Addiction In College Students

Signs Of Addiction In College Students

Signs of drug and alcohol addiction in college students may vary, but common signs imply they may have a problem and need help. Some signs include being late or absent from classes, missing project or assignment deadlines, or acquiring legal issues on or off campus.

While signs of drug abuse in college students may vary, there are specific criteria for being diagnosed with a substance use disorder (SUD) in college. The criteria listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) include the following:

• Uses more of a substance and for a longer time than intended
• Inability to stop drinking or using drugs despite their efforts to do so
• Spending much of their time using, seeking, or recovering from the use of alcohol or drugs
• Having intense cravings or urges to drink or use drugs
• Continuing to use alcohol or drugs even though it interferes with their ability to complete academic or other duties
• Continuing to use substances even though it causes significant relationship problems
• Avoiding engaging in activities they once enjoyed to use alcohol or drugs
• Putting themselves in danger to continue drinking or using drugs
• Continuing to use alcohol or drugs even though they know it will cause or worsen physical or psychological problems
• Building a tolerance to alcohol or drugs
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when they go without alcohol or drugs

Meeting up to three of these signs of drug abuse in college students indicates a mild substance use disorder, four to six signs equals a moderate disorder, and more than six signs means a severe disorder. Having a mild, moderate, or severe SUD can lead to dire consequences for students, and they should seek professional help immediately.

Causes Of Addiction In College Students

The high rates of drug and alcohol addiction in college students can be attributed to both internal and external factors.

Coping With Stress

To cope with social, personal, and academic stressors, students may drink alcohol or misuse prescription or illicit drugs to help them relax or deal with mental health symptoms. Some students take stimulants, such as Adderall, to help them stay awake long enough to study or complete assignments by their due dates. Others drink alcohol to help them relax.

Peer Pressure

College students who are surrounded by other people experimenting with recreational drugs are more likely to try those substances for themselves. College students are vulnerable, exploring many new aspects of their lives. It’s common for that self-exploration to extend into drug experimentation, especially with peer encouragement.

Genetics

Genetics and inherited traits of relatives are a known risk factor for addiction. College students who have parents, siblings, or extended family members with addiction characteristics are at risk of developing addiction themselves.

Availability Of Drugs And Alcohol

Even though the drinking laws apply to college students, who must be 21 to purchase alcohol in the U.S., it seems to be easily accessible on campuses.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), nearly 50% of college students reported drinking alcohol, and over 29% reported binge drinking in the month before the survey. Further, 14% of full-time college students met the diagnostic criteria for alcohol use disorder.

What Drugs Do College Students Use Most?

Alcohol has typically been the substance of choice among college students in America. However, college students are known to misuse other substances and mix alcohol with drugs. Many college students engage in extreme misuse of alcohol and drugs, leading to alcohol or drug toxicity, overdose, and, in some cases, fatalities.

Results of the NSDUH show the following:

• 80% prevalence of alcohol use
• 46% prevalence of alcohol and marijuana co-use
• 8.4% prevalence of prescription stimulant use
• 5.6% prevalence of non-medical prescription drug use
• 3.8% prevalence of prescription opioid use
• 5% prevalence of hallucinogen use
• 3.1% prevalence of cocaine use

Some college students put themselves at higher risk of adverse consequences when they misuse more than one substance simultaneously. Drug interactions, including prescription and non-narcotic medicines, can lead to changes in how substances are metabolized and lead to unnecessary health risks.

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The Long- And Short-Term Impacts Of Substance Use In College Students

College students who misuse alcohol or drugs experience adverse short and long-term effects, personally and academically. According to Campus Drug Prevention, students who misuse alcohol or drugs are more likely to have the following:

• Trouble with cognitive processing, making learning and retaining information more challenging
• Altered reward processing in the brain
• Less commitment to academic pursuits, assignments, projects, or exams
• Declining grades and overall GPA
• Failure to take advantage of all that the university has available

Aside from these impacts, drug and alcohol misuse can lead to physical and psychological damage that is irreversible. Some students may be unable to complete their college degree, impacting their career choices, financial goals, and personal dreams. They may also lose meaningful relationships, experience social isolation, and develop or worsen mental health disorders.

Going To Rehab While In College

Deciding to seek addiction treatment while in college is a significant decision. Colleges today recognize the importance of receiving proper treatment for SUDs. They encourage seeking help and doing whatever is possible to help you continue your academic path. However, each student with an addiction has different needs. Therefore, colleges cannot definitively answer how treatment will impact their studies.

The good news is that multiple addiction treatment options can help you overcome drug or alcohol use disorders and graduate from college.

Inpatient Treatment

Students with severe substance use disorders may need to leave college temporarily for medically supervised detox and rehab. The time it takes to detox varies, usually less than a couple of weeks. After detox, some students can begin outpatient treatment, while others may need to remain at an inpatient rehab or residential rehab until they become more stable.

Outpatient Treatment

Mild or moderate drug and alcohol addiction in college students may be treated in outpatient detox, partial hospitalization, or intensive outpatient programs. They can schedule classes around their treatment program activities. For outpatient treatment, it is crucial to have a supportive home environment. Living on campus with other students who continue to misuse substances is not a healthy alternative.

How Can Parents Help?

If you have a child in college, you can be most helpful by recognizing the signs of drug abuse and getting them into treatment early on. Thinking they are going through a typical phase or that they will grow out of their unhealthy behaviors can prevent them from succeeding in school. It also puts them at risk of adverse consequences.

Parents can also do the following:

• Contact the college’s campus counseling center and help your child access resources. Many schools have recovery housing, substance abuse groups, and programs.
• Avoid bailing out your child from on-campus legal issues. Instead, support them through the consequences.
• Attend family addiction counseling with your child.
• Attend family support groups like Al-Anon.
• Avoid enabling your child and learn how to get them into treatment if they refuse to go.

Stay involved in your child’s life and know which activities they engage in while away at college. With today’s technology, it is much easier to openly communicate with them about their college lifestyle.

How To Talk to Your College Student About Substance Use

Once you are aware your college student is showing signs of substance misuse, you must engage in serious conversations about getting them the treatment they need. When talking with them, use the following tips as guidelines:

• Discuss genetics and how addiction may run in families
• Avoid blame, accusations, and judgments
• Be prepared for each possible response from your child
• Be open and honest when answering questions
• Allow your child to speak freely without judgment
• Listen without interruption
• Express your love and care for your child
• Present treatment options
• Establish boundaries and bottom lines
• Follow through with boundaries and bottom lines if they refuse treatment

Working with a mental health professional, including those in campus counseling centers, will help you prepare to talk to your child, plan an intervention, and find treatment and support at all stages.

Campus Addiction Treatment Programs

Most colleges have campus counseling centers where students can receive assessments to determine the needed treatment. They also have therapists and doctors who can evaluate and treat their needs. Sometimes, students may need to seek treatment off campus at intensive treatment centers. Their campus therapist can make a referral for placement into a local facility.

Anyone seeking treatment can return and enter a recovery environment, typically including sober housing, multiple support groups, sober social events and activities, addiction counseling, and safe spaces.

Resources For Students Struggling With Addiction

Students struggling with addiction can find help by contacting their on-campus counseling center. They can reach out to them online or in person. Students can also access the following:

• National Institute on Mental Illness (NAMI): On Campus
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Helpline
• SMART™ Recovery Meetings
• Explore our rehab directory to search by location, substance, and payment options

Sober Apps

Sober apps are tools college students can access using their smartphones or computers. Once they create an account, they can find information regarding substance abuse, take self-assessments, and find the right level of care when needed. Examples of sober apps include the following:

HereNow Connect

HereNow Connect is a free app that helps people recover. The app is easy to download on Google Play and the App Store and helps someone:

• Track sobriety
• Connect with counselors
• Receive clinical support
• Set reminders
• Journal
• Access videos and other library resources

The clinical resources, like messaging with counselors, are available during daily business hours. However, all other benefits are available around the clock.

IAmSoberApp

The IAmSoberApp is also available on Google Play and the App Store and allows users to track sobriety and milestones. They can also make daily pledges and document daily activities.

Sober App

Sober App was created by a certified drug and alcohol professional for relapse prevention. It features GPS tracking, allowing other users to locate you if you need help. You can reach out for immediate help if you are having temptations. The app also offers mindfulness and stress reduction tools.

In addition to apps, students can utilize support groups, therapy, and other support resources to help them complete their college degrees while in recovery. The first step is the most important one: asking for help.

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If you feel overwhelmed or confused about finding the right resources, help is available. Contact a treatment provider today; they can answer your rehab-related questions, listen to your concerns, and discuss your treatment options.