The Role of Education in Preventing Addiction

When it comes to substance abuse and addiction, one of the most common reasons given comes down to education. People who are not educated on the dangers of substance use and abuse can easily fall into the trap. Given how prevalent and normalised substance abuse is in society, it is easy for young people to see it as ‘cool’ to drink alcohol to excess or to take drugs. Through education, though, we can help young people to move away from such wayward beliefs.

It is normal in the modern world for people to wish to experiment with new experiences in life. However, given the change in feeling that alcohol and other substances can produce, it is vital that young people are aware of the potential dangers of regular consumption. Through education at the school level, we can ensure that children are well aware of the potential for damaging lifestyle habits through the consumption of alcohol and other substances. Regular intake leads to addiction, and addiction can be life-changing in the worst possible ways.

Education, then, plays a massive role in giving young people a heads-up about the realities of regular alcohol and substance consumption. This is an internationally accepted approach towards helping curb the high intake of drug and alcohol abuse in young people. For example, the Alcohol and Drug Foundation in Australia does great work in that country to help raise awareness about education for youth.

It is easy to assume that everyone knows the potential dangers of alcohol and drug abuse. We assume that since so many people come into contact with people with an addiction throughout life, they should be aware of how that journey begins. Such assumptions, though, can be dangerous and can absolutely put people on the wrong path with regard to addictive and damaging behaviours.

AOD Education Is Essential To Progress

Thanks to the ease with which young people are connected to the wider world today via the internet, it is important that we understand how easy it is for children to be drawn to alcohol and other drugs (AOD). Therefore, while education is easier than ever to reach for these children, so too is online content that can extol the virtues of consumption and make it sound harmless.

For that reason, it is important that we do everything we can to help stop that problem at the base. This is why many argue for the use of a ‘whole of school’ approach, as laid out in the ADF article above. This approach ensures that children are given the most positive educational experience. Children who feel valued within their school are more likely to listen closely to their teachers. Teachers who give up their time to help students can create a positive role model for a child to follow and listen to.

That matters more than people think. Many children grow up without access to a positive adult role model in their lives. That can make it easy for them to fall into negative and damaging behaviours and actions later on in life. With a positive role model who they listen to and respect, though, children can be educated in a way that will be taken onboard. This makes it much more likely that a child if warned against the impact of AOD consumption from someone they respect, will listen and take heed.

A positive educational culture can create an environment for children that makes them less likely to need to turn to substances to try and cope with the pressures of their young lives.

Showing The Damage That Can Be Done

In education, it is vital that children can be shown the negative consequences of their actions. When young, we often feel like we are invincible. Therefore, it is easy for a young person to think things like, ‘I won’t become an addict; I know the risks!’ – however, many people with a substance use disorder start out their journey with that particular train of thought. While fear tactics are never a good way to educate a child, being transparent about the dangers of addiction can be important in helping a child understand the risks they are taking.

For example, showing a child that the potential for AOD consumption to cause issues with brain development is important. Children need to be aware that through regular consumption, they can find themselves with an imbalanced mind.

Showing the health damage that can be done to a body physically, too, can be very important. Raising awareness about the issues that can be done to organs, physical development, weight and blood pressure, etc., can help to give a child enough time to consider their options.

Creating an environment where a child can have a healthy respect for alcohol, for example, can help to mediate the risk of them becoming an addict. Helping youth to understand why people are drawn to alcohol can make it easier for them to realise that many of the people who are most drawn to alcohol are doing so for negative reasons. This can help to remove the idea that it is ‘cool’ to drink excessively.

In essence, education to show children the lifestyle, mental, and physical risks of AOD consumption can help them understand the risks they are taking. Early enough instruction on this matter can stop children from making a mistake they will later regret.

Seeking Help And Support

At Akasha Recovery. Our role in society is to help provide much-needed support to people who are trying to overcome addiction. Our aim is to be there to give people the information, insight, and assistance they need in coming through a period of addiction so that they can move towards rehabilitation and full recovery.

Through the educational resources on our platform and the support, we can provide in educating children, contact us today if you would like to discuss how we can be of use to you. As proponents of educating the youth of tomorrow about the dangers of alcohol and substance abuse, it would be our pleasure to assist in making sure that children of any age are given a transparent, healthy, and balanced education on the risks that are inherent in AOD consumption.