Substance Use and Abuse on College Campuses

Drug Use on College Campuses

General Statistics

  • Marijuana remains the most frequently used illicit drug among college students.

  • 11% of college students report having misused prescription drugs in the last year.

  • Monitoring the Future study provides the following statistics on campus drug use:
      - 38% of college students reported marijuana use in the previous year.
      - 55% of students have used an illicit drug at least once in their lifetime.
      - 26% reported using drugs other than marijuana.
      - Non-medical use of prescription opioids has decreased from 9% a decade ago to approximately 3%.
      - Approximately 1% reported use of heroin.
      - Amphetamines: 13%, Hallucinogens: 6.5%, Cocaine: 5%, Ecstasy/MDMA: about 4%.
      - The use of synthetic marijuana products has significantly declined.
      - There has been little change in the non-prescribed use of tranquilizers and sedatives.

Health Risks Associated with Substance Abuse

  • Substance abuse poses serious health risks which include:
      - Risk to physical and psychological health.
      - Impact on academic performance and future opportunities.
      - Smoking is correlated with discontinuous enrollment or dropping out of school.

Factors Contributing to Drug-Free Decisions

  • Fear of Negative Consequences: The majority of undergraduates do not use illegal drugs due to fear of punitive outcomes.

  • Lack of Interest: 80% of students from a specific liberal arts college indicated a lack of interest in prescription drug misuse.

  • Timing of Enrollment: Older students or those delaying college entry tend to use drugs less than those entering straight from high school.

  • Spirituality and Religion: Higher levels of religious engagement lead to lower drug use rates.

  • Academic Engagement: Students who are actively involved academically exhibit lower drug use.

  • Socioeconomic Status: Students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds typically use illicit drugs less than their affluent peers.

  • Athletics: College athletes generally drink more but use illegal drugs less frequently. The exception is anabolic steroids.

Influences on Drug Use

  • Genetics and Family History:
      - Genetic predispositions to substance abuse exist, impacting addiction likelihood.
      - Specific genes related to alcohol dependence also correlate with other substance abuses.

  • Parental Attitudes and Behavior: Approval from parents correlates with higher tendencies to misuse substances.

  • Substance Use in High School: Early onset of drug use (before age 15) quadruples risks for future substance abuse disorders.

  • Social Norms: Misleading perceptions regarding peers’ substance use can influence usage rates.
      - ACHA survey: Students believed that 10.4% of undergraduates have never used marijuana, while the actual rate is 66.5%.

  • Positive Expectations: Many students misuse drugs expecting anxiety relief or enhanced social capabilities.

  • Self-Medication: Some students misuse prescription medications to cope with mental health challenges.

  • Risk Perception: Misconceptions about drug harm can lead to increased usage rates.

  • Mental Health Problems: Higher rates of illegal drug use are observed among students experiencing depression, anxiety, or hopelessness.

  • Social Influences: A significant proportion of drug users are introduced through friends.

  • Alcohol Use: Binge drinking correlates with increased likelihood of illegal drug use.

  • Race/Ethnicity: White students generally report higher substance use than African American students, particularly at predominantly white institutions.

  • Sexual Identity: LGBTQ students may initially use substances to cope with social anxieties, although patterns vary within the community.

  • Media Influences: Consumption of reality television and identification with drug-using characters can increase drug use among college students.

Understanding Drugs and Their Effects

  • Definitions:
      - Drug: Any substance apart from food affecting bodily functions when introduced into the body.
      - Drug Abuse: Excessive use inconsistent with accepted medical practices, leading to impairment.
      - Drug Dependence: Continued substance use in the presence of negative consequences.
      - Drug Misuse: Use for purposes unintended by medical professionals.
      - Drug Diversion: Transfer of medication from the intended receiver to another individual.

  • Risks of Drug Use:
      - All drugs carry risks. Side effects can accompany both legal and illegal substances; overdose rates have tripled since 1990, especially with prescription pain meds.
      - Factors affecting drug effects include method of administration, dosage, interactions with other substances, individual psychological makeup, and usage setting.

Routes of Drug Administration

  • By Swallowing: Most common, but effects take longer to manifest.

  • By Inhaling: Faster effects; techniques like huffing can lead to severe consequences, including death.

  • By Injecting: High risk of disease transmission; effects can be rapid and intense.

Dosage and Toxicity

  • Drug effects vary with dosage; higher doses may increase effect intensity and range.

  • Toxicity: The dose at which a drug becomes poisonous, leading potentially to serious harm.

Individual Differences in Drug Response

  • Factors influencing individual variability:
      - Personal genetic makeup and biological predisposition.
      - Psychological state and mindset during drug use. Personal expectations can shape the experience.

Gender Differences in Drug Use Patterns

  • Males generally have more opportunities and likelihood of using drugs than females.

  • Females often increase drug use quicker and face more barriers to treatment but share equal post-treatment outcomes with men.

  • Female drug users may experience unique health risks due to their patterns of use.

Environmental Influences on Drug Experience

  • The social setting impacts drug effects; the context in which drugs are used can result in varied outcomes, enhancing or diminishing their effects.

Types of Drug Interactions

  • Drugs can interact in various ways:
      - Additive: Combined effects equal the sum of their individual impacts.
      - Synergistic: Combined effects exceed the sum of their individual impacts (e.g., mixing alcohol and barbiturates).
      - Potentiation: One drug increases the effectiveness of another.
      - Antagonistic: One drug counteracts the effects of another.

Caffeine Overview

  • Caffeine is the most widely consumed psychoactive drug.

  • Over 85% of Americans consume it, primarily through coffee (averaging 3.5 cups daily).

  • Benefits of caffeine include:
      - Enhanced performance on repetitive tasks.
      - Improved endurance in exercise. - Increased concentration, alertness, and reduced fatigue.

  • Recommendations for daily caffeine intake limit for adults is 500 mg, with lower limits for adolescents and those with health concerns.

  • Caffeine Intoxication: Symptoms include restlessness, insomnia, nervousness, and in severe cases, can lead to life-threatening conditions.

Caffeine Containing Energy Drinks

  • Energy drinks are high in caffeine and often include sugars and herbs, leading to health concerns:
      - Risks include disrupted sleep, increased heart rate, and potentially harmful interactions with medications.

  • Alcohol Mixed with Energy Drinks (AIM): Usage is linked to higher rates of risky behaviors, including injuries.

  • Approximately one-third of college students engage in AIM.