Vaping has been a big problem at Sedro-Woolley High School, so much so that at the start of the 2023 school year vaping detectors were installed in the bathrooms. However, many students aren’t aware of how they can get help quitting.
“My services are available,” said Lean Greer, Student Assistant Profesional. “I provide education and support to students, I can also connect students to resources. There’s also mental health counselors here at the school and social workers who are all geared to support students with making healthy decisions, same thing with our administration.”
Many students who vape aren’t aware of the harm it can cause. They may try vaping thinking that they will only do it once, or that they won’t get addicted. But anyone can become addicted. While just vaping one time may not cause harmful effects, it can lead to an addiction that will cause harmful effects overtime.
“I would caution people to do their own research or come to get good information before they try something because their friend is doing it or because they think it’s cool,” said Greer. “When we just put something into our bodies and we really don’t understand what it is, then that’s when decisions can just become habits, and so you may not understand the ramifications of using a vaping device can lead to an addiction and that can be pretty life changing.”
Most vapes contain the addictive drug nicotine. Nicotine can cause addiction and risk of future addiction to other drugs, as well as harm adolescent brain development. When a person who is addicted to nicotine stops using, their body and brain are not used to being without it. This leads to symptoms of Nicotine withdrawal which include feeling depressed or anxious, problems concentrating and problems sleeping, and constantly craving nicotine. Because vaping is relatively new and hasn’t been around as long as regular cigarettes, scientists aren’t fully aware of the long term effects of vaping.
“There’s a lot of short term effects, but those long term effects just aren’t researched because they haven’t been around long enough,” said Greer. “A lot of students who do actively choose to use are just assuming that nothing’s going to happen when really we don’t know what that may look like because the science just isn’t there yet.”
People using vapes or other tobacco products may feel like they’re so addicted that they can’t see themselves quitting, or they don’t know how to get help or maybe don’t feel they have enough support to do so. When in reality that couldn’t be further from the truth. There is always help available for anyone that wants to quit. And people always feel better after quitting and are glad they did so. The website “truthinitiative.org” has lots of articles available to read that share information on how to quit and prevent vape addiction. Including quotes from students who have quit vaping and want others to quit.
“If you are vaping today, believe me when I say you are stronger than this. You can quit,” said Ally Harrison, National Day of Action Participant from Truth Initiative
Truth Initiative is a nonprofit organization dedicated to making tobacco and nicotine addiction a thing of the past. Their goal is to provide information on vaping and spread the truth about it to convince young people to stop or never start. They wrote an article on their website sharing quotes from participants of National Day of Action.
“If you are addicted to vaping and want to quit, consider the reasons why and prioritize them. Prioritize your healing and your health. Make sure that what is best for you is what you are doing.” said Tyra Nicolay, National Day of Action Participant
In conclusion, anyone addicted to vaping is capable of quitting. And there are plenty of people willing to help. Students can speak to Lean Greer, Student Assistant Professional and get help that way, they can also call the number 1-800-662-4357 to get help from the SAMHSA National Helpline.
