Substance Abuse In College Students: Statistics & Rehab Treatment

Substance misuse is (unfortunately) common among college students and can result in a range of academic, physical, mental, and social problems. One study found that nearly half of participating college students met the criteria for at least one substance use disorder (SUD). And according to the 2024 Monitoring the Future survey, in 2023, young adults aged 19-30 had historically high prevalence levels of cannabis, vaping cannabis and nicotine, and hallucinogen use.^1,2

Alcohol and drug use in college can interfere with your academic performance, decrease the chances of obtaining post-college employment, and cause many additional consequences.¹

Causes of Substance Abuse Among College Students

College is intended to be an era of self-discovery, independence, and experiencing what the world has to offer. But for so many students, the weight of expectations placed on them by parents, teachers, other students, society, and even themselves, sometimes makes these college years incredibly challenging.

Additionally, on college campuses across the country, alcohol flows quite freely, and drugs may be more readily available. Some students may use substances as a way to escape from all the stress; others may take certain drugs to try and boost academic performance. However, any misuse of any substance has the potential to lead to the development of a substance use disorder.

What Drugs Do College Students Use Most?

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) explains that college students frequently use and misuse alcohol. However, many students come to campus with pre-existing drinking habits as well.⁵

Besides alcohol, the substances most commonly used by college students include:^1,2,6

• Marijuana. Past-year and past-month use of marijuana are highest among people in their early 20s. Vaping marijuana is highest among people aged 19-20.
• MDMA (ecstasy), LSD, and other psychedelic or hallucinogenic drugs. Hallucinogen use has risen in recent years. Micro-dosing, the act of using small doses of hallucinogens to achieve a slight effect, has also increased among college students in recent years.
• Stimulant medications, such as dextroamphetamine (Adderall), often referred to as “study drugs”. While the nonmedical use of prescription stimulants such as Adderall or Ritalin—both medications used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)—has declined in recent years, female college students are 2 times as likely to misuse stimulant medications than their noncollege counterparts. Students with lower GPAs and those who skipped more classes are also at a higher risk of misusing stimulant medications.
• Cocaine. Studies indicate that cocaine use has increased in the last decade. However, the prevalence declined slightly among college-aged individuals.
• Painkillers and opioids. Prescription opioid misuse has become a leading cause of unintentional injury and death among young adults in the United States. That being said, use among this population has shown a decline in recent years.

The Long- and Short-Term Impacts of Substance Use in College Students

Substance abuse can cause many consequences for college students that are not limited to their academic life. Some of the short- and long-term impacts of drug and alcohol misuse in college students can include:^5,7,8

• Decreased academic performance. Substance misuse can lead to a lower GPA, less time spent studying, missing class, getting behind on assignments, dropping out, or being expelled.
• Risky or dangerous behaviors. This can include doing things you normally wouldn’t do, like driving under the influence, being involved in assault (either as a victim or perpetrator), getting into fights, stealing, or engaging in risky sexual behaviors or date rape. Many of these behaviors can be potentially lethal.
• Poor health. You can suffer from many physical health consequences, including hangovers, nausea, injury, negative effects on your immune system, and risk of overdose or death. You may also experience poor mental health, decreased cognitive performance, short-term memory loss, addiction, or increased risk of suicide.
• Social consequences. You can lose friendships and important relationships due to substance use. You may be more socially isolated if you spend much of your time using alcohol or drugs.

What Are Colleges Doing About Drug & Alcohol Abuse?

Many colleges and government institutions are taking action to help prevent or manage substance misuse and drug addiction in students. For example, the Collegiate Recovery Programs (CRPs) or Collegiate Recovery Communities (CRCs) are college-based programs designed to help promote recovery in students through drug- and alcohol-free opportunities to socialize, live in substance-free housing, get crisis support, and more.¹

The NIAAA collaborated with college alcohol researchers and staff to develop the College Alcohol Intervention Matrix (CollegeAIM), which is a comprehensive and easy-to-use booklet and website that help colleges identify specific individualized interventions and both prevent and deal with alcohol misuse on campus.⁹ These interventions can include education and awareness programs, cognitive-behavioral skills education, motivational approaches, and behavioral interventions offered by healthcare professionals.⁵

Research has shown that other initiatives can meet the needs of college students struggling with addiction. These include offering campus-based 12-Step or other support meetings such as Students for Recovery, offering substance use counseling by trained professionals, providing campus education to reduce the stigma of accessing help, scheduling classes on Fridays to reduce alcohol-related partying on Thursdays, monitoring fraternities and sororities, and having longer opening hours for recreational facilities and libraries.^10,11

The Renewed Purpose addiction treatment program at Greenhouse Treatment Center, near Dallas, Texas, offers a specialized drug and alcohol treatment track for young men aged 18-27.

College and Substance Abuse Statistics

• According to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, almost 49% of full-time college students ages 18-22 drank alcohol in the past month.⁵
• In 2022, nearly 29% engaged in binge drinking in the past month (meaning 5 or more drinks for males or 4 or more drinks for females in a 2-hour period).⁵
• Data from the NIAAA states that an estimated 1,519 college students aged 18-24 die due to unintentional alcohol-related injuries, which includes car accidents.⁵
• The same data estimates that 1 in 5 college women experience sexual assault during their time in college.⁵
• About 1 in 4 college students experiences academic problems due to drinking.⁵
• Approximately 14% of full-time college students met the criteria for an alcohol use disorder (AUD), which is the clinical term for alcohol addiction.⁵
• In 2023, around 2.4% of college students reported non-medical use of Adderall in the past 12 months.²
• MDMA use among college students decreased in 2023 with 0.3% reporting use in the past 12 months.²
• In 2023, young adult men had a higher prevalence of illicit drug use (other than marijuana) than young adult females.²
• Around 39.5% of college students used marijuana in 2023.²
• One study of college student participants in a CRP program found that 87.5% of the CRP alumni had no relapse following graduation.¹

Signs of Substance Use in College Students

While only a healthcare professional can diagnose an individual with a substance use or alcohol use disorder, it can be helpful to know the criteria, especially if you’re worried about your substance use or that of a friend. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5), signs of problematic drug or alcohol use include:¹²

• Taking the substance in larger amounts or for longer than intended.
• Wanting to stop or cut down use of the substance but being unable to do so.
• Spending a lot of time getting, using, and recovering from substance use.
• Experiencing cravings and urges to use the substance.
• Neglecting responsibilities at school, work, or home because of substance use.
• Continuing to use the substance despite ongoing relationship problems that are caused or worsened by alcohol or drug use.
• Abandoning previously-enjoyed social or recreational activities or hobbies in order to use alcohol or drugs.
• Taking risks while drunk or high, such as starting a fight, having unprotected sex, or driving a car.
• Continuing to use the substance despite the physical problems (e.g. blackouts or injuries) or psychological problems (e.g. depression or anxiety) it has caused or worsened.
• Needing to take more of the substance to get the desired effect, which is known as tolerance.
• Developing withdrawal symptoms (e.g. nausea, restlessness, or insomnia) if the substance is abruptly stopped or the dosage is cut drastically back.

How to Talk to Your Child About Substance Use

Talking to your child about their substance use may not be easy, especially if they don’t think they have a problem. You can’t force them to get help, but you can show genuine concern and encourage them to get help.

Prior to having the conversation, you may wish to consult a professional about the problem (such as a doctor or therapist) so you can better understand addiction and how best to approach the situation. Remember, you want to come from a place of love and concern when you talk to your child, not anger. Avoid criticizing or blaming them, and back off if they are resistant to hearing you. This is about your child’s health and well-being not bad behavior or moral failings. Withhold judgement and listen to them without interrupting.¹³

Additionally, you can make a list of resources where your child can seek help at school (like campus counseling centers or off-campus rehabs).

Seeking help may involve different steps, such as having a consultation with the campus health center, talking to a counselor on campus, or seeking treatment at a hospital or rehab center.¹³ Getting treatment can help prevent the consequences substance use can have on your child’s health, academic career, and overall well-being.

How Long is Rehab? (Will I Have to Leave School?)

The length of time you spend in rehab depends on the severity of your substance or alcohol use disorder, the intensity of the treatment program, and the level of care you receive. Even if you need to leave school to attend rehab, there are always resources to help you during and after the process, such as counseling programs, medical leaves of absence, or transition plans that involve modified programs of study.¹⁰ If you are concerned about going to rehab because of a fear that your grades will suffer or that you’ll fall behind in your program, consider what will happen if you don’t get help. Addiction usually gets worse if left untreated, so it’s a sign of strength that you’re willing to take control of your life before things spiral further out of control.¹⁴

A typical inpatient program stay might last anywhere from 3 weeks to 90 days, with some programs being longer. Outpatient treatment may also be an option, and you may be able to continue to attend some daytime classes and go to treatment in the evening. Many rehabs can work with you to help you find the best option for your needs.¹⁵ 

Even though it can seem scary or intimidating, know that attending rehab is confidential, so no one needs to know about it (not even your family) if that’s your wish. Taking steps to get your life under control now can help pave the way for a healthier and brighter future.

Does Insurance Cover Rehab for College Students?

Yes, insurance typically covers at least part of the cost of rehab for college students. Many college students, who are under the age of 25, are still eligible to be covered for treatment under their parent’s insurance policy. However, the extent to which your rehab stay will be covered depends on your insurance policy, copay, and deductible. American Addiction Centers is in-network with many insurance companies. You can verify your insurance coverage by filling out the form below.

Young Adult Rehab Programs at American Addiction Centers

American Addiction Centers (AAC) offers customized treatment for people aged 18 and older. Some AAC facilities offer a specialized young adults program, where group therapy happens among peers, who have similar unique challenges, needs, and experiences.

At Laguna Treatment Center in Southern California, the young adult treatment track is specifically designed to meet the needs of individuals aged 18-26, who struggle with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders.

To get more information on AAC’s young adult treatment tracks, or any of AAC’s programs and treatment centers call to speak to an admissions navigator, who can listen to your concerns, answer your questions, explain your options, and help you get the treatment you need.