In a time when conversations about mental health and addiction are becoming more urgent, the Addiction Studies Club – Cultural and Social Awareness is giving students at Northwestern State University of Louisiana a voice.
The purpose of this organization is to help promote education, attention towards addiction and emotional support. They seek to spread awareness of substance abuse disorders and educate members on the importance of the subject.
Members who join the organization “will be exposed to events and learning opportunities that will help to spread this awareness,” Shannon Gresham, instructor of psychology and addiction studies and advisor of the organization, said.
The word ‘addiction’ is often associated with drug and alcohol abuse. This can be true in many cases; however, the club teaches students that addictions can go further than that and can be as simple as being addicted to your phone.
Alondra Terrez is a senior psychology and addiction studies major that serves as vice president of the club.
“Addiction Studies helps students by providing information on the topic of addiction through different events. Addiction is everywhere; it does not have to be substance related,” Terrez said. “Cell phones are addictive, sugar is addictive, video games are addictive—there are many different things we interact with and use in day-to-day life that can lead to addiction.”
Organizations like this help and encourage students to talk about serious matters such as mental health and addiction problems. The club also allows students to gain exposure to hard topics that people often shy away from.
“The more we talk about addictions, treatment and recovery, the more we chip away at the stigma associated with addiction. Knowledge is power; the more we know the more powerful we are and the better our outcomes,” Gresham said.
The Addiction Studies Club partners with different organizations on campus like Psi Chi—The National Honor Society in Psychology—and The Gail Metoyer Jones Center to host different events centered around mental health, culture and psychology.
Jaida Kelly, a sophomore psychology and addiction studies major, is the president of the Addiction Studies Club. “Anyone is welcome to join the Addiction Studies Club—it is not only addiction study majors. If you have a nice work ethic and you work well with people, then you are meant to be in our club,” Kelly said.
If you’re interested in learning more, email Alondra Torrez at [email protected] or visit their Instagram page at @nsulaaddictionstudies to join the club or find their events.
Change starts with us. The more we know, the more we can help other people. What a better way than learning in a fun way by joining the Addiction Studies Club?
