Your drug use may not be normal as you think — here’s why ?

RoundGlass Wellbeing
Nov 8 · 3 min read
Photo Credit: Gettyimages

It’s tough to accurately gauge your substance use —
What’s normal?
What’s too much?
Where’s the line between a fun weekend and a debilitating addiction?

Complicating the accuracy of our self-assessments is the fact that we often hold skewed views about what our peers are doing, making comparisons problematic. Research shows that we tend to think our friends drink more than they really do — and that can have dangerous repercussions for our own drug and alcohol consumption.

Blurred Vision
A study conducted by Norwegian Researcher Hilde Pape explains “Young people hold inflated beliefs about their peers’ alcohol consumption. They also appear to overestimate the extent to which peers approve of drinking and drunkenness…While studies from the United States predominate in the field, research conducted elsewhere indicates that such misbeliefs are widespread across nations and drinking cultures”.

Why does this matter?
Well, if you think all your friends are getting blackout drunk every weekend or that it’s normal for them to need a bump of cocaine before cramming for a test, your substance use (and abuse) looks normal in comparison. Having inaccurate views of others attitudes and behaviour around drugs and alcohol can prevent you from recognizing a problem when you see it.

What’s the problem?
In moderation, most drugs and alcohol can be tolerated by the body. But how much you’re using isn’t always the most important factor, sometimes how old you are matters, too.

Research shows that [u]sing alcohol and drugs before the brain has fully developed increases the risk for future addiction to alcohol and drugs dramatically. Young people who start drinking alcohol before age 15 are 5 times more likely to develop alcohol abuse or dependence than people who first used alcohol at age 21 or older”
(NCADD, 2015).

Unfortunately, although abstaining from heavy drug and alcohol use before adulthood is a solid way to prevent developing an addiction, college comes at a major transition point for most teens and becomes a high-risk period for drug abuse. The stress of college life, plus the influence (and misperception) of drug-use among peers can turn occasional drug use into drug abuse or even addiction.

What to look for? So how do you know, if you do have a problem with substance use?

Signs of an addiction include:

  • Inability to stop using the substance/activity despite negative consequences.
  • Develop tolerance, experience withdrawal symptoms when not engaging in the substance/activity.
  • Behavioural changes such as increased irritability or paranoia (Addiction, n.d.).
  • Reduced interest in classes and extracurricular activities.
  • Sudden changes in grades or academic performance.
  • Shifts in sleeping patterns or fluctuations in weight.
  • Formation of new social circles, especially those who use drugs.
  • Withdrawing from friends, lying or behaving in a secretive manner.
  • Sudden changes in behaviour.
  • Sudden mood swings, depression or irritability.

[Kilpatrick, 2016]

70–80% of college students engage in substance use, but if you identify with the list above and feel you may be at risk of developing a substance abuse problem, your behaviour deserves a second look. Next up, we’ll discuss how to ask for help if you need it and make sure you’re in control.

Reach us at CollegeWellbeing@round.glass for any queries or suggestions.
We would be happy to answer.

*Author Name: Madeleine Somerville

RoundGlass College Wellbeing

The RoundGlass College Wellbeing (CWB) is a Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Program based on global best practices of building peer mentor network and communities that strive to provide means and safe areas for students to have discussions around mental health.

RoundGlass Wellbeing

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RoundGlass is committed to enabling individuals to live their Journey of holistic Wellbeing and Meaningful Living.

RoundGlass College Wellbeing

The RoundGlass College Wellbeing (CWB) is a Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Program based on global best practices of building peer mentor network and communities that strive to provide means and safe areas for students to have discussions around mental health.

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