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Drug Addiction in College
How many college students are abusing drugs?
Almost half of the United States’ college students are abusing drugs or binge drinking at least once a month. Alcohol is still is the most used substance of abuse at colleges by a large margin. All the numbers for drug abuse in college have gone up with the exception of hallucinogens.
Drug addiction in college is common considering the fact that alcohol or drug addiction has higher rates in college students than in the general public. 22.9% of college students meet the medical definition for drug addiction compared with 8.5% of the general public. White students in college are more likely to have drug addiction than minority students too.
What drugs are those students in college addicted to though?
Well, believe it or not but it’s prescription drugs. Prescription drugs such as stimulants, sedatives, pain relievers are a problem, a growing one, on campuses all over the United States. The most common medication used by 90% of college students is Adderall which is used to help with ADHD and narcolepsy. Unbeknowst to many students who are just popping a few pills here and there to study better, Adderall is highly addictive. Many college students find themselves with a drug addiction before their freshman year is over. About 1 in 4 people ages 18-20 in college reported using medications not as prescribed and the research shows that college students who take prescription drugs for non-medical purposes are 5 times more likely to develop a drug addiction than those who don’t.
So what about people who aren’t students?
College students are less likely than their non-student peers to abuse drugs like heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine. But when it comes to alcohol and marijuana the college students are ahead on this drug addiction. The rate of alcohol related treatment admissions is much higher among college students than non-college students. College students accounted for 46.6% versus non college students at 30.6% according to SAMHSA.
Drug addiction in college can have some serious consequences aside from ending up in alcohol or drug treatment. Drug addiction in college can lead to academic failure, committing crimes, medical problems and social problems. Unfortunately in college many students can tell you why they are doing drugs but cannot see the future damage that a drug addiction in college can cause. Some students don’t realize they are supposed to be in school getting an education and preparing for the career and unfortunately see the experience as one big party! Drug addiction in college leads to skipping class, not studying for exams, and this can cause any student to fail some if not all of their classes. Drug addiction in college also causes many students to isolate and alienate themselves. This is why drug addiction in college is the cause of so many suicides, assaults, driving accidents, rapes, failed grades and more. Drug addiction in college can be severely consequential to those trying to get their degree and better their future. The sad thing is that drug use in college is not just common it is cool. Using Ritalin or Adderall to stay up and study is the “thing” to do.
If your loved one is in need of addiction treatment, please give us a call at 800-951-6135.
Sources:
http://www.ehow.com/info_7949308_effects-drug-abuse-college-students.html