Addiction Doesn’t Discriminate
Anyone can be an addict. It doesn’t matter what kind of personality you have or what kind of person you are. Since drinking is so acceptable in our culture, alcoholism isn’t very difficult to fall victim to. Drug use also seems to have become more acceptable than in the past.
People in all age groups abuse drugs. Going to an NA meeting will make that very clear. There are people from all walks of life in all age groups. However, when it comes to those in the college-age group, there are much higher numbers.
Stats on College Student Drug Abuse
Drug abuse and college student statistics will tell you the full story. Young adult alcohol drinkers make up the highest percentage of all the alcoholic types. This group makes up over thirty-one percent of all alcoholics. The young adult alcoholic tends to begin drinking at an early age, typically in high school or college. Binge drinking refers to the excessive amount of alcohol intake at one time.
While people in this group tend to drink less often than other types of alcoholics, they are more likely to engage in binge drinking. Interestingly enough, young adult alcoholics are two and half times more likely to be male than female. Beyond alcohol abuse, drug abuse in college is just as bad.
Why do College Students Abuse Drugs?
There are many reasons for drug abuse in college. There is a lot of peer pressure. Also, when you are first away from your parents you tend to overdo it with everything. Having newfound independence can lead to risky behavior. It’s important to note the difference between drug abuse and drug addiction.
Defining abuse vs. addiction can be a bit murky, but there are obvious signs. Not all young people who abuse drugs will develop addictions. A lot of this is just experimentation. Letting your hair down and having a good time on the weekend. While not everyone who does drugs will develop an addiction, the risk is very great.