Drug use has been a problem on college campuses for decades, and it only continues to grow. Now in addition to drug use, college students now have to battle a new addiction: the internet. Internet addiction, unlike other addictions, is not yet medically diagnosed; however, it is a term used to describe “unhealthy and uncontrolled” (Kurt 2) usage of the internet. The college years are a challenging time for young people where they are most likely to develop compulsive behavior, (Kurt, 2). This study, “aims to identify the extent to which college students’ suicide risk is predicted by gender, alcohol use, drug use, and internet addiction” (Kurt 3). The social and academic pressures combined with risk behaviors like drug use, alcohol consumption, …show more content…
Students filled out questions regarding their age, year in school, and tendencies to use the internet, drugs, or alcohol. Within the sample, 60.9% of the students were female, and 39.1% of the students were male. In addition, more than 70% of the students surveyed were in their first or second year of college, (Kurt, 3). Within the survey, each risk factor was measured on its own scale, and each student filled out the survey during class time, (Kurt, 4). The survey concluded that students who used drugs of any kind had a very high increase in suicide risk, (Kurt, 5). Suicide risk is only one of the negative effects associated with drug use; it can also lead to depression and loneliness along with other physical effects, (Kurt, 5). In addition, the survey suggested that the students who suffered from internet addiction also had an in increased suicide risk. Like drug use, the internet has also been known to affect the mental health of young people. It can lead to psychiatric disorders and trigger several other emotional and psychological disorders, (Kurt, 5). Students who consumed alcohol had a higher chance of drug use and internet addiction, (Kurt, 5). So, alcohol seems to be a catalyst for other drugs, addictions, and, ultimately, suicide risk. This indicated that risk behaviors that may trigger suicide are linked to one