A discussion on the signs of substance abuse, prevention and intervention, and measures young people can take when it comes to addiction in loved ones was led by a LA Department of Mental health employee at LBCC LAC with a small group of attendees.

Young people and college aged people in particular, according to Mercedes Aguirre, mental health promoter, are far more likely to fall down a path of addiction.

Some may be more familiar with the term addiction when describing the uncontrolled use of a substance or a substance dependency, but there has been a move towards changing the language around addiction, using more direct terminology like “substance misuse” or “substance use disorder” to redirect focus from the person afflicted to the root of their issue: the substance they have gained a dependency on.

This change in language includes moving from phrases like”they are an addict/alcoholic” to phrases like “they deal with addiction/alcoholism.”

The terms addiction and substance use disorder are used interchangeably in medical settings, though addiction is used more in severe cases of substance abuse.

“One reason young people are more likely to be victims is because they’re making a lot of decisions for the first time,” Aguirre said after discussing the psychological reasons that might cause a person to start abusing drugs or other substances.

The best way for young people to avoid developing a substance use disorder is to redirect or avoid potentially harmful urges to start using a substance. 

If a person finds themselves in a situation where they start to experience extreme negative emotions they feel can only be stopped through the use of substances, trying to find a distraction for the brain is one of the best ways to quell the urge.

Reaching out to a loved one for a chat, finding a physical activity, or mentally stimulating activity until the desire leaves are all ways to distract the person from the urge.

Aguirre’s discussion on substance use disorders touched on what she and other professionals call “adverse childhood experiences” (ACEs) that can heavily impact children’s psyche, for example living in an unsupportive household where they do not feel supported or acknowledged, being single or extremely traumatic events that left a long lasting impact on the person.

These experiences could also impact what Aguirre labeled “preventative” and “risk” factors in their life. Factors that could influence a person’s likelihood to stay away from adverse coping mechanisms like substance abuse are preventative, and could include things like someone’s involvement in hobbies, having a strong social net or even having a strong sense of spirituality.

On the other hand, risk factors would be those that put people more at risk of developing an addiction, which Aguirre described as things like feeling isolated, having unaddressed mental health issues, or a history of impulsivity or family addiction.

These factors alone cannot influence a person’s likelihood to develop a substance use disorder, Aguirre noted, but they are factors to pay attention to when taking preventative measures for yourself and others.

Anyone can be at risk of developing a dependency or addiction, Aguirre said. From new-born babies to elderly retirees, there is not one group that is exempt. Substance use disorders are oftentimes both physical and psychological, with the body developing physical symptoms and mental reactions to their consumption.

Potentially manifesting as extreme depression, anger, restlessness or more physical reactions like vomiting, extreme sweating, or illness, these symptoms could be some of the most difficult hurdles for people with an addiction or substance use disorder to overcome.

The adverse reactions typically seen during rehabilitation are why seeking professional help is crucial in cases of extreme substance misuse or addiction, as without medical help, the dangers and negative effects of overcoming addiction may be near impossible for someone to endure.

One student attendee, Andre Houston engaged with Aguirre regularly during the workshop, bringing his own thoughts to the conversation as Aguirre continued her presentation.

Houston noted that his knowledge on substance abuse was limited, and he came away from the workshop with far more information than before.

“It’s pretty useful to say that there’s no specific type of person to become addicted,” Houston said.

Recognizing the difficult nature of addressing concerns of substance use to a loved one, Aguirre included a portion of her discussion dedicated to conversation openers and examples of ways a person could show their loved one they are supported, even if the other does not want to address their issues.

“Show them that you will wait for them when they feel ready,” Aguirre said.

However, she also stressed the importance, when dealing with a loved one who is struggling, to recognize your own struggles and instill guidelines and limits to what you can handle and support. 

Aguirre discussed the dangers of becoming a “codependent addict,” where a person becomes so consumed in the addiction and struggles of their loved one they begin to neglect their own. This turns into a cycle of emotional distress, loss of identity outside of the relationship and even the potential to fall down the same path of addiction as their loved one.

Help can only be given to those who want it, Aguirre reiterated with her closing discussion, and the Mental Health Department of LA wants to help those when they decide they want it.