Anonymous alcohol and drug use survey
A few weeks ago, I conducted an anonymous alcohol and drug use survey. The results were quite revealing. The survey indicated the following. 1. Far too many individuals addicted to alcohol and/or drugs began using at an early age; 2. Society needs to do more to protect children and adolescents while their brains are developing; 3. Society needs better parenting; 4. Finally, alcohol and marijuana are gateway drugs for many people.
We know that some people are born with a genetic predisposition for addiction to alcohol and other drugs. Individuals with the predisposition for addiction are at a greater risk than individuals without this genetic predisposition; however, when children without this genetic trait are introduced to alcohol at an early age, they are at risk for addiction. I have known cases in the past where parents put alcohol in their baby’s milk to get them to sleep or calm down. I can’t conceive of parents that love their child giving babies or children alcohol, especially if they know what alcohol does to a child’s brain. In a previous article I mentioned a father giving his five year old son beer until he became intoxicated, then laughing at him because he thought it was funny.
Approximately 20 participated in the survey. The following is based on their drugs of choice. Most had consumed alcohol between age 12 and 20. Alcohol was no longer their drug of choice even though the majority still drinks alcohol. The real shocker was fifteen began smoking marijuana before age 18; six began at age 12. When you consider the fact that marijuana does the most damage when individuals smoke during their teens, it is alarming. When you consider the damage marijuana does to the brains of teens, it is no wonder that most of those surveyed had difficulty in school and had a low graduation rate.
Cocaine was not the drug of choice of anyone because cocaine addicts have switched to methamphetamine. Methamphetamine gives them a high that lasts much longer and is more intense than cocaine. Five of those surveyed started using cocaine during their teens and five at age 20 or above. Individuals that listed methamphetamine as their drug of choice began using the drug as follows: five in their teens and three above age 20.
Only seven participants reported having used LSD. Five began using LSD in their teens and two above age 20. Only eight participants reported using ecstasy. Six used ecstasy in their teens and two above age 20.
Fourteen of those surveyed reported abusing opioids (pain medications). Eight began using pain medication in their teens and six at age 20 or above. The youngest began at age 14.
Fifteen of the participants started smoking tobacco as follows: 11 began smoking in their teens and four at age 20 or above. The youngest started smoking at ages 12, 13 and 14. This should be a concern of all parents because tobacco is one of the major causes of disease and death.
When did you start drinking coffee was the final question on the survey? Nine began drinking coffee at age 12, one at age 13, two at age 15 and the rest didn’t begin drinking coffee until they were adults.
What is the answer? 1. Better education of the public. Citizens, parents, children and adolescents need to know the dangerous effects of alcohol and drug abuse. 2. More and better treatment available to the public. 3. Better parenting and 4. Better laws to limit access to alcohol by teens.
John L Bledsoe, Certified Co-Occurring Disorders and Substance Abuse Professional