Separating Facts From Fiction – What Parents Should Know About College-Age Drug Use
As university campuses nationwide welcome new and returning students for the fall semester, it’s natural for parents of college-aged children to have concerns about the possibility of drug experimentation. Media coverage sensationalizes the issue, leaving many parents unsure of what to believe. Understanding the facts about student drug use on college campuses is essential to addressing concerns and protecting your child’s well-being. By staying informed about common drugs used in college and recognising the signs of drug abuse, parents can provide the necessary support to help their children make safe and healthy choices during this critical time.
Myth: My child knows better than to use drugs.
Fact: College brings unique stressors. On top of their coursework, your student may have extra responsibilities like a full-time job, sports or other extracurricular activities. The newfound independence is thrilling for young people attending college in a different city or state but adds unaccustomed challenges. Many high-achieving students start using drugs to cope with the pressure they may be feeling from being away from home and dealing with rigorous academic demands.
For example, so-called “study drugs” like Adderall and Ritalin are easily available on many college campuses. Students may take these medications to sharpen their focus and help them meet the demands of a heavy course load. Because study drugs are stimulants, they can help keep someone awake so they can pull all-night study sessions. However, using prescriptions without a doctor’s guidance is dangerous and illegal and can cause health problems such as addiction, irregular heartbeat, insomnia, headaches, digestive problems, anxiety, mood swings, and high blood pressure. Many kids become dependent on these stimulant medications and then find they have difficulty studying or just functioning without them.
Myth: Only students at schools with “party cultures” use drugs in college.
Fact: Not every student who takes drugs is chasing a high. Some of them need help relaxing or sleeping, which may lead to them buying cannabis or Xanax. Regularly check in with your child about how they feel and ask whether they have experienced challenges like anxiety or insomnia. The truth is all college campuses have drugs and alcohol available so there really is not a place where your college student will not have the opportunity or be exposed to drugs and alcohol.
Myth: If my child’s friends use drugs, they will too.
Fact: Peer pressure can be challenging, but it doesn’t automatically lead to drug use. Many factors influence a student’s decision to try various substances. Building a robust relationship with your child through honest conversations is one way to help them resist temptation. Many kids do experiment with alcohol and substances in college, and some will develop a serious problem as a result, but most will be able to maintain a casual relationship with substances while meeting their academic requirements and overall having a successful college experience.
Myth: As a parent, I will be able to tell if my children start using drugs.
Fact: Signs of drug use aren’t always obvious. Changes in mood, behavior, academic performance, or friend groups may indicate an issue but could also have other explanations. Stay observant, but avoid jumping to conclusions without evidence. Talk to your student if you have concerns, and make sure not to fall into the trap of thinking your child will be the one to tell you if he or she is struggling. Parents we talk to often don’t recognize there is a problem and are often very shocked when they learn their son or daughter is struggling and may have developed an alcohol or drug problem while away at school.
Myth: Marijuana is harmless. I smoked in college and I turned out ok.
Fact: Evidence suggests people’s brains continue developing until their mid to late 20s. Marijuana use can affect this development, potentially leading to learning and memory problems, impaired coordination and reduced decision-making skills. Additionally, today’s marijuana is different from the strains you may have tried in college. THC levels have increased significantly since the widespread legalization of marijuana, increasing the risk of cannabis-induced psychosis and addiction in younger users.
Myth: There is nothing I can do to prevent my child from experimenting with drugs in college.
Fact: As a parent, you have the power to educate your child about the dangers of trying various substances, including how drug use can derail their academic career. Most campus health departments provide free or low-cost counseling to help students manage issues like anxiety, stress and depression. Encourage your students to be proactive and take advantage of these services before they experience a crisis. If you are really concerned about your teen or young adult you can encourage them to seek some counseling and if the problem progresses, you may have to insist they seek help or consider a family intervention if things become more high-risk.
While awareness of the fentanyl crisis is widespread, many college students do not think it is risky to buy prescriptions like Xanax or Adderall. Unfortunately, some legitimate-looking pills are counterfeits containing a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl. You can prevent accidental overdoses by adding fentanyl test strips and Narcan spray to your child’s first-aid kit, along with instructions on how to use them correctly.
Improving Your Child’s Well-Being
At R&A Therapeutic Partners, our counselors understand the ups and downs of parenting a college-aged student. Taking responsibility for a teenager’s or young adult’s wellness means educating yourself about the risks of college drug experimentation.
Family counseling can give you the tools to cope with these challenges. Connect with us for help guiding your child through their college years and beyond. We provide therapy, interventions, therapeutic placement, and customized outpatient programs for teens and young adults. Please call us if we can help your teen or young adult that may be struggling with substance use or mental health issues.
At R&A Therapeutic Partners Raymond Estefania and Ana Moreno specialize in substance use and mental health disorder evaluations, treatment, intervention and therapeutic/educational consulting for clients throughout the greater South Florida area, as well as nationally and internationally. For more resources and information please visit Therapeutic-Partners.com or on Facebook.
