
Understanding Substance Abuse in College Students: Risk Factors and Statistics
College students are at a statistically increased risk of alcohol use disorder or AUD, as well as other types of addiction. The normalization of binge drinking behaviors and recreational drug use, high-stress levels, and other factors, such as being away from home for the first time, can all impact alcohol consumption in the young adult population. Other risk factors, such as co-occurring mental health conditions, traumatic events, or a family history of alcohol abuse, can further increase the risk that you will develop AUD or another substance use disorder.
Statistics from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that, at the time of the survey:
- 29.2 percent of young adults aged 18-25 had engaged in binge drinking in the past month.
- 7.2 percent of young adults aged 18-25 had engaged in heavy drinking* over the past month.
- 38 percent of young adults aged 18-25 had engaged in some kind of illicit drug use in the past year.
*The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism or NIAAA defines heavy drinking as five or more drinks per day for men (or 15+ drinks per week) and four or more drinks per day for women (or 8+ drinks per week).
Even if you are young, the consequences of heavy drinking and addiction are serious. Legal and financial problems, organ damage, overdose, coma, death, and a higher risk of accidents and injury are just some of the potential consequences of substance abuse.