Psych Gumbo » substance abuse

Colleges in Crisis: let’s talk about young adult mental health

Psychgumbo — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 02:56:46 +0000

The Tulane community has suffered several tragedies during the Fall 2014 semester, highlighting the need for awareness and advocacy for mental health issues on campus. Tulane isn’t alone in this mental health crisis. Colleges across the country struggle to meet the needs of their students and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness. In order for us to come together as a community, we must talk about the unique mental health challenges college students face. Students must feel empowered to discuss mental health issues, while supporting and encouraging their peers to seek help when they need it.

See my article in The Hullabaloo to learn more about college mental health.

More Resources for College Mental Health:

Active Minds

The Jed Foundation

ULifeLine.org

National Institute of Mental Health

The Hidden Harms of Hazing

Psychgumbo — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 01:28:00 +0000

Hazing is a practice often talked about on college campuses, particularly when students are considering which organizations to join. Despite strict rules banning this behavior, hazing still occurs regularly and is often considered a part of campus culture. The National Study of Student Hazing, including responses from 11,000 undergraduate students at 53 colleges and universities, found that more than half of college students involved in campus organizations experience hazing.

Why does this tradition still persist, despite strict rules against it? What are the hidden psychological dangers of hazing? What can college campuses do about it? Check out my latest article in The Hullabaloo here!

Hazing Resources:

StopHazing.org

HazingPrevention.org

Heroin Gains Popularity Among College Students

Psychgumbo — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 22:26:41 +0000

No longer considered a drug for the fringe substance abuser, heroin has gained more mainstream popularity, even among college students. Heroin is an opiate in the same class as painkillers such as lortab, percocet or oxycontin. Although it is more recognizable in its injectable form, it can also be smoked, ingested or snorted. The widely accepted drug culture on college campuses has made it socially acceptable to experiment with various drugs, including heroin. Experimentation is not always innocuous, however, as heroin is a drug with a potential for drug addiction and a highly uncomfortable withdrawal. Accidental overdoses are particularly deadly, as some students do not even realize what they may be snorting at a party is in actuality heroin. To learn more, check out my latest article in The Tulane Hullabaloo.

Students should be aware of effects of MDMA

Psychgumbo — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 23:56:45 +0000

Pop culture icons such as Miley Cyrus, Madonna and Kanye West have glorified through their music the use of a popular drug called Molly, also known as MDMA or ecstasy. The drug has become very popular in the college party scene with a reported 5.8% of college students having used the drug in 2013. Although drug users often report a euphoric high from the drug, there is a dark side including serious physical and mental health risks. Check out my latest column to learn more!

Craving: Why We Can’t Seem to Get Enough

Psychgumbo — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 14:30:12 +0000

“When we find ourselves wanting something strong enough, we’ll do just about anything to get it–sometimes at the expense of our bodies, brains, bank accounts and relationships. So why do we sometimes have the irrepressible feeling that we need something–such as food, cigarettes, alcohol, or sex–that we really just want? And how do we satiate that feeling without indulging it?”

Dr. Holly Peek interviews Dr. Omar Manejwala about his newly published book “Craving: Why We Can’t Seem to Get Enough.” On this episode of Psych Gumbo, they explore the phenomenon of cravings and addiction.

Visit Dr. Manejwala’s site at cravingbook.com to learn more and to order a copy of this very interesting book!

Hallucinogenic Drugs on Tulane’s Campus

Psychgumbo — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 14:02:20 +0000

This month’s episode on WTUL 91.5FM is about hallucinogenic drugs on Tulane’s campus. Recently, a very large amount of drugs, estimated in worth of tens of thousands of dollars, were confiscated from the Kappa Sigma Fraternity house. The drugs included MDMA, LSD, opium, and mushrooms, among others. This demonstrates the pervasiveness of hallucinogenic drugs on campus and how it has become part of the common “party culture” that we commonly see. We don’t want to tell people “don’t do drugs,” that’s someone else’s job! But we do want to explain the history of these drugs, what they are, and what positive or negative effects people should expect when choosing to take them. Click above to listen!

Psychostimulants on Campus: the good and the ugly

Psychgumbo — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 02:00:31 +0000

Our first episode of Psych Gumbo for WTUL Radio, New Orleans on 91.5FM. Click above to listen!

College Psychostimulant Abuse Proves Dangerous

Psychgumbo — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:00:18 +0000

Psychostimulants, such as Adderall or Ritalin, are one of the most abused legal drugs on college campuses. These drugs have become very prevalent within the college culture nationwide, particularly in high achieving students in professional schools. Although they prove to be helpful when properly prescribed to ADHD patients, they can also be very dangerous to those who misuse them. Check out my article in The Hullabaloo to learn more: