To: Introduction to Technical Writing Class Section

From: Stephanie Juarez, Senior

Counseling and Addiction Recovery Sciences Major

Date: February 21, 2023

Subject: Proposal: a study on substance use, mental health, and wellbeing in college students

The following is a proposal to conduct a study on substance use and its effect on mental health
and wellbeing in college students. The aim of the research is to identify how the amount and
frequency of substance use affects the mental health and overall well being of college students. A
questionnaire regarding mental health, wellbeing, amount, and frequency of use will be
distributed to the student body through The College of Media & Communications online study
registration system (SONA).

Introduction and Background

College is a time in life that can be both stressful and exciting. The college experience is a phase
of life in which young adults are given a large amount of freedom. This is a challenge for many
students as the options of what to do with that freedom are endless. One of the greatest
challenges that students face is substance use. The average age of use and dependence is the mid-
teens and early twenties (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration [SAMHA], 2022).
Alcohol and drugs can play a pivotal role in this age group. Due to the vulnerability of this age
group with substance use it is important to understand the amount of use as well as the
correlation with overall wellbeing. How do those two factors relate to one another in this age
group? Texas Tech University was one of the leading schools in starting an on-campus recovery
center in which students with substance use disorder could be heard and supported (“Center for”,
2021). It is important to continue this work by understanding the patterns of use and wellbeing to
make change in order to better support the student body. This study will address other factors
such as where students partake or are encouraged to partake in substance use. With the
knowledge that this study will provide, the institution will be able to look for gaps in which
students are not being supported in this area.

Research Objectives
The aim of the research is to highlight the amount and frequency of use as well as its correlation
with overall wellbeing.
● How often is the substance of choice used and how much in a single sitting?
● Are there particular settings in which substance use is more encouraged?
● How does substance use affect wellbeing (such as mental, physical, emotional)?
Method
The data will be collected in the form of a questionnaire. It is important to understand that the
questionnaire will be made available to the student body through the SONA system as a way to
entice students with the possibility of extra credit in enrolled courses. While SONA uses student
credentials to log in and take note of participation, the data received from the questionnaire will
remain anonymous in order to get better, unbiased answers. The questionnaire will have three
parts. The three parts will have questions regarding substance use amount and frequency, mental
health and wellbeing, and lastly involvement and daily life questions. The three sections will
allow the esearch team to see the relationship between substance use and life situations for this
specific age group.

Team Roles
● Team Lead
● Questionnaire designer (excel and math expert)
● Data Collector
● Questionnaire Writers (all members will participate in writing; four parts)
● Revisionist

Results of Research
After receiving the data from the questionnaire a report will be written about the findings. The
report will be put together and given to the college of human sciences. This report will show
where there are gaps in support for the student body regarding this area. The report can be used
to develop programs to continue Texas Tech University in their support for substance use. A
report will also be given to the campus recovery center, for their use.

Schedule
● Initial planning meeting: week of: 2/28/2023
● Questionnaire development: week of: 3/6/2023
● Data collection and analysis: week of: 3/13/2023
● Writing part one of research report: 3/20/2023
● Writing of part two of research report: 3/21/2023
● Writing of part three of research report: 3/22/23
● Writing of part four of research report: 3/23/23
● Catch up day, all team collaboration: 3/24/23
● Revision and review: 3/26/2023
● Turn in final project: 3/28/2023

Qualifications
As a counseling and addiction recovery sciences major I have taken many classes that have
taught me about the vulnerability of this age group. I have been able to study how substance use
can change lives in a way that people might not even imagine. I also possess the foundational
knowledge of how wellbeing plays a pivotal role in everyone’s life. I also work in a mental
health facility in the community that deals with crisis and substance use. Through these two roles
I have wanted to investigate if there are any specifics as to what starts substance use as well as
gaps in the school system that we could fix to better address these issues.

Conclusion
This period in a young person’s life is extremely important. The habits and attitudes that young
people pick during this time could potentially shape the rest of their lives. While college is often
portrayed as a party or a time to let loose, it is important to understand that taking well being and
substance use lightly could be dangerous. By conducting research on substance use and
wellbeing, the institution could be given the opportunity to see the gaps that are currently in
place and come up with solutions to better support the student body. I look forward to hearing
from you, if there are any questions please contact me stephanie.juarez@ttu.edu.
 References
Center for collegiate recovery communities. (2021, November 16). Texas Tech University.
Retrieved April 27, 2023, from https://www.depts.ttu.edu/hs/csa/history.php
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2022). Key substance use and
mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2021 National Survey on
Drug Use and Health (HHS Publication No. PEP22-07-01-005, NSDUH Series H-57).
Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2021-nsduh-annual-
national-report