For any parent, trusting your son/daughter while they are away at school is a difficult task. There is so much outside pressure to drink, party and do drugs that it can be overwhelming. The truth is, your young adult is going to have to make the right decisions on their own based off of the values that you have instilled in them. But it can’t hurt for you to know a little more about drug abuse in college:
Drug Abuse Trends
While drug abuse has always had a presence on college campuses, the substances being used tend to vary. It seems that when a drug starts to gain popularity, preventative efforts are also ramped up, and abuse rates typically slow shortly after. But when the focus turns to one drug, it tends to steer away from others and then those become more popular.
Signs of Substance Abuse
A substance abuser is someone who uses a drug outside of how it was intended or prescribed. With this in mind, it is important to be able to distinguish abusers from addicts. If you are aware of the warning signs, you might be able to stop an abuser before they become a full-fledged addict. Some of the warning signs include:
- Decreased interest in classes or extracurricular activities
- Drastic change in academic performance
- Fluctuations in weight
- Spending time with new friends who have a history of using
- Unexplained changes in behavior
- Withdrawing from friends and acting secretive
Is Your Son/Daughter at Greater Risk?
Whether your young adult is a straight-A student, or a devout underachiever, he/she is just as likely to abuse drugs as anyone else. However, some social circles have drugs more readily available than others. These circles include:
- Fraternities and Sororities
- Athletic teams
- Off-campus housing
That is not to say that if your son/daughter belongs to one of these groups they’re automatically a substance abuser. Again, it comes down to their ability to make the right decisions on their own based off of the values you have instilled in them.
If your son/daughter is showing signs of substance abuse, you might want to have them tested to be sure. At National Drug Screening, we offer a wide variety of drug testing services including individual testing, court ordered programs and required testing for colleges and universities.
For a great resource on drug addiction, visit https://www.drugrehab.com/
For more information, call Joe Reilly at National Drug Screening at 321-622-2020.
