistical evidence of adolescents’ use of drugs in Greenville. An increase in youth involved community activities, community service work and parental involvement will be discussed as ways to create a healthy, anti-drug, and stable environment for adolescents in Greenville, North Carolina.
Teenage drug abuse is an issue that can result from a wide variety of social influences, stressful events, and mental disorders. Drug abuse among adolescents is a troubling issue because it decreases focus, increases the chance of consistency in behavior during adulthood, increases the chances of developing emotional issues, permanently damages the brain, and damages tissues in every system that can lead to death. Previous scientific research has identified that social factors, including the media and peers, play an important role in psychological development and impact the adolescent's decision to start experimenting with substances (Botvin 888). Appropriate solutions for the teenage drug abuse issue already exist, but the only remaining
Students gain expectations to drink alcohol from each other, as they depend on it, pressure each other and face a new environment and a new social setting. When in college, a student does not have anyone looking after them and so they get free time and they do not know how to use it. They end up filling up their extra time, with going out to frat houses, bars, and or other house parties to drink. Students go from being in high school, where they have to be home by curfew and drinking is still sometimes and issues, to not having a curfew and not having someone wait until they get home that night to make sure they aren’t drinking.
Today on college campuses, it is not possible to make it through college without knowing someone who has at least tried a prescription drug or recreational drug for either party uses, to help them study and keep up in school, or simply to help them get by day-to-day. Maybe you have tried them yourself? College students all across the nation are abusing substances such as Adderall, Vicodin, Oxycontin, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, etc. Those students who drink alcohol are more likely to use prescription drugs for non-medical uses than non-drinkers.
Substance abuse disorders are common in our society. It is a disorder that each one of us will most likely experience through a family member, friend, or our self. I felt very drawn to this topic due to the fact that I have a family that has background of substance abuse and I myself have battle the demon. Not until I struggled with my own addiction did I become more tolerable and understanding to those that have a substance abuse disorder. Substance abuse is not something anyone wants to have; it is a disorder that takes control of a person’s life. It is a beast that tears a person apart; from their being to the lives of their loved ones. This disorder is not biased in anyway; rich or poor, male or female, employed or unemployed, young or
Prescription drug abuse among college students is a growing trend on most campuses. Students are using these drugs inappropriately to not only “get high”, but to help with concentration when cramming for papers or tests, to self-medicate for anxiety or depression, and even to enhance their stamina when playing sports. Many people have stereotypes of what an alcoholic or addict is, and most people don't associate that image with young students. Although drug education has been mandatory in the US throughout grade school drug use continues to rise in college students. College is known as a time for experimentation, but for some students experimentation can turn
For most students, they like to go to college to gain new opportunities to experience college life and to experiment with different things. The United States has over 7,000 higher education institutions and over 15 million students (Brain Track, 2013). Drug and alcohol use is not new to the college life. Experimenting with drugs and alcohol comes with consequences. Alcohol and drug violations simply mean that the students do not abide by the policies implemented by the
Binge drinking within colleges and universities have been occurring for many years. Students in college have the freedom to make their own decision once they leave home away from their parents. In most cases, once students leave home, they will most likely to turn to drinking. College students usually do this to feel a sense of acceptance. Once college students turn to drinking when they enter college, binge drinking will severely affect student’s behavior, academics, and self-awareness.
Substance abuse among college students The use of drugs among college students is becoming prevalent day by day. It is quite common to indulge oneself in the consumption of drugs due to many factors. When students shift themselves from high school to college, they encounter a bunch of problems. There might be some issues linked to financial status, lessen control of parents and peer pressure.
Alcohol and drug abuse has been an active habit among college students sense the 1960s. The immediate cause of this behavior was the youth’s need to rebel against the overly conservative American society. This rebellion led to a since of freedom for the young adults, which caused them to continue acting in these unintelligent manners. After a short period of time, late teens just did not belong if they were not participating in the mischievous acts. Substance abuse quickly became a way of life for many young adults. As a result, this inapt behavior still continues today.
College students are more likely to have problems with alcohol abuse or with alcoholism rather than with drug abuse or dependence; however, drug abuse is also a problem for many students. Some students are illicit abusers of prescription drugs, while others use illegal drugs: marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, and other drugs. Peer pressure and/or loneliness or other factors may lead college students to substance abuse, although some students had previously abused alcohol and/or drugs in high school.
Alcohol is a very serious and dangerous drug, although it is not treated this way anymore. College students have taken drinking to a new level in which, for many, is very scary. Alcohol is much more dangerous than many would think. Kids see a night of drinking as a great way to have fun and party but do not see the consequences. Getting drunk and even blacking out can lead to many problems. When alcohol is consumed in unhealthy amounts, it can lead to not only short-term effects, but long-term ones as well.