Substance Abuse Trends in College

College is a time for higher education, growth, and finding yourself.

Unfortunately, college may also be a time for frat parties, binge drinking, wild tailgates, and experimenting with drugs. For many of these young adults, it may be the first time that they are on their own and free from their parent’s rule. It is natural that they may want to push the limits and go a little crazy, but this bad behavior could lead to some dangerous habits later on. As a drug and alcohol treatment center in Chicago, we are taking a look at alcohol and drug use in college and what these trends mean.

Alcohol Abuse in College Students

Underage drinking and binge drinking are common practices at colleges around the United States. According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 58% of full-time college students ages 18 to 22 reported drinking alcohol in the past month compared to only 48% of their peers not enrolled in full-time college; research also suggests that almost 20% of college students have an alcohol use disorder. [1] Because almost a quarter of college students meet the criteria for an alcohol use disorder, these numbers are concerning for the future as their alcohol addiction may persist without proper care like with our Chicago treatment center.

While drinking may seem like harmless good fun, it can also lead to missing classes, poor grades, alcohol poisoning, emergency room visits, drunk driving, assault, and serious legal issues. If you suspect that your loved one has taken their drinking habits beyond a normal recreational level, get them help with our alcohol treatment in Chicago.

Drug Abuse in College Students

Some students will use their time in college to also experiment with drugs. One survey estimated that 1 in 5 college students had used an illicit drug in the past month. [1] What might start as using drugs on occasion for euphoric effects or help with focusing, could easily lead to a drug addiction.

Although the use of marijuana, nicotine, and synthetic drugs is lower in college students than their peers not in college, young adults this age still have the highest rates of drug abuse than any other age population. [2] If your loved one has gone beyond recreational alcohol and drug use in college to a full-blown drug addiction, our PHP treatment in Illinois may be able to help.

Alcohol and drug use in college should not be ignored. Get your future back or the future of your loved one with our addiction treatment in Naperville. Recognize when drinking and alcohol use has crossed that line.

Contact us today at 888-280-4763 to learn more about our rehab centers in Illinois.

Sources:

1. SAMHSA – 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables
2. National Institute on Drug Abuse – Drug and Alcohol Use in College-Age Adults in 2017