Substance Use Seen on Screens Dissociates Between Television and Reality

Producers glamorize these addictions which disassociate the difference between the illusion of substance use through television compared to how critical its use can be in reality. Television productions falsely and illogically create representations of substances that greatly affect younger viewers, teenagers, and adults. With this, addiction is not only displayed but in fact, glorified at such standards. Referring back to American Addiction Centers, the average teenager is exposed to almost 85 drug references a day in popular music. Even with role models like people’s favorite celebrities, individuals are brought a visible example of what they are encouraged to engage in. This affects our behavior, relationships, and decision-making, and can interrupt our personal thought processes. More specifically, substance use in television being used by well-known celebrities, music artists, and social media influencers can create the example that viewers (and fans) so often look up to. “It is reasonable to believe that decreased exposure to substance abuse in the media or successful treatment of a celebrity’s addiction can have a positive effect on the drug-related behaviors among the millions of consumers of film, television, and music.,” Micheal Kaliszewski, the author of this article, states. Role models of many communities standardize ideas to their observers and guide their habits and purchases, like when Mikayla Nogueira encouraged the new Telescopic Mascara by L’Oreal. Nogueira used this mascara and faked the length by putting on false lashes.

All in a few minutes worth of a video, she was publicly shamed for sponsoring the product with a false review, but the review brought the brand and her lots of sales. Nogueira’s public situation is a great example that relates to the negative influence of substances seen on television because her status is what encouraged so many sales, even though she was rightfully accused of a false makeup review. Viewers are caught in generally anything that they have an interest in through the media, whether it's makeup, food, fashion, and even the use of substances. Although television is not the cause of the misuse of substances in society, substance use, shaming those that struggle with their addictions, and the depictions of addictions all factor into the mindset of the problem (American Addiction Centers). Even when seeing conflicts with your favorite celebrity or tv show, these scenarios will almost always never be genuine. Truthfulness, whether intentional or not, can be disguised when it comes to these productions. Viewers are left with the misconception between virtual reality, and the actual reality people currently live in. The standards, in reality, are much more developed and complicated when compared to television.  “Such lighthearted depictions can leave viewers with a skewed vision of the roles these substances play in reality.,” (American Addiction Centers). This phrase acknowledges misconceptions within films and reality. The intention for this argument to be brought to the surface is not only to investigate the claims of substance and addiction references through these networks but also to help stand against these battles of addiction. As much as society has recognized drug use and its effect on themselves and loved ones, not enough action has been taken to resolve such a large matter at hand. People may believe that these substances being shown on television is beneficial to their audience because it demonstrates the actions, consequences, and the idea of cause and effect. Instead, substance use portrayed on television does the opposite. It’s easy to forget that what is being watched through screens isn’t always a feasible conflict, but just a scenario. Young viewers may not always recognize the difference between TV productions vs reality which contributes to the problem that substance use on television contributes to the development of addictions in adolescents. They are often reinforced by peer pressure and curiosity when viewing such false scenarios. Teenagers who participate in social networking sites increase their consumption of marijuana, (American Addiction Centers). Young adults commonly forgot that what is seen on social media can be manipulative. Social media is not truthful or genuine, but instead, a false appearance for others. Connecting back, viewers are continuously hidden from actual standards in reality because of the normalization these uses of substances bring virtually.