San Diego-based Shoreline Recovery Center experts encourage families to discuss substance use during graduation season
This time of year, retail stores are chock full of celebratory cards and gifts for upcoming high school and college graduations. It’s an exciting time for young adults looking to enter or end a milestone and punctuate it with summer parties and newfound freedom.
But as preparations are made for one of life’s biggest transitions, the excitement can turn into stress. If not managed responsibly, overwhelming emotions can wander into dangerous territory, with the emotional toll presenting new challenges to overcome.
The clinical and behavioral health professionals at Shoreline Recovery Center are encouraging families and friends to have proactive conversations with the young adults in their lives about the hidden dangers of alcohol and drugs during this momentous occasion.
“Graduation season is a fun time to celebrate accomplishments, but it can also become a high-risk period for substance misuse among teens and young adults,” said Shoreline Recovery Therapist Max Kubota. “Increased pressure at social gatherings and anxiety surrounding new life chapters can contribute to poor choices with experimentation and lead to addiction.”
Binge drinking specifically continues to be a common behavior across the U.S. can have serious and even fatal consequences such as impaired driving, physical violence, alcohol poisoning and long-term dependence.
“The uncertainty that comes with entering college or adulthood can create an environment where using substances as a coping mechanism is normalized,” Kubota said.
In order to get ahead of this, Shoreline Recovery Center experts recommend initiating open conversations before celebrations begin about alcohol and drugs with a focus on compassion, education and honesty rather than using fear or punishment.
“It’s common for loved ones to underestimate the vulnerability of young adults during critical transition periods,” said Shoreline Recovery Center Clinical Director Mike Gallagher. “Even after the graduation parties, it’s easy to feel pressure to fit into an entirely new world.”
Conversations should be had surrounding safe travel, clear expectations for alcohol and drug use, realistic scenarios involving peer pressure and consequences for their actions.
Loved ones can also be proactive by watching for changes in mood, behavior or social circles.
“Many students struggle silently during their first year away from home,” Kubota said. “One of the most important things that families can do is keep an ongoing line of communication. Never underestimate the power of conversation. It can be a highly effective, preventative tool.”
While graduation is a hopeful time to celebrate accomplishments for young adults, it’s also a critical opportunity for their families to build trust, strengthen communication and encourage them to make good decisions.
For those already struggling, Shoreline Recovery Center provides comprehensive treatment and support services for individuals and families affected by substance abuse, including programs focused on young adults, dual diagnosis treatment, relapse prevention, and family counseling.
