Chasing Vibes, Losing Lives: The Silent War of Youth Drug Abuse

 

By Stephanie Nwakaegho, Gentechnews Health Columnist

 

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) World Drug Report 2024, nearly 300 million people worldwide used drugs in the past year, a staggering 20% increase over the last decade. Among them, the most vulnerable group isn’t who many expect: they’re young people. Teenagers, university students, and young adults are experimenting with substances earlier and more frequently than ever before.

The report further revealed that about 39.5 million people are now living with drug use disorders globally, and a significant proportion of that number are youth between the ages of 15 and 35. What’s even more concerning is that, while use is rising, the perception of risk is falling, meaning more young people now believe that occasional drug use is “harmless” or “just vibes.”

In some regions, especially in North America, Europe, and parts of Africa, cannabis has become the most commonly used drug among adolescents aged 15–16, surpassing adult usage rates in several countries (UNODC, 2024). The same report warns that the growing normalization of cannabis (fueled by music, social media, and celebrity influence) is reshaping the global youth culture around drugs.

This is not just a statistical anomaly or “someone else’s story.” It is happening everywhere, and possibly closer than you think. I write this because every day, I meet young people who are tired, anxious, or simply trying to make sense of life. They are trying to find relief in the wrong places. Somewhere between trying to keep up with school, work, relationships, and the endless pressure to be “okay,” many slip slowly into something darker.

Let’s talk about drugs: not in the way textbooks define them, but in the way real life does. The pills, the drinks, the smokes, the syrups, the vapes. The things people reach for when the world feels too loud, when sleep won’t come, when emotions feel like too much to handle. And I get it. Because sometimes, the world really does feel like too much.

But here’s what worries me: drug use among young people has quietly shifted from being a “taboo” to becoming a trend. It’s not just about hard drugs anymore. It’s the little things, a puff here, a pill there, something to “take the edge off.” It starts small, almost harmless. “I just need it to study, to focus.” “It helps me relax.” “Everyone’s doing it.” Before long, the thing you thought you were controlling starts controlling you.

You see, drug abuse isn’t always loud or obvious. It’s subtle. It hides behind laughter, music, and “vibes.” It’s in the party that went a little too far, the late-night hangout that turned into a habit, the emotional breakdown that needed “just one hit” to feel better. The scariest part? Most people don’t even realize when the line is crossed.

Let’s break it down, no judgment, just truth.

Young people today are under pressure like never before. You’re expected to be educated, successful, beautiful, confident, and emotionally stable before you’ve even figured out who you are. Social media doesn’t help either. You scroll through endless pictures of people “living their best life” while you’re barely holding out. And when you finally admit you’re stressed or tired, someone says, “You worry too much, you should chill.”

So you try to chill, maybe with a drink, a smoke, or something stronger. It works for a while. The thoughts quiet down, the body relaxes, the world seems softer. But then the effect fades. You feel worse. Suddenly, you need a little more to get that same relief. That’s how it starts. Nobody wakes up planning to get addicted. Addiction sneaks in wearing the disguise of comfort.

As a nurse, I’ve seen what it does, not just to the body, but to the mind and soul. The eyes lose their spark. The laughter fades. The confidence disappears. In its place comes guilt, fear, and dependence. Some people begin to lie, steal, or push away loved ones, not because they’re bad, but because the addiction is louder than reason. It tells them, “You can’t survive without me.”

Let’s not sugarcoat it: the world isn’t making it easy to stay clean. Substances are everywhere. Prescription drugs are sold like candy. Music videos glamorize being “high.” Influencers call it “self-care.” In some countries, it’s weed; in others, it’s opioids, codeine, tramadol, MDMA, or synthetic pills that can kill with one wrong dose.

But the truth is the same everywhere, a high that costs you your peace, your health, and your future is too expensive.

Understanding the Science

Let’s dig into the science for a second, in plain language. Your brain loves pleasure. Every time you laugh, eat your favorite food, or fall in love, your brain releases a chemical called dopamine. It’s what makes you feel good. But drugs hijack that system. They flood your brain with dopamine, more than it’s meant to handle. You feel amazing, unstoppable, like the world has no problems. Then it fades, and your brain crashes.

Over time, your brain adjusts. It stops producing dopamine naturally because it’s used to getting it from the drugs. So, without the substance, you feel empty, restless, irritated. You can’t sleep, can’t focus, can’t enjoy life. You start chasing the high just to feel normal. That’s how addiction traps you, not because you’re weak, but because your brain has been rewired.

What makes this war even more dangerous is that it’s silent. You can’t see it. So many young people are fighting it quietly. They smile, go to class, post selfies, go to church, laugh with friends, and then break down when no one’s watching. Society sees the glamour but not the struggle. Parents notice the grades dropping, the behavioral changes, but not the pain causing it. Friends notice the fun but not the fear underneath.

Drug abuse is rarely about wanting to get high; it’s about wanting to feel something different, to stop feeling sad, anxious, lonely, or numb. It’s self-medication in disguise. If we don’t address why young people are hurting, we’ll never solve how they’re coping.

The Way Forward

First, let’s stop pretending that addiction is just a “bad habit.” It’s not. It’s a health issue. It needs treatment, not condemnation. If your friend breaks a bone, you don’t shame them for it. You help them heal. The same compassion should apply here. Recovery isn’t easy; it’s messy, painful, and slow. But it’s possible. People heal. Lives turn around. I’ve seen it happen.

Second, if you’re reading this and thinking, “Maybe she’s talking about me,” I am. You’re not crazy. You’re not beyond help. You are human. You made choices, yes, but you can make new ones. The fact that you’re even questioning yourself is a sign that there’s still a part of you that wants better. Listen to that part. It’s your truth trying to break through the noise.

Talk to someone. A counselor, a therapist, a friend who won’t judge. If professional help feels too far, start small. Write how you feel. Confide in a trusted friend or family member. Exercise. Sleep. Eat well. Don’t isolate yourself, that’s where addiction grows strongest. Remember, recovery isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress. Every day you choose not to use is a win.

To parents and guardians, please, don’t wait for visible signs before you act. Talk early. Ask real questions. Be patient when your child seems distant. Most young people won’t say, “I’m depressed.” They’ll just start changing, new friends, new habits, new attitude. Pay attention to that. Your understanding could save their life.

To teachers and mentors, your words carry more weight than you think. The way you correct, the way you listen, the way you show empathy can either push a struggling youth toward healing or push them deeper into hiding.

To every young person out there, you are worth more than a temporary high. You are not broken. You don’t need chemicals to shine, to create, to love, to feel. The world already has enough lost potential. Don’t let yours be another statistic.

I know the temptation to escape is strong. Life can feel like too much sometimes. But here’s the truth: the same strength it takes to hide your pain is the same strength you can use to face it. It just needs to be redirected. You don’t need to chase numbness; you need to chase peace.

Peace isn’t passive. It’s an active choice. It’s saying no when everything in you screams yes. It’s learning to sit with discomfort without running from it. It’s learning that healing doesn’t always look pretty, but it’s real.

Here’s something else I’ve learned in years of nursing and counseling: the human mind is powerful. It remembers, it breaks, it rebuilds, it renews. Even after years of substance use, people come back stronger. They laugh again. They dream again. They live again. I’ve seen people who once couldn’t go a day without a pill now running NGOs, raising families, mentoring others. That’s the miracle of recovery, it’s not perfection; it’s redemption.

So if you’re reading this and thinking you’ve gone too far, stop that thought right now. You’re not too far gone. You just need to pause, breathe, and reach for the right kind of help. You owe it to yourself to find out who you are without that influence.

Life is already difficult, don’t let it also become dangerous. The high that feels good for a few hours can destroy everything you’ve worked for in a few minutes. You are worth more than that.

Let’s normalize saying, “I’m not okay,” instead of masking it. Let’s normalize therapy, not substances. Let’s normalize vulnerability, not pretending. Because healing begins the moment we start telling the truth, even if that truth is messy.

The next time you hear someone say, “It’s just for vibes,” remember this: not every vibe is worth chasing. Some lead to places you may never return from. Choose wisely.

You don’t need to be high to feel alive. You just need to be present. That’s the real vibe, being here, fully, honestly, awake to your own story.

You can rewrite your ending. You can reclaim your mind. You can find joy that doesn’t fade. You can heal. Because in the end, the best vibe is choosing to stay present, fully awake to live your own beautiful, authentic life. Make that choice today and your future self would thank you for it.