Peak Times When College Kids Are Using

Did you know that there are peak seasons when it comes to drug and alcohol use among college students? According to a report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), college students are more likely to try illegal substances, including pot, prescription painkillers and stimulants, and alcohol at certain times of the year.

While the report didn’t say why some months result in more use than others, theories abound. For example, those first six weeks are often seen as the likeliest time for trying alcohol and many experts attribute this to the stress staring college can bring. Similarly, students are most likely to try or buy someone else’s ADHD meds or painkillers to get high during the winter months, which often coincide with midterms or final exams.

Other key study findings include:

• September, December: Peak months for first-time underage alcohol consumption among college students (ages 18 to 20).
• September, October: Peak months for college kids to take up smoking cigarettes.
• October: Peak month for college students to begin using smokeless tobacco.
• December: Peak month for full-time college students to start misusing prescription pain relievers. During this month, rates rise from 800 to 850 new users a day, according to the report.
• April, November, and December: Peak time for students to start using prescription stimulants (like Adderall and Ritalin) that were not prescribed for them. During these months, the average daily initiation rate jumps above 500, peaking at 585 in November.
• June: On average, roughly 1,000 college students start using marijuana every day. But in June the number rises to about 1,500.

Drug and Alcohol Treatment for Young Adults
If you or someone you love is addicted to drugs or alcohol, Hope Academy can help. We offer a variety of drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs for young adults, including our unique sobriety college program. Our CA rehab programs for adults age 18 to 26 include residential treatment and outpatient programs, and our team is available to help with insurance authorizations, and interventions. For more information, call: 866-930-4673.