Addiction lurks close by, awaiting its next victim. However, what many fail to realize is that a full-fledged addiction can happen to almost anyone who is abusing one or more substances to a high degree. We walk past people who are struggling with such every day, in addition to those who are unaware—and/or in denial—that they even have a problem in the first place. In turn, this can be dangerous, especially in certain social settings in which people downplay addiction.
In fact, one of the most common locations where this takes place is at colleges and universities. The reasoning behind this is because of the many parties that take place—that allow people to be desensitized to substance abuse. Some students may binge drink alcohol or use certain drugs in order to lighten the anxiety that they might feel within that of their environment, while others may feel pressured to join in by peers. Consequently, social anxiety isn’t the only way that students feel encouraged to abuse, but the pressure that they may feel through school work, jobs, and/or even in pleasing their parents while away at school.
Certain factors such as the ones listed above can cause the student to isolate himself/herself, skip class, and engage in other negative behaviors as a result of his/her addiction. Who the person surrounds himself/herself may also play a big part in his/her substance abuse—especially if that particular group has a stronghold on him/her. Unfortunately, the group as a collective may engage in activities that do more harm rather than help, causing the student to continue in a downward spiral. All is fun in games until the individual begins to buy more of the substance long after the party has ended—consuming it during the day, as well as into the late hours of the night.
In conclusion, if a student feels as though he/she is struggling with addiction, then it is best that he/she seeks out help so that he/she can get the treatment he/she before it’s too late. It is then that she can be aided in self-evaluating the source of the harmful behavior in an environment that is free from triggers. The aid—and/or assistance—of a trained professional is the most effective way for the student to be able to get right back on the fast track to recovery without any distractions.
