Substance Abuse in College Students
Substance abuse can negatively affect college students. Learn more about substance abuse in college students and resources that can help.
Table of Contents
Common Addictions in Young People
Many common drugs may be misused or abused by young people. To recognize addiction, it’s essential to understand common drugs that cause substance abuse in students and how they can affect their behavior and well-being.
Alcohol
Excessive drinking is common amongst college-aged young people. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 53% of full-time college students drank alcohol in the past month. About 33% of college students engaged in excessive drinking (consuming five or more drinks for men or four or more drinks for women) in the past month.1
Over drinking is dangerous and can have many adverse effects on someone’s short-term decision-making and long-term health if it continues over a long period.
Marijuana
Abuse of marijuana is also common amongst college students. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana abuse by college students has been increasing over the years. In 2018, 43% of college students used marijuana, a 7% increase over the previous five years.2
Frequently getting high on marijuana can impact college students in many ways by affecting their study habits and mental health over time.
Prescription Stimulants
Prescription stimulants are also a common cause of substance abuse in students. College students will abuse prescription stimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin as a “study drug” that facilitates late-night studying or managing a big workload. This can be caused by college students feeling overwhelmed or stressed by taking on too much work. Prescription stimulants may also be abused recreationally as a party drug.
Cocaine
Cocaine addiction is also common amongst students. Cocaine addiction in students is commonly caused by recreational use at parties or other social events. Recreational use of cocaine is very dangerous because it is a powerful drug.
Due to the strength of cocaine, it can commonly cause a cocaine overdose to occur. Cocaine overdose is dangerous and can potentially be fatal. While less common, crack cocaine abuse may also occur amongst college students. Crack cocaine can have more powerful effects since it is usually smoked, which causes more intense effects on the body.
Benzodiazepines
Due to the sedative effects of benzodiazepines such as Xanax and Valium, college students may abuse them recreationally. College students commonly take benzodiazepines as a party drug, which is likely to be combined with excessive drinking. Heavy drinking combined with benzodiazepine abuse is very dangerous and can lead to an overdose or other major health complications.
Ecstasy
Ecstasy (MDMA) is another commonly abused party drug amongst college students. Research has shown that MDMA use amongst college students more than doubled from 2004 to 2016 and is likely still increasing. Getting high on ecstasy can have many impairing effects that lead to poor decision-making and other negative actions. It can also cause addiction and mental health issues with long-term use.3Why do Students Turn to Drugs?
There are many reasons why students may turn to drugs. Understanding the cause of substance abuse in students is key to recognizing a problem and finding ways to get students the help that is needed to recover.
Stress
Stress is a common contributing factor to heavy drinking or drug abuse in students. Many students may feel overworked, so they may turn to stimulant drugs like Adderall or cocaine for an energy boost, or they may turn to depressants like alcohol, marijuana, or benzodiazepines to try to relax or let off some steam. While drinking or drug use might make someone feel better in the moment, it will only worsen the problem and can lead to additional issues over time.
Peer Pressure
Peer pressure is also a common cause of overdrinking or drug abuse in college students. Peer pressure can influence someone to use drugs they otherwise wouldn’t have and can make someone more susceptible to developing an addiction if it continually occurs.
Curiosity
Substance abuse in students may also be caused by curiosity and experimenting with addictive substances. Experimentation with drugs or alcohol is common amongst young people. However, recreational use of these substances is very dangerous as it can lead to health complications or addictions if drug use continues.
Academic Pressure
Academic pressure can lead to poor mental well-being or students feeling overwhelmed. This can lead to substance abuse to cope. However, using addictive substances as a coping mechanism to unwind or help facilitate studying will worsen the problem. Therefore, paying attention to students’ mental health and well-being is essential.
Signs and Symptoms of Addiction
Common signs and symptoms of addiction can be used to recognize substance abuse in students. Understanding the common signs and symptoms will give you a better chance of identifying an addiction to get someone the necessary help and treatment.
Physical Changes
Common physical changes that occur due to addiction in students are:
- Bloodshot eyes
- Dilated eyes
- Physical health complications
- Pinpoint pupils
- Poor coordination
- Poor hygiene or physical appearance
- Shaking or trouble sitting still
- Significant weight loss or gain
Mental/Behavioral Changes
Common mental or behavioral changes that occur due to substance abuse in students are:
- Depression
- Feeling lethargic
- Increased anxiety/paranoia
- Loss of interest in activities that someone once enjoyed
- Odd sleeping patterns
- Poor memory
- Poor performance at school or work
- Trouble concentrating
- Withdrawal from social situations
Dangers of Drug Use in Students
Drug use in students can have many dangerous effects. Understanding the dangers of drug use is important as it can help influence someone struggling to get the necessary help needed to recover.
Risks of substance misuse include:
- Mortality: There is a risk of mortality when someone abuses high doses of an addictive substance. Between 2006 and 2015, 36,422 drug-related deaths occurred among people between the ages of 15-24. The percentage of fatal drug overdoses has likely increased since then.4
- Assaults: Heavy drinking or drug use can also affect someone’s behavior and lead to taking poor actions. Unfortunately, this can cause higher rates of physical or sexual assault occurring in situations where people are abusing high doses of addictive substances.
- Overdose: Overdose is also a danger of drug use in students. Drug overdose is generally caused by combining addictive substances or taking them at high doses. Overdose is dangerous as it can be fatal or may lead to significant health complications.
What is Binge Drinking?
Binge drinking is a common risk amongst college-aged students. This can make students more susceptible to risky behaviors, alcoholism, or becoming dependent on alcohol.
Definition
Binge drinking is excessive consumption of alcohol during a short period. The CDC defines binge drinking as consuming five or more drinks for men or four or more drinks for women during an occasion.5Who Binge Drinks?
Anyone of any age can struggle with binge drinking. However, certain demographics are more likely to binge drink. It is most common amongst younger adults between 18-34. College-aged adults are amongst those who are most susceptible to binge drinking. Men are also nearly twice as likely to binge drink compared to women.
What are the Risks?
Many risks can occur when someone binge drinks. Common risks of binge drinking are:
- Alcohol poisoning
- Alcohol withdrawal symptoms
- Developing a dependence on alcohol
- Developing an alcohol use disorder
- Health issues such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, and liver disease
- Increased risk of assault or other violent outbursts
- Increased risk of cancer
- Memory and learning problems
- Risky behavior that leads to motor vehicle crashes, falls, or burns
Getting Back on Track
There are many ways for college students who struggle with substance abuse to get back on track. Seeking professional help for addiction and paying attention to mental health and well-being are essential steps to take during recovery from addiction.
Seek Professional Help
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, seeking professional help is an important first step to getting back on track. Often, this means talking to a doctor or contacting a treatment center to get more information about treatment options for addiction. For students, there may also be resources available on campus that can help provide therapy or resources for addiction treatment.
Going to a treatment center is a good idea to keep you safe during addiction withdrawal treatment. Drug and alcohol withdrawal can have many negative side effects that require medical attention. Treatment centers help keep you safe by providing safe detox practices and medical attention.
Mental Health Awareness
Mental health awareness is also key for college students who struggle with substance abuse. Paying attention to mental health can help recognize a problem or will help someone manage their recovery. Common ways to stay on top of your mental health are:
- Learn how to effectively manage stress by practicing coping skills and ensuring you aren’t overworked
- Practice mindfulness techniques like yoga and meditation
- Surround yourself with positive people who have your best interest in mind
- Take care of your body by exercising, eating nutritiously, and getting enough sleep
- Talk to a therapist or other mental health professional
Get Help for Substance Abuse in Students at Soledad House
Soledad House can help treat substance abuse in college students. Soledad house is a recovery program for women in San Diego, California. Our treatment programs emphasize relapse prevention techniques, faith-based rehab programs, and several addiction treatment therapies. Our treatment methods are evidence-based and have been proven to be successful.
Contact us today for more information about how we can help you.
RESOURCES
- 1https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/college-drinking
- 2https://nida.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/2019/09/marijuana-use-at-historic-highs-among-college-age-adults
- 3https://focus.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.focus.20180037
- 4https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31014465/
- 5https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/binge-drinking.htm
