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A few days ago I put an ad on Craig’s list looking for a university/college student to talk to about the addiction issues on our college campuses today. Fortunately I found a bright young lady who was going to be majoring in Psychology (focus on addiction) so her antenna was up regarding the state of drugs and alcohol within the college scene.
Jessica was kind enough to share some of her personal history as well as some questions that I presented to her.
I grew up in the Middle East where drinking alcohol and using drugs were considered just as bad as murder. Yes, drinking a precious martini is culturally just as bad as taking a knife and stabbing your spouse in the heart. I never saw my parents drink, nor did they ever talk to us about it. Now add a layer of religion and the possibility of going to hell for taking one side-way look at alcohol and drugs, and you’ll know the background I come from. It was, shall we say, extreme.
Fortunately, for the past ten years my family now lives in California, so I’m not as sheltered as I was a child, but old values die hard. I certainly have had my share of beer, wine, and champagne, but I do not consider myself in danger of being addicted to any substance legal or otherwise.
However, I put my cub reporter hat on and asked some of my school mates at University of California – Santa Barbara the following questions and jotted down their answers.
• What is the favorite party pastime?
Alcohol and cannabis go around in pretty much every party. No surprises there. Next popular is cocaine to wear off the effects of alcohol so they don't miss class/work the next day. Next are benzodiazepine (anti-anxiety meds,) and stimulants like adderall. Most students do not consider the latter two drugs. They seemed clueless about the effects of mixing prescription drugs with illegal drugs.
• Do they consider themselves addicts?
“No, I use socially. I can stop whenever I want. It’s no big deal, everyone does something and I know tons of kids that get high or drink every day or whenever they can.”
• Has drinking or using interfered with their daily life?
This is really the same question as if they are addicts, but perhaps less intimidating. Yes, they have missed classes. Yes, they have lost jobs. One had gone to his class for his final exam, fallen sleep upon receiving the exam, woken up when the exam was over, and failed his class. They find the stories hilarious, and see no pattern of self sabotage whatsoever.
• Do their parents know?
Most popular answer is they do know but they pretended they don't. Turns out most of their parents had accidentally seen their children drink/smoke, accidentally stumbled upon their stash, or made a snarky comment about their group of friends and their reputation for using drugs, but they had never asked them straight if they are in trouble.
• Are their parents’ addicts or alcoholics themselves?
It was near impossible to get an answer. Most students would not talk about it. Some hinted at something but immediately downplayed it. Perhaps they are doing the same thing as their parents - sweeping the truth under the rug. They are very much blind to the role of genetics in addiction.
• Do they plan on using after college?
Answer is (very optimistically, very naively) no. These students believe that somehow on graduation day, perhaps as soon as they throw their graduation hats up in the sky, the drug cravings will leave their bodies. Funny thing is they will all tell you stories about the people who had trouble giving up drugs after college (like a friend who lost a job opportunity because he couldn't stay clean enough to pass a drug test, or an older brother who dropped out of college and never finished because "he got messed up on drugs,") but unanimously they believe this will NEVER happen to them.
• How much do they spend on drugs and how do they support the habit?
"Weed is about $10 per gram, which is about one joint, on the streets and about $20 at the clubs (licensed marijuana retailers,)" one tells me. He also mentions that there is a drug map you can use to locate dealers. "It's all online. Not hard to find at all, but the cheapest stuff comes from south of the boarder. That's the way to get the best deals." I quickly do the math, "so you spend at least $300 per month on just weed?" (He is a daily smoker.)
• Where do they get the money?
From their parents, from part-time jobs, and for the most-troubled ones, from selling drugs themselves.
I am just starting to scratch the surface with some of these basic questions and answers and am now interested in exploring the world of drugs and alcohol on a deeper more personal level. Interviewing some of my friends whom I know have some addiction issues and what if anything they are doing about it, seeking any kind of help, or are they in denial, denial, denial?
I appreciate Jessica taking the time to share some of her observations with me and my readers and she may dig deeper into the world of addiction on college campus and if so she may submit another column.
If I can be of service, please visit my website www.familyrecoverysolutions.com or call (805) 695-0049. In addition, I invite you to explore my book Reclaim Your Life – You and the Alcoholic/Addict at www.reclaimyourlifebook.com, PayPal or on Amazon. In addition, my book is available as an audio on my website only.
