Substance Abuse in College: Combatting Student Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Parents are constantly trying to protect their children, no matter their ages, from the dangers of drugs and alcohol. Unfortunately, no matter how hard they try, their loved ones will ultimately come into contact with one of the substances at some point in their life. What’s even more unfortunate is that by the time they become college students, they will be at a much higher risk for student drug abuse. Between spring break, frat/sorority parties, and tailgating traditions, the opportunity to drink alcohol/try drugs are continuously available to college-aged students. If you believe your child is struggling, it’s time to seek out student drug abuse treatment.
The Risk for Student Drug and Alcohol Abuse
College students use their time at school as a way to find themselves and enjoy newfound freedoms they did not have while living with their parents. College student drug abuse can begin for several reasons. For some, it begins as a simple social experiment. They see their friends using substances at a party and succumb to peer pressure or simply want to try it out for themselves. What begins as an innocent experiment can quickly turn into a serious addiction over time.
Some students abuse drugs to help them cope with their mental health. Out of state students might feel depressed due to being away from their families and friends back home. Others might struggle with anxiety due to the pressure of doing well in class and finding a job after school.
Another common reason for student drug abuse is to enhance performance. Some prescriptions are popular in helping to focus and stay awake in order to complete schoolwork or party. Adderall is a popular prescription students use to study or stay up to finish schoolwork.
No matter the reason, parents must never waste time seeking out student drug abuse treatment. An addiction treatment center can help give your loved one the support and care they need to succeed.
Understanding the Drug and Alcohol Abuse
As a parent needing to find help for their loved one, it’s also important to understand how and where the abuse takes place. This can help you support your loved one once they complete a residential or outpatient treatment program.
If your child is living on campus, substances are usually readily available to them. Different networks of students tend to get their hands on a number of substances to then distribute. This distribution commonly takes place at social gatherings like sporting events, dorm parties, and even off-campus events as well.
College students struggling are likely to experience:
- Trouble at school/legal problems
- Drop in grades
- Social isolation
- Low self-esteem
- Loss of work or school
- Estrangement from friends and family
How to Help Your College Student
So how can you help your college student? If you believe your loved one is falling victim to student drug and/or alcohol abuse, begin by having a conversation with them stating your concerns. Come from a place of love and worry, not a place of frustration or distrust. Discuss their options with them and consider moving their housing to off-campus to keep them away from the drug activity. Then, begin searching for available student drug and alcohol abuse treatment centers that can help your loved one with their recovery journey.
Inpatient vs Outpatient Treatment
Inpatient Addiction Treatment, better known as residential treatment, provides a safe, supportive and sober environment away from the temptations and pressures of daily life. Living at the facility, clients get back on their feet and they benefit from full-time access to expert staff, daily recovery programming and a variety of effective therapeutic modalities.
Under the guidance of counselors, denial is overcome, behavior patterns are challenged, self-disclosure begins, changes in the mindset occur and long-term sobriety skills are taught. Residential treatment allows for fully scheduled days of therapeutic activities, educational sessions and restful recovery. The length of treatment averages between 28 days and 90 days.
Outpatient Addiction Treatment is used either as a primary treatment model or transitional treatment model following a Residential stay. The length of the program is based on the patient’s individual needs and the assessments from the counselor and patient’s physician.
Clients in outpatient treatment typically participate in the treatment program two-three evenings a week, allowing them to maintain their employment or educational status and live at home or transitional living while receiving the vital help they need. Groups can be held in the morning, afternoon, or night to best work with a client’s schedule. These groups focus on education, individual and group counseling, and relapse prevention.
Palmetto has Intensive Outpatient Treatment Centers in:
Monroe, LA
Shreveport, LA
Alexandria, LA
Lake Charles, LA
Lafayette, LA
Metairie, LA
Treatment for Student Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Finding your student help through a professional treatment center is the best option for their recovery. Through a rehab facility like Palmetto Addiction Recovery Center, your loved one will receive the treatment and care they need to achieve recovery. They learn crucial skills to help prevent relapse and keep them on the right track in life.
To learn more about student drug and alcohol abuse treatment, contact Palmetto Recovery Center today by calling 318.728.2970. Let our team help your loved one recover from drug and alcohol abuse and begin living a healthy, substance-free life.