College Students And Drug Abuse

College students make up one of the largest groups of drug abusers nationwide. Young people (ages 18 to 24) are at a heightened risk of addiction; this vulnerability contributes to the widespread nature of addiction in college.

Those who are enrolled in a full-time college program are twice as likely to abuse drugs and alcohol than those who don’t attend college.

Starting out in college produces some natural social anxiety for many students. The temptation to drink is strong because college students overwhelmingly find that alcohol makes socializing easier. Not all college students immediately start binge drinking and doing drugs, but routinely drinking to have more fun leads many students toward addiction.

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Addiction In College: Why Students Turn To Drugs

The high rates of drug abuse among college students can be attributed to a number of factors, including:

  • Stress. As students are facing the high demands of coursework, part-time jobs, internships, social obligations, and more, many turn to drugs as a way to cope.
  • Course load. More students than ever are taking Stimulants, such as Adderall, to help them stay awake long enough to study or complete assignments by their due dates. All too often, these prescription drugs are obtained without a legitimate prescription.
  • Curiosity. College students are exploring many new aspects of their lives. It’s not uncommon for that self-exploration to extend into drug experimentation.
  • Peer pressure. College students who are surrounded by other people experimenting with recreational and performance-enhancing drugs are more likely to try those substances for themselves.

Addiction In College: Drugs Of Choice

Trends change over time, and no drug is immune to college experimentation. However, there are a few substances that are consistently abused among college students. A few are listed below.

  • Alcohol is involved in the vast majority of substance-related problems on college campuses. Because drinking is often socially acceptable, recognizing a problem in college students who drink can be difficult.
  • Popular for use in studying, Adderall and other Stimulants are used by college students who are facing pressure to meet all of their academic requirements.
  • As legislation tips in favor of Marijuana legalization, more college students are turning to Cannabis as their drug of choice. On some campuses, Marijuana use outweighs even that of alcohol.
  • Ecstasy has made a resurgence in recent years after being popularized in the 1990s. The more modern and allegedly “purer” form of the drug (which is often adulterated, despite misconceptions to the contrary) is known as MDMA or Molly. College students fall well within the target age range for Ecstasy, which is most often abused by teens and 20-somethings. MDMA is most common at raves and concerts.

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Addiction In College: The Effects Of Alcohol

Alcohol is the most popular and dangerous drug on college campuses by far. To many, drinking is synonymous with the college experience; alcohol is nearly always present at house parties, sporting events, and student get-togethers. Because the use of alcohol during college is widespread and often condoned, many college students end up drinking more alcohol more frequently than their peers who aren’t in college.

Four out of five college students drink alcohol.

Nearly half of students who drink have reported binge drinking, according to a report by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Excessive drinking is not only a major health concern in the long term, it can lead to immediate tragedies such as assault, injury, arrest, and death in the short term.

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Greek Life And Abuse

Although fraternities and sororities aim to create a family-like environment for college students to pursue academic and philanthropic endeavors, drinking and drug abuse in the Greek system is more common than in students outside the system.

Students who are part of the Greek system are up to 26% more likely to binge drink.

- US Department of Education’s Higher Education Center

Fraternity and sorority members are also more likely than their non-Greek peers to abuse prescription drugs, including Adderall.

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Diet Pills And Eating Disorders In College

College students as a group are considered high-risk for the development of eating disorders. Up to 25% of all college students struggle with an eating disorder, according to a report by the National Institute of Mental Health.

Alarmingly, that number is on the rise; one study showed the number of both men and women affected by an eating disorder has grown significantly over the past two decades. Many college students turn to Diet Pill abuse to help them lose weight. This can cause severe health problems up to and including death.

Find Help For Drug Or Alcohol Addiction

If you are a college student struggling with binge drinking, drug abuse, or an eating disorder, you don’t have to face this difficult situation alone. Get in touch with a treatment provider.

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Author

Jeffrey Juergens

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  • Jeffrey Juergens earned his Bachelor’s and Juris Doctor from the University of Florida. Jeffrey’s desire to help others led him to focus on economic and social development and policy making. After graduation, he decided to pursue his passion of writing and editing. Jeffrey’s mission is to educate and inform the public on addiction issues and help those in need of treatment find the best option for them.

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Reviewed by Certified Addiction Professional:

David Hampton

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  • A survivor of addiction himself, David Hampton is a Certified Professional Recovery Coach (CPRC) and a member of the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC).

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