Addiction in School / University

Each and every young person deserves a school and university experience that safeguards their wellbeing and harbours their development into healthy, prosperous adulthood. Yet for an increasing number of students, these years are fraught with bleak struggles in mental health and substance experimentation.

Is substance use among students growing?

We may be witnessing unprecedented levels of substance use and mental health struggles across the country. According to research from UCAS, there has been a 450% increase in students declaring mental health issues over the last decade. This may signify more students are open to talking about their problems, but it may also indicate that concerns from academic communities about substance misuse are indeed justified.

Schools and universities are meant to be spaces of safety, where learning and personal development set the stage for a fulfilling and prosperous future. But for a growing number of students, their environments are becoming entangled with unspoken grief and harmful behaviours.

It is our prayer that these sanctuaries of learning will once again provide their students with the best possible opportunities for a brighter future, free from harmful addictions.

What is driving this increase in substance use?

Broadly speaking, a student’s vulnerability to substance addiction (be it alcohol addiction or a drug addiction) is rarely caused by one single driver. It is usually a mix of biological, environmental and social pressures that increase the propensity for experimenting with substances at an early age.

We feel that some of the key drivers include:

• Early exposure: Plainly put, the closer substances are to a young person’s reach, the more likely they are to see that substance as a normal part of home life. Some people grow up seeing their parents use alcohol or another substance regularly, which may be viewed as harmless in the eyes of a young person.
• Academic pressures and coping mechanisms: More related to university students, academic pressures should not be overlooked as a driver for stress and the desire to escape from school worries. Even the stress of living independently can push a student into a dark place, as evidenced by the continued rise in the cost of living for students. A record increase of 8% in 2023/2024 is a significant contributor to the use of substances to cope with daily stress.
• Broader social and cultural influences: More broadly speaking, there are a myriad of social influences that can sway a young person’s behaviour a lot more than they would in adulthood. Something as innocuous-sounding as a “student party” can be tied to trialling new drugs to a dangerous degree. It’s easy to understand how a young person’s outlook of “work hard, play hard” can quietly spiral into more frequent substance use.

Signs that a student is struggling with addiction

As a parent, guardian, educator, or caregiver, there may be signs for you to watch out for that may quietly let you know that something ominous lies under their outward behaviour, including:

How does addiction impact a student’s prospects?

The way that an addiction can impair a student’s future prospects cannot be underestimated. A substance addiction can and probably will start to fray the fabric that holds their student life together, ravaging their current academic performance and catastrophically dismantling their career prospects.

Both in school and university, students need varying degrees of focus, support and consistency from their guardians. A student may start skipping classes and handing in worsening coursework, but these are only the surface-level signs. The true turmoil is running much deeper, as they slowly start fading away from their friends and missing deadlines to complete their work.

If they don’t get help in time, casual experimentation is likely to darkly flourish into full-blown addiction, and as their substance use increases, their future job prospects arguably decrease in conjunction.

How can I get through to a struggling student?

Whether you’re a parent or a teacher of a student you suspect is struggling with addiction, there are productive steps you can take to increase your chances of getting through to them and helping them escape the poisonous tendrils of addiction.

“University Mental Health Day,” finding light in the darkness

As we’ve highlighted some of the disturbing trends of heightened drug use among students, it is easy to fall into a negative frame of mind and worry if anything is being done about it.

The good news is that there is.

Student Minds’ University Mental Health Day is slowly but steadily carrying the torch for a brighter tomorrow for students right across the country. Their annual event is helping alleviate the mental health stresses that millions of students face. Their workshops are bridging the gap between students and mental health support, with avenues opening up for healthier coping mechanisms.

They are shining a light on dark times for academic circles and are giving a voice to millions struggling in silence.

Where can I find support for an addicted student I know?

If you’re concerned about a student or young person in your life, reaching out could be the moment that changes their life forever.

At Liberty House Clinic, we specialise in tailored rehab programmes for those battling addiction. From early intervention guidance to personalised treatment plans, our team is ready to tread the path of recovery with you.

A brighter future is just one phone call away. Contact Liberty House Clinic today and let us help you support the person you care about escape the grip of addiction.