Statistics are showing that substance abuse, including dangerous and fatal overdoses, are on the rise among college students. Still struggling from the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent wave of gun violence, more and more students are in a mental health crisis and are turning to drugs and alcohol. The added stress of college can lead many students to turn to substance abuse to cope.
This rising trend is alarming, as more and more of the drugs illegally purchased are lined with fentanyl which can be fatal in even low doses. This highly addictive drug is being mixed in with other substances in often unknown quantities. When cut into pills like Xanax, fentanyl can easily become a deadly combination for college students.
It is important that we educate college students on the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. Even the first time trying a drug or binge drinking can prove fatal. There are plenty of resources for students that are struggling with addiction, from on-campus counseling to recovery centers and support groups.
Fentanyl-Laced Substances Can Quicky Prove Fatal
Running rampant across college campuses, fentanyl is quickly becoming one of the most common drugs associated with substance abuse. Many college students are using fentanyl without even realizing it, as this is being laced with other drugs. 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine, fentanyl is being laced in pills and other substances without the taker even realizing it. This has led to an uptick of overdoses requiring hospitalization among college students and even death.
Binge Drinking Growing in Colleges Across the Country
Another substance abuse epidemic sweeping colleges is binge drinking. Classified as drinking four or more drinks for a woman and five or more for a man during a two-hour period, this practice can quickly become dangerous. Binge drinking can also lead to DUI arrests and other mistakes that will haunt young college students for their entire lives. This type of binge drinking and hazing at colleges often go hand in hand. Drinking to this extent can easily prove fatal for anyone, and college students are no exception as peer pressure can often play a role in substance abuse during these formative years.
Overcoming Addiction Through Treatment
This type of drug and alcohol abuse in college students is the sign of a bigger addiction problem. Treatment can help to keep the young person on the right track for their life, and away from these addictive substances. Through counseling, therapy and other treatment options, college students can find the sobriety that they need to keep their life on course.
Campbell Recovery Centers understands the struggles of young people dealing with a drug or alcohol problem. Through a combination of individual and group therapy, our addiction specialists can help the individual address not only the addiction itself but also any past trauma or experience that may be leading to the substance abuse. This type of integrative approach can offer the best chance of living a sober life.
