OxyContin Abuse Help for College Students
The college years are a time when young adults often rapidly increase their consumption of alcohol and other psychoactive substances. The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA) reported in a 2003 literature review that in 2002 21.5% of college students reported using an illicit drug in the previous month. More students reported abusing OxyContin than Ketamine (“Special K”), Rohypnol (“Roofies”) or heroin. Although males abuse many substances at higher rates than females, female college students reported slightly higher rates of OxyContin abuse than did their male counterparts.
OxyContin Abuse Triggers
There are a number of reasons that college students may abuse drugs like OxyContin. One is simply the freedom they are likely to feel when being on their own for the first time. College students often engage in behaviors they wouldn’t feel comfortable doing when they were at home. The transition to independence can be exciting but may also be stressful. CASA notes that about 38 percent of students reported feeling frequently overwhelmed in the previous year and that stress relief is a common reason for substance use.
Depression is another OxyContin abuse trigger. CASA’s literature review pointed out that people with major depression are four times more likely to abuse prescription drugs like OxyContin and eight times more likely to be dependent on them than people without depression. They also note that college students have higher rates of depression than the general population. Over half of the students surveyed reported having experienced depression since beginning college.
Peer pressure is another common reason for OxyContin abuse. In college pressure to use drugs is often based on perceived norms. College students often believe that it is a normal behavior for others, and they wish to match the standards. Students often greatly overestimate the amount of substance abuse on their campuses, but this still remains a factor in decisions to use OxyContin.
Consequences of OxyContin Abuse
OxyContin and other substance abuse can have serious negative consequences. The CASA report notes the following:
- Studies of college students who have committed suicide found 56% of them to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time
- When drunk or high college students are more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior
- Substance use is linked to lower grade point averages
- Heavy use of one substance can lead to abuse of another
- Students who both binge drink and use drugs are twice as likely as other students to drive drunk or to get into an accident
Students who develop an addiction to OxyContin need treatment, and the sooner that addiction is treated, the better the outcome is likely to be. Conversely an untreated addiction is likely to worsen and persist long into adulthood.
Treat OxyContin Addiction before It Gets Worse
If you are addicted to OxyContin, we can help. Call our toll-free helpline, and let us discuss your treatment options with you and help you find one that meets your needs. We can check your insurance coverage for your program of choice. We are here 24 hours a day. Don’t let OxyContin addiction take over your life. Give us a call.
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