By Christiana Lincowski
The idea of riding out mental illnesses by using substances isn’t new, and concern is growing for youth who might be abusing drugs and other substances instead of getting the mental health care they need.
According to the Pima County Health Department’s 2019 health needs assessment report, “Most illicit drug use starts between ages 14-20 and peaks around 12th grade.” They found that students are at high risk for substance abuse when transitioning from middle school to high school.
If a teenager makes a choice to get involved with harmful substances they don’t just affect themselves. Teenagers under the influence affect people close to them and can tear apart a family. Teenagers with substance abuse problems can become out of control and physically harm peers, siblings and other family members, teachers and others.
Kaye Godbey, project coordinator at the University of Arizona’s Health Promotion and Prevention Services, said once a teenager becomes dependent or addicted they don’t have free choice in their actions and they will need others to help them pull them back.
“Someone taking control over their health, that’s a good thing, but sometimes your brain gets so mixed up that you don’t have that option,” Godbey said.
According to the Pima County Health Department’s 2019 health needs assessment report, “Most illicit drug use starts between ages 14-20 and peaks around 12th grade.” They found that students are at high risk for substance abuse when transitioning from middle school to high school.
If a teenager makes a choice to get involved with harmful substances they don’t just affect themselves. Teenagers under the influence affect people close to them and can tear apart a family. Teenagers with substance abuse problems can become out of control and physically harm peers, siblings and other family members, teachers and others.
Kaye Godbey, project coordinator at the University of Arizona’s Health Promotion and Prevention Services, said once a teenager becomes dependent or addicted they don’t have free choice in their actions and they will need others to help them pull them back.
“Someone taking control over their health, that’s a good thing, but sometimes your brain gets so mixed up that you don’t have that option,” Godbey said.
Tammy Hille, a counselor coordinator in the Tucson Unified School District, said, “I believe that students use drugs and alcohol as a coping method, to cope from drama or family.”
Often students don’t receive the right help or they don’t even feel like they are able to ask for help, she said.
Many school communities don’t have high enough awareness for mental health problems that students face. Many students lack social skills and have poor peer relations, which can lead to mental health problems or escalate existing issues.
“Teenagers also don’t realize that it is okay to reach out for health,” Hille said.
Peer pressure also can lead students into using drugs and alcohol. Although some won’t stay with the drugs and alcohol, others may become addicted if they find an escape from a reality they find to be a struggle.
Rachel Abraham, a graduate assistant at the University of Arizona Health Promotion and Prevention Center, said, “Teens think with there amygdala. That’s your feeling part of the brain.”
Teens often don’t think of the long-term consequence of their actions; they often act from their feelings in the present moment.
Some people believe trends and fads lead students to get into drugs and alcohol, but others say the reasons are more serious.
Students who use the substances are dealing with challenges, and he or she doesn’t know how to cope properly, Hille said.
Solving the problems of drug and alcohol abuse among teens is extremely challenging. Teenagers can easily get substances from family members who may be addicted or in possession of drugs and alcohol.
Several programs are aiming to help teenagers who abuse dangerous substances. Programs such as the University of Arizona Counseling and Psych Services (known on campus as CAPS), the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and government agencies are devoted to helping students break free of dependence. These organizations can offer referrals and other support that help change students’ lives for the better.
For example, CAPS offers free counseling services to University of Arizona students. “What we’re trying to do is help them set a healthy lifestyle,” Godbey said.
In addition to the challenges of life today and peer pressure, students also contend with the basic physical maturing process.
According to the Partnership for DrugFree- Kids, a non-profit dedicated to help substance abuse awareness, the average human brain does not fully develop about age 25. The usage of drugs or alcohol can affect the brain when it is not fully developed. The abuse of drugs may permanently harm the brain.
Expertise and programs are available, as long as young people get noticed and encouraged to participate in programs to turn their lives around.
Often students don’t receive the right help or they don’t even feel like they are able to ask for help, she said.
Many school communities don’t have high enough awareness for mental health problems that students face. Many students lack social skills and have poor peer relations, which can lead to mental health problems or escalate existing issues.
“Teenagers also don’t realize that it is okay to reach out for health,” Hille said.
Peer pressure also can lead students into using drugs and alcohol. Although some won’t stay with the drugs and alcohol, others may become addicted if they find an escape from a reality they find to be a struggle.
Rachel Abraham, a graduate assistant at the University of Arizona Health Promotion and Prevention Center, said, “Teens think with there amygdala. That’s your feeling part of the brain.”
Teens often don’t think of the long-term consequence of their actions; they often act from their feelings in the present moment.
Some people believe trends and fads lead students to get into drugs and alcohol, but others say the reasons are more serious.
Students who use the substances are dealing with challenges, and he or she doesn’t know how to cope properly, Hille said.
Solving the problems of drug and alcohol abuse among teens is extremely challenging. Teenagers can easily get substances from family members who may be addicted or in possession of drugs and alcohol.
Several programs are aiming to help teenagers who abuse dangerous substances. Programs such as the University of Arizona Counseling and Psych Services (known on campus as CAPS), the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and government agencies are devoted to helping students break free of dependence. These organizations can offer referrals and other support that help change students’ lives for the better.
For example, CAPS offers free counseling services to University of Arizona students. “What we’re trying to do is help them set a healthy lifestyle,” Godbey said.
In addition to the challenges of life today and peer pressure, students also contend with the basic physical maturing process.
According to the Partnership for DrugFree- Kids, a non-profit dedicated to help substance abuse awareness, the average human brain does not fully develop about age 25. The usage of drugs or alcohol can affect the brain when it is not fully developed. The abuse of drugs may permanently harm the brain.
Expertise and programs are available, as long as young people get noticed and encouraged to participate in programs to turn their lives around.