Cocaine use in colleges is increasing, as well as the use of other drugs. For example, heroin use in colleges is becoming a cause for concern as well. College students are more open to the idea of experimenting with drugs. When it comes to stimulants, like cocaine, many college students abuse these drugs not only to party, but also to get a leg up when studying.

Many students may even rely on cocaine to help them stay up to finish assignments and projects. They may openly use this drug to enhance their physical performance if they are athletes. This article will look at cocaine use in college and how it affects America as a whole. Those who abuse cocaine may develop a bad addiction in the future. 

Latest Statistics of Cocaine Use in Colleges

First and foremost, let’s look at what the statistics are saying about this type of drug addiction.

Cocaine is one of the most commonly abused drugs in America. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 2015 report, about 1.5 million Americans over the age of 12 have used this drug in the past month. Of these people, about 20% have tried crack cocaine in the past month.

Most of the people who abuse this drug tend to be college students. The biggest issue is that more and more college students report using cocaine each year. In 2013, 2.7% of full-time college students reported using cocaine. By 2014, this percentage jumped to 4.4%. It’s important to note that these numbers are self-reported, which means that there are many students who may not feel comfortable admitting to their cocaine habit or use.

The same study found that high school students were not as likely to use cocaine and other illicit drugs. Instead, if they were to abuse stimulants, they were more likely to turn to prescription medications like Adderall or Ritalin.

Potential Reasons Behind Growing Cocaine Use in Colleges

The question remains, “Why are college students more likely to abuse cocaine?”

Researchers have found many potential reasons for this question. For one, college is a time where most Americans leave home. Young adults are much more open to the idea of experimenting. This leads many college students to fall victim to drug and alcohol abuse.

Also, a combination of stress and easy access to drugs may also explain the higher use of cocaine. As the brains of young adults are still developing, they may not be able to fully assess the risks involved with abusing cocaine.

Another important factor to note is that college can be very competitive. Some college students purposely abuse cocaine in order to get a leg up when studying. Cocaine may help them stay more focused or may allow them to study for longer periods of time than others. Some students may use cocaine as a way to destress. They may even mix alcohol and cocaine together. Unfortunately, this is a very bad mix. Alcohol and cocaine will combine together and become a dangerous substance. 

How to Reduce Cocaine Use Rates in College 

Many experts are urging colleges to implement policies that will help prevent substance abuse. It can be difficult to really nail down which preventative measures are the most successful. Due to this reason, most addiction specialists recommend implementing more than one preventative measure. Some of the most common recommendations include:

• Increased education. Colleges should have many drug education campaigns that educate students on the negative health effects and impact of substance abuse. It is crucial that those who are vulnerable to addiction fully comprehend how cocaine works in the body and the damage that it will do. 
• Strict laws and enforcement of rules. College administrators should implement drug policies that bar illegal substances from entering the campus. Those who are found with these substances should face harsh consequences. The key to law and rule enforcement is consistency. 
• Mental health support. Often times, those who abuse drugs struggle with a co-occurring mental health disorder. Their mental health disorder may have pushed their desire to abuse drugs like cocaine. College students are particularly vulnerable. They are often placed in high-stress situations and are in new environments. Colleges should offer adequate mental health support to students. 
• Addiction resources for those who abuse cocaine. College students who are addicted to cocaine may feel helpless. They may not know where to turn to for help. Colleges should have sufficient addiction resources available. This may include anything from mutual support groups to addiction therapies. Some colleges offer family therapy and support programs or recovery coaches. 

A combination of different types of prevention measures can reduce cocaine use in colleges. Many faculties and departments will have to work together.

Cocaine Addiction Treatment for Those Who Need Help

Those who are addicted to cocaine should seek help as soon as possible. They are at most risk when they stay silent. Just because someone is in college, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they have nowhere to turn to. Some colleges offer addiction treatment programs and mental health support programs for their students. 

Other colleges may connect students with either an inpatient or an outpatient program. Both of these programs have their own unique characteristics and features. Depending on the severity of the addiction and the needs of each student, different substance abuse treatment programs may be deemed more suitable than others. Therapists or addiction experts at the college may be able to help each student determine what he or she needs.

Let’s take a look at the differences between an inpatient and an outpatient program below. Understanding the differences between the two is the first step to recovery. 

Inpatient Treatment Programs for Cocaine Abuse

Inpatient addiction treatment programs will require the college students to take an extended leave of absence from school. Usually, most students will take anywhere from one semester to a whole year off. Although this means that they’ll have to push their graduation date, it’s worth it to get sober.

With inpatient care, students who are addicted to cocaine will move into the addiction rehab facility. There, they will receive various evidence-based treatment services that may help them overcome addiction. Students live at the rehab facility. They do everything there, from washing their laundry to eating all three meals. 

These addiction treatment programs offer the most intense level of care that’s available out there. Students who choose these programs often acknowledge that they have a bad addiction problem and need around-the-clock supervised care and attention. They will need to relearn how to live their lives. 

To make recovery easier on the students, colleges should have a simple process in place for students to request for help. It’s crucial that these students do not get penalized for their desire to get sober. 

Outpatient Treatment Programs for Cocaine Abuse

Not all students may be willing to take an extended leave of absence from school. Some students may have to stick to a strict time schedule. Others may simply decide that they would like to get the help that they need without interrupting their school life. 

In these situations, outpatient treatment programs may be more appropriate. With outpatient care, students do not need to take an extended leave of absence nor will they need to move into the treatment facility. Instead, all they have to do is to go to the rehab facility for treatment on a regular basis. This can be anything from several hours a day, like with a Partial Hospitalization Program, to several hours a month, like with a standard outpatient program.

Those who are interested in outpatient care must be honest with themselves. They must not lie about the severity of their addiction. They must also be compliant with the treatment regime that the addiction specialists recommend. Sticking to a routine can really help those who are addicted to cocaine break a bad habit and get their lives back on track again.

How Can College Students Afford Addiction Treatment

Many people are hesitant to get help because they’re not sure whether they would be able to afford treatment. After all, rehab can be very costly. Depending on the type of services that one is receiving, as well as the level of care, students may be expected to pay some of the costs out of their own pockets. An inpatient rehab program can cost around $30,000 a month, and an outpatient rehab program can cost about $10,000 a month.

That’s quite a hefty sum for students who have just signed up for some ridiculous student loan debts. Some students may even decide that they’d rather deal with the situation by themselves.

The truth of the matter is that many college students actually pay for some healthcare package when they are paying for their tuition. This may entitle some individuals to the insurance that’s needed to cover rehab. 

Many addiction treatment facilities also offer rehab scholarships. Those who are in need of some financial assistance can consider replying or applying for scholarships. The scholarship may cover the full cost of a rehab program or it may only pay for certain things, like medical detox services. 

There are also federal and state-funded programs that can help those in need get back to sobriety. These programs may have different eligibility requirements. Some may have specific requirements based on income while others may not.

Don’t Become a Statistic

Unfortunately, the rising cocaine use statistics among college students also mean that more of these individuals are getting addicted to cocaine and other drugs. There’s a fine line between abuse and addiction. Drug abusers who experiment with cocaine can easily develop a chemical and physical dependence on this substance. Addiction ruins lives.

If you’re a college student who has experimented with cocaine, stop before your condition worsens. If you have a difficult time stopping, get professional addiction treatment at a nearby drug rehab. Drug detox may be necessary if the student’s use of cocaine is too frequent or severe. Addiction experts at a drug treatment center can help you turn your life around, so that you don’t become a statistic.

If you are new in recovery and are struggling to stay sober, call Drug Rehab Program Journal toll-free today at 1-800-205-1201. Help is just a phone call away. We can help guide you back on the right path. With our assistance and help, sobriety is just an arm’s reach away. We’ll help you acquire the resources and tools needed to live a life of sobriety.