A study in 2019 published in the National Library of Medicine found that gaming addiction positively correlated with depression, loneliness, and social anxiety especially in the young adult population. They also reported that young adults addicted to video games showed increased depression and anxiety and felt more socially isolated. Males were shown to be more negatively affected than females and were also more prone to isolate and withdraw.

Some say this phenomenon as a bit of the “chicken and egg” scenario. In other words, do depressed young adults gravitate to isolating behaviors like gaming, or do otherwise well-adjusted young adults get so immersed in the gaming culture that it eventually pulls them out of circulation with their friends and family? The answer is likely both.

While many depressed individuals look for any number of ways to get a dopamine hit for their thirsty, isolated minds, a growing number of young adults are finding that the more screen time they engage in, the less likely they are to develop relationships and can begin to interpret their virtual screen worlds as their social networks. The invention of characters to hide behind, virtual worlds to explore, and the lack of any external realities to distract us makes an inviting place to immerse oneself, especially if school, relationships, and life in general becomes too overwhelming.

Young Adults Seeking Help For Video Game Use

In the last three months I have had several young adult males come to me with nearly the exact same presenting circumstances. Friends, classmates, Greek life, and anything else many college students find stimulating were simply unwelcome distractions for these young men. Statistics show that we are in a time of unprecedented levels of depression and anxiety. While COVID-19 and the culture wars can take their share of the blame, much of our growing emotional exhaustion is trying to find connection and emotional satisfaction in areas that we are not designed to stay in long-term.

Whether it is the comparative thinking brought on by staying saturated in social media, or the dopamine saturation of a day of gaming alone the result is a residual anxiety once the dopamine rush subsides, and we are left with our empty relationship tank leaving us more depressed and anxious than we were before we started. Ultimately, the behaviors we are engaging in to mask the depression and anxiety are in fact exacerbating it.

Recovery Plan For Video Game Addiction

Below is a synopsis of a general recovery care plan including abstaining from gaming/technology devices for a 30-day period. This plan (along with neurofeedback and regular therapy sessions) has been very helpful in breaking the cycle of the unwanted isolation and thereby diminishing the presenting depression and anxiety. We would stress that this plan is NOT a punitive exercise whatsoever. This is to be thought of as a cleanse or a “detox” so that the devices can be introduced again later. This 30-day period is meant to give undistracted opportunity to develop a “self” apart from video games and/or character role playing and allow the brain to reset.

Our three main objectives in the first 30-day period are establishing habits around Structure, Activity, and Connection.

Structure

A consistent bedtime and wake up time daily. Having a flexible but working daily routine which includes intentionally setting three small goals you would like to accomplish each day (one thing from each category of structure, activity, or connection). A healthy diet of regular mealtimes is important. Setting a daily timeline to accomplish small tasks is also recommended.

Activity

Some type of daily exercise, even simply walking for 20-30 minutes outdoors, experiencing something that requires movement for at least a half hour is a great start. Engage in something enjoyable that doesn’t require technology, i.e., boardgames with family, creative artistic endeavors, music, something that brings joy and stimulates the prefrontal cortex. The endorphins that the brain manufactures during exercise is nature’s antidepressant.

Connection

This can begin with being more intentional about socializing with work or school friends during the day, meeting people for coffee or lunch, recovery group support meetings, some type of interest group that does not involve gaming or a character. The goal in connection is to show up as yourself and become comfortable with your true self in social and relational situations.

At an agreed upon time, be willing to turn in your computer power cord, Xbox, smart phone, laptop, and any other device other than a TV to parents or a supportive friend or partner who has agreed to hold you accountable.

At that time your smart phone can be replaced by a “disposable” flip phone which will have your current phone number assigned to it. At the end of the agreed hiatus the temporary flip phone will be exchanged, and your smart phone will be returned to you.

How To Offer Support

Encouragement from loved ones and friends is imperative as well. If you are trying to encourage someone who is working to beat this dependency to technology, consider writing them an uplifting note at the beginning of this endeavor: “We know this is going to be difficult, stressful, and emotional for you. We know we are disrupting a relationship you have with technology and other virtual friends and that it is not an easy thing to step away from, even for a short season. Your family wants to be engaged in your process as well as engage you!”

We must understand that the willingness to change is the first step but giving up a behavior can exacerbate anxiety and will often be a very emotionally unsteady time at first. Abandoning the technology will make space for us to explore what is truly lacking in our lives and how to reclaim it. Learning to ask for help and realizing that the absence of the old behavior is making space for self-love. Self-acceptance is a pivotal part of the therapeutic process of coming back to ourselves.

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The post Video Games And Young Adult Depression appeared first on Addiction Center.

“Swiping right” on modern dating apps can bring users one step closer to matching with a potential partner, but drug dealers in Florida are abusing this opportunity to sell their wares. Detectives with the Polk County Sheriff Office alleged that 52 people used the LGBTQ dating apps Grindr, Scruff, and Taimi to sell Methamphetamines, Cocaine, Fentanyl, Marijuana, and other drugs.

Detectives created undercover profiles and were able to buy nearly a pound and a half of Marijuana, one of the most commonly sold drugs, and 280 grams of Meth through online sales. This operation, dubbed “Swipe Left for Meth,” illustrated how individuals explicitly promoted drugs on their dating profiles. Potential buyers only had to swipe left on a photo to express their interest or send a direct message, with little to no moderation from the platform.

Grindr, self-described as the world’s largest social networking app for the LGBTQ community, saw more sales than the other 2 investigated apps. Grindr, Scruff, and Taimi strictly prohibit the selling and promoting of drug use, but users have previously accused Grindr of not doing enough to police illegal drug sales. Users across all platforms are encouraged to report suspicious and threatening activities, but many profiles slip through the radar.

Secret Language On Dating Apps

Individuals selling or looking to buy drugs on dating apps and social media discreetly use emojis and code words to conceal their sales and inquiries. Usually, app algorithms will flag or delete the content that explicitly discusses drug use before users see it. A typical loophole to avoid detection is to use emojis or code words. Common emojis used include snowflakes or snow for Cocaine, diamonds for Crystal Meth, and an electrical plug for a drug dealer or “plug.” These emojis signify the amount of the drug, the type, the strength, and the purity. Recognizing the double-meaning of emojis is imperative to monitoring and identifying potential drug sales.

However, using emojis is not the only way drug dealers and buyers identify their interests. Individuals can just look for a capital “T.” Profiles that include what seems to be randomly capitalized Ts or acronyms in the title or bio are signaling that they are looking for or selling “Tina” – Meth’s street name. This capitalization also appears in terms like “parTy and play” or “PNP,” which describes a term used by some gay men to describe a sexual encounter while under the influence of drugs. Some Grindr users even report receiving messages “nearly every day” from someone asking them to participate in “PNP.”

Dangers Of Buying Drugs Online

Fake prescription pills, commonly laced with Fentanyl and Methamphetamine, are sold across most social media platforms, making them attainable to anyone with a smartphone or internet. This accessibility of illegal substances is alarming on multiple fronts, but of most concern is the risk of lethal overdose due to laced or counterfeit drugs. According to the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), for every 5 pills the DEA seized in 2021, 2 out of the 5 pills contained a lethal amount of Fentanyl which is 50 to 100 times more potent than Morphine. Often, individuals purchasing drugs online or in-person trust the dealer and the product at face value, but many dealers cut their product with other substances like Fentanyl. Being able to purchase drugs through apps only expedites this risk of exposure and increases the reach of drug distribution.

Since teens and young adults are the most prevalent demographic amongst social media platforms, parental figures can help guide and monitor online activities for younger children and teens. Behavioral signs that may signify an individual is purchasing illicit drugs online include:

• Displaying secretive behavior when online such as switching between web pages or quickly exiting a page when someone walks into the room.
• Lying or deceitful behavior.
• Increase in spending money or missing money.
• Increase in received packages.
• Spending more time alone in their room or locking the door.
• Changes in behavior or changes in sleep habits.

Apps And Drug Distribution

Dating platforms are not the only apps experiencing high rates of drug distribution; Snapchat and Instagram are facing growing concerns with drug dealing. The nature of social media and its algorithms is to push content that they believe an individual wants based on their activity on the platform. For example, if individuals are actively searching for a particular drug through hashtags, they are likely to connect with a dealer or someone affiliated. Once a point of contact is made, it only takes a couple direct messages to make a sale. Additionally, the disappearing chat and photo feature on Snapchat can make some drug deals nearly untraceable. These innovative features like hashtags, trending pages, “Quick Add” contacts, and disappearing direct messages can build a hidden web of drug distribution that police officials have difficultly tracking.

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Cracking Down On Online Drug Dealing

In a 2016 study of gay dating apps, LGBTQ blog WEHOville reported that only Grindr “allowed its users to openly include emojis and text in their profiles that indicated they were drug users or sellers.” One month after the report, the app censored a few well-known drug emojis and words, but the app’s drug market is still present today. A Grindr spokesperson states that the app “prohibits the promotion of drug use in its user-profiles and is committed to creating a safe environment through digital and human screening tools to help its users connect and thrive.” The common thread throughout most social media apps is that they rely on their users to report inappropriate content, but police departments across the country are aiming to investigate more cases of drug selling and promotion on apps and other social media platforms.

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Euphoria is hardly the first TV show to depict substance use. The Wire, Breaking Bad, Ozark, Dopesick, and others all largely illustrate the overtly stigmatized yet simultaneously overlooked illegal drug trade currently plaguing the nation. What perhaps makes Euphoria different, and what D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) advocates are criticizing, is the setting and age group of which the series is based: teenagers in a high school. The show is many narratives in one; it follows a group of teens as they navigate love, loss, and deep personal traumas, but unlike most stories of similar caliber, Euphoria does not shy away from the darker sides of life: the gritty hard stuff like addiction, abuse, and the life-threatening nature of the drug trade.

Despite the intentional viewer discretion notices and messages warning of explicit content meant for mature audiences (and a screen sharing helplines open 24 hours for those struggling as well as an entire resource page on the network’s website), D.A.R.E. believes Euphoria “chooses to misguidedly glorify and erroneously depict high school drug use, addiction, anonymous sex, violence, and other widespread behaviors as common and widespread in today’s world.” This statement, released earlier this year around the launch of the second season of the show, certainly poses a few questions: is Euphoria’s content truly “glorifying” these widespread behaviors or is it accurately depicting a frightening world that teens of today’s generation face daily? One that is rife with reckless sex, varying forms of abuse, and the very real, very frightening underground drug market. Where is the line between promotion and exaggerated reality, especially for the sake of informing viewers of otherwise taboo topics?

Is Familiarity Dangerous?

There was a similar discussion when Breaking Bad received critical acclaim and widespread viewership; many felt that the series glorified Methamphetamine use, even when the show realistically portrayed the horror and self-destruction of those who fall victim to the allure of desperately seeking the next high. Prosecutor Blake Ewing argues that “while Breaking Bad may not glorify Meth in the sense of making it attractive to the average viewer, it does normalize the idea of Meth for a broad segment of society that might otherwise have no knowledge of that dark and dangerous world.” Largely, Ewing believes that what he calls a “false sense of familiarity” – a result of formed connections with the characters in the show – is dangerous because it makes the very existence and prevalence of an entire underlying culture a little less foreign and unknown.

Almost an antithesis to the everlasting adage, “knowledge is power,” the notion that familiarity is “inherently dangerous” (quoted from Ewing’s piece written for Time) is interesting. A technology-dependent society, more and more frequently we learn from the media; screens dictate and depict our inside emotions or that which we are curious to learn more about, often acting as a mirror or a window depending on how we’re feeling when we pick up the remote. Young people are especially perceptible to media and influence and the way different outlets portray and represent behaviors and subcultures such as partying and drug use. For instance, a recent study investigated adolescents’ exposure to various substances’ advertisements and found that there is a correlation between exposure to alcohol content (particularly pointed marketing) and early alcohol consumption.

However, as is the case with Euphoria, when the content is blunt, heavy, and raw, rather than glamorous or sophisticated, are teens more or less likely to relate to the underlying themes? Do they engage in the exhibited dangerous and reckless behaviors simply because they have a greater bandwidth of understanding or simply thank their lucky stars that the characters are behind a screen rather than at their school? It’s hard to know for sure; the show is not even 3 years old.

Is Euphoria A Fair Representation Of High School Today?

Unlike other teen-focused party culture dramas, Euphoria has managed to capitalize on the true and utter desolation of topics like severe teenage drug addiction and intense (and varied) sexual trauma without forfeiting sensitivity. While 13 Reasons Why was criticized for romanticizing suicide and promoting a false narrative that suicide is pointedly blamable, Euphoria is honest, albeit intensely dramatic, but not brooding; in many ways it’s hard to watch. And yet, with multiple storylines and deeply developed characters, the show provides an arguable 360-degree view of the varying conflicts and life choices the characters, and many high schoolers around the world, face.

One local news source in Toronto, Canada reached out to high school students asking if they felt that the show accurately depicted current high school life. Of the responses they received, most students agreed that while certainly exaggerated, thematically, it checks out. “I think our generation has really taken drinking to the next level. Bringing a bottle of vodka and putting it in your locker and being smashed during, like, all periods…that happens,” said one recent graduate from Ontario, Emily Clarizio. Another responder, Alessia Rescigno, age 15, says many teens post content online containing nudity, alcohol, and drugs they’re selling, citing that violence, particularly in cases involving drug deals, is common. “Three of my friends in the last 2 years have died, like, 3 of my friends and…I’m only in grade 10. I don’t think [Euphoria] is exaggerated. I think this is really what happens.”

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Euphoria Fans Defend The Show

While D.A.R.E. is upset that HBO, social media, and critics refer to the show as “‘groundbreaking,'” rather than recognizing the potential negative consequences on school age children who today face unparalleled risks and mental health challenges,” their cry is seemingly falling on deaf ears. The HBO network has not responded to offers of collaboration and many fans have met the claim with zealous criticism of their own stating that D.A.R.E. was the reason they became curious about drugs, while Euphoria scares them away entirely. Sam Levinson, creator, writer, and director of the show purposefully designed the narrator/main character, Rue, (played by Zendaya) based around his own experiences with substance abuse and addiction:

I think it’s crucial that film and television portray addiction in an honest way. That we allow for its complexities to play out. That we show the allure of drugs, the relief they can bring, because that is ultimately what makes them so destructive.

His main intention was to begin a conversation and create space for these issues that so often separate generations and build walls between parents and teens. By purposefully refusing to shy away from both the enticement and the simultaneous danger and devastation drugs promise, Levinson paints a powerful picture meant to replicate and reflect reality.

Art As Conversation Starter: Could Euphoria Encourage Sobriety?

Ultimately, Euphoria is sparking dialogue; precisely the goal. Addiction, assault, familial trauma, sex and gender expression/experimentation, and overwhelming loss are topics and matters of life that are hard and painful to process and work through. Perhaps consciously (and conscientiously) created art that legitimizes this pain is a solid first step toward widespread awareness and eventual recovery.

Get Help Today

Substance abuse and addiction are serious and scary and often leave those who suffer feeling alone. If you or someone you know and love is struggling with addiction, help is available; you don’t have to struggle in silence. Reach out to a treatment provider today to learn more about recovery and rehab options; you deserve to live your best life now.

The post Does ‘Euphoria’ Encourage Teen Party Culture? appeared first on Addiction Center.

Snapchat, the popular photo and instant messaging app, is integrating a new approach to lowering the dealing of drugs on the platform. These efforts are being made in attempt to keep the community of those who use Snapchat safe from the devastating impacts of the Fentanyl crisis. 

For years, social media sites have been used as avenues for drug dealers to remotely access and influence young people to purchase illicit substances. In the last few years, the selling of deadly counterfeit prescription pills has increased. This increase has been specifically true for Snapchat where messages are designed to disappear after a certain amount of time. Counterfeit pills being sold through social media look almost identical to real prescription drugs, such as Percocet, OxyContin, or Xanax. 

What makes the use of counterfeit pills so dangerous is that there is a high chance that they have been made with Fentanyl, a synthetic Opioid that is stronger than Morphine and less expensive to produce than other substances. Because a lethal dose is very small, anything over 2 mg, pills containing Fentanyl have been linked to a dramatic increase in overdose deaths in the US. Teenagers and young adults are especially at risk for overdose from Fentanyl because counterfeit pills are so accessible through platforms like Snapchat. In 2020, it was reported that 48% of internet users who use Snapchat are between the ages of 15 and 25. 

DEA Public Safety Alert

On September 27th, 2021, the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued a public safety alert for the first time in 6 years. This alert warned of the threat caused by an increase in lethality and availability of fake prescription pills containing Fentanyl or Meth. The DEA reported that just this year 9.5 million counterfeit pills have been seized. Two out of every 5 of these fake, confiscated pills that contained Fentanyl contained enough of the substance to cause an overdose. 

Anne Miligram, DEA spokeswoman, told Today that social media companies are not doing enough to stop the selling of these harmful pills. Milgram went on to say, “Social media companies know that their platforms are being used for this. And they need to understand that Americans are dying. They are dying at record rates and they need to be a partner in stopping it.” 

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Snapchat’s New Drug Related Initiatives

Following this public safety alert, pleas from Milgram, and support from parents, Snapchat has decided to take steps towards improving this situation. The platform’s new safety initiatives include improved automated systems to detect the sale of drugs, hiring more staff to respond to law enforcement for criminal investigations, and an in-app education portal called “Heads Up.” 

Through Heads Up, Snapchat users can be educated on the dangers of Fentanyl and counterfeit pills with resources from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), the Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC), and non-profit organizations. App users who search for certain drug terms or for substance abuse help will be directed to Heads Up. Already, the platform has teamed with Song For Charlie, a family run nonprofit, to develop a video advertising campaign on the topic. According to Snapchat, this video campaign has been viewed 260 million times thus far. Additionally, the platform will be rolling out a new national filter that will bring awareness to the issue and direct users to the Head Up portal. 

While many parents are calling for more extensive parental controls, social media platforms like Snapchat are hesitant. Even though parental controls may have the ability to prevent potential overdoses, they also may threaten the privacy of the app’s users. Snapchat responded to the rising Fentanyl crisis in a blog post saying that they are working to find the balance between safety and privacy on the platform. They hope to empower their community to express themselves without a fear of harm. 

What Are Other Social Media Companies Doing?

Although Snapchat has been the main platform linked to counterfeit pill overdose, other social media companies play a role in the overall Opioid epidemic. Facebook’s policies state that ads cannot promote the sale of illicit or recreational drugs. Despite reports of the platform being used by drug cartels, little has been done to stop these violations of the site’s drug rules. The company removes flagged pages as they see fit but many of them still operate openly. The system that allows offenders to repeat drug dealing or cartel behavior has not been changed. 

Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, was also said to be a place for drug cartels to recruit, train, and pay hitmen. In 2019, the photo sharing app had issues with some of their recovery based hashtags. Comments promoting the sale of illicit drugs were found on photos with hashtags, like #opioidcrisis and #opioidaddiction, that were intended to help those struggling with Opioid use. After this, the platform attempted to crack down on the use of these hashtags and make efforts to support those in recovery. 

In response to the DEA’s safety alert and Milgram’s comments, TikTok spokesperson, Hilary McQuaide, stated that the video sharing social network has systems in place to prevent drug dealing activity. McQuaide cited the app’s technology which removes accounts that promote illegal drug sales and the human reviewers who are used to find and evaluate violative material. 

Working Together To Limit Online Drug Deals

Even though individual social media companies are making efforts to vanquish online drug dealing, very few have yet to work together on the issue. Currently, drug deals tend to occur across multiple platforms. Dealers may use one site to connect with potential buyers, another to communicate, and a third to make the final sale. 

For 6 months, Snapchat has been using intelligence from a public health data company that searches all over the internet to catch drug dealers. This includes looking on other websites and the dark web to find drug ads that list a Snapchat account. According to Snapchat, their detection skills have allowed them to increase the number of removed accounts by 112% in the first half of 2021. Sharing data between the platforms may be the key to lowering Fentanyl overdose deaths amongst young people in the US.

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Last month, the Chinese government enacted new restrictions intended to mitigate video game addiction in children. Gamers under the age of 18 may now spend no more than 3 hours a week on online gaming; other restrictions, like those limiting youth gaming to 1.5 hours a day on weekdays and banning gaming between 10 PM and 8 AM, have existed since 2019.

China has long taken a severe stance on video game addiction. Chinese state media has recently referred to video games as “electronic drugs” and “spiritual opium;” the Chinese government has also reportedly participated in the operation of draconian treatment programs meant to curb gaming addiction. Multiple deaths have occurred in treatment programs like these. Brutal methods like beatings, electroshock therapy, and solitary confinement have allegedly been used as ways to “treat” gaming addiction in China.

Many in the United States struggle to limit their online gaming; some are concerned that similar programs might soon be established to treat video game addiction in the US if they don’t exist already. As one Vice News reporter wrote, “the US already has a network of boot camp, wilderness and other poorly regulated residential programs… During the 90s and 2000s, dozens of children died in these programs, which often used similar tactics to those described in the Asian ones.”

Safe, effective treatment for video game addiction is a priority; the pandemic has only increased the amount of Americans struggling with the condition. Fortunately, many qualified treatment centers exist to aid in recovery; some treatment options are detailed below.

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The Pandemic Has Affected Video Game Addiction

The global spread of COVID-19, the proliferation of lockdown orders, and the ever-increasing number of video games available to gamers have all correlated with a recent increase in people struggling with video game addiction.

The Guardian reported in June that “The number of children and young adults entering treatment for gaming addictions and disorders tripled over the last year.” Dr. Anand Nadkarni, psychologist and founder of the Indian Institute for Psychological Health, says he’s seen twice as many cases of internet addiction since lockdown measures began. One teenager was even hospitalized after he developed an addiction to the video game Fortnite; the boy had become isolated, would not speak to others, and required professional intervention.

The increases in video game addiction cases could be explained by merely how much additional free time at home many have had since the pandemic began; the stressors of recent months, however, may also play a role.

“Life is hard,” as Dr. Scott Teitelbaum, professor of psychiatry and neuroscience and director of the University of Florida’s Health Florida Recovery Center, told Healthline. “People are always looking for something to soothe themselves, and some people get pathologic attachment.”

There’s no shortage of reasons why self-soothing might be in vogue these days. But if a “pathologic attachment” has indeed developed, then it must be addressed. The good news is, there is also no shortage of relevant treatment modalities available for video game addiction.

Many Gaming Addiction Treatment Options Exist

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been demonstrated effective in the treatment of video game addiction; the researchers behind one study, conducted in Germany and Austria, reported a 70% remission rate after the use of CBT to treat gaming addiction.

One of the study’s authors, Kai Müller, said that treatment “usually starts with a thorough inventory of the patient’s characteristics that are contributing to the development and maintenance of the gaming disorder.” Patients studied also kept a diary, mindfully observed triggers and emotions associated with their video game addiction, and received help changing the problematic aspects of themselves and their behavior.

Other treatment modalities, like adventure therapy, which can involve collaborating with a team and solving problems in an exciting and novel setting may scratch the sensation-seeking itch scratched by video gaming in a more healthy and sustainable way. Learning to get fulfillment from rising to the occasion of a real-world challenge rather than that of a virtual one could help to combat video game addiction.

Different treatment centers may offer different treatment plans; a wide variety of solutions may therefore be available to the individual struggling with gaming addiction. If you have tried to cut back on playing video games and failed, help is available. Reach out to a treatment provider who can answer your questions and discuss your treatment options. There may be underlying or co-occurring conditions present in addition to the video game addiction; the sooner they are identified and addressed, the better.

The post Video Game Addiction: China Fights “Electronic Drugs” appeared first on Addiction Center.

In 1973, actor and martial-arts expert Bruce Lee experienced a minor headache. After taking Equagesic, a prescription painkiller, Lee slipped into a coma and never awoke. It was determined that the cause of the 32-year-old actor’s death was a reaction to an ingredient in the pain medication he took. Recently, a collection of letters written by Lee was found at a flea market. These letters, which have been authenticated by experts, revealed that friend and fellow actor, Robert Baker, supplied drugs to Lee in secret for several years. This discovery adds Bruce Lee to a long list of celebrities who have struggled with substance abuse.  

In one letter, Lee wrote to Baker, “I was throwing stones like hell, but I am working on the next character… some coke will help…” This statement indicates that Lee had become dependent on the use of certain substances to deal with his work. Cocaine, acid, “hash” or “grass,” and mushrooms were mentioned in Lee’s letters. 

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The content of Lee’s unearthed letters highlights issues some celebrities may have with substance use disorders (SUD). The lives of celebrities are often very public which can lead to constant scrutiny from media and fans. Celebrities may feel an immense pressure to be perfect which could be why many celebrities choose to keep their substance use struggles as private as Lee did. The general stress of being famous can also cause celebrities to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol. 

Throughout the history of Hollywood, developing a SUD has been especially prevalent among young celebrities. The revelation of Bruce Lee’s letters contribute to this idea. Lee, who grew up in Hong Kong, was a childhood actor. At the age of 1, Lee appeared in his first film, Golden Gate Girl. Lee had been in 20 films by the age of 20. It is possible the pressures of fame and work led to his substance use, like many other young celebrities. These are a few young celebrities who struggled with a SUD. 

Judy Garland’s Cycle Of Substances

At age 13, Judy Garland signed to the American media company Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer as a contract player. Early on in her career, Garland received criticism about her appearance and weight. The studio put the young actress on Amphetamine-based diet pills to control weight and keep up her energy for long days of work. At the end of each day, Garland was given sleeping pills. This cycle of pills created an intense dependency on substances which caused her to struggle with substance use for the rest of her life. Her long-term addiction resulted in her death by accidental overdose which occurred in 1969. As a celebrity, constant attention on appearance, pressures to work long hours, and influence of the studio contributed to the development of Garland’s substance use. 

Drew Barrymore Was A 12-Year-Old “Party Girl”

Drew Barrymore’s acting career kicked off when she was in E.T. The Extra Terrestrial when she was 7 years old. By age 12, Barrymore was a self proclaimed “party girl” and was doing Cocaine at nightclubs with her mother regularly. The actress sought treatment at age 14 where she was able to treat her SUD at the source. The facility recommended she legally separate from her mother and one year later she was emancipated. Today, Barrymore is grateful for her time in treatment and that she is no longer a celebrity struggling with substance use. 

Matthew Perry Doesn’t Remember Filming Some Of Friends Because Of Substance Use

Friends actor and celebrity, Matthew Perry, has spoken about his struggles with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) during the early years of the popular series. Perry, who was 23 when the show began, has said that there are 3 full seasons that he doesn’t remember filming because of his substance use. Although Perry claims he never drank on set, the effects of his alcohol use, such as feeling hungover, were still present. Perry described this time as the loneliest time of his life, despite it looking like he “had it all” from the outside. 

Justin Bieber’s Overnight Fame Led To Use Of Substances

In 2020, Canadian singer Justin Bieber addressed his struggles with drug use. Bieber admitted that he began smoking Marijuana at about age 12. After becoming dependent on marijuana, Bieber turned to heavier substances such as alcohol, lean, prescription pills, MDMA, and mushrooms. Bieber has also opened up about how overwhelming it was for him to become a household name at age 13. 

“Millions of fans were saying how much they loved me and how great I was. You hear these things as a young boy and you actually start believing it … So by this point I was 18 with no skills in the real world, with millions of dollars and access to whatever I wanted. This is a very scary concept for anyone,” Bieber said on Instagram in 2019. 

Why Are Young Celebrities Prone To Addiction

In general, people may turn to substances to cope with experiences, memories, or events that emotionally overwhelm them. When one is emotionally overwhelmed, they feel an intense emotion that is difficult to manage. This can affect their ability to think or act rationally. Often being emotionally overwhelmed can be caused by stress, traumatic experiences, or relationship issues. When someone uses substances to deal with this feeling, the original issue gets worse rather than better. For young celebrities, being famous, public criticism, and work stress can be overwhelming. 

The concept of fame, on its own, can be addictive. The developing brain of a child or young adult can get used to a certain level of attention and flattery. As child celebrities age or their careers shift, this attention may disappear. Because they have become addicted to the feeling of being adored, they may fill this void with substance use. Additionally, child celebrities are often in environments where temptations are high with few people who will tell them no. 

For more information on substance use disorders and how to treat them, contact a treatment provider today.

The post Bruce Lee Letters And Young Celebrity Substance Use appeared first on Addiction Center.

The internet has made it easier than ever to connect to content, creators, and companions. With so much to do and see online, be it on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, or a myriad of other platforms, it can be tempting to get lost in a sea of infinite scrolling and endless notifications. But with almost all pleasures and pastimes in life, there’s a fine line between harmless indulgence and addiction.

It’s been estimated that internet and social media addiction affects over 200 million people across the globe. Often this maladaptive preoccupation with viewing and sharing content online stems from a fundamental dissatisfaction or disconnection with one’s circumstances that fuels a ceaseless cycle of dopamine-driven hunger for more.

Below are just a few questions that could help determine whether or not social media use has risen to the threshold of addiction. Once the problem has been identified, the individual can be empowered to receive treatment and recover from the grip that their phone or computer has taken over their lives.

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Signs Of Social Media Addiction

1. Has virtual socializing come to replace face-to-face interaction in your life or have you come to prefer the former over the latter?
2. Do you begin to feel negative emotions either while using social media or when attempting to cut down or stop social media use?
3. Have you experienced the fallout of excessive social media use in your life, but still persist in the activity anyway?
4. Could your use of social media be described as obsessive?
5. Does social media provide an undue sense of importance or meaning to your life?
6. After a period of abstaining from social media use, do you find yourself returning to social media in the same way an abuser of drugs or alcohol may be unable to stay away from their substance of choice?

An affirmative answer to even one of the questions above may indicate social media addiction. Answering yes to 3 or more could mean the problem has become severe. Of course, every individual and every social media platform is different, but if the underlying trend lines of compulsion have become apparent, it’s time to take action to regain control of your life and of your relationship with technology.

The Effects

Social media addicts have been shown to be less satisfied at work, as well as less able to juggle the demands of their professional lives and their personal lives simultaneously.  It’s almost as if social media takes on the role of a third entity between work and home that comes to steal attention, investment, and enjoyment from the other two.

Students who are afflicted with social media addiction see their grades suffer as a result, potentially affecting their professional future for the remainder of their lives. Mental health tends to be poor when social media use is high. Sleeplessness, low mood, and high stress levels have all been linked to too much time spent online. Low self-esteem has been connected to overzealous internet activity, meaning there’s likely a relationship between having an unhealthy view of oneself and social media addiction.

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Ways To Beat Social Media Addiction

Individuals often begin using social media because they feel lonely, because they don’t want to lose touch with old friends, or because they feel bored. Conversely, if one is looking to conquer social media addiction, it can be good to consider the right way to satisfy these key emotional motivators.

Joining a club, church, sports team, or volunteer effort can provide meaningful connection and stimulation. Writing letters to old friends or calling former acquaintances on the phone instead of looking for them on the internet can also help one keep in touch without losing touch with what’s really important in life. Planning a short trip or learning a new hobby can help one feel like one’s life is varied, engaging, and exciting as opposed to a dull routine that one is driven to escape from.

Getting Help With Social Media Addiction

Social media addiction can be formidable. Human beings aren’t built to thrive in solitude, and the continuous search for novel and intriguing experiences is a hallmark of our species. However, there’s no pot of gold waiting at the end of the colorful rainbow of your social media feed: just more loneliness, more craving, and more despair. If you need help breaking the cycle, talk to a treatment provider today about treatment options.

A little connection can go a long way and, with help, a former social media addict can find their life has become exactly what they thought they were looking for online. If you are considering therapy for social media addiction, you can find additional information on online therapy options here.

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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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Synaptogenesis is a hallmark of brain development that involves synapse formation between neurons in the nervous system. While it occurs throughout an individual’s lifetime, there is a surge of synaptogenesis during infancy and a second during adolescence, which facilitates learning, memory, and adaptation. MRI studies have demonstrated a surge of neuronal growth and thickening of the grey matter in the brain right before puberty, similar to neuronal growth during infancy. Crucial developmental changes occur in a young person’s brain that are incomplete until around age 25. While there is no set age range to define adolescence, it is generally described as a time including puberty and teenage years and a transition from childhood into adulthood. In terms of brain development, some researchers define adolescence as the time between age 10 and 24.

The brain plasticity of adolescence allows a time for intellectual and emotional growth, an ability to adapt, and acts as a time to develop lifelong interests, talents, and passions. Dopamine, serotonin, and melatonin are 3 neurotransmitters that play a major role in adolescent behavior and produce both positive and negative emotions and reactions. Impulse control is impacted by decreased levels of serotonin, earning teenagers the reputation of being risk-takers. Taking risks is a part of growth and personal development, but when these risks involve drug and alcohol abuse, oftentimes it is no longer a method of temporary self-exploration but an action that can have serious and long-time effects on brain development.

Drug Use During Brain Development

Due to the neurodevelopmental processes that occurs during adolescence, teenagers are more likely to take risks, including drug use, than children and adults according to research published by the National Institutes of Health. This drug use can be particularly dangerous, as drug use as an adolescent significantly increases the risk of developing a substance use disorder later in life. Some research has found that the earlier the onset of drug use, the higher the chance that a person will develop a drug problem. When drug use and other negative occurrences, like trauma and chronic stress, take place during early brain development, this can have a damaging impact on brain maturation.

When someone uses certain drugs, the substances flood the brain with dopamine. Dopamine is the neurotransmitter often referred to as the “feel good” neurotransmitter, as it plays a large role in feelings of pleasure. When the brain is overloaded with dopamine because of a drug, the brain responds by producing less dopamine naturally. With continued drug use, a person may be unable to feel happy without their drug of choice. Depending on the substance and frequency of use, it can take hours or weeks for the brain to regain balance.

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Alcohol Abuse During Brain Development

Among American youth, alcohol is the most widely abused substance. In fact, over 29% of teens have already tried alcohol by age 15. Young people drink in larger quantities than adults, with 90% of the alcohol consumed by young people being alcohol consumed via binge drinking. Binge drinking is defined as a female having 4 or more drinks within a 2-hour period, and a male having 5 or more drinks within a 2-hour period. Drinking heavily during adolescence should not be considered a normal part of growing up, as it can come with serious and long-term effects.

Research by the EEG and Clinical Neuroscience Society found that, “Abnormalities have been seen in brain structure volume, white matter quality, and activation to cognitive tasks, even in youth with as little as 1–2 years of heavy drinking and consumption levels of 20 drinks per month.” The critical period of brain development in youth may be interrupted by alcohol abuse, and cause issues later in life related to academic, occupational, and social functioning. Drug and alcohol abuse may also put people more at risk for mental health disorders and risky sexual activity. Some research has suggested that heavy alcohol abuse can reduce the size of the hippocampus; the part of the brain that is involved in the formation of memories as well as learning.

In one study examining alcohol, Marijuana, and stimulant use among youth, the youth with a history of light drinking performed better on cognitive tasks than youth with a history of heavy drinking. Those who had displayed alcohol withdrawal symptoms like nausea and irritability had decreased performance skills, primarily on tests of spatial functioning. Another study found that the prefrontal cortexes of adolescent drinkers were smaller in heavy drinkers, compared to non-drinkers. This difference was especially pronounced in females. Animal studies have also demonstrated long-lasting changes in functional brain activity when adolescent rats were administered ethanol vapors.

Substance Abuse Treatment For Youth

Many adolescents take unnecessary risks and make decisions that can be difficult for the adults in their lives to understand. While a young person needs the freedom to start making their own choices and figuring out who they want to be, it is important to intervene when drug and alcohol abuse become present. A professional diagnosis that examines any underlying mental health disorders and understands their pattern of abuse is crucial for formulating the most appropriate treatment option for each individual. Early intervention can make a world of difference during a time when youth are so susceptible, and it could prevent the development of a substance use disorder later in life. Contact a treatment provider to find out more about treatment options for people of all ages.

The post Drug Use During Brain Development: The Wrong Insult At The Wrong Time appeared first on Addiction Center.