TikTok has a new recovery community sprouting on its platform. Within the popular app, users are rejecting content that encourages drug use or behavioral disorders. Instead, creators are posting pro-recovery material that combats substance abuse, behavioral addictions, and stigmas. Through social media, they challenge the world’s views on what it means to be a recovering addict.  

How It All Started

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, TikTok became one of the most popular apps in the world. The video-sharing service’s eye-catching 7 to 60-second clips became a light during those bleak quarantine moments. People who were stuck at home dove into countless short-form stories as a form of entertainment. As weeks passed, various niche genres like bread making, thrifting, and education gained traction. One of those niches turned into an outlet for today’s recovery community. 

How TikTok’s Recovery Community Is Changing the Narrative 

Much like Instagram once did, TikTok has given space to a group of individuals rising above addiction. Content creators cultivate an area where it’s ok to struggle, laugh, and share the “ugly.” Many of them share posts showcasing their recovery from alcohol abuse and overcoming obstacles. Others who battle co-occurring disorders post countless videos of recovery benchmarks and relapses.  

The social network is no longer an app for just dancing kids and teens. Adults, both old and young, are destigmatizing society’s views on addiction through the viral platform. With hashtags like #soberlution, #wedorecover, and #recoveringaddict, the narrative is changing. Every day, individuals are shedding light on the true experiences of recovering users.

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The Challenges 

TikTok may be providing a space for the recovery community to use their voice, but the app is not perfect. According to the Guardian, harmful pro-anorexia content was easily searchable on the platform. A different investigation by the Sun discovered hundreds of videos glamorizing drug use. Based on the same study, posts also taught users how to take substances like Cocaine or magic mushrooms. 

In response to these studies, TikTok launched an investigation in 2020. Since then, they have taken measures to prevent the posting of harmful content and advertising. Still, despite their best efforts, the toxic messages continue to seep through. There are thousands of videos flying below the network’s algorithm. These videos, coined as “underground” trends, range from live videos of influencers sharing their experiences during a “trip” to challenges like the Benadryl challenge, which encourages users to take large doses of the antihistamine to induce hallucinations. 

TikTok, The Recovery Community, And The Future

TikTok may have illicit videos circulating through its platform. Still, it also has its fair share of positive messages surrounding recovery. The social network is a sea of information with the potential of causing both harm and good. While TikTok continues improving its algorithm and prohibiting pro-drug use content, it is up to TikToker’s to decide which videos to consume. 

Find Treatment For Substance Abuse Today

If you or someone you love is battling a substance use disorder, there is help available. Contact a treatment provider to discover treatment options. The group of committed individuals can help answer any of your rehab-related questions. You do not have to battle substance abuse alone. Take an empowered step towards recovery by contacting a treatment provider today. 

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Methamphetamine is notorious for its adverse effects. The illegal and highly addictive drug can devastate a person’s health. Most people have seen frightening before-and-after pictures of meth addicts, but in many cases, the signs that someone is on meth or uses meth regularly may not be obvious.

If you suspect that someone you know, perhaps even a family member, has a problem with meth, it’s important to know all the signs so that you can stage an intervention and help them find treatment. If you need answers about treatment for meth abuse, please contact a dedicated recovery provider today. 

The Rush And The Crash

When a person uses meth, they will experience a “rush” which can last anywhere from 8 hours to an entire day. During a meth rush, a person will feel a surge of energy and euphoria. They might also behave aggressively or compulsively, be more physically active than usual, and perform meaningless, repetitive tasks. Additionally, they might be unusually paranoid and express confusion or detachment from reality. People on meth often have outbursts, talk incessantly, twitch their faces, exhibit rapid eye movement, and avoid sleep or rest.

On a physiological level, a person’s body may respond to meth with severe sweating, dilated pupils, vomiting, tremors, headaches, and drastically heightened temperatures. In general, if you notice that someone has these symptoms, it is quite possible that they have taken meth in the past several hours.

After the meth rush comes the crash. The crash phase usually lasts for about 3 days, although it can last for as many as 10 days. A crash is essentially a prolonged period of exhaustion after the effects of a meth rush subside. The primary sign of a meth crash is extreme tiredness. Many meth users also suffer bouts of depression during this stage. In summary, if you notice that someone you know experiences a phase of hyperactivity and then sleeps almost constantly for days, meth may be the reason.

The Symptoms Of “Tweaking”

If the signs of a meth rush and crash don’t convince you that someone has used meth, the symptoms of tweaking might confirm your suspicions. “Tweaking” (a word for meth withdrawal) follows a meth crash. Since meth is so addictive, users typically crave more meth once they recover from exhaustion. They will suffer withdrawal if they no longer have access to the drug or if taking more meth can’t deliver the same euphoria.

Incessant scratching or itching is the most well-known symptom of tweaking. This symptom often leaves sores on the skin. Additionally, a meth user who is tweaking will be irritable and seem nervous. It is also important to understand that tweaking is a state of psychosis that sometimes involves hallucinations and insomnia. If you observe the symptoms of tweaking, especially after noticing signs of a rush and a crash, you can be confident that your friend or loved one has used meth.

The Signs Of A Long-term Meth Addiction

Unfortunately, one full cycle of rush, crash, and withdrawal might be the beginning of a meth addiction. Many people become addicted to meth after using it only once. If a meth user keeps taking the drug for a prolonged period of time, they will start to show physical signs of long-term meth use. Meth addicts typically have terrible dental problems, a condition commonly called “meth mouth,” as well as sores on their skin from constant scratching. Furthermore, meth addicts are often very thin because they neglect to eat.

These characteristics, especially in people who previously did not have them, provide a clear indication that a person is not only “on meth,” but also has a meth use disorder. The signs of using meth are relatively easy to identify. They can also be a call to action. Meth has the potential to ruin a person’s life. Once again, if you know that someone is using meth, call a treatment provider today to learn more about how you can help them and their treatment options.

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On June 25, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed House Bill 1438, which allows people in Illinois to use and purchase recreational Marijuana. The bill also requires the state to license marijuana dispensaries. Medical Marijuana has already been legal in Illinois since 2013 and now Illinois will be the 11th state to legalize the drug for non-medical use.

Recreational Marijuana is currently legal in Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, Michigan, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, and Nevada, although the federal government still classifies cannabis as a Schedule I controlled substance.

Pritzker stated that “legalizing adult-use cannabis brings an important and overdue change to our state, and it’s the right thing to do.” Supporters of HB 1438 claim that taxing legal Marijuana will generate millions of dollars in revenue for Illinois and that legalization, combined with the bill’s reparations provisions, will correct injustices which they say anti-drug laws have inflicted on minorities. Opponents of HB 1438, especially interest groups which represent police officers, fear that legalization will cause more people to use Marijuana and then drive while “high.”

New Marijuana Rules And Limitations

Under the new law, Illinois residents may possess as many as 30 grams (or 1 ounce) of Marijuana and non-residents visiting the state may possess as many as 15 grams, beginning on January 1, 2020. Possessing non-medicinal Marijuana will be against the law for the remainder of 2019.

Adults who are at least 21 years old will also be allowed to buy Marijuana, but only from licensed dispensaries. The law does not allow people in Illinois to grow their own Marijuana unless they are patients who use medical Marijuana for treatment. In those cases, they may keep a maximum of 5 cannabis plants in their homes. Additionally, it will remain illegal to use Marijuana in public spaces, at schools, in a car, or in the presence of a minor. Landlords and business owners can also ban Marijuana use on their private property, and universities and colleges can still prohibit the drug on campus.

When cannabis sales begin on January 1, there may be over 100 dispensaries for recreational Marijuana throughout the state. The law requires would-be Marijuana merchants to pay $100,000 to apply for a dispensary license. The state will give preference to the 55 medical Marijuana dispensaries which are already operating in Illinois and then will open applications for 75 more licenses in October.

Overturning Criminal Convictions

When he signed HB 1438, Pritzker claimed that the “the war on cannabis” – the criminalization of Marijuana – “has destroyed families, filled prisons with nonviolent offenders, and disproportionately disrupted black and brown communities.” Therefore, the law will erase state-level, non-violent marijuana convictions. This provision has the potential to relieve almost 800,000 people of a criminal record.

The law also requires that 25% of tax revenue which the state collects from the Marijuana industry be invested in high-poverty areas and that another 20% of the revenue be used to finance programs to treat drug addiction. Furthermore, the law requires that the state give preference to minorities who apply for a license to open a dispensary.

Legal Marijuana Is Not Safe Marijuana

Cannabis may now be legal in Illinois, but regular Marijuana users are still at risk for emotional disorders, lung damage, stunted brain development, psychological dependence, and symptoms of withdrawal.

Whether or not it’s legal, Marijuana can harm a person’s ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle. If you or someone you know needs help with overcoming Marijuana dependence, contact a treatment provider today to get answers to your questions about rehab.

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On June 25, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted unanimously, 11-0, to ban the sale of e-cigarettes. The new ordinances prohibit stores from selling e-cigarettes and also prohibit anyone from selling them online to buyers with a San Francisco address. Additionally, the Board voted to ban companies from manufacturing e-cigarettes on city property. If Mayor London Breed signs the ordinances, the city will start to enforce the new rules in 7 months. Breed has said that she supports the ban.

San Francisco will be the first American city to ban e-cigarette sales, but it’s also home to the headquarters of Juul Labs, Inc., the largest e-cigarette company in the country. Juul vaping devices account for about 70% of the entire e-cigarette market. The problem, according to supporters of the ban, is that Juul’s products lack FDA regulation. Dennis Herrera, the City Attorney, said that the ban “wouldn’t be necessary if the federal government had done its job.” He was referring to the legal requirement that products like e-cigarettes not be sold until they pass an FDA safety review.

The FDA has not reviewed any vaping products – from Juul or any other company – yet hasn’t banned them either. City leaders from San Francisco as well as New York City and Chicago have criticized the FDA for what they consider to be a failure of oversight.

A Response To Teenage Vaping

The supporters of the ban also expressed concern for children’s health. Vaping has become very popular with teenagers, so much so that the number of high school students who use e-cigarettes skyrocketed by 78% in 2018. Since e-cigarettes contain Nicotine, an addictive substance, the Mayor and the Board are worried that vaping will harm teenagers in San Francisco. Although the smoking age in California is 21, vaping devices are common in San Francisco schools.

There is so much we don’t know about the health impacts of these products, but we do know that e-cigarette companies are targeting our kids in their advertising and getting them hooked on addictive nicotine products. We need to take action to protect the health of San Francisco’s youth and prevent the next generation of San Franciscans from becoming addicted to these products.

Juul’s Response To The E-Cigarette Sales Ban

Juul adamantly opposes the ordinances. The company spent over $600,000 to lobby against the new rules and has been collecting signatures for a petition to challenge the ordinances on the ballot this November. Juul said that it does not advertise its products to minors. As evidence, the company cited its decision to delete its social media accounts, which young people were most likely to see, and stop selling flavored e-cigarettes, which were most popular among teenagers. Juul also stated that the ban may be counterproductive for fighting Nicotine addiction.

This full prohibition will drive former adult smokers who successfully switched to vapor products back to deadly cigarettes, deny the opportunity to switch for current adult smokers, and create a thriving black market instead of addressing the actual causes of underage access and use.

In addition to Juul, some small businesses in San Francisco also oppose the ban because many city residents visit family-owned stores to buy Juul devices.

Regardless, other cities may soon follow San Francisco’s example. Vaping is such a new phenomenon that governments and regulatory agencies are just starting to catch up. It is possible that the regulation of e-cigarettes will leave the confines of local politics and become a national issue in the future.

For more information on treatment options, contact a treatment provider today.

[UPDATE: On September 30, 2019, under mounting political pressure, Juul suspended its campaign to overturn the city’s ordinances through a ballot initiative. The company had contributed almost $19 million to support Proposition C, which would have permitted the sale of e-cigarettes to adults in San Francisco. Proposition C will still be on the city ballot in November.]

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Two non-profits, Trust for America’s Health and Well Being Trust, published a report this month which paints a harrowing picture of reality for millennials with an addiction in the United States. According to the report, which is an analysis of data from the CDC, millennials are the most likely age demographic to die from alcohol, drug abuse, and suicide. Millennials are most often defined as people who were born between the years 1981 and 1996, although some definitions expand the category to cover people who were born up through the year 2000.

Over the course of one decade, from 2007 to 2017, the rate of alcohol-related deaths among millennials rose by 69%, the rate of deaths caused by drugs rose by 108%, and the suicide rate rose by 35%. The report also indicates that the Opioid epidemic has devastated millennials. From 1999 to 2017, the rate of fatal Opioid overdoses among millennials rose by 500% and the rate of fatal overdoses involving Synthetic Opioids (especially Fentanyl) skyrocketed by 6,000%.

“Deaths Of Despair”

The tragic death toll which alcohol and drugs have inflicted on millennials is not just a coincidence. In fact, the report suggests numerous factors that are leading the age group into the kind of despair and hopelessness which so often spawns substance use disorders. In general, millennials are struggling with a variety of hardships, including:

• Crushing student debt
• Unemployment
• Difficulty establishing a career
• High costs of housing
• High costs of healthcare and health insurance
• Loss of potential income and savings as a result of the Great Recession
• Raising young children on low wages

As a nation, we need to pay particular attention to the lived experience of the Millennial generation.  They are young parents, many have burdensome levels of education debt, they are more than one-third of today’s workforce and comprise the largest proportion of Americans serving in the military. Unfortunately, they also comprise the largest portion of people in prison. They are grappling with economic, health, and social challenges unique to their generation.

Overall, economic indicators suggest that millennials as a generation are poorer than their parents and grandparents. This reality impacts every aspect of their lives, including their likelihood to develop addiction. Brittany Rose Hallett is one example of a millennial who suffered what the report identifies as a “death of despair.” Overwhelmed by student loan debt and unemployment, Brittany developed an alcohol use disorder which resulted in fatal pancreatitis. The report finds that despair-driven addiction among millennials is not only a tragedy, but also a burden on a healthcare system which is already practically inaccessible for many low-income Americans.

The Impact Of Healthcare Disparities Throughout the Country

The Commonwealth Fund, another non-profit, also published a report this week which addresses high death rates among American Millennials. The report ranks each state on the basis of the overall health of each state’s population. Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Washington, Connecticut, Vermont are the healthiest states, according to the Commonwealth Fund, while Arkansas, Nevada, Texas, Oklahoma and Mississippi are the least healthy.

The main factor which affects public health in each state is access to health care. For instance, states which chose to not expand Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act tend to have lower overall health scores. In one state, West Virginia, expanding Medicaid coverage drastically increased the percentage of opioid-addicted residents who received treatment for their addiction.

Access to healthcare is important for millennials who are struggling with addiction and despair, yet many cannot afford health insurance premiums or other medical expenses. In some states, even with the Affordable Care Act, households spend about 8% to 10% of their annual income just to pay for health insurance. Health care is becoming more expensive in America, but millennials are not making more money. This is one important reason why many younger people are not receiving the care they need to overcome addiction.

What Does The Report Recommend To Help Millennials With Addiction?

The Trust for America’s Health and Well Being Trust report offers several recommendations for how governments, healthcare centers, and communities across the country can help millennials enjoy better mental health, obtain easier access to health care, and get support for overcoming alcohol and drug addiction. The recommendations are meant to reduce the number of people who develop addictions and die from substance abuse.

Some of the report’s recommendations include:

• Guaranteeing behavioral healthcare as an essential aspect of primary care.
• Removing barriers to treatment in rural areas.
• Offering behavioral health screenings at colleges and universities.
• Increasing health insurance and Medicaid coverage for addiction treatment.
• Preventing and addressing childhood trauma.
• Continuing and expanding suicide prevention programs within the healthcare system.
• Creating drug courts and mental health courts in every state.
• Strengthening policies to prevent teenagers and underage adults from buying alcohol.

These recommendations, if implemented, would likely help to reduce “deaths of despair” in America. There is a way for you to take action as well. If you know a millennial who’s struggling with addiction, don’t hesitate to contact a treatment provider today to learn more about the many options for treatment.

The post Report: Millennials Are Most Likely To Die From Alcohol, Drugs, Suicide appeared first on Addiction Center.

A recent survey of high school students revealed that almost 1% of American teens knowingly used Flakka (a dangerous synthetic psychostimulant) in the past year. The study’s lead author, Joseph Palamar, used data collected by the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan and published his findings in the journal of Drug and Alcohol Dependence in late January. In addition to deliberately abusing the drug–also nicknamed $5 Insanity and gravel–19.2% of teens who reported taking Flakka used it more than 40 times.

The importance is that we are able to draw attention to this dangerous drug right now. We finally have prevalence estimates on a national sample, which hasn’t been done yet.

Since 2015, Flakka has become an infamous street drug for its psychostimulant effects similar to “bath salts”–also known as the “zombie” drug. Like that drug and others in the cathinone category, it can be found in opaque crystal chunks. In less than one year in Florida, 80 deaths were attributed to Flakka; more than 2,000 emergency department visits in Broward County involved the substance in the same time.

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Effects And Deaths

Like bath salts, Flakka is a synthetic version of cathinone, a substance derived from the Khat plant. Both drugs are made using the alpha-PVP compound and produce amphetamine-like effects. Though each batch of Flakka is different and difficult to gauge the strength of, low doses commonly trigger feelings of euphoria, while higher doses may cause aggression, paranoia, anxiety, hallucinations, agitation, suicidal thoughts, and an excited state of delirium.

Flakka works in the brain by binding to specific neurons responsible for mood regulation, dopamine, and serotonin. Unlike Cocaine and Meth, however, Flakka stays in the brain for much longer, resulting in even more serious and potentially permanent damage. It can also damage kidneys (in some cases requiring dialysis for life), the heart, and the nervous system.

Flakka Addiction And Abuse Statistics

Get Help For A Flakka Addiction

If someone you know is struggling with an addiction to stimulants, the first step in recovery is to detox from these harmful substances. For more information about drug rehab and recovery options, talk to a treatment provider today.

The post Study On Flakka Reveals Use By 1% Of Teens appeared first on Addiction Center.

In the world of behavioral addictions, porn addiction tends to be misunderstood. This not only continues to stigmatize this addiction, but also makes it them difficult to spot. Whether or not behavioral addictions, such as porn addiction, are “actual addictions” is highly debated in the psychiatric and treatment communities. While some of these addictions, like gambling addiction, are much more accepted than others, such as sex addiction, for example, there is still a great deal of controversy from medical professionals on where addictions end and compulsions begin.

Regardless, there are people suffering. So, whether it is an addiction or compulsion, you should still seek help. One of the most reported addictions is porn addiction, or feeling a compulsion to watch porn and not being able to stop. Like any addiction, though, there are signs that you may be having a problem. If you are wondering whether excessive pornography use has reached the level of addiction, it is important to watch out for the top 10 signs of porn addiction.

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1. You Can’t Stop

You are unable to stop using or viewing pornography, despite trying to do so. If you can’t stop, you may notice that you are spending more and more time on the internet despite others’ attempts to communicate with you.

2. You Want More

You may experience cravings to view more, or feel cravings if you have gone without porn for any amount of time. You may find yourself sneaking away from your partner to another room. It’s possible that you’ll give an excuse or get defensive when questioned about your behavior.

3. You’ve Lost Time

You may lose large periods of time to viewing porn, wasting most of the day without accomplishing anything. You could notice that you’ve become lethargic and haven’t accomplished much as of late. You might seem like you don’t care or that you are very uninterested in anything else.

4. You’ve Lost Interest In Sex

If you’re addicted to porn, you’ll likely lose interest in real sex. Not only that, but you may find your partner less attractive than you did before. You might become unresponsive to romantic advances from your partner. This can cause your partner to view you as distant or even uninterested when they try to engage with you sexually. You may require more stimulation than you had previously needed in order to become aroused.

5. You’re More Demanding

A porn addiction may cause you to develop some unrealistic ideas about sex. You might become more demanding in the bedroom, find yourself easily frustrated, and/or begin alienating your partner. When this happens, your partner can feel physically and emotionally uncomfortable.

6. You’ve Lost Attraction

Porn addiction can give you unrealistic expectations of beauty for your partner. This can make your partner feel hurt about their appearance and create a greater problem for their self-esteem.

7. You’re In Physical Pain

You may begin to experience physical pain as a result of porn addiction. This can be from the repetition of certain physical movements for long periods, or from the strain that comes with excessive computer use. You might frequently complain about your wrist, neck, and back, or might experience headaches.

8. You’re Losing Money

It’s possible that you’ve started spending money for what you consider higher quality content. When this happens, you can quickly begin falling into some kind of financial hardship. This can manifest as your complaining more about money problems but being unwilling to disclose the exact nature of these problems.

9. You’re Distracted

If you find yourself distracted from different aspects of life, it might have something to do with porn addiction. Your mind might drift to porn when you’re with friends, family, or coworkers. This can significant impact personal and professional life. It can make you distant from your partner and their attempts to connect with you.

10. You’re Angry

Like with any addiction, if you can’t stop using porn, you may become easily irritable when it’s not available. You may find your patience wearing thin, especially with tasks you view as obstacles to porn use. This can also make it easier to lash out at your partner, who could notice major changes in your personality and feel that you’re not the same person that they had loved before.

Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorder

According to the National Institute On Drug Abuse, almost 8 million adults have a dual diagnosis (meaning they are afflicted by both a substance use disorder and another mental health condition). In fact, almost 40% of those with substance use disorders also have other mental health conditions. Of the total population of adults with dual diagnosis, more than half (52.5%, to be exact) don’t get treatment for either component.

Those who struggle with porn addiction, therefore, may also have a co-occurring substance use disorder. According to an article published in Nordic Studies On Alcohol And Drugs, Amphetamines “facilitate pornography inspired sexual experimentation…gradually this is for many transformed into sexual practices that are seen as practically manic.”

These practices can include compulsive masturbation, especially for men; the use of Amphetamines, therefore, may contribute to porn addiction and vice-versa.

When addiction to both illicit substances and pornography coincide, addressing the conditions may be that much more difficult; psychosocial support, especially in the form of support groups comprised of individuals who have a shared experience, could be instrumental in drawing comfort and pleasure from a different and more sustainable source.

Talking About Porn Addiction

If you find it difficult to curtail your use of porn, you may feel some shame. It is important to be able to speak openly if you believe that you or someone you know is exhibiting any of the top 10 signs of porn addiction. Only by opening up to the idea of help can anyone get better. If you’re interested in learning more information about your online counseling options for porn addiction, click here.

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College is one of the most common places drugs are found, sold, and abused. For many students, college opens up the world of opportunity to try new things and have new experiences without the supervision of parents. Unfortunately, this includes engaging in risky behavior without fear of the real consequences. The rates of abuse of drugs on college campuses have more than tripled for some substances, leading to increased tolerance and possible addiction later on.

49% of full-time college students drink and/or abuse drugs (illegal and prescription).

Besides studying and planning for the future, college is undeniably about partying and testing your limits for many students. A majority of the students who did not drink in high school will take their first sip while in college, and many will experiment with harder drugs like hallucinogens and so-called party drugs, risking chemical dependence in their brain.

Although many drugs are frequently used by college students, here are the 5 most commonly abused drugs on college campuses.

1 – Alcohol

9.9% of full-time college students aged 18 to 22 drank alcohol for the first time in the past year.

It’s no surprise alcohol is the number one abused drug on campus, simply because it is so widely accepted to consume. You constantly hear reckless stories about college kids getting wasted and causing havoc. Most college parties serve alcohol and even bars close to campus are coined as “college bars.” Alcohol is a legal activity for older college students; however, the typical freshmen is 18 years old, far below the legal drinking age.

Binge drinking has also become a popular habit on college campuses included in sporting events, celebrations, and in many cases of hazing. Binge drinking can be very dangerous and lead to alcohol poisoning which can then lead to death.

2 – Marijuana

Nearly 50% of college students have tried Marijuana at least once.

Although still illegal in many states, Marijuana has been the most popular drug in the United States other than alcohol for several decades. Mary Jane, bud, grass, and weed are just a few nicknames echoed around campus. Strains of weed have also gathered their share of names and are portrayed as fun party drugs across college-aged-targeted movies such as “Pineapple Express.” Marijuana is widely and falsely considered a harmless drug, which is why it is so popular among college students.

Commonly used to relax or to mix in with the party scene, Marijuana does have significant effects on the body. Negligence caused by the high of the drug, such as driving while under the influence or injury from lack of judgement, has taken a toll on college students and could result in severe injury even if it is not possible to overdose on the drug. Relaxing the nerves and putting one in a sleep-like state is also common, leaving responsibilities of homework and studying a priority for another day.

3 – Prescription Pills

One study found that more than 60% of students with a valid prescription from ADHD medication were diverting it to other students without prescriptions.

College-level work gets harder for many as they move up a grade level, making it harder to focus in class and complete assignments. Adderall and Ritalin are very commonly sold and abused drugs on college campuses. These drugs are designed to block out the distractions in your surroundings and in your head, making it easier to concentrate and retain knowledge. Exam week is a popular time in which students scramble to find these pills that will supposedly help them study. Friends sell to friends until the word gets out, turning prescriptions into profitable sales.

Selling Adderall or Ritalin is illegal and can result in a fine up to $10,000 on top of 10 years in jail. Demand for Adderall keeps rising, and at an average of $3-$15 per pill, college students can make a hefty chunk of change that beats their minimum wage job despite the many legal risks.

4 – Ecstasy

Emergency room visits due to ecstasy have increased by more than 1,200% since ecstasy became the “club drug” of choice at all-night raves.

As raves and festivals grow in popularity, so does the use of “rave drugs,” with Ecstasy being the most popular. Alcohol is the go-to party drug for house parties and normal outings at clubs, but ecstasy is the most common choice at many music festivals and raves. Users claim the music helps intensify the feelings manifesting from the drug. In the college atmosphere, it has become as normal to take ecstasy at a festival as it has to drink alcohol at a bar. The downsides of the drug; however, can be pretty intense as well.

When users feel ecstasy’s most intense sensations, referred to as “peaking,” their brain is exploding with the release of dopamine. It produces unreal and immense feelings of happiness. This of course goes downhill once the effects have worn off, influencing the user to take more to bring back these effects. Unfortunately, taking more of the drug will enhance the dependency of the drug once it leaves the system, leaving the body in a critical state of uncomfortable feelings and sickness until the withdrawal phase has passed. Ecstasy so completely drains the body of natural “feel good chemicals that many users experience extreme depression in the days after consumption. This depression is so severe that it can lead to self-harm. In fact, many ecstasy users refer to the Tuesday after a weekend of ecstasy use as “suicide Tuesday.”

5 – Cocaine

One study shows most users (69%) started using cocaine after college entry. From Year 1 to Year 4, lifetime prevalence of Cocaine use more than tripled, from 4% to 13%.

While the popularity and use of ecstasy has risen, Cocaine has followed closely in its path. Cocaine is highly addictive and illegal in the United States. It is derived from the coca plant in South America and is portrayed as the rich man’s drug from its expensive cost to its euphoric effects. Although it is very expensive, college students seem to want to get their hands on it as much as they can. It adds to the party atmosphere but can really damage the brain after use. One in four of those who try Cocaine will become addicted in their life, damaging their hopes and dreams along the way.

Help Is Out There

Too many college students unwittingly become dependent on drugs, leaving them with addictions that haunt them throughout their adult life. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be this way. If you or a loved one are looking for addiction treatment, there are many options available. Contact a treatment provider now to find out more.

If you liked this blog, check out The 5 Most Addictive Substances On Earth.

The post The 5 Most Commonly Abused Drugs On College Campuses appeared first on Addiction Center.

You’re upset; you feel lost; everything seems to be going wrong. But… if you could just try out this spectacular drug everyone talks about, you know everything will be better.

WRONG.

This is not how addiction starts. A typical first-time user does not need drugs to feel good and cope with their past, simply because they don’t know what the drug feels like. How can they expect such results?

First time use happens without a detailed plan. Generally, a party is a big trigger for spontaneously abusing drugs. Picture this. You might have shown up to a party expecting alcohol as the main event, when in the corner of your eye you see someone pull out a baggie of white powder.

Cocaine. You’ve never seen Cocaine before, but everyone here is trying it; your best friend is trying it, so clearly you have to try it too, right?

They’re laying out lines of the thin white substance on the counter. Someone picks up a rolled-up dollar bill, and the white lines start to disappear. Your friend picks another line, and then hands the bill to you.

Heart pounding, hands sweating, you begin to question everything about to happen. What will this feel like? Should I do it?

You begin to snort a line; how does it feel?

Peculiar and empowering. Your body suddenly gets a burst of energy. Jitters come about. Hands are shaking, feet are tapping, you’re dancing to the music like you never have before. Everyone is talking to you and laughing with you; you’re having the time of your life!

Until, the effects wear off.

You feel sort of sluggish, like everything is slowing down, like the party just stopped, but it really hasn’t. The music hasn’t changed, the atmosphere still rings of party people. Your head feels heavy, you take a minute and sit down on the couch, unsure of the feelings manifesting inside of you.  Your friend comes to sit next to you and asks you what’s wrong. Unsure of what to say, you feel funny inside. Your friend assures you everything is great, and you just need another line of coke.

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Anxiety sets in at the mention of Cocaine. Is that what you really need? You don’t want to do it.

Another friend comes over and encourages you to take some more. They help you up and bring you to the counter covered in traces of Cocaine and rolled up dollar bills. You snort another thin white line. Your eyes close as your heartbeat begins to match the beat of the music.

There is a possibility you won’t get addicted by the actions in this story, but there is also a possibility you will. Pressure plays a heavy role in the beginning of an addiction. The pressure to fit in, the pressure to look cool, the pressure to experience something everyone else has already tried.

You think to yourself, “it’s just one time,” or “I only do it when I go out; it’s no big deal.

No matter what the drug is, addiction is always a possibility, especially if you find yourself in the same situation and surrounded by the same people as you were when you used. Some people have the ability to stop themselves or function normally while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, but you have to understand that drugs are physically addicting. Your body gets used to the effects the substance creates, and it will chemically alter your brain in order to adjust to your use.

Drugs work by increasing the amount of dopamine in your brain. Dopamine allows pleasurable feelings. You can feel it naturally by kissing a significant other or eating your favorite food. This produces a small natural amount that makes you feel good.

When drugs enter your system, they produce an overabundance of dopamine within the brain. The overabundance causes intense feelings of pleasure, many times much more than the natural healthy amounts your brain is used to. Because there is an overabundance of dopamine that the drugs are instilling, your brain will compensate and naturally produce less.

What happens when the drug loses its effects? You have a lack of dopamine produced within your brain, leading to a physical and mental crash. You often feel depressed and lethargic as if the whole world was crashing down on you.

What do you do?

You try to wait it out and get over the after-effect, but it just seems so hard. The strength to fight this seems to be dwindling. A hopeless outlook takes over, and you start to cave in. Once again, the drug is abused, but this time it’s different.

After prolonged use, you don’t take drugs to feel the extended pleasure of the initial use, you take drugs to feel physically stable and normal again.  This, is addiction.

Why put yourself through such agony? Why take the physical, psychological, emotional, and even financial risks? If you don’t start drug use, you don’t have to try and stop. No one wants to be addicted to drugs, and I guarantee those who are addicted wish they could take it all back.

Don’t put yourself in a position to harm your body and your future just to feel a one-time experience. It could lead you into a lifetime of pain and regret.

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