Everyone has their addictions, some more than others. Have you ever known someone who couldn’t function properly with caffeine of some sort? How old were they? I know someone, who at 16, adds caffeine supplements to their water, otherwise they suffer from severe headaches. For many people, addiction can come in less obvious forms, such as sugar, carbonated beverages or the aforementioned caffeine fiends. For others, it is more serious. Many of us young adults have probably watched a family member or a friend struggle with putting down their cigarettes, or struggle themselves. However, many who do not live around serious addiction do not realize the impact it has not only on a person, but those involved in that person’s life as well. Many college students (hopefully of legal drinking age), participate in parties themselves, drinking and laughing and hopefully having a good time. However, many do not like to talk about how some of these students will become one of the 16 million plus Adults residing in the US who suffer from Alcohol addiction on a regular basis, or perhaps even already are one of the 56 million Americans above the age of twelve who have used prescription drugs non-medically.

As someone who grew up in an alcoholic home, and around family members and friends who’ve struggled with smoking or abusing prescription medications, I can tell you the effects of living with and around addiction is very real. Those who do not receive their addiction on a regular basis, can suffer from headaches, mood swings, restlessness, chills, or even more serious withdrawal symptoms that can limit their ability to function at their fullest, like my sixteen year old caffeine-addicted friend, or my 23 year old sibling whose cigarette withdrawals can turn them into one of the rudest people I’ve ever had the pleasure of being related to. Others who have prescription drugs, more than often do suffer from severe pain or an ailment that makes these medicines necessary. These past few months, I myself have been on forms of Opioids, suffering from severe chronic back and leg pain due to 2 ruptured discs which almost left me paralyzed, and am now finally recovering from surgery. Soon I will be off of these medications, and in a few months back to my normal self. But for those living with chronic pain, it’s easy for me to understand how someone could abuse medications like this and become seriously addicted.

Alcoholism is perhaps the addiction that has affected my life the most. My father suffers from Alcoholism, and from the ages of 7 to 16, I did not have a good, if any, relationship with him. Even today, four years after he finally got sober, my family still lives with this addiction and the effects of living with it. The actions of the past cannot be undone, and there are still things that the individuals who live around addiction continue to suffer from: Low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, financial burdens, and severed bonds that may or may not be salvageable. While the relationships can be mended after the abuser has become clean, the scars are still very real.

So when People use these day to day items, sometimes in moderation or because they need it, how do we know when it’s too much?

Here are some things people can do, or keep in mind, to help prevent serious consequences or support those affected by addiction.

Think about what the consequences of your actions before you partake in risky behavior

It seems simple enough, but most college students participate in activities that can hurt themselves, or others, in the long run. There is nothing wrong with having fun and enjoying yourself, as long as you are smart about it. If you plan on drinking at the next house party, perhaps make sure you have a ride home or can stay the night. Make sure if you’re drinking more than a few drinks, that you have food in your stomach and drink just as much, if not more, water. And if your 10 page research paper is due on Monday, ask yourself if it’s really a good idea to go to Saturday night clubbing if you have to spend all of Sunday recuperating. As college students, it hard to keep caffeine consumption in check, but instead of staying up all night and knowing you have a 7:15 lecture in the morning, know your limits and make sure in the morning you can be awake enough to get safely there. I’m not saying at all that these things need to be cut out of someone’s life. But if you find yourself or someone else exemplifying risky behavior frequently, talk to someone, or be the person who can bring it up to your friends. Know the warning signs of engaging in frequent use of substances that can be addicting, and make sure you can ask yourself how certain behavior might affect your or those around you.

Understand that those who have been affected by abuse, may not be over it completely.

While many people would prefer that others do not know what it is like to live with the effects of addiction, understanding that there are people who live with these consequences is a major step in being a great support system. Kindness is not weakness, and neither is being supportive or understanding when a person shows signs of distress or slightly irrational fears. Chances are, the person probably knows that their concerns and fears are unprecedented, but the feelings are still there. They may have times where they are down on themselves, or do not feeling comfortable going out for a drink with everyone because of past experiences. These people might struggle standing up for themselves or seeking help. Know that people don’t have to possess the addiction themselves in order to be affected by it. Being an ally to those in need is perhaps one of the best things someone could do.

Know that quitting addiction isn’t black and white

The process of getting sober, quitting cigarettes or limiting caffeine consumption, more often than not, does not involve the person quitting cold turkey and all problems automatically being fixed. Just because someone hasn’t had a drop of alcohol in 6 years doesn’t mean they’re okay to go to a birthday party and not have fight off the urge to get drunk with their friends. Just because someone no longer abuses their medicine, doesn’t mean they don’t struggle with taking more than they should. Not only that, but it takes a certain type of person to be able to put themselves in another’s shoes and ask why they do something. Many people slip and fall in the process of recovery. And don’t be hard on yourself if you end up not being able to accept that cigarette you’re offered. This is a process. And as long as you are trying to the best of your abilities to continue on, don’t beat yourself up. Fall seven times, stand up eight.

There is so much more to be said about this situation, like President Obama’s recent speeches on Prescription Drug Abuse prevention, but these type of topics are always complex and lengthy. If anyone you know is exemplifying risky behavior, don’t be afraid to talk about it with them. Maybe think twice about using your Little brother’s Adderall to get you through finals week. And if you yourself are realizing that your actions may not be heading you down a healthy road, don’t be afraid to talk or ask for help. Chances are, your family or close friends will be able to help. And if anything serious or life threatening happens, don’t be afraid to call 911.

Help is always around.