Substance Use and Addiction Prevalence in College

Unfortunately, there’s little data available that could help us understand the entire scope of substance abuse and addiction levels on college campuses. However, according to the Jeanne Clery Act, colleges that receive public funding must provide reports on the crimes taking place within the perimeter of the university. These reports, which contain details on crimes related to drugs as well, are then published by the Office of Postsecondary Education.

This information can help paint a picture of drug usage rate on college campuses, though they by no means provide a definite answer to the question at hand.

In 2015, ProjectKnow analyzed the available data on college crimes and singled out drug and alcohol arrests on campus and found that the highest number of arrests took place in the West North Central and Central regions of the United States:

These states had, on average, 2.3 times higher chances of drug-related arrests. Moreover, Alaska had the most significant rate increase in campus drug arrests, though its total rate remained relatively low (0.93 rate).

Substance Abuse and Addiction Among College Students

Many psychologists consider college as a turning point from adolescence to adulthood. During this time, young people can live independently for the first time and be faced with making important decisions without supervision from guardians or parents. This sudden freedom students get during college can also make them susceptible to drug and alcohol use.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration, more than one-third of full-time college students (aged 18-22) engage in binge drinking, while one in five use illicit drugs. The institution also noted that substance use is one of the more severe public health issues concerning young adults in the United States. The problem can create adverse effects on health, social, and economic levels not just for the students, but also for their families and the communities which they are a part of.

Here’s a look at some substance use statistics according to SAMHSA:

The SAMHSA report underlines that college appears to be a time when young people start engaging in substance use. Of all substances, alcohol was, by far, the most frequently consumed drug by first-time, part-time, and full-time students, followed by marijuana. Heroin and inhalants were the least frequently used of all the categories.

A study published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine about the associations between race or ethnicity and 12-month rates of substance abuse found that consumption percentages tended to be higher for Hispanic and White students than for Asian or African American ones, especially regarding marijuana use. The same conclusion was valid for both male and female students.

Illicit substance use among female college students:

• 40% Hispanic women
• 38.1% White women
• 20.6% Asian women
• 18.7% African American women
• 11.7% women of other racial/ethnic background

Illicit substance use among college male students:

• 45.1% Hispanic men
• 41.5% White men
• 22.8% Asian men
• 34.1% African American men
• 28.3% Men of other racial/ethnic background

Understanding the National Trends

Addiction or Abuse?

Substance Abuse Recovery for College Students and Graduates

Experts must consider a variety of things when trying to determine what pushed a college student towards substance or alcohol abuse. However, young people can benefit from an array of different resources, should they decide to overcome their addiction and get sober.

For instance, many campus counselors can help students by guiding them to the appropriate resources for the exact problem they are facing. Additionally, many educational institutions offer students groups, student health centers or online resources that they can access whenever they feel the need. While these in-college resources might not be able to offer the solution to the addiction itself, they can help support and guide the student through their path towards a sober life.

Other resources available for students suffering from addiction or substance abuse include:

Addiction Recovery for College Students and Graduates

If the problem at hand is not substance abuse but addiction or substance dependency, then it’s vital for the student to receive comprehensive medical aid to turn their life around and get sober.

Substance addiction is an extremely complex problem, one that does not just affect college students, but many average Americans. Recovery from drug and alcohol addiction often starts with detoxification, a process during which doctors try to eliminate the addictive substance from the patient’s body.

But recovery from an addiction holds many stepping stones, and the detox process is just the first. College student facing this health issue can benefit from the help of rehabilitation programs that offer complete care to patients. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, these programs have a high success expectancy regarding full rehabilitation, especially if patients remain under treatment for a proper amount of time.

First Steps Towards Recovery

An addiction treatment plan will differ greatly from patient to patient, as it is done based on the individual needs of the college student. Moreover, the type of program chosen for treatment, as well as the clinic that provides it are also factors that may influence the treatment plan, since several of these centers can employ different methods of approaching addiction.

However, there are some common steps that most clinics employ:

Drug Detoxification

During this step, the doctors try to completely remove the substance to which a college student is addicted from their body. It is often one of the more unpleasant stages of rehabilitation due to the withdrawal symptoms.

The severity of withdrawal differs from patient to patient, but if they remain supervised at this stage, then the medical staff can administer any necessary medication to relieve pain and monitor the patient’s condition.

Behavior Therapy

Behavioral therapies can help address the patient’s mental and emotional state. A considerable part of addiction recovery involves helping the patient improve their mental state, identify the root of the addiction, and help them manage their recovery.

During this stage of treatment, the therapists may use several methods, such as:

• Individual, group, or family therapy;
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy;
• 12-steps groups;

Alternative Therapy

Some rehabilitation programs can also incorporate alternative approaches to addiction treatment. As such, they employ several leisure activities with the purpose of helping students acquire new skills or competencies, as well as offering them an escape during treatment.

Some holistic methods include:

Many alternative programs can be instrumental for students in learning how to manage cravings and avoid relapse, mainly when they are discharged from the clinic.

Support Groups

In addition to the treatment options described above, students with addiction issues are also encouraged to join support groups during their rehabilitation. Such groups can provide students with the necessary tools to maintain a sober life, manage cravings, and avoid relapse.

Moreover, such groups are free and have an open door policy, providing students in recovery with:

• A healthy environment in which they can feel included;
• A place to share experiences;
• The possibility to rely on others;
• The chance to develop more social skills;
• The opportunity to learn from other people’s experiences;

Many support groups for drugs and alcohol addiction are available to students on campus, making it increasingly easier for students to manage their recovery and their academic life.

Getting Help Today

A paper published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine criticizes that although there is increased interest in the scope of substance abuse and addiction on U.S. campuses, there are few resources available for students who want treatment. Those that exists can go severely unnoticed.