Addiction impacts all demographics, but young adults and late teens are at particular risk. More colleges and universities in the U.S. are grappling with increased drug use among their students. Here are a few startling facts about students and drug addiction.
Half of All Full-Time Students Abuse Drugs
Yup, it’s been reported that in the U.S. half of all full-time college students abuse drugs and alcohol, which is around 3.8 million people! Binge drinking, abusing prescription medications, and abusing illegal drugs are all-common on college campuses.
College Students Have Higher Addiction Rates
It was revealed that college students have a higher prevalence of drug addiction than the general public. But why is that? People that age begin to experiment, have less supervision, more disposal income, and new stressors in their life.
1 in 4 College Students Have Substance Abuse Issues
A study found that 1 in 4 of the U.S.’s college student population meets the medical criteria for substance abuse. That is around 22.9%, although some have estimated the number to be as high as 30%. More than a third of full-time students report binge drinking over the last month and one in five has used an illicit drug.
Some Substances are More Common Than Others
Not surprising, college students tend to prefer some substances over others. Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance, with around 80% of students abusing it. The next more commonly abused drug was marijuana, followed up by Adderall, which is a popular study aid drug.
Final Thoughts
Substance abuse issues are dangerous at any age, but young adults are particularly vulnerable. At that age, their brains are finishing developing, which could be compromised by alcohol and drug addiction. Thankfully, U.S. colleges and universities have begun to address these issues. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please contact us today.