Open AccessSubstance Use Among College Students
Author(s) -
Justine W. Welsh,
Yujia Shentu,
Dana Sarvey
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
focus/focus (american psychiatric publishing. online)
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1541-4108
pISSN - 1541-4094
DOI - 10.1176/appi.focus.20180037
Subject(s) - peer pressure , graduation (instrument) , psychology , confidentiality , cannabis , substance abuse , population , substance use , medical education , psychological intervention , medicine , clinical psychology , psychiatry , social psychology , environmental health , political science , law , geometry , mathematics
U.S. college campuses have witnessed a national increase of cannabis, stimulant, and illicit drug use among students over the past decade. Substance use among college students is associated with numerous negative outcomes including lower academic performance, a higher probability of unemployment after graduation, and an increased risk of committing and experiencing sexual assault. Several risk factors for substance use are specific to this population, including an affiliation with Greek life, perception of high academic pressure, and peer pressure. Students with problematic substance use also face unique challenges in planning treatment, including aspects of confidentiality, financial constraints, and potential university oversight and involvement. This article highlights the prevalence of substance use on college campuses and describes some of the specific challenges and approaches to treatment in this population, including screening tests and interventions for specific substances used on college campuses and evidence-based substance use programming for college students.