The Psychology of Substance Abuse in College w/ Dr. Amie Haas
Summary
Today we are joined by Dr. Amy Haas, Professor at Palo Alto University and Senior Lecturer at Stanford University, specializing in college student substance use. We’re discussing the factors influencing addiction and substance abuse in college students. Dr. Haas explains the concept of blacking out and its effects on memory, as well as the potential long-term consequences, emphasizing the complexity of addiction and how addiction affects everyone differently. She also provides guidance for parents on how to address their child's substance use through open communication, finding a balance between intervention, and allowing exploration. We also discusses the potency of cannabis and other substances, especially when mixed with alcohol, highlighting how cannabis has become more addictive due to genetic engineering. She also emphasizes the dangers of unknown substances, particularly with the rise of fentanyl. Dr. Haas warns about the risks of mixing substances, as they can have unpredictable and dangerous interactions. She stresses the importance of knowing the potency and interactions of substances before using them. We finish the episode by sharing harm reduction strategies, such as using fentanyl test strips and carrying Narcan pens. She concludes by encouraging students to have fun in different ways but to be aware of their limits.
Takeaways
Cannabis has become more addictive due to genetic engineering and the use of concentrated forms like dabs.
The rise of fentanyl has made it dangerous to consume unknown substances, as they may be laced with this potent substance.
Mixing substances, such as Xanax and alcohol, can have unpredictable and dangerous effects.
Knowing the potency and interactions of substances is crucial for making informed decisions and reducing risks.
Harm reduction strategies like using fentanyl test strips and carrying Narcan pens can help prevent overdoses and save lives.
Students should have fun in college but also be aware of their limits and know when to stop.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction of Dr. Amy Haas
00:28 Dr. Haas' research on high-risk drinking and drug use in college students
01:53 Dr. Haas' background and journey to becoming a psychologist
05:20 Personal experiences and motivations for studying substance abuse
06:01 Understanding the terms addiction, substance use disorder, and substance abuse
09:18 Exploring the concept of blacking out and its effects on memory
10:41 Factors influencing the likelihood of blacking out
14:19 The potential long-term effects of blacking out
19:19 The complexity of addiction and the absence of a threshold amount
20:26 Individual differences in addiction susceptibility
23:26 How parents can address their child's substance use
28:19 Approaching the conversation with a concerned child
31:57 Finding a balance between intervention and allowing exploration
36:54 The Potency of Cannabis and Other Substances
38:31 The Dangers of Unknown Substances
39:59 The Risks of Mixing Substances
40:56 The Importance of Knowing Potency and Interactions
41:29 Harm Reduction Strategies
42:42 Being Prepared for Opioid Emergencies
43:22 Having Fun in Different Ways and Knowing Limits
Resources:
Free NARCAN:
https://www.goodrx.com/naloxone/narcan-naloxone-at-home-free
https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/individuals/Pages/Naloxone_Distribution_Project.aspx
Fetanyl Test Strips:
https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/fentanyl/fentanyl-test-strips.html
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