Cocaine use in colleges is increasing, as well as the use of other drugs. For example, heroin use in colleges is becoming a cause for concern as well. College students are more open to the idea of experimenting with drugs. When it comes to stimulants, like cocaine, many college students abuse these drugs not only to party, but also to get a leg up when studying.

Latest Statistics of Cocaine Use in Colleges

First and foremost, let’s look at what the statistics are saying about this type of drug addiction.

Cocaine is one of the most commonly abused drugs in America. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 2015 report, about 1.5 million Americans over the age of 12 have used this drug in the past month. Of these people, about 20% have tried crack cocaine in the past month.

Most of the people who abuse this drug tend to be college students. The biggest issue is that more and more college students report using cocaine each year. In 2013, 2.7% of full-time college students reported using cocaine. By 2014, this percentage jumped to 4.4%. It’s important to note that these numbers are self-reported, which means that there are many students who may not feel comfortable admitting to their cocaine habit or use.

The same study found that high school students were not as likely to use cocaine and other illicit drugs. Instead, if they were to abuse stimulants, they were more likely to turn to prescription medications like Adderall or Ritalin.

Potential Reasons Behind Growing Cocaine Use in Colleges

The question remains, “Why are college students more likely to abuse cocaine?”

Researchers have found many potential reasons for this question. For one, college is a time where most Americans leave home. Young adults are much more open to the idea of experimenting. This leads many college students to fall victim to drug and alcohol abuse.

Also, a combination of stress and easy access to drugs may also explain the higher use of cocaine. As the brains of young adults are still developing, they may not be able to fully assess the risks involved with abusing cocaine.

Another important factor to note is that college can be very competitive. Some college students purposely abuse cocaine in order to get a leg up when studying. Cocaine may help them stay more focused or may allow them to study for longer periods of time than others.

Don’t Become a Statistic

Unfortunately, the rising cocaine use statistics among college students also mean that more of these individuals are getting addicted to cocaine and other drugs. There’s a fine line between abuse and addiction. Drug abusers who experiment with cocaine can easily develop a chemical and physical dependence on this substance. Addiction ruins lives.

If you’re a college student who has experimented with cocaine, stop before your condition worsens. If you have a difficult time stopping, get professional addiction treatment at a nearby drug rehab. Drug detox may be necessary if the student’s use of cocaine is too frequent or severe. Addiction experts at a drug treatment center can help you turn your life around, so that you don’t become a statistic.