Many college students find themselves abusing drugs and alcohol for various reasons. Some young adults use drugs to study, while others overindulge in alcohol to fit in. Some athletes misuse steroids or prescription drugs to improve performance, while college students involved with Greek life might feel compelled to use substances for social reasons. Although common, misusing prescription pills, drinking excessively, and using drugs are dangerous habits that can have grim and sometimes fatal consequences. The good news is that college students can receive treatment for substance abuse and addiction challenges without quitting school.
Research consistently shows that drug and alcohol use among students is a troubling trend at colleges and universities across the country. According to data revealed in a recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health:
Data from a 2019 National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) report reveals that more than 50% of full-time college students admitted to drinking alcohol at least once a month. Twenty-eight percent of college students reported binge drinking at least once.
According to a Monitoring the Future College Students and Young Adults Survey, marijuana use among college-aged students is at an all-time high. In 2018, 42.5 percent of college students admitted to using marijuana consistently.
Research shows that most college students who misuse drugs choose prescription medications like Adderall, illicit substances like marijuana, or alcohol. Although common, these aren’t the only substances abused by college students.
Some of the most common substances abused by young adults in colleges and universities include:
The good news is college students grappling with addiction can get the help they need from outpatient addiction treatment.
Outpatient rehabilitation is a non-residential, behavioral therapy-based treatment for drug and alcohol addiction. Unlike inpatient rehab, this treatment program doesn’t require people to spend a certain amount of time living in a rehabilitation center. Instead, people can live independently and attend therapy sessions as scheduled.
Generally, outpatient addiction treatment is most effective for people who have:
During outpatient treatment, individuals take part in different types of therapy, including, but not limited to:
Often, individuals try different types of counseling and therapy to find what works best. Many individuals participating in outpatient addiction treatment also go through the 12-step program for recovery.
College students looking to quit using substances may want to consider outpatient rehabilitation because of the unique benefits this type of treatment provides. In addition to being able to continue living on campus or at home, college students receiving outpatient treatment can:
Some other benefits of outpatient addiction treatment include:
Here, at Meta, we pride ourselves on providing real recovery for real people. College can be a fun and exciting time in an adolescent’s life. But we also know that attending college can be stressful, overwhelming, lonely, and full of social pressures. Living through that kind of experience can leave young adults feeling depressed and anxious. Feeling that way can lead to self-medication and addiction. But there’s hope.
Outpatient treatment programs can help college students get their life back on track without missing a semester or year of school. Outpatient programs can also help students develop healthier social circles and find like-minded friends. The missteps you make in college shouldn’t define your entire life. Contact us today if you or a college student you love is grappling with addiction challenges. We can help them have an enjoyable, healthy, and thriving college experience without drugs or alcohol.
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