Substance Abuse among College Students

By Wildia Altema, Anaise Jordan, Laura Crim

College can be stressful, with students juggling schoolwork, social life, and work.  To cope, some turn to alcohol, drugs, or other substances, sometimes without realizing how harmful it can be. What might start as a way to relax or fit in can quickly lead to bigger problems, like mental health struggles, physical health issues, and falling behind in school. Substance abuse can seriously affect students’ well-being and future success, so it’s important to understand the risks and encourage healthier choices.

Leading Causes of Substance Abuse in College Students

In college, many factors contribute to substance abuse among students; college years are often a time when students go wild and want to experience everything. Some of the main reasons are peer pressure from friends, family, and parties. There is curiosity while being around drugs and being curious about the feel of substance. There are times that students turn to drugs due to mental illness since sometimes the only to cope with life and academic pressure is to use drugs and not feel something. “College students are one of the largest groups of substance abusers in the United States. Many turn to substances to deal with mental illness and academic stress, particularly using study drugs to help with their academics.” (Lofgran, 2019). However, students who battle mental health conditions and emotions of a sense of overwhelming anxiety, sadness, or hopelessness turn to narcotics for relief. There is also Greek life, which is where one is in a sorority and fraternity where it is easier to throw a party while having different substances available. “The study also concluded that living in a fraternity or sorority is linked to chronic binge drinking and marijuana use. Researchers in this study found that men and women who lived in fraternities for even a semester had higher rates of binge drinking during and after college than those who did not.” (Director, 2024).

One substance that most students abuse is Marijuana. “Marijuana is currently the most prevalent illicit drug used on college campuses, with nearly 1 in 3 students using the drug within the past 12 months.” (Most Commonly Abused Drugs on College Campuses – MTSU (Substance Abuse, n.d.)). The second one is alcohol. According to Kaliszewskin (2019), “As many as 1 in 3 students say they have abused alcohol at some point, and 1 in 5 have used an illicit drug.” They also have stimulants, which are medications to help students focus and help with staying on task, and to help with paying better attention. They are also opioids, which are prescription medications that are often misused and sometimes not prescribed. Research shows that drug use continues to be widespread and can lead to a lifelong battle for sobriety, especially for students.

 Mental and Emotional Effects

Substance abuse can take a toll on mental health leading to anxiety, depression, and emotional struggles. Many students turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with academic pressure or existing mental health struggles, but this can quickly become a cycle, using substances to feel better but ultimately feeling worse (American Addiction Centers, n.d.; Zhou et al., 2024). Over time, this can lead to low motivation, poor decision-making, and trouble managing emotions.

 Physical Effects

    Substance abuse can cause serious health problems, including liver damage, heart issues, and a weakened immune system (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2021). Different substances have different risks. For example, drinking too much alcohol can lead to alcohol poisoning, while drug use can result in overdoses.

 Impact on Academic Performance

Using substances can also make it harder to focus, remember things, and process information, all of which are crucial for learning (Zhou et al., 2024). This can lead to lower grades, less engagement in school, and missed classes. Studies show that students who use substances tend to have lower academic performance and are more likely to become disengaged from their studies (Bugbee et al., 2019; Washington and Lee University, n.d.).

 Substance Abuse Prevention

There are many ways to prevent substance abuse. Since 75% of people who have mental health disorders have their first onset of symptoms by the age of 25, it is crucial that students prioritize their mental health (Pedrelli et al., 2015). Substance abuse should not be used as a coping mechanism for disorders such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, or suicidal ideology. If you are experiencing a large amount of mental hardship then you should try to seek help from your school’s counselor, a therapist, or even try to reach out to your parents to seek help.

Drugs are not a heathy way to cope with stress and it is just an unhealthy way to escape issues. Alternative healthy coping mechanisms include but are not limited to, exercise, meditation, finding faith/religion, journaling, art, communicating with others, and even volunteering. According to recent studies, utilizing coping strategies can have an empowering effect and it is crucial for resisting cravings or temptations (Setiawan et al., 2024). It is incredibly important to be self-aware and it is necessary in order to prevent unhealthy habits.

 

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (https://988lifeline.org/) is a vital resource for anyone struggling with substance abuse, mental health challenges, or emotional distress. Available 24/7, this free and confidential service connects individuals with trained crisis counselors who provide immediate support, guidance, and referrals to appropriate local resources. Whether you're facing addiction, suicidal thoughts, or overwhelming stress, calling or texting 988 offers a lifeline to hope and recovery. No matter the situation, help is just a call away. 


References

American Addiction Centers. (n.d.). College students and substance abuse. Retrieved from https://americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/college

Bugbee, B. A., Beck, K. H., Fryer, C. S., & Arria, A. M. (2019). Substance use, academic performance, and academic engagement among high school seniors. Journal of School Health, 89(2), 145–156. https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.12723

Director, A. (2024, November 29). Causes of Substance Abuse in College Students. Banyan Treatment Center. https://www.banyantreatmentcenter.com/blog/causes-of-substance-abuse-in-college-students/

Kaliszewski, M. (2019, July 19). The 5 Most Commonly Abused Drugs in College. American Addiction Centers. https://americanaddictioncenters.org/blog/the-5-most-commonly-abused-drugs-in-college

Lofgran, S. (2019). Substance Abuse Among College Students in the United States. Ballard Brief. https://ballardbrief.byu.edu/issue-briefs/substance-abuse-among-college-students-in-the-united-states

Mochrie, K. D., Whited, M. C., Cellucci, T., Freeman, T., & Corson, A. T. (2020). ADHD, Depression, and Substance Abuse Risk among Beginning College Students. Journal of American College Health, 68(1), 6–10. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2018.1515754

Most Commonly Abused Drugs on College Campuses – MTSU Substance Abuse. (n.d.). Www.mtsu.edu. https://www.mtsu.edu/substance-abuse/most-commonly-abused-drugs-on-college-campuses/

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2021). Mental health, substance use, and wellbeing in higher education: Supporting the whole student. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/26015

Pedrelli, P., Nyer, M., Yeung, A. et al. (2015). College Students: Mental Health Problems and Treatment Considerations. Acad Psychiatry 39, 503–511. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40596-014-0205-9

Setiawan, A., Sahar, J., Santoso, B., Mansyur, M., & Syamsir, S. B. (2024). Coping Mechanisms Utilized by Individuals With Drug Addiction in Overcoming Challenges During the Recovery Process: A Qualitative Meta-synthesis. Journal of preventive medicine and public health = Yebang Uihakhoe chi, 57(3), 197–211. https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.24.042

Washington and Lee University. (n.d.). Health and behavioral risks of alcohol and drug use. Retrieved from https://my.wlu.edu/student-life/health-and-safety/student-health-and-counseling/health-library/alcohol-and-other-drugs/health-and-behavioral-risks-of-alcohol-and-drug-use

Zhou, J., Heim, D., & Monk, R. L. (2024). Substance use in university students: A comprehensive examination of its effects on academic achievement and psychological well-being. Journal of Substance Use and Misuse, 59(3), 345–356. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332985.2024.2306935

 




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