By Patrick Greenwell
The use of addictive, often illegal, substances on college campuses is certainly no secret to any student.
Even those who do not use such substances themselves are aware of their existence. Indeed, it would be difficult to find a person on a college campus who has not encountered drugs or alcohol at some point in time.
The fact that knowledge of campus drug use is so prevalent may in fact be partly responsible for its proliferation.
“Easy access to such drugs, alcohol especially, has an appeal amongst students,” said University of Louisville addiction specialist Dr. Prakash Shet,
Additionally, the appeal of parties at which drugs and alcohol are present combined with the peer pressure of attendants at such parties often cause college students to flock to drug use as a means of fitting in or looking cool.
Stress is another common factor in a student’s decision to turn to drug use. This is especially true of those living in dorms. For many, college is their first time living alone. The anxiety of living away from home and having to adjust to a new lifestyle can be overwhelming for many. This has led to a rise in the use and subsequent abuse by college students of prescription drugs, like Xanax.
This anxiety could, however, be part of a more serious health issue.
“The risk for depression, bipolar disorder, and other mental disorders increases greatly in the 18-22 year old age group,” said Shet. “Those affected by such disorders are more likely to abuse drugs.”
With drug and alcohol use growing so common among students, it is easy to jump to the conclusion that addiction is rampant on college campus. However, it is important to distinguish between addiction and abuse.
According to Vincent Brown, director of the U of L Counseling Center, addiction is when a person is completely dependent on a substance; so much so, that when the substance is taken away the person enters withdrawal. Abuse, on the other hand, is when use of a substance interferes with daily functioning.
People become addicted for various reasons. It is estimated that genetic influences account for roughly half of a person’s vulnerability to addiction. Environmental factors, such as the behavior and attitudes of family and friends, also play very signiicant roles in the formation of an addiction.
Substance abuse is the more common problem the counseling center sees. In the case of abuse, the person is more aware of their problem, where as with addiction it is rare to see acknowledgment of the problem.
“However, usually in the cases we help with, substance abuse is not the primary problem,” said Brown. “Bottom line, it’s rare when a student comes in voluntarily with a substance abuse problem.”
In most of the cases Brown and the Counseling center work with, depression and anxiety lead to self-medication through the use of addictive substances, the most common being alcohol.
It is rare, though, for this self-medication to improve the quality of the user’s life.
Substance abuse, in fact, often ends up creating more problems in one’s daily life; users often find themselves damaging relationships with family and friends, and causing grades to decline.
Lacking a staff member with the proper certification, the counseling center does not claim to specialize in substance abuse or addiction treatment.
However, those seeking help in overcoming their abuse problems can visit the center for referrals and information on off-campus programs such as the Jefferson Alcohol and Drug Abuse Center and the Morton Center.
