As an incoming student in Universities around the country it is important to understand the addictive habits that other students have and understand what causes these addictions to develop. This short article is going to explain two areas of addiction; internet addiction and substance abuse, and how to avoid them. There are many addictions that college students face on a daily basis but understanding how to avoid these addictions from occurring in your life will help you achieve a degree while preventing a life-long disease.

 

An addiction that is extremely common in college students is the internet. Though this is a common problem in society as a whole, college students are even more susceptible to this addiction since college requires extensive use of technology. With growing technology in college, using the internet has not only become a tool but a necessity for many students. Students will focus on Facebook instead of the professor, browse Twitter instead of finding articles for a paper, and post a selfie instead of study for their exams. In other words, students are not normally using the internet for social benefit instead of educational gain. The article Assessing the psychometric properties of the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) in US college students stated that the internet addiction symptoms are “cluster into two distinct constructs which are named, “dependent use” and “excessive use”. Dependent use addicts have symptoms of withdrawal and social impairment. Excessive use addicts had these symptoms as well as overuse and loss of control. The study shows that many students are addicted to their devices and struggle to function without the use of the internet often influencing their behavior. For example, students will be studying and see a picture of a friend at the bar and wish they were there because of what college society has taught them. Many people say it is not an addiction until it impacts your life in a negative way. The internet is now not only causing negative influence in the student’s life, but without the device the student has withdrawal symptoms, concurring that it is an addiction. To shed some positivity, I want to state there is behaviors to prevent this.

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Incoming students need to understand that the internet is a necessity in college but is not to be misused, even outside of class. According to James Clear, habits take two months to develop. This infers that the habits developed in the first semester of college impact the rest of a student’s college experience. To avoid falling into the addictive trap of the internet in college, restrict yourself. Choose limited social media apps, limit yourself to thirty minutes of internet use outside educational purposes a day, and don’t use social media during class. If students keep themselves to a strict schedule of usage then internet addiction will not develop, they will not be influenced by others, and they will have more time to study and achieve their dreams of getting their degree. Though internet use is an impactful issue regarding college students, it is much less impactful than the drug and alcohol epidemic raging through campus today.

 

Drug and alcohol use are sweeping the United States’ colleges like a sickness and communities are doing everything they can to prevent it. Many incoming students are excited for the exhilarating college memories and question why society is so concerned with what they do with their weekly nights. The reason students feel this way is they don’t fully understand the extent that parties, late nights, or studying enhancers do to their body. All incoming students should understand three addictive behaviors regarding drugs; “smart drugs”, party enhancers, and prescription medication.

 

First, “smart drugs” consist of prescription medication such as Adderall or Ritalin. These drugs are used to treat people with ADHD. Someone with ADHD has problems focusing and takes Adderall to enable them to focus one thing at a time. If you don’t have ADHD it has causes users to be extremely awake for up 8-16 hours (depending on what was ate, weight, and use of drug) and improves concentration. Though most college students don’t feel a physical addiction to the drug, they feel a psychological addiction to the drug. This means that they don’t have withdrawals such as shaking but feel they are unable to study without under the influence of the drug. Incoming students could avoid this addiction by not taking Adderall or Ritalin unless you are prescribed the medication. Also, if incoming students believe they have ADHD, go to the doctor and don’t lie during the test for ADHD. Doctor’s know the symptoms of ADHD and will prescribe the medication if the results show that you have the disorder.

 

Second, common addictive party enhancers in college include alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, Xanax, or cocaine. Though every drug just mentioned has different impacts and different addictive patterns, they have similar beginnings regarding college students. According to the Clearview Treatment Program, addictive behaviors occur from decrease in parental involvement, peer influence, and stress. Students are not monitored, are regularly put in situations where these drugs are used. Without conscious thought, addiction can develop easily. Addictions regarding these drugs can cause more severe symptoms than other addictions such as internet use. It is not only causes psychologically addiction but physically addiction. This means the person does not only have mental dependencies such as what was mentioned with internet use but feelings of physical pain or discomfort from the substance. Some students who suffer from these addictions are attempting to rid these addictions but can’t help the addiction from taking over. Incoming students should attempt to avoid these addictions, so they don’t find themselves attempting to get “clean”. Thankfully, there is ways to achieve this goal for incoming students.

 

Understanding these challenges coming into college will help you prevent from developing unhealthy habits mentioned. Incoming students have minimal supervision causing increased risky behaviors which could result in behaviors that develop addictive behaviors. In order to avoid addictive behaviors regarding substances there is several aspects that incoming students need to focus on. First, never be afraid to say no! Though peer pressure is real, standing your ground in an unfamiliar environment can benefit you. Second, find different ways to manage your stress. This could be anything from working out to joining a club. Third, avoid regular substance abuse of any kind. As mention earlier, James Clear established that habits only take two months to develop. This means avoiding regular substance abuse. Enjoy the college experience but be reasonable with substances and avoid everyday use. If an incoming student can achieve this, then success will come easier for you, your health will be better, and you won’t wake up like the “normal” college student.

 

Avoiding addiction is difficult for students, but if achieved can cause higher success. As this article explains, addiction can be anything from internet addiction to substance abuse but there are ways to avoid these behaviors. The most beneficial thing for incoming students to focus on is monitoring themselves. Using ideas mentioned above will also help avoid addiction. Students should attempt to avoid addictive behaviors and focus on achieving the goal of getting a degree while enjoying their free time responsibly.

 

 

Citations

1. Jelenchick, L. A., Becker, T., & Moreno, M. A. (2012, April 30). Assessing the psychometric properties of the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) in US college students. Retrieved February 15, 2020, from https://ntserver1.wsulibs.wsu.edu:2061/science/article/pii/S0165178111006512

 

1. Clear, J. (2020, February 4). How Long Does it Take to Form a Habit? Backed by Science Retrieved February 15, 2020, from https://jamesclear.com/new-habit

 

1. Lakhan, S. E., & Kirchgessner, A. (2012, September). Prescription stimulants in individuals with and without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: misuse, cognitive impact, and adverse effects Retrieved February 15, 2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3489818/