College can be a transforming experience for any individual. There are an unlimited amount of opportunities to grow and each day will bring a new adventure. No matter the degree you’re studying or where you chose to go, college can be a place where many create a sense of belonging for themselves and even decide on a clearer path in life. But above all, college is where many will experience a true sense of independence and a realization that they are able to make choices without close family influence. Unfortunately, some of those decisions have led to an increase in drug use in college.

Why is drug use in college so popular?

The combination of experiencing such an exciting transition into adulthood and then doing so without parental supervision can lead to negative consequences.^[1] This new sense of independence often drives an individual to participate in risky behavior, which may include experimenting with drugs. So why does trying drugs suddenly have an appeal once in college? It’s been shown that the increased rates of drug use in college can be tied to three main reasons^[1]:

Stress

College can come with a whirlwind of stressors. Students are expected to balance coursework, part-time jobs, internships, and social obligations on top of many other demanding tasks. They may turn to drugs as an outlet for stress relief.

Academic Performance

It’s not a secret that college can have high expectations from its students, sometimes expecting a dozen things at once. Drugs become tempting in the hopes they will help you perform at a higher level.

Curiosity

With all of the brand-new changes happening in a student’s life, they’re constantly finding themselves in new situations and want to explore everything that’s available to them. Unfortunately, when it comes to trying drugs, there’s no exception.

What drugs are being misused?

A recent study was conducted to see what specific drugs were being used and by how many students.^[2] When asked about alcohol and the frequency in which they drank, 32.4% of students admitted they had binged drank in the past two weeks (binge drinking means having 5 or more drinks in a row). Another 40.8% revealed they had been intoxicated at some point in the last month. The reason alcohol may be such a popular choice for college students is that it is more publicly accepted than other intoxicants and in some cases, even strongly encouraged by peers.^[1] Even as socially accepted as it may be, binge drinking can have a detrimental impact on a student’s academic performance and should be taken very seriously.

But besides alcohol, there are many other drugs that are found among campuses and college students.^[3] A compiled list shares what those drugs are and the statistics in how often they’re used^[2][4][5]:

Marijuana (daily use) – 4.9%
Adderall (past year) – 9.9%
Ecstasy/ Rave Scene – 12.7%
Cocaine – 5.1%

What are the consequences of using drugs in college?

Using drugs, especially through college, can have a lasting effect and lead to a lifetime of consequences. The results from a study done to gauge the negative effects, due solely, to drug use reveal that 262 students were asked about specific events they experienced while high or intoxicated, and the results are troubling.^[4]

Below are a few examples from the survey to show what students have experienced while using drugs. All participants confirmed that the negative consequences occurred because of their drug use:

45% admitted they had done something that led them to feel guilty or ashamed
44% said they had skipped completing homework or even studying for a test
43% shared they felt physically bad while high or intoxicated
28% confessed they had ended up taking drugs in larger amounts than originally planned and continued taking drugs, in general, for a longer period of time than they expected
25% agreed that they tended to lose interest in activities or hobbies they previously loved, while 16% even ended up losing a close friend
22% stated they had been physically hurt and 15% admitted they had actually hurt someone else

Besides the statistics above, what is more concerning, is during that survey, 65% of the students interviewed also revealed, they still enjoyed using drugs, all consequences considered.

Even if you feel your drug use or drinking habits haven’t negatively impacted your life yet, experimenting with drugs in college can quickly turn into something more dangerous. If someone uses drugs on a daily basis, their body may build up a tolerance to that substance.^[6] If this occurs, the individual may continue to increase their intake amount or possibly, move on to a harsher substance, in order to get a stronger reaction.

Continued after infographic:

How can I get help?

Anyone can suffer from alcohol or drug addiction, but more importantly, anyone can get help. Here at Ocean Hills Recovery, we offer many options to help you beat this addiction, once and for all. At our center, we offer the following options to assist with recovery:

Detox
Inpatient residential treatment
Intervention services
Dual diagnosis
PHP
12- step recovery

Not every option may be for you, but there is always something for everyone. If you are struggling with drug addiction or binge drinking and don’t want to fight this battle alone, please contact our center for more information and recovery options.

We are ready to help, please contact us right away and we’ll start the road to recovery, together.

Sources:

[1] https://vocal.media/education/effect-of-drugs-on-college-students

[2] https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/infographics/drug-alcohol-use-in-college-age-adults-in-2016

[3] https://www.collegemagazine.com/the-toll-cocaine-takes-on-college-students-and-beyond/

[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3005618/

[5] http://cls.umd.edu/docs/Cocaine.pdf

[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3856915/

About the author:

ocean hills

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does drug and alcohol rehab last?

The length of your stay at drug and alcohol rehab will vary for each person attending rehab and from treatment center to treatment center. Most inpatient programs are at least 30 days long; however, some programs may incorporate a shorter inpatient stay with a more extended outpatient stay. The best rehab centers will provide a more custom treatment plan for each person that takes into account the individual’s needs before determining the length of treatment. Ocean Hills Recovery offers a variety of options for addiction treatment. A typical stay at our inpatient drug and alcohol rehab programs last between 30 to 45 days.

Do I need inpatient or outpatient treatment?

Outpatient is an excellent option for people who are unable to take time away from work or their families while receiving addiction treatment. Inpatient treatment is an excellent option for people who can be away from their work or families for at least several weeks for treatment. We recommend that you contact a reliable treatment center, like Ocean Hills Recovery, for a complete assessment before you decide whether inpatient or outpatient treatment for addiction is best for you.

Should I get addiction treatment locally or away?

The answer to whether you should go away or stay local for addiction treatment is very individual. Many people need to get away from their everyday life for them to fully submerge themselves in their addiction recovery process. For these individuals, going to an out of state treatment center is the best option to be able to commit fully and concentrate on their recovery. For others, this is not an option because of work or family obligations.

What do I do if I don’t have insurance for drug rehab?

There are options for drug rehab, even if you don’t have insurance. When you decide to get help, the best thing to do is to find a treatment philosophy that you believe may help and contact them for assistance. Rehab professionals can help you determine if you have insurance coverage for addiction treatment, and what options are best for you. Many drug rehabs accept insurance but also have private pay, or financing options available. Contact our rehab admissions specialist today, and we can help you navigate insurance questions, payment options, and treatment plans.

How to find a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center?

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website is a great place to start when you are looking for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. We recommend that you make a list of a few different centers to contact and speak with them to get a feel for their programs, therapies, and staff and find the center that you feel most comfortable with. Have a list of questions that you can ask each center to help you through the process. One of the most important questions to ask is if the rehab holds accreditation by CARF. Having a state license is no longer enough to ensure that a rehab center is reputable. If the rehab holds CARF accreditation, they have had to meet a more strict set of guidelines and procedures.

Do I need detox before addiction treatment?

Many people require detox to help manage withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs. There are several factors that we take into consideration to determine if you will need detox before addiction treatment. Our admissions professionals work with each person to obtain a thorough history of substance use and other medical conditions to help make the appropriate recommendations for care. You must give accurate information so that we can keep you as comfortable as possible if you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. However, detox is only the first step in addiction recovery. For long-lasting addiction recovery, a person must deal with the underlying issues that lead to substance use in the first place. Contact us today for a confidential assessment.

Drug use in College Students