Surviving Going Back to School
As summer winds down, flocks of college students migrate back to their sleepy college towns and nest in their new dorm rooms for the next school year. The routine of going to class, studying, completing projects, having internships and extracurricular activities and maintaining a social life becomes overwhelming and stressful for students. Many students have a hard time balancing it all and turn to alcohol and drugs to help them get through. But they risk losing it all.
Looking at the Risks
It’s common to see college students drink heavily to let loose. However, there are so many dangers that these students risk every time they take a drink.
Serious risks and consequences of drug and alcohol use:
- Academic problems
- Injury
- Alcohol poisoning
- Assault/sexual abuse
- DUI
- Developing an addiction
- Death
Another growing problem among college students is the misuse of prescription stimulants, like Adderall or Ritalin. These drugs are meant to treat people with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, students are taking these drugs to help them focus more and study longer. Young adults are faking symptoms to get a prescription from doctors or they are simply buying them off other students. Although, they think they these drugs are giving them an edge academically, they are actually causing great harm.
Physical and mental effects of stimulant abuse:
- Insomnia
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Psychosis
- Heart problems
Tips for Your Well-being During the Semester
There are the temptations to drink or use drugs to help cope with stress or to help with a heavy load of classes. However, think twice before drinking or taking a pill. The risks outweigh the benefits and there are other things you can do to help you through.
- Make a healthy schedule/routine and stick to it.
- Get enough sleep, exercise and eat healthy.
- Use resources on campus such as counseling services or tutoring services.
If you or someone you know is misusing drugs or alcohol, call Recovery Connection for options on how to get into a detox center or drug and alcohol rehab near you. We recognize that it helps to talk to someone with experience in your situation. That is why Recovery Connection’s addiction specialists have a personal knowledge of drug addiction and recovery through detox and rehab. Call us 24/7 and learn how easy it is to be free of addiction and the misery of chemical dependence.
