Popular Drugs for College Students
Drugs on Campus: Popular Drugs for College Students
Popular drugs for college students have varied over the years, however drug use among college students has remained a constant problem. For many young people who attend college, they view it as their first taste of freedom and independence. Nonetheless, many college students abuse their newfound freedom and independence. Drug and alcohol use on college campuses is very common among students. The issue of drug and alcohol abuse among college students often goes overlooked because students don't have as much contact with their families, making the issue harder to combat against. Alcohol has been deemed the most used drug in college and on college campuses. According to USA today, 50 percent of the 5.4 million full time college students in the United States have admitted to binge drinking or drug use at least once a month.
Popular drugs for college students include but are not limited to:
- Marijuana
- Alcohol
- Prescription Drugs (i.e. stimulants, depressants, and narcotics)
- Over the counter drugs
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- Designer Drugs (i.e. ecstasy and Molly)
Alcohol & Marijuana
Alcohol remains the most used drug in college, reports from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 4 out of 5 college students drink alcohol. And a large percentage of those who do drink alcohol are under aged. Being as though the average college student is between the ages of 18 and 22 years old and the legal drinking age is 21, underage drinking on college campuses is a huge problem. Drinking is commonly perceived by college students as a vital part of their college experience. Man students begin to establish drinking habits and being in a college environment can further perpetuate these habits. Marijuana is the next most used drug in college, according to reports 47 percent of college students have admitted to having used marijuana at least once and 30 percent admitted to using within the past year. Most college students perceive that the drug is not harmful or addictive. Marijuana and alcohol are believed to be more socially acceptable among college students, making use of these substances consistent over the years.
Prescription Drugs and Other Illicit Drugs
While use of prescription drugs and other illicit substances such as cocaine and ecstasy aren't as popular as the use of alcohol and marijuana, they are still commonly used among college students. Ecstasy is one of the more popular illicit drugs used on college campuses, it's typically deemed as a club or "rave" drug. One study found that almost 13 percent of college students have used ecstasy at least once in their lives.
A growing epidemic across college campuses in the United States is the abuse of prescription drugs. According to one study, 62 percent of the group of students surveyed with a valid prescription shared their prescription with students who did not have one.
The Truth About College Students and Drug Addiction
College students and drug addiction may not seem as if they should be said in the same sentence, however drug addiction among college students is not uncommon. One of the biggest barriers in recognizing substance abuse and addiction in college students is actually being around them to observe for signs of drug use. Being as though college students are away from home and constantly among their peers, identifying substance abuse or addiction can be very challenging. If you are a college student and suspect that you or one of your peers may be abusing drugs or alcohol, there are signs you can look for. Common warning signs that may insinuate the presence of a substance use problem may include:
- Poor academic performance
- Experiencing legal troubles in relation to substance
- Isolation and withdrawing from friends
- Engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors
- Decreased focus
- Unexplained weight gain or loss
- Depression
- Lack of motivation
- Exhibiting mood swings and violent outbursts
- Using prescription drugs without a prescription
Popular drugs for college students may be overwhelming. These are just some of the signs associated with substance abuse and addiction among college students. If you suspect that your loved one in college may be suffering from substance abuse or addiction, encourage them to seek help today. Call drug treatment centers Toms River today at (877) 804-1531 to review your treatment options.