Addressing substance misuse among young people: Supporting brighter futures

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By Haleigh Horton | UAB Community Health & Human Services Program Student

Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

Substance use among teenagers and adults is a serious public health issue that affects an individual’s health as well as the health of their families and communities. In 2022, an estimated 48.7 million individuals twelve and older had a substance use disorder, including 29.5 million experiencing alcohol use disorder (AUD) and 27.2 million experiencing drug use disorder (DUD), according to the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Teenagers and young adults may be particularly susceptible to the influence of drugs due to a variety of social, economic, and environmental factors (Morin, 2022). As a result of teenage and young adult substance abuse, it is important for society to promote healthy behaviors among youth, it is essential to implement preventive measures and interventions to combat the health and social issue.

According to the CDC (2022), young people may be at risk for substance use if experiencing risk factors like:

  • Family history of substance use
  • Favorable parental attitudes towards the behavior
  • Poor parental monitoring
  • Parental substance use
  • Family rejection of sexual orientation or gender identity
  • Association with delinquent or substance using peers
  • Lack of school connectedness
  • Low academic achievement
  • Childhood sexual abuse
  • Mental health issues

School-based preventive programs should be encouraged in our nation’s middle and high schools. These programs may promote positive peer relationships and effective decision-making, while educating them about the risks and consequences of substance abuse. Moreover, students can develop resilience and coping skills needed to navigate adolescence and resist substance abuse by incorporating social-emotional learning elements, such as empathy and self-awareness (ICF, 2022). It is also important for communities to provide support and resources for teenagers and their families by engaging local community organizations, religious institutions, and local leaders in an effort to create awareness about teenage drug use, as well as provide support and resources for those too (ICF, 2022). Counseling services, peer support groups, and recreational activities are also needed supports to address drug use among teenager and young adults (SAMHSA, 2023). Effective strategies to prevent drug use among young individuals is critical to ensuring the well-being of our communities.

We can help teenagers and young adults have a healthier future by implementing evidence-based prevention programs, creating supportive environments, and providing them with essential skills and resources. Advocacy and community involvement are essential to overcoming substance abuse challenges and fostering positive outcomes for future generations. So what do you think? Have you benefited from programming in schools? In college? Share here and on our Facebook page @Phame.US.Impact.

References:

Drug-free communities program successes | drug overdose | CDC injury center. (2023, October 23). https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/drug-free-communities/program-success.html

HHS SAMSHA release 2022 national survey on drug use and health data. (2023, November 13). https://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/press-announcements/20231113/hhs-samhsa-release-2022-nsduh-data

High risk substance use in youth | adolescent and school health | CDC. (2023, March 24). https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/substance-use/index.htm

ICF (2022). Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program National Cross-Site Evaluation: End-of-Year 2022 Report. Washington, DC: Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Morin, A. (2022, January 9). Is your teen using drugs? look for these warning signs. Verywell Family. https://www.verywellfamily.com/teen-drug-use-
warning-signs-2606192

Tips/Ways to Ease Anxiety

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By Terrie Johnson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Photo by Alex Green on Pexels.com

Anxiety can weigh a person down since it is associated with feeling restless. In some extreme cases, it may lead to stress and the subsequent development of depression. Dealing with anxiety by easing it is critical to prevent the development of risk factors that could affect holistic well-being. Numerous strategies centered on self-care or advanced by professionals can be provided to lead to positive outcomes. It is also relevant for one to be aware of the signs and symptoms to institute the desired intervention measures. Thus, some of the ways to ease anxiety are provided below.

Numerous solutions can be applied to deal with the feeling of restlessness. For example, behavioral therapy is a critical approach toward mitigating the experience of anxiety episodes. This intervention involves coaching individuals to exemplify desirable traits, such as limiting fear to reduce nervousness. Additionally, deep breathing allows one to relax the mind and body muscles (Bandealy et al., 2021). Its relevance concerns decreasing the effects of anxiety. As such, one is likely to feel relieved from anxiety feelings. One should also be involved in physical exercise. It is an effective strategy to prevent anxiety when faced with stressful situations. Criticality in observing the above practices will help restore mental well-being.

Other than the above practices, one can participate in social activities. For example, an individual can participate in sports, singing, and dancing. These activities will offer an opportunity to relax the mind and the body. Thus, they will provide the motivation to avoid anxiety and its related symptoms. Meditation is also a pertinent practice that can alleviate nervous feelings (Bandealy et al., 2021). For example, engaging in yoga can enhance mental control and creativity. These aspects allow an individual to think positively about situations and avoid anxiety. Therefore, the above critical practices will help ease tense feelings and anxiety. 

Reference

Bandealy, S. S., Sheth, N. C., Matuella, S. K., Chaikind, J. R., Oliva, I. A., Philip, S. R., Jones, P. M., & Hoge, E. A. (2021). Mind-body interventions for anxiety disorders: A review of the evidence base for Mental Health Practitioners. FOCUS, 19(2), 173–183. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.20200042