Nonprofit Shatterproof shares four tips for preventing and treating substance use and overdose in young adults.
As young adults transition into the complexities of adulthood and post-grad life, mental health and substance use challenges can often arise. It’s essential for them to make informed decisions about their health and be aware of the risks associated with substance use so they can prioritize their well-being and safety.
1. Promote good mental health
The U.S. Surgeon General’s 2021 report recommends habits and routines that support and protect youth mental health. They include:
- Take care of your body and mind. Stick to a schedule, eat well, stay physically active, get quality sleep, stay hydrated, and spend time outside. Avoid substances that can ultimately make you feel tired, down, or depressed, such as alcohol, marijuana, vaping, and/or tobacco.
- Learn and practice techniques to manage stress and other difficult emotions. Try to recognize situations that may be emotionally challenging for you, and come up with strategies to manage those emotions.
- Invest in healthy relationships. Social connection is a powerful buffer to stress and a source of well-being. However, too often in our fast-paced lives, quality time with people gets crowded out. Make space in your life for the people you love. Spend time with others regularly, in-person and virtually.
- Ask for help. Find trusted adults, friends, or family members to talk to about stressful situations. For example, if you or someone you know is being bullied, tell a trusted adult. If you are struggling to manage negative emotions, reach out to a school nurse or counselor, a teacher, a parent or caregiver, a coach, a faith leader, or someone else you look up to and trust.
2. Know the risks
It’s imperative to know the real dangers of experimenting with drugs, especially as counterfeit pills can be manipulated to resemble prescription medications like antidepressants, ADHD medication, and opioids, according to the CDC. In addition:
- Fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Just two milligrams of fentanyl, the equivalent of 10 to 15 grains of table salt, is considered a lethal dose. A one-time experiment with this drug can result in death.
- Fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs, so a buyer may think they are purchasing something else, like a sleeping pill or caffeine pill, and end up having a fentanyl overdose.
3. Identify harm-reduction tools
It’s also important to know where to access tools and how to use them to avoid preventable deaths, including tools such as fentanyl test strips. These small strips of paper can detect the presence of fentanyl in different kinds of drugs and drug forms, like pills, powders, and injectable substances, according to the CDC. Learn how to use fentanyl test strips.
While a useful tool to prevent accidental drug-related fatalities, not all fentanyl test strips can be trusted. Fentanyl strips should be purchased from health departments, community organizations, or other trusted sources.
4. Understand how to spot and treat overdose
Understanding how to respond to crises involving substance use is crucial. Some signs of an overdose include unresponsiveness, slow or erratic breathing, and blue lips and fingertips. If you see these, call 911 and administer an opioid overdose reversal medication, such as naloxone and nalmefene. Try to keep the person awake and breathing, and lay the person on their side to prevent choking.
Naloxone (better known as Narcan) is available without a prescription in all 50 states. With a prescription, additional options are available, like Kloxxado, Zimhi, and OPVEE. These medications block the deadly effects of opioids, like fentanyl, in the body. Check your campus to see if they have these medications on-site.
You can view this Narcan training video to learn how to use it. Look for resources from your local health department, use the map at HarmReduction.org, check community-based programs based on your state, or select your location on the Next Distro website. A pharmacist or a community health organization can help you understand what’s available in your location.
Good Samaritan laws create legal protections for people who call for help in the event of an overdose to encourage and protect bystanders who may otherwise not be willing to call for fear of being arrested for drug-related crimes.
For college students and recent graduates, many universities provide counseling services tailored to their needs. It is advisable to explore the health support options through your student services department. These resources aim to assist adults in transitioning into college life, offering valuable support as they navigate through adulthood.
As you navigate your post-grad journey, it’s important to know about the tools that are available, where and how to access them, and how to use them. It is critical to prioritize your mental health and well-being in order to grow with confidence and resilience.
