Statistics Of Substance Abuse Among College Students

How Many College Students Abuse Drugs Or Alcohol?

Data from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) indicates that among young adults aged 18 to 25 (which includes most college students), 27.1% had a substance use disorder (SUD) in the past year.

College Drug And Alcohol Abuse Statistics

According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 49.6% of college students consumed alcohol in the past month. A total of 14% of them met the criteria for an alcohol use disorder in the previous year, and about 100,000 students between 18 and 24 years old are arrested yearly for alcohol-related offenses. Additionally, over 1,500 students between 18 and 24 died the previous year from alcohol-related injuries.

Further college student substance use statistics include the following:

• Over 22% of college students reported having used an illegal drug in the past 30 days.
• Approximately 12% of all college students report that they have illicitly used prescription medications such as benzodiazepines, stimulants, and opioids.
• Male students show higher rates than females of using illicit drugs other than marijuana.
• A total of 9.9% of all college students reported having abused Adderall in the past year.
• Male students show higher rates of Adderall abuse.
• A total of 4% of college students have tried cocaine, with 1.4% reporting past month use.
• MDMA was used by 2.9% of young adults in the year 2023.
• Those between the ages of 18 and 25 have a higher prevalence of illicit opioid use compared to all other age groups.

Overall, the prevalence of drug abuse among female college students is 45% and 44.8% for males.

How Many College Students Binge Drink?

Among college students, alcohol is the most commonly abused substance. Nearly 40% of college students engage in binge drinking, a high-risk behavior that involves consuming four or more drinks for females and five or more drinks for males within a two-hour timeframe. This shows that almost one-third of college students are drinking alcohol in a manner that could cause both serious safety issues and dangerous health outcomes.

What Drugs Are College Students Using?

According to 2023’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the drugs most often used by college students are:

Additionally, the number of students microdosing LSD, mushrooms, MDMA, and hallucinogens has become more common, although there is not currently enough research regarding the prevalence or any potential negative effects.

The prevalence of abuse of specific drugs often varies based on availability, price, shifting societal attitudes, and changes to laws regarding drug possession.

How Many College Students Have An Addiction?

A 2024 study published in the Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports journal found that approximately 21 % of US college students met DSM-5 criteria for an SUD. This large number of college students with a substance use disorder is tied to academic expectations, social pressure, and difficulty handling stress, among other factors.

While an estimated two out of five US college students have a substance use disorder, sustained abstinence remission of the disorder was only seen in 1–2%, and the majority did not receive any treatment.

Attitudes About Drug Use Among College Students

Attitudes about drug use in college students vary greatly. They also influence the extent to which a college student will use drugs:

• Approximately 93% approved of marijuana use but not of any other drugs.
• Over 23% of young adults viewed those who regularly consume marijuana as having a substance use problem.
• Having peers who use drugs normalizes its use to college students.
• Nearly 98% of college students have reported being against using cocaine, heroin, and MDMA.
• Approximately 65% stated that they think those who use MDMA are at risk of causing themselves harm.
• Almost 85% viewed cocaine users to be at risk.
• Over 90% viewed heroin use to be significantly dangerous.
• Over 60% view LSD as a harmful substance.
• About 50% believed that their peers would consider it dangerous to drink excessively once or twice a week.
• Over 64% of those between the ages of 18 and 25 viewed frequent binge drinking as a health risk.

A significant factor in determining potential use is how harmful a student perceives a particular substance to be. The social influence of peers is also correlated with college students’ views about the use of them, with approximately half of all young adults reporting that their peers think that using drugs is dangerous.

How Many College Students Go To Rehab?

Despite the significant percentage of college students with a substance use disorder, only approximately 5% end up attending rehab for it. This shows a notable gap between those who would benefit from treatment and those who seek it out and receive it.

Reasons for this gap include a lack of awareness about addiction treatment for college students, perceived stigma, and worries about missing classes if treatment were to be obtained.

Treating College Drug Abuse

Helping college students combat substance misuse often involves a collaborative effort from family members and other people in a student’s life.

Campus Resources

College campuses are usually places that provide myriad resources for those who are struggling with addiction.

Increasing student awareness about the help available on campus assists those who need it to find therapy and substance abuse treatment. Campuses often have a counseling center, which may include psychotherapy by doctoral-level students.

Colleges also have health centers on campus that can provide information about further local options for help and treatment. College health centers are able to work together with students’ families and academic advisors to provide a strong support system for those who are struggling. Additionally, 12-step groups are often available on campus.

Professional Treatment

Multiple types of evidence-based forms of treatment are available and have been shown to help with addiction problems. These include outpatient therapy, partial hospitalization, and residential treatment, which is especially helpful if substance withdrawal is a concern.

These types of treatment can involve individual counseling, group therapy, family therapy, and peer support; they serve to address the multiple aspects of addiction that affect many students’ lives.

Explore These Featured Centers

Find A Treatment Center For College Students

If you or someone you love is struggling with substance abuse in college, help is available. Regardless of the substance or situation, you can contact a treatment provider today to get answers to your rehab-related questions and explore your treatment options.