How Sobriety Can Help College Students Succeed

BY JORI HAMILTON

Alcohol has long been a part of college culture. In fact, federal health officials say more than 80 percent of college students drink. Of that 80 percent, about half say they binge drink. This can have a huge impact on the health, well-being, and academic success of college students.

“Everybody’s drinking to get drunk,” Dr. Sharon Levy, a pediatrician and director of the Adolescent Substance Abuse Program at Boston Children’s Hospital tells NPR. “Kids tell me this is how they socialize with friends.”

The college experience differs for everyone. Though some students are in environments where alcohol and binge drinking come secondary to their studies and social activities, many students find themselves in environments that encourage drug and alcohol use. While this behavior is simply part of the fun for some, it’s detrimental for others in terms of their health and academic success.

 

Because of the growing problem with substance abuse at the college level, some students are finding that it’s necessary to stay sober in order to stay on the right path and remain focused on their studies. In order to help college students stay sober and gain the associated benefits, some universities are adopting programs designed to help their students stay sober.

The Sobering Statistics

The college party scene is not just a trope used in movies and television. In fact, there is plenty of truth to the prevalence of party culture on campus. College is a time of transition for many young people and is often one of their first steps into independence as adults. It’s no surprise then that many struggle with their newfound freedom.

One 2017 study showed that alcohol use in college students is higher than in their non-college peers. Despite an initial downward trend on cocaine use in college students, it increased in 2014 and remained high in 2015. Another study showed that there is a correlation between daily marijuana use and an increase in alcohol use. Both studies indicate that over time, there are cognitive detriments and consequences to the health of individual students.

Not only is drug and alcohol use common in college, it’s also dangerous. Risky behavior can be synonymous with substance abuse including drinking and driving and impulsive decision-making. The high frequency of substance abuse in college has also normalized substance abuse for many students. This has made it even more difficult to identify addiction issues. For some, the party culture is just one aspect of college life, but for others it can derail their success.

The Benefits of Sobriety in College

Staying sober in college may seem like an impossible reality  for some students, but it’s very doable with the right resources and support, and there are multiple benfits to doing so. Staying sober in college has benefits that can help with academics, physical health, and long-term mental well-being.

Shifting focus from parties illicit substances to academics and studying will provide obvious benefits in terms of grades and participation. After all, college is not only important in terms of GPA and career options, but it’s also important in terms of personal growth and social surroundings. Staying sober in college can help in each of these areas and can create a pattern of positive behavior into adulthood.

Missing out on parties and hangouts may seem like too much to bare for the average college student in their late teens or early twenties, as typical college culture encourages partying and the use of substances. However, this isn’t’ necessarily how college has to be.

For those who are interested in sober living in college, there are a number of resources and tools available. First, students need to be able to find like minded peers who are in recovery or have made similar commitments to sobriety to use as a support system. Additionally, many colleges have programs and support systems that can help sober students can help students stay focused on academics, encourage a healthy lifestyle away from drugs and alcohol, and provide a way to find like-minded students who are also trying to stay sober.  

What Universities Can Do to Help

In 2017, 5.3 million young adults needed treatment for substance abuse. One in six of those students was of the average college age. When college culture is synonymous with alcohol and drug use, it can mean that young people who have addiction issues may feel they need to decide between their schooling and their sobriety. However, universities who offer solutions to the substance abuse culture that many colleges are known for can make a big difference for the students who need to stay sober. They also help with preventing substance abuse problems for students who don’t have issues with addiction but still prefer to stay sober.

One solution to this problem is the growing number of sober dorms or sober housing options for students. Some universities offer substance abuse recovery programs that not only focus on sober housing options but also sober social events and trips to help students find the social circle that aids in their sober lifestyle. In addition to that, some universities offer addiction recovery and mental health services on campus. Talking with a counselor or social worker who is trained in substance abuse can help college students be more successful in their sobriety. Recovery coaching programs and Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings specifically for college students can also a big help in providing assistance on campus.

For a young college student who is just venturing out on their own, it can be easy to fall into the college party culture and get lost in it. Poor grades, suffering mental health, and issues with addiction can easily follow. This is why experiencing college as a sober student is the only way that many students can get through it. Unfortunately, the ever-present party scene may make is seem like staying sober is impossible. However, the universities who are offering resources for these students are making the impossible possible. No student should have to choose between higher education and sobriety.

Bio: Jori Hamilton is a writer from the Northwest who is passionate about education and social justice issues. You can follow her on Twitter @HamiltonJori