At Victory Recovery Partners, a network of seven addiction/recovery centers on Long Island, New York, we specialize in treating adults who are suffering from substance use disorders and addictions. While we treat adults of all ages, it is important to note that there is a strong connection between the millennials age group and the development of addiction.
Going back decades, each generation has had “trends” involving substance use. For example, going back about 100 years when alcohol was temporarily illegal, many people tried to illegally obtain the substance. Heading back to the present day, millennials, who are defined as being born between 1981 and 1996, have their own substances that they prefer. Within the past few years, recreational marijuana has become legalized in several states, such as New York, Colorado, Alaska, and California. This means that more millennials, a generation that was already frequently using the drug prior to its legalization, will have an easier (and legal) way to obtain the drug. In fact, around 57% of Americans support marijuana becoming legalized.
Another common drug that leads to addiction in millennials is alcohol. This is certainly not surprising, as alcohol is the most used and abused drug worldwide. A big reason for this is due to the fact that alcohol is legal in many countries. A major effect of this is the development of alcohol use disorder, resulting from heavy drinking and binge drinking.
With all of this being said, we must analyze the reasons why millennials are using drugs more frequently. A major contributing factor to this is that millennials suffer from poor mental health. Being stressed, depressed, and anxious causes millennials to find a “quick solution” that they think will alleviate the emotional pain that they are suffering with. To contrast with previous generations, millennials tend to have more debt, often in the form of student loans, and other loans that are putting stress and pressure on them. Many millennials are often feeling stuck, in that so many opportunities that were available to the older generations are now out of reach. This includes owning a home and having the financial means to start a family. At Victory, our behavioral health counselors provide one-on-one counseling to help patients work through these frustrations and hurdles that they face in today’s society.
Millennials are exposed to substance use in so many different forms. Even via social media, celebrities, and influencers, the wrong type of behavior is often celebrated by those with large social media followings and presences. It is important for millennials to understand that those celebrities who they look up to may be modeling incorrect behavior, and this doesn’t mean they are the ideal role models. With all of the added stress that this generation faces in so many ways, specifically often financially, it is important that millennials seek healthy and positive ways to discuss their hardships and struggles.
As explained above, there are several drugs that are popular with millennials – such as marijuana and alcohol. However, the actual drug of choice is opioids, specifically prescription opioids. Up to 12 percent of millennials abuse painkillers. As a result of this, over recent years, the United States has been facing an opioid crisis. A large portion of users that have contributed to the opioid crisis are those who abuse painkillers.
What does this mean for the future? Unfortunately, recreational usage of prescription pills will most likely increase over the next 10 years. As a consequence of this, overdose rates may rise, too. Being that some painkillers are easily accessible and easy to obtain, many millennials may continue turning to these drugs to help them cope with their daily life struggles.
You may be wondering what you can do to make a difference. Firstly, if you or someone you know is suffering with an addiction or substance use disorder, it is important to speak with that person so they can recognize that they have a problem. Next, it is recommended to discuss possible treatment options such as attending an outpatient program like the one offered by Victory Recovery Partners. Your loved one may initially resist the need for treatment, denying they have a problem. However, once they take that first step in acknowledging they have an addiction, seeking professional help would be the next beneficial step.
Victory Recovery Partners, a network of seven addiction/recovery centers on Long Island, New York, provides total care under one roof. This includes behavioral health, wellness, psychiatric, and medication-assisted treatment services. We have helped thousands of patients overcome their addictions, and we are confident we can help you, too. For more information on Victory, visit our website www.victoryrp.com
