Substance Abuse

Substance abuse is common among college students. Students believe that drugs will relieve their stress and give them the peace they need. However, drugs make things exponentially worse by causing more physical, mental, and social problems. According to a USA Today Study, about half of the nation’s 5.4 million college students admit to binge drinking or taking drugs at least once per month. Furthermore, according to 2019 Monitoring the Future survey. College students have the highest marijuana and illicit drug use, such as amphetamines, cocaine, hallucinogens, and MDMA. The common causes of substance abuse among college students include:

1. Peer Pressure: College is a time to build relationships, meet new people and make new memories. However, at the same time, there’s a higher chance of giving in to peer pressure. As party culture becomes more and more popular on many campuses, a student may choose to do what everyone else says to find a sense of belonging.
2. Social Anxiety: It can be hard meeting new people and making friends, especially in a new environment like college. It can be overwhelming and scary, especially for introverts. To calm down and loosen up a student may turn to alcohol and drugs, which would eventually lead to substance abuse. Furthermore, individuals with anxiety are at an increased risk to develop a substance use disorder
3. Greek life: Many college students join fraternities and sororities to find a place where they belong, meet new people, and make memories. At the same time, drug abuse and alcohol can play a major role when it comes to fitting into Greek life on college campuses. A recent study found that men and women living in fraternities and sororities have higher binge drinking and marijuana use rates.
4. Curiosity: With the newfound freedom students by nature are curious to try out new things. Combined with peer pressure, this often leads many students to try drugs and alcohol to see what it’s like.
5. Academic success: With the increased pressure placed on academic performance, college can be stressful. Being able to balance social and academic life can also be hard, especially in a new environment like college. So, students turn to stimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin (study drugs). Although a medical professional may prescribe these medications for ADHA, some students abuse them to stay up all night to study.
6. Coping with mental health issues: According to the Texas Medical Association, young adults are at an increased risk of stimulants, non-prescription medication, and marijuana abuse. Mental illness doesn’t cause substance abuse, but some students use substances to cope with symptoms. In the short term, these substances may help relieve symptoms but at the same time, they can also ultimately make symptoms worse.

There are many negative effects of drug abuse: :

• A weakened immune system
• Increased risk of illness and infection
• Heart conditions range from heart attacks to collapsed veins
• Nausea and abdominal pain
• Increased strain on the liver
• Seizures ad strokes
• Brain and mental damage
• Lung Disease
• Problems with memory, attention, and decision making
• Increase in body temperature

These are all the negative effects of substance abuse. Now that the severity of substance abuse has been acknowledged here are the top five ways to prevent substance abuse:

• Understand how substance abuse develops: Substance abuse starts by using addictive drugs for recreational purposes, seeking out intoxication, and abusing prescription medication.
• Avoid Peer pressure and temptation: Develop healthy friendships and relationships by avoiding individuals who prevent you to use substances.
• Seek help for mental illness: Mental illness and substance abuse often go hand in hand. A professional will provide you with healthy coping skills to alleviate your symptoms without turning to drugs and alcohol
• Examine Risk Factors: The more you are aware of your biological, environmental, and physical risk factors the more likely you are to overcome them.
• Have a well-balanced life: People often turn to drugs if something in their life is missing. Practice stress management skills as they will help you live a balanced and healthy life.

Do not lose your lives to substance. If you or someone you know is suffering from substance abuse talk to a professional or call the Substance Abuse and Mental health Services Administration hotline: 1-800-662-4357.

Sources:

pvamu.gov, Tips for Preventing Substance Abuse

americanaddictioncenters.org, Substance Abuse In College Students: Statistics & Rehab Treatment

timely.md, Statistics and Signs of Substance Abuse in College Students