54 Essential College Drug Abuse Statistics: 2024 Data & Demographics

College often represents a major turning point in a young adult’s life. For many individuals, college brings a sense of freedom, and with this newfound freedom comes a willingness to explore new experiences. In some cases, this involves experimentation with substances such as alcohol, marijuana, and illicit drugs like ecstasy and cocaine. With the easy availability of these substances on campus, though, experimentation can easily turn into drug abuse.

The relevance of college drug abuse statistics is critical to policymakers whose task it is to find realistic solutions to this long-running college education scourge. With data like these, it is easier to formulate solutions that could address this issue.

In this article, we list down the latest, most important drug abuse statistics for current college students. We’ve also compiled some numbers on alcohol abuse, the effects of substance abuse, and how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the use of substances among college students.

General Statistics and Facts on Drug Abuse in College

While it’s difficult to pin down student crime statistics and the exact percentage of college students who do drugs, drug abuse is widely considered to be an epidemic on US college campuses today. Young adults in college today experience exposure to a wider range of substances. Aside from alcohol and marijuana, prescription pills like Adderall and Ritalin have become popular among college students, too. For instance, studies revealed that many college students report misuse of pain medications, sedatives, and stimulants (Ohio State University, 2018).

This becomes more unfortunate in the face of mounting debt among college students.

• One in four college students meets the standard for substance abuse (ACPA, 2018).
• More than two out of five college students used an illegal drug over a 12-month span (Turnbridge, 2019).
• Male students have higher rates of substance use compared to female students (Indiana University, 2019).
• The percentage of US students receiving mental health services and have undergone treatment for drug and alcohol abuse has declined from 4.9% in the school year 2010-2011 to 2.3% in the school year 2019-2020 (Penn State, 2021).
• 35.4% of students who use alcohol and marijuana also take illicit drugs (The Conversation, 2020).
• 77.7% of students who are addicted to alcohol and marijuana are also addicted to other illicit drugs (The Conversation, 2020).

Marijuana Abuse in College

The US accounts for an overwhelming majority of the global marijuana market—90%, to be exact—and there’s a good chance that college students make up a sizable portion of this majority. Despite the dizzying selection of illicit drugs available to college students today, marijuana remains the most commonly abused drug (UMich, 2019) among college students. Experts attribute the continued popularity of marijuana to students who have been using the drug since their high school years.

These numbers may also increase in the coming years as more Generation-Z youth enter college.

More worrying still, a recent study revealed that the age group is poised to become a generation of cannabis consumers (Bloomberg, 2019).

• Annual marijuana use is at a historic high among college students at 42.6% in 2019 (NIH, 2019).
• 37% of Gen Z college-age students use marijuana (The Conversation, 2020).
• 1 in 17 college students use marijuana daily or almost daily (NIH, 2019).
• Every 30 days, 19% of US college students report having used marijuana (Healthy Minds, 2020).
• In 2018, 10.9% of college students use marijuana through vaping, compared to 5.2% in 2017 (NIH, 2019).
• As of fall 2018, 2.7% of college students admitted to using marijuana daily (ACHA, 2018).

Prescription Drugs Abuse in College

Prescription drugs include pain medication such as OxyContin or Vicodin. Adderall, used to treat ADHD, is also a commonly abused drug among college students because of its stimulant effect, which can improve focus. The numbers on prescription drug use may again be exacerbated by the growing population of Generation Z on college campuses, especially as education statistics say that this generation prioritizes achieving a college degree.

• Almost 90% of full-time college students who took Adderall for non-medical purposes were binge alcohol users (AddictionCenter, 2020).
• Students who illicitly use Adderall are 3x as likely to have taken marijuana in the previous year (AddictionCenter, 2020).
• Around 1 in 18 young adults has taken opioids (American Addiction Centers, 2020).
• 15.9% of college students admitted misusing stimulants, 9.4% reported sedative misuse, and 9.1% misused pain medications (Ohio State University, 2018).
• Most students who abuse prescription drugs obtain these drugs from their friends (79% for stimulants, 57% for sedatives, and 79% for stimulants) (Ohio State University, 2018).
• The most common reason that college students provide for abusing stimulants is to study or to improve grades (79%) (Ohio State University, 2018).
• A study of 1,300 college students found that 25% of them used stimulants as a study aid, but only 9% had a prescription from a physician or psychiatrist (The Michigan Daily, 2018).
• Furthermore, 4.3% of college students reported having abused Xanax (The Haven at College, 2019).

Alcohol Abuse in College

Aside from drugs, alcohol is one of the most widely abused substances among college students. Studies reveal that alcoholism remains a major problem for millions of college students each year. Moreover, surveys found that as much as 50% of college students are no strangers to binge drinking (Alcohol Rehab Guide, 2020).

• Over a two-week period, 14.2% of college students have five or more alcoholic drinks (ACHA, 2018).
• 28.9% of college students drank alcohol for 3 to 4 hours the last time they went to a party (ACHA, 2018).
• Likewise, 28% of college students report having five or more drinks in a row at least once inside the last two weeks (Monitoring the Future, 2018).
• 53% of full-time college students drank alcohol in the past month (NIAAA, 2021).
• Similarly, 33% of college students reported binge-drinking in the past month (NIAAA, 2021).
• 9% of college students are reported to have alcohol use disorder (NIAAA, 2021).
• 44% of college students and those in the same age bracket have been consuming less alcohol ever since COVID-19 spread globally (The Conversation, 2020).

Consequences of Alcohol Abuse in College Students

Alcohol abuse causes a myriad of serious consequences for college students. For instance, the poor academic performance associated with alcohol use may affect a student’s employment prospects. According to surveys, recruiters consider a 4-year degree a competitive edge for entry-level applicants.

• Around 110,000 students aged 18-24 are arrested each year for alcohol-related violations (AddictionCenter, 2020).
• Around 696,000 students are assaulted by another student who was under the influence of alcohol (NIAAA, 2021).
• 1,519 college students between the ages of 18 and 24 die from alcohol-related injuries, including automobile crashes (NIAAA, 2021).
• 97,000 college students report being a victim of alcohol-related sexual assault or date rape (NIAAA, 2021).
• 1.8% of college students believed that alcohol use contributed to lower exam grades, while 26.8% believed that their academics were not affected (ACHA, 2018).
• Additionally, nearly 150,000 college students develop health problems annually related to alcohol use (Alcohol Rehab Guide, 2020).

Nicotine Abuse in College

• Cigarette smoking among college students has declined to 7% in 2018, from its peak level of 31% in 1999 (Monitoring the Future, 2018).
• The 30-day prevalence for vaping nicotine among college students jumped from 6.1% in 2017 to 15.5% in 2018, the largest increase in any young-adult age group (Monitoring the Future, 2018).
• 1.4% of college students reported smoking cigarettes daily (ACHA, 2018).
• Meanwhile, 3.5% of college students used e-cigarettes daily (ACHA, 2018).
• In a study by King’s College, it was discovered that smokers are 14% more likely to develop COVID-19 symptoms (Eurekalert, 2021).

Hallucinogens and Methamphetamines Abuse in College

• As of 2018, 4.1% of college students annually use LSD, and this figure has been steadily climbing since 2006 (Monitoring the Future, 2018).
• 4.8% of college students report having used hallucinogens such as LSD and PCP, but not regularly (ACHA, 2018).
• 8.9% of college students used amphetamines annually (Monitoring the Future, 2018).
• Additionally, 1.2% of college students reported having used methamphetamines, though not on a regular basis (ACHA, 2018).
• More recent research shows that around 1 in 14 young adults has taken hallucinogens (American Addiction Centers, 2020).
• In addition, about 1 in 125 young adults has taken methamphetamines (American Addiction Centers, 2020).

Cocaine and Other Party Drugs Abuse in College

Due to rave culture at college campuses, party drugs like cocaine and ecstasy have gained popularity among college students today. Studies say that MDMA use in colleges has quickly increased over the past decade (Study Breaks, 2018). Many of these drugs are consumed for their perceived effects like improved extroversion, increased confidence, and euphoria.

• Cocaine use began to decline among college students in 2007; as a result, annual prevalence levels for the drug are at less than 1% (Monitoring the Future, 2018).
• 4.2% of college students have used cocaine, but not regularly (ACHA, 2018).
• However, studies show that cocaine use among youth is still pretty prevalent, with 1 in 17 college-age persons having used cocaine (American Addiction Centers, 2020).
• Meanwhile, 1 in 200 college-age persons has used heroin (American Addiction Centers, 2020).
• Moreover, 1 out of every 10 college students has experimented with ecstasy (MDMA) (AddictionCenter, 2020).
• Incidentally, 98% of college students who had used ecstasy are also marijuana users (AddictionCenter, 2020).

Gender Differences in Drug Use among College Students

Interestingly, studies have revealed some significant differences between male and female college students’ drinking habits and illicit drug use. This gender disparity appears to hold true for binge drinking, marijuana use, and cigarette use, among other habits.

• Annual and 30-day use of marijuana was higher for men (21% and 9.2%, respectively) than for women (16% and 6.7%) in 2018 (Monitoring the Future, 2018).
• Moreover, the annual prevalence of hallucinogens for men (8.2%) was more than twice the figure for women (3.2%). The same significant difference can be seen in MDMA use between male and female college students (7.2% and 2.7%, respectively) (Monitoring the Future, 2018).
• More male college students (15.1%) participated in extreme binge drinking compared to female college students (6.1%) (Monitoring the Future, 2018).
• However, more women (53%) use marijuana than men (42%) (CCC, 2019).

Treatments for Drug Abuse

Despite the widespread abuse of drugs and alcohol on college campuses today, few college students have received treatment for their addictions every year. In fact, the number has been steadily declining since 2010, with only 2.4% of college students receiving treatment in 2019.

However, even with a small percentage of college students seeking treatment for drug or alcohol abuse, colleges and organizations all over the country offer counseling, rehabilitation services, and mental health resources for college students.

How Effective Are College Drug Prevention Programs?

College drug prevention programs play a crucial role in addressing the rising issue of substance abuse among students. These programs aim to educate students on the risks of drug use, provide support for those struggling with addiction, and promote healthier lifestyle choices. However, the effectiveness of these programs varies depending on the approach, implementation, and campus culture.

Here are some key factors that determine the success of drug prevention programs in colleges:

• Comprehensive Education: Programs that provide students with clear, factual information about the dangers of drug abuse, mental health implications, and addiction can make a significant impact. Combining education with real-life stories and case studies can resonate better with students.
• Peer-Led Initiatives: Peer influence is strong in college environments, making peer-led prevention programs particularly effective. When students lead discussions, workshops, or campaigns, they’re more likely to connect with their fellow students and positively influence behavior.
• Engagement of Parents and Families: Involving families in drug prevention strategies can also be beneficial. Schools that communicate with parents about the risks of drug use and offer resources for families tend to see higher engagement and success rates.
• Targeted Programs for High-Risk Groups: Customizing programs for students at higher risk—such as those with mental health issues or living in high-stress environments—can improve outcomes. These students might need more tailored interventions.
• Ongoing Support and Resources: Prevention is only part of the solution; ongoing support through counseling services, anonymous hotlines, and peer support groups can help students who have already started using drugs or are at risk of addiction.

References:

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