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.

Many of us have boarded a roller coaster at least once in our lives, whether it be at a small carnival in the middle of a parking lot somewhere, or a notorious amusement park. Our stomachs begin to get butterflies as we wait in line, and follow us as we take our seats, and buckle up. The suspense begins to eat away at our inner core of what’s to come no matter whether it’s our tenth time riding or our first. It’s then that we begin to think in our mind, again. However, these small thrills that some of us may experience are nothing in comparison to the types of death defying stunts that a number of thrill seekers engage in on a daily basis. Such activities can range from balancing on a skateboard atop a skyscraper, to rock climbing with no harness on.

First and foremost, thrill seeking is defined as, “being eager to take part in exciting activities that involve physical risk”. In turn, one primary factor for one doing such is the adrenaline that comes with it, and/or the rush/release of endorphins, much like that of a runner’s high. A runner’s high is “a feeling of euphoria that is experienced by some individuals engaged in strenuous running and that is held to be associated with a release of endorphins by the brain”. As a result, a thrill seeker oftentimes experiences something similar to this even if it doesn’t necessarily stem from the activity of running.

One activity in particular, briefly mentioned earlier, is free solo climbing which involves “climbing without a rope, safety gear, or a partner”. The gravest consequence that follows such an extreme sport is death. Yet even so, thrill seekers who engage in such are aware of the risk that comes with it. In turn, that’s oftentimes how it is with thrill seekers. They choose to take part in dangerous activity, but aren’t forced to, and know of the potential outcomes, and/or injuries.

In conclusion, thrill seeking can result in death if one is not careful with the extent to which they engage in certain activities. Individuals may find themselves wanting more thrills because of the feeling that courses through their body in response to them. But, one must be careful, because too much of one thing can be deadly. However, if one is itching for a good thrill zip-lining, indoor skydiving, zorbing, and volcano boarding are only a few among several options that one can look into when planning his/her next thrill seeking adventure.