Do you remember the famous and infamous catchphrase “Sex, Drugs, and Rock n’ Roll?” Let’s just say that there was a very good reason people used this infamous statement back in the 1960s and 1970s. During these decades, the worst vices and the worst behavior humans could ever experience were not only advertised but were also promoted. Everything from magazine covers to music albums glorified the need to mate, the need to party, and the need to indulge in addictive substances. No wonder drug abuse and alcoholism ran rampant at the height of rock and roll. In fact, with the exceptions of Gene Simmons and Ted Nugent, it was hard to find a public figure who did not take part in the insanity.
Besides tons of parties and wild escapades, baby boomers (the children of the War) loved to experiment with addictive substances like LSD, cocaine, and alcohol. Just listen to a few rock albums by Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd to get the picture.
So, with these two decades of insanity and indulgence, you would imagine that the millennial generation would learn a valuable lesson from the crazed lifestyles of their parents and grandparents. Nevertheless, the reports indicate otherwise. According to recent studies, the rates of drug and alcohol among millennials are much higher than those exhibited by baby boomers and the previous generation. Why is this the case? Why would a generation of avid learners, innovative thinkers, and fiery adventurers succumb to such harmful substances?
Despite what the media wants to say about the new generation, millennials are not just the powerhouse of the future but one of the most desperate and disheartened groups on the planet. Thanks to a tumultuous landscape of opportunity, these young men and women find ways to cope with sadness and hopelessness, leading to new escapades in dangerous substances and substance abuse treatment programs.
Let’s take a closer look at the long millennial road to drug addiction and alcoholism.
Who Are the Millennials?
Born between the years 1982 and 2000, the millennials are collectively known as “America’s Youth” and currently amount to 83.1 million, representing an estimated 25% of the U.S. population. Interestingly, that number completely overwhelms the 75.4 million baby boomers currently living in our country (based on reports from the U.S. Census Bureau). Even more fascinating, the millennials comprise some of the most racially unique individuals in the U.S., with 44.2% belonging to two different minority races (excluding single-race, non-Hispanic White people).
Problems with the Economy
So why is this amazing generation of young people experimenting with drugs and alcohol so fast? One of the biggest contributors, if we are looking at statistics, is the U.S. economic status.
At this time, millennials are the very first generation to take part in a workforce that requires a minimum of four to six years to obtain a job. Ultimately, however, the chances of these men and women obtaining that job are slim to none. While their parents, the baby boomers, could rely on job security and balanced salaries, millennials can only dream of these ultimate jobs. Due to this overwhelming insecurity, many young people feel disheartened and can turn to drugs and alcohol.
A Generation of Dreamers Who Feel Like Zeroes
Simply put, millennials are a generation that lives and works at home, mostly with their parents. After going to college and putting effort into obtaining a dream job, these men and women often have to return home due to financial burdens and live with their parents, who made a ton of money back in their younger days. Keep in mind that millennials were born in one of the wealthiest eras in U.S. history: the 1980s to the 1990s.
So, you can imagine that millennials had a pretty good time growing up. With all that luxury and promotion of dreaming, these kids were ready and prepped to get into the workforce, only to be turned down time and time again in a post-recession landscape equivalent to the Great Depression (in terms of psychological impact). During these rough times, you can imagine why substance abuse treatment programs can overflow with millennial patients, attached to drugs and alcohol (their unfortunate coping mechanisms).
A Different Outlook on Drugs and Alcohol
Recently, a whole generation of determined men and women watched in shock and awe as a little green plant was legalized in 33 states. Once marijuana entered the U.S. market, you can guarantee the generation of explorers and adventurers were more than eager to play with marijuana. After all, the news doesn’t seem to make it look that dangerous anymore, does it?
Let’s also not forget that some millennials grew up listening to stories from their hippie parents about the days of rock and roll. To a lot of these children, drugs and alcohol might not seem too scary. In fact, some of these millennials might consider alcohol addiction, drug abuse, and substance abuse treatment programs a part of everyday life.
Seeking Treatment for Alcoholism and Drug Addiction
At The Recover, we fully understand how difficult treatment processes can be for addicts through our daily work to help these individuals overcome this terrible, painful disease. Although many people believe they can overcome their problems without help, residential rehabilitation treatment programs are still an essential step on the road to recovery. Although the path to health and happiness might not be an easy one to take, you can finally enter the threshold to freedom with the help of a loving, supporting team. Additional aspects like counseling and psychological care can ensure you address underlying psychological issues that ultimately led you to become an addict. From here, you can build an infrastructure that will help you live your life with entering relapse, all with the help of a solid residential rehabilitation treatment program.
An unbiased and substance abuse and mental health news provider, The Recover works hard to help victims of drug abuse or addiction discover the right residential rehabilitation treatment programs in their local areas. We also provide detailed information concerning West Virginia Centers for addiction recovery. For more information, contact us today at (888) 510-3898 to learn more about our comprehensive drug and alcohol addiction treatment program.
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