Parents send their kids off to college not always understanding the dangers of drugs and alcohol abuse on campus. Those who do not have or know a student on campus will not understand this danger either so we are going to look at those dangers today.
We will explore some of the reasons and types of substances that college kids turn to.
Reasons for college students substance abuse
Each year 1000s of young students enter their first year of college; for many, it is the first time that they have been away from home more than a few nights. Some of the factors and reasons college students end up abusing substances include:
- Stress – from course work, part-time or full-time jobs, internships, and social responsibilities
- Social anxiety at social functions, meeting new people including roommates in the dorms.
- Peer pressure
- Curiosity
- Course load and level of difficulty
These are just some of the factors.
As students try to fulfill course work, jobs, and peer pressure added in of students using substances to help them stay away and focus more, to go to sleep and relax, and just to have fun it can be difficult not to join in.
The best way families can help reduce the risks is to teach children at a young age the skills and tools to handle life’s stresses, peer pressure, and anxieties. If they have those tools the risk is reduced that they will end up abusing substances in college.
5 substances that college students abuse
Let’s look at 7 of the most abused substances on college campuses and why. Understanding why can help us give our younger children the skills they need to resist the allure of drugs.
- Alcohol – is used to relax since it is a depressant, it can also be used to reduce social anxieties and for “fun” many kids when they are away from home will try things they have never done before so curiosity is another reason they will choose alcohol
- Stimulants – like Ritalin and Adderall are often used to keep the student awake and to help them focus better, it has become known as the “study” drug
- Marijuana – like alcohol is another drug choice that can relieve social anxieties, to relax, and curiosity
- Ecstasy
- Cocaine
On top of these drugs, college campuses are also prime targets for date rape drugs like HGB and others.
Recovery
Recovery can be achieved and maintained once the student learns the skills and tools they need. Prevention starts early in childhood by teaching our children better skills and tools that will allow them to make decisions when it comes to handling stress, anxiety, peer pressure, and other issues.
At 449 Recovery we provide a safe clean place to undergo continuously monitored detox and programs like CBT to learn the tools and skills needed to reduce the risk of relapse as well as stress and anxiety. Call us today (855) 435-7449 to learn more about our recovery programs for substance and alcohol abuse and addiction.