Addiction and Recovery in College

-
The word “addiction” usually carries a negative connotation to it. People think of addicts as typically being unemployed or violent or even uneducated. Many would be surprised then to discover that, according to AddicitonCenter.com, “Those who are enrolled in a full time college program are twice more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol than those who don’t attend college.”
            This can be attributed to the many masks that addiction can wear and a variety of social-environmental factors that include stress from school, peer pressure, and experimentation with different substances. It’s not just alcohol addiction, there is also addiction to drugs such as marijuana, Adderall, and even diet pills.  By understanding addiction and creating an open discussion about recovery, we can begin to heal ourselves and destigmatize the concept.
            To this end, CSULB has established a collegiate recovery community known as Beach Recovery. Their main goal is to educate people about addiction in order to help remove the stigma and teach our community the facts about this disease. They believe strongly that it is a responsibility of the campus to provide a nurturing, affirming environment in which students can find peer support and recovery services while in school.
Going along with this idea, CSULB offers many great on-campus resources aimed at assisting you on your journey to self-healing.
  • “New Beginnings” is a support group that offers open recovery for all addictions and meets every Monday from 5:30- 6:30 pm at the Soroptimist House on campus.
  •  We also have AA meetings which offer a 12-step program to deal with all types of addiction. They meet every Wednesday from 12 pm- 1 pm at Student Health Services room 268.


In an effort to foster an environment where addiction can be openly discussed and the stigma behind it removed, Student Health Services is here to help. You are not alone and you do not have to fight this on your own.

By Adam Vargas

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Truth about HPV

-
Image
What HPV is and How It’s Spread Now you may be thinking…what in the world is HPV? Until a few years ago, I had no idea either. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that is transmitted through genital skin-to-skin contact. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HPV is the most common STI in the United States and the population most at risk to get HPV are people in their late teens to mid-twenties. The Details Since HPV is a virus, there is no cure. In most cases, a healthy immune system can help fend off the virus so it can clear the body on its own. People infected with HPV can transmit it to their partner(s) even if they don’t have any symptoms.  There are 40 types of HPV that are sexually transmitted. Symptoms of HPV include genital warts or genital cancers. Warts don’t cause cancer. They appear flat or raised in the genital area and may itch, but usually not painful. Treatment includes freezing them off
Read more

Why Your Dental Health Matters

-
Image
Most people think of dental health solely in terms of teeth. However, dental hygiene is comprised of several elements including your teeth, tongue, and gums! Let’s explore important tips for your dental health. Importance of Dental Health Your mouth is an entry point for food, beverages, and bacteria/viruses. While we naturally have certain defense mechanisms in place, such as saliva and tooth enamel, the sugars, acids, and bacteria we consume can all take a toll on our oral health. Neglecting dental care can result in painful conditions that make everyday tasks like eating and drinking hard. As well as that, ignoring your dental health can be costly. It’s much cheaper to buy a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss than it is to pay several hundred dollars to get a cavity filled or replace teeth with implants and dentures, which cost thousands of dollars! Missing teeth can have an impact on your appearance, which affects your job and social prospects. And finally, did you know tha
Read more

Internal v.s. External Condoms

-
Image
What images come to mind when someone says the word “condom”? A small, square shaped packet? A sex ed teacher using a banana as a display model? Most people tend to think of external condoms as the only types of condoms available, however there is another type of condom that lots of folks don’t even know about! Internal, or “female” condoms, are another type of condom that is a great option for people seeking protection from STI’s and pregnancy. It does this by creating a barrier between your genitals, and your partner(s). Internal Condoms Internal condoms are 79-95% effective, and are made of nitrile, which makes them a great option if you have a latex allergy/sensitivity. Female condoms look like large external condoms with a flexible plastic ring inside.  Check the expiration date.  Carefully open the packaging and take out the condom.  To insert the condom squeeze the inner ring between your thumb and middle finger. From there you can insert the ring into you
Read more