By Sandy Baker
College students remain one of the biggest at-risk groups for the development of drug and alcohol addiction.
The college atmosphere, the availability of substances, and the overall student lifestyle contribute to the high likelihood that individuals will use alcohol or drugs. Not every college student becomes addicted, but those who do often require a specialized treatment program. A collegiate residential drug abuse program can provide the type of treatment necessary for a lasting recovery.
The Growth of Drug and Alcohol Abuse in College-Age Adults
The U.S. National Institutes of Health shares some insight into what happens on college campuses. In a report from 2016, it found:
- Heavy alcohol use is higher in college students than in those of the same age who do not go to college. About 32% of college students reported binge drinking in the previous two weeks, as compared to 28% of young adults not in college.
- Marijuana use has increased across the board, with nearly 8% of college-age students stating they had used the drug.
- About 2% of students had misused Ritalin in a college setting, and nearly 10% admitted misusing Adderall.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, in 2017, 5.3 million college-age young adults needed some type of treatment for the abuse of drugs or alcohol. Across the board, this accounts for one person in every six people within this age group.
The Problems Do Not Stop There
Many times, individuals who become addicted in college struggle to stop using. The atmosphere and the newfound independence that lead to access and use are unlikely to change. Furthermore, peer pressure combined with little supervision encourages use throughout a student’s entire college career.
How Can a Collegiate Residential Drug Program Help?
A collegiate residential alcohol and drug addiction treatment program can provide a lifeline for those students forced to choose between getting an education and getting the help they need. Many college-aged individuals do not need a full 24-hour, intensive inpatient program to begin their recovery journey.
At The Ranch at Dove Tree, here’s a look at how our residential program works:
- Individuals will qualify for the partial care program if they do not require 24-hour monitoring to prevent relapse.
- Individuals who need around-the-clock monitoring can enter our residential inpatient program.
- Our clients receive 30 to 60 days of our residential or partial care program.
- A full year of structured support is designed for our clients after the residential program ends.
- Transitional living solutions are available as needed.
The goal of the program is to address the substance use and any behavioral health issues. We begin by educating our clients that addiction is a disease, and then we provide tools and resources to create an opportunity for long-term recovery. We also focus on ensuring basic wellness practices in all areas of the student’s life. And, we also work on pro-social identity development to ensure and address values and goals.
Get Help Now
If your loved one could be abusing drugs or alcohol, you must act quickly. The sooner treatment is made available, the easier it will be for a college student to get back to school and continue on his or her future path.
Individuals who are struggling with drug and alcohol addiction at this age may not be willing to admit it. Yet, these programs can help to foster not just a clean lifestyle, but also the ability to create a solid path for the future.
