Drugs

There’s a lot of “information” floating around the Internet about drugs and even some misinformation that spreads by word-of-mouth. The movies, music and other media don’t always accurately portray the risks associated with drug use either. Therefore, it is important to get your information from reliable sources such as https://www.drugabuse.gov/. Just like alcohol, drug use can lead to addiction, a disorder characterized by a strong physical and/or psychological need. Even though drugs have similar classifications (depressant, stimulant, hallucinogen etc.), they can affect people differently.

There can be different highs, different crashes, and different amounts needed for the high; just as they are different from each other, they too are different for different people, and different for the same person at different times of use. The important takeaway is that drugs are unpredictable, and therein lies the risks. The goal of a college student is to get an education, and part of that education is to learn how to critically think and to think independently. Get the facts, not opinions; decide what is best and safe for you now and in the long run.

There are many reasons people use drugs: experimentation, boredom, peer pressure, exposure and access, self-medicating anxiety or depression, to de-stress, or escape from problems. The reason is not a predictor of risk or addiction. Just because someone intends to experiment does not mean there won’t be risks or a progression to addiction, and just because someone has the exposure and access does not mean they have to or will use drugs. You have the freedom of choice BEFORE you use; it might not be there after you start to use. If you see yourself in any of these reasons, keep in mind that those reasons will always be in your life, and by succumbing to using drugs to address them now, you are losing the opportunity to develop the life skills needed to address them later on in life.

“Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” – Carl Bard

No one “plans” to become addicted; it can be an unintended consequence of use or misuse of prescription painkillers, or experimentation with other drugs. For more information about types of drugs, side effects, prescription medications, abuse and addiction, treatment programs, resources and how to help yourself or others follow these links:

If you think you or someone you know could have an unhealthy relationship with prescription medications, illicit drugs or marijuana use these quick screening tools. CAPS staff are available to discuss your results or any other concerns you might have, or feel free to contact one of the resources in the above links.