Analyzing the negative and potentially negative effects of substances like alcohol, tobacco and marijuana is crucial to determining future anti-drug strategies. Recent studies show that prior substance abuse is linked to opioid abuse in young men, for example. These links are important to understand. What may appear to be “harmless underage drinking,” could actually produce a tragic scenario in later years.
Scientific Evidence Connects the Dots
For youth between the ages of 18 and 25, marijuana use may mean more than acne and “the munchies.” Scientific findings now state that early-life use of tobacco, alcohol and marijuana are each linked to later-life opioid abuse in men. Marijuana consumption in young women is also linked with the same patterns.
To closely analyze the correlation between alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and subsequent opioid addiction, researchers at the Yale University School of Medicine gathered information from over 6,000 male and female study participants between the ages of 18 and 25. Shockingly, it was found that 57% those who admitted current opioid use had prior experience with excessive drinking. Further, 56% and 34% reported early-life cigarette and marijuana use (respectively) and stated they were now using opioids recreationally and habitually.
Addiction Doesn’t Discriminate
For all the many patterns, trends and statistical graphs there are in existence, mapping out the course of addiction, there are countless millions of Americans on their own individual and unprecedented addiction journeys. You have probably heard it said that, “addiction doesn’t discriminate.” In today’s war on drugs, this statement is truer than ever.
Prescription drug abuse, synthetic drugs and cannabis prevalence each present a unique challenge to the already uphill battle. Where we may have formerly only seen underprivileged or homeless Americans dealing with addiction, today’s addicts range from wealthy businessmen to suburban mothers.
The point at hand is that, though scientists have shown that prior substance abuse is linked to opioid abuse in young men, these patterns and trends may eventually go out the window completely. The US drug epidemic changes almost daily, and with more and more people becoming hooked to their prescriptions, we may not be able to tell future trends by early life patterns any more.
What Does This Mean For Prevention Strategy
Teens are faced with a graver risk than ever today. High schools are inundated and infected with the sale and abuse of drugs. By survey, 86% of teens admit they know someone using or selling drugs on school grounds. For parents, this is nothing short of nerve wracking.
Sending our children to school each day should be a worry-free, enriching activity. Talk to your high school-aged kids, and even the younger ones, about the dangers of drugs. While most respectable school programs include anti-drug classes, the graveness of today’s addiction issues indicates that we as families must take these matters into our own hands.
Narconon Arrowhead and other facilities suggest that you do your homework and find answers to your own questions first; then tackle the issue with your family. Work together to come to agreements regarding alcohol, tobacco and other harmful drugs.
It is also important to make sure that your school, community center and even church groups offer a youth and adult drug education and prevention program. Narconon Hawaii and other locations have been providing this service free of charge to these groups with positive results.
For more information on prior substance abuse issues, the current connection or to get someone help contact Narconon Arrowhead at 800-468-6933.