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The same platforms that spread addiction can also share truth, support, and hope. But only if we learn to harness their power responsibly.
Over the past decade, social media has become a regular part of daily life for the younger generation. Similarly, the relationship between social media use and substance abuse — especially opioid addiction — has gone up significantly.
The power of social media can amplify the voices of many; however, it also has a darker side. That dark side can be an illicit marketplace, trigger substance abuse, and risk the lives of the several millions who use these platforms.
According to a study, “Social Media Algorithms and Teen Addiction: Neurophysiological Impact and Ethical Considerations,” social media triggers the same release of dopamine in the brain that substances such as opioids would cause. The endless cycle of the algorithms, reels, and likes create a “dopamine cycle” analogous to the one seen in substance abuse.
Like drugs, social media alters the brain chemistry by creating a dopamine-induced dependency on scrolling, making the brain more susceptible to addiction and negative habits.
In addition to compromising decision making, social media has become an unregulated avenue for dangerous purchases of drugs such as fentanyl, as social media provides anonymity and reach, which drug dealers seek.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) stated that drug dealers use social media platforms to advertise deadly drugs through disappearing posts using code words and emojis as a medium, making it difficult for law enforcement to be able to track these online marketplaces. A study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research showed that among nearly 40,000 opioid related tweets, 17.7% related to sale of opioids through social media and contained hyperlinks to illicit sellers.
According to a report released by the US Department of Health and Human Services, 95% of teens in the U.S. use social media platforms. The tendency of the algorithms to maximize engagement on posts is a vital factor in amplifying the risk social media poses.
When teens consciously or subconsciously engage with opioid related content the algorithm constantly feeds them more leading to the glamorization of such drugs. Dealers capitalize the familiarity of social media to reach an already impressionable audience—such as teens—by marketing opioids as pain killers or stress relievers. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that synthetic opioids were involved in 70% of the fatal overdoses in adolescents in 2024.
Despite the several risks of social media, it still has enormous potential to become part of the solutions. If used responsibly, social media can allow people to support each other and spread life-saving information. Many organizations such as the CDC and DEA have social media campaigns to share real stories of addiction and recovery through social media as social media’s power lies in its reach.
Overall, social media’s influence is a double-edged sword — it doesn’t have to be fully destructive. When used correctly, it can be a lifeline rather than a danger especially for teens and young adults. In the digital era, fighting opioids isn’t just about controlling drugs; it’s about controlling information. The more truth we share online, the fewer lives will be lost offline.
This article was written as part of a program to educate youth and others about Alameda County’s opioid crisis, prevention and treatment options. The program is funded by the Alameda County Behavioral Health Department and the grant is administered by Three Valleys Community Foundation.
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