Rapper Mac Miller’s Death: A Hard Reminder of the Effects of Addiction

By: Samantha Steinberg ‘19 and Gabrielle Delgado ‘19

The effects of drugs are often not seen or recognized until the life of the user is suddenly forever affected. Recently, Mac Miller, a renowned rapper, producer, and overall artist, died from suspected drug abuse at the mere age of twenty six. It is a shock, to see someone you’ve respected and looked up to fall victim to the anchors of addiction, especially at such a young age.

Many people in their teens and twenties struggle with substance abuse, and more issues keep entering with new generations. As research has shown, the younger people start using drugs, the more likely they will get addicted. According to an article on teen substance from Center on Addiction, nine out of ten people that are addicted to substances including nicotine, alcohol, and other drugs began using these substances before they were eighteen years old.

This issue leads to the further negative effects of youth substance abuse: the fact that kids are still developing physically and mentally. Specifically, teen brains are fragile and needs a healthy development to grow correctly. In an article about health effects on teen substance abuse by the Addiction Center, “one way it [the brain] accomplishes this is through eliminating unnecessary synapses and connections between different parts of the brain. This kind of mental pruning allows the adult brain to be more focused and efficient.”

With drugs getting in the way of this process, many long-term problems will be introduced, including the reduction of the ability to experience pleasure, issues with memory, and the worsening of already present mental illnesses.

Alcohol is a common drug that teens are introduced to early on. Teens are more likely to binge drink than adults, and this process, when continued throughout youth, can have some major potential risks. It can cause higher levels of liver enzymes that indicate liver damage and reduce growth potential.

It is well known that substance abuse is a very serious issue, especially with teens. The National Institute on Drug Abuse comments that teenagers tend to want to experiment more than adults do. Many feel that it is necessary to partake in drugs because it allows them to fit in and be accepted by people. Teenagers tend to make impulsive decisions, often not looking ahead to consider the negative effects of their actions. In their article “Teens’ Brains Hold Key to Their Impulsiveness,” NBC News described that “16 and 17 year olds, compared to adults, on average are more impulsive, vulnerable to peer pressure, emotionally volatile, and overestimate short-term payoff and underplay long term consequences.” In addition, teens often think that drugs can help them feel better and ease any anxiety they may be feeling. However, addiction can actually worsen people’s anxiety, meaning alcohol and drugs are only a temporary fix.

Many influential celebrities have been affected by drug abuse; Mac Miller’s death shows the importance of realizing the consequences involved with substance abuse. If you feel that you are struggling with any kind of drug addiction, it is crucial to get help from family, friends, or specialists. The National Helpline, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is available to call at 1-800-662-HELP(4357) 24/7.

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