Alcohol and substance abuse has always been a critical issue in the state of Ohio with activist groups and law enforcement teaming up to fight the problem.
According to the Ohio Addiction Recovery Center, peer pressure is one of the common reasons for college-aged students to develop an addiction. They want to fit in with their fellow students and will perform a variety of actions to be part of the friend group, which may include drugs and alcohol.
For Brenda Smith, a case manager with Sinclair’s Student and Community Engagement, there are a lot of motivations for someone to fall victim to drugs or alcohol addiction.
‘‘Sometimes it’s genetic, sometimes it’s depression; at times they begin doing it for pleasure. I don’t think anybody believes they’re going to get addicted from that first drug,’’ Smith said.
Students who are suffering from addiction or substance abuse likely won’t come into her office to seek help due to the stigma that’s associated with alcohol and substance abuse. She says parents are affected as well.
‘‘They don’t come very often because there’s a stigma attached to addiction. It’s not just students, it’s their families who become addicted, they need some help,’’ Smith said.
According to Smith, there are many issues a student can face when becoming an addict to drugs and alcohol such as missing out on life, getting arrested for drugs, being kicked out of school, etc.
‘‘It can cause them to lose out on life in general. They may get caught with possession of drugs and served some time; they get caught while driving while under the influence which may cost a lot to get their license reinstated. They will be missing school, work, along with friends and family,’’ Smith said.
Despite the stigma, Smith believes students who are suffering from alcohol addiction and substance abuse should reach out.
‘‘So, they can enjoy life–they might think they are enjoying life from the feeling, but eventually, it takes a toll on them. They might think it’s fun at first, but it will cause problems,’’ Smith said.
Smith combats the stigma students face by getting them help, setting them up with group therapy, but she states it is the student’s responsibility to understand that they have an addiction and will need to get assistance.
‘‘Trying to offer them support–just trying to get them to support groups and therapy, but they must recognize that they have a problem. It’s like leading a horse to water; you can’t make them drink; they must realize that they must get help and it’s not getting any better,’’ Smith said.
Smith said students should learn that there is a better way to deal with alcohol addiction and substance abuse and there is much more to life. Drug addiction can ruin their life, cause harm, and lead to the loss of loved ones.
‘‘They learn there’s a better way, there’s a better life, there is another way. Substance abuse usually leads to destruction if they can’t get a handle on it. By destruction, they can harm themselves and other people. People lose their jobs, homes, and loved ones,’’ Smith said.
In the future, Smith wants to have a Sinclair support group operational. She hopes to have talks discussing the topic of alcohol and substance abuse and educate others on the issue.
‘‘We want to get this support group going, the support group is called Towards Recovery. Give talks and offer counseling, literature, education, and all types of resources to get them connected to the right people or organizations that can help them recover from alcohol and substance abuse,’’ Smith said.
For advice, Smith said students should see one of the counselors on campus and consider rehabilitation.
‘‘Just recognize that they have a problem, and they will be able to deal with it and ask for help and get help to deal with it,’’ Smith said.
Smith is hosting a support group during the spring semester called Towards Recovery Peer Support Group. The first meeting will be on Thursday, February 3 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. in Building 8 Room 8037. For more information email Smith at brenda.smith7771@sinclair.edu.
Jamario Brown-Tolliver
Intern