Fortunately, if you as a reader have been bored listening to my love story, and wishful thinking for my future, now is when this 30 Day Challenge gets intimate and blunt… But, at the same time, extremely difficult for me.
With that being said, as a college freshman, my views on drugs and alcohol may likely be different from yours, and from those of other college students. However, I am going to do my best to make a truthful, and practical argument, or perspective.
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| {Title: College Restlessness; iPhone 4S; August, 2013} |
As a witness to events including alcohol that ended badly, I have grown to fear and be cautious of alcohol without having to experience traumatic occurrences. For many high schoolers, and college students, drinking on a regular basis has become the norm. Finding things like this…
"Approximately 10 percent of 12-year-olds say they have used alcohol
at least once. By age 13 that number doubles. And by age 15, approximately
50 percent have had at least one drink."
{Source: TooSmartToStart: Underage Drinking Statistics.}
… is not something any parent, college student, or teenager should be excited, let alone proud of. In my own opinion, I feel that my generation has made it seem somewhat "okay" to get in trouble for underage drinking, and be a consistent designated, yet drunk, driver. My views on alcohol:
- It is ridiculous to see the amount of teenagers and college students who binge drink. Although I am guilty as charged to drinking before, I have NEVER made it a consistent thing, or relied on parties to fill every weekend for sake of my happiness. There are countless peers, and young people I have watched make horrible decisions which have cost them their futures, or will eventually get them in trouble.
- Binge drinking is SO overrated. Why would you drink so much, so quickly, and so hardcore that you most likely get sick? In one semester at Asheville living in Founders 101, I cannot tell you how many times I have seem an ambulance take someone to the hospital for alcohol poisoning. And even on the times they didn't end up in the hospital, I have heard story after story about throwing up here, and not remembering what happened there, and 'I'm not even sure how I'm functioning today.' Seriously, you are in college- and you, or your parents are PAYING for you to live, eat, and be taught there… Alcohol won't disappear in a few years. Grow up.
- Occasionally drinking seems healthy- even if you are underage. I know that providing for minors is illegal, but let's all face it- It happens! And it has for many years, and it will continue. However, I like to argue that occasional drinking seems healthy for minors. Most American adolescent like to argue that "It's so unfair that you can be 18 and join the army and die for your country but you cannot drink alcohol…" and I totally agree… but two things, 1. Life is unfair. and 2. From what I understand most underage military seem to drink anyway. Drinking occasionally as a minor, without getting drunk as a skunk, seems logically healthy because 1. You are actually educating yourself on what types of alcohol there are, AND how you react to alcohol in general, and 2. That way when you do end up trying to enjoy drinks out when it is legal, you are not falling over and throwing up.
- Letting alcohol define you, and become a necessity is a waste of time. There are so many children who have had to grow up around alcoholic parents, grandparents, or guardians. Setting the unhealthy example for children is not ideal, and sometimes results in a repeating pattern. I think it is important for parents to talk to their children about alcohol. It's dangerous, it's addicting, and it's not cheap. Alcoholics are scary, I know this first hand, and there is nothing worse than seeing someone you love put their life, or sanity on the line for a temporary feeling.
Needless to say, I could continue sharing my views on alcohol, and since I made that a bit lengthy I am going to be short and sweet about drugs (even though alcohol is a 'drug' and can also become an addiction).
My views on drugs, in a bundle…
- Adderall is not for you unless your name is on that bottle. College is difficult, and students have most likely heard that before, but the idea in your head that says 'I cannot focus,' or 'I won't get this done without an adderall,' is FALSE, and lame. A temporary fix-- That's exactly what it is. And quite frankly, using the words my wise, and beautiful best friend Jewell shared with me… "If you are just starting that work/project now, and it's due tomorrow, it's not going to be your best work." Literally college isn't supposed to be a breeze. And personally, I think it's supposed to teach young adults what time management is in the REAL WORLD. Let's face it, even though Leonardo Dicaprio acting as Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street does cocaine like far too many times to count in the movie to get his wall street work done… That does not mean any college student should pop addies to complete that project that was given out a week ago and is due at 8am.
- Like alcohol, drugs, including pot (which is apparently scientifically not addictive?) can become an addiction. Having an addiction is a neurological disorder… You cannot just wake up one day and change your mind, partly because it would be like taking a demon to read the bible, and partly because you have created such a habitual lifestyle using and abusing that you are physically and mentally unable to do so. Once again, I have unfortunately seen a large amount of young adults turn smoking pot into some habitual routine that starts every weekend at the parties, and then turns into a comment like 'What? No, I smoke every morning… I can't function unless I smoke.' Quite frankly, that is pathetic, and you should get help to change your habits if you want a decent future.
Summed up, my views of drugs and alcohol are quite simple: Why choose to use, abuse, or become addicted to a substance that has nothing to do with creating happiness, making a future, or keeping you healthy!
