Drug and Alcohol Abuse in College Students

College is an exciting time in a student’s life. They’re taking major steps toward independence and making their own decisions, and there are lots of great opportunities and experiences to take advantage of. However, it can also be a time of uncertainty, anxiety, homesickness and social challenges. 

Some college students may turn to alcohol or drugs to deal with stress, increase academic performance or make social situations easier. Binge drinking and drug use are common problems students face on college campuses. Understanding the unique challenges college students face can help prevent substance misuse and addiction or address a substance use disorder (SUD) that has already developed.

There’s a stereotype of college life that includes nonstop partying and binge-drinking. While it’s true that young adults (ages 18-24) are at an elevated risk of substance use, that doesn’t mean every college student is misusing drugs or alcohol or will develop an SUD. The data below helps put college substance use in perspective:

• 47.5% of college students ages 18 to 25 report drinking alcohol within the past month.
• 25% of college students report at least one instance of binge drinking within the past month
• The percentage of college students who drink is roughly equal between men and women.
• 39.5% of college students have used marijuana at least once.
• 26.1% report using marijuana in the past 30 days.
• Almost a quarter (24%) of college students have used illegal drugs.
• 97.2% of college students who’ve used illicit substances use marijuana.
• Approximately 21% of college students meet the criteria for substance use disorder.
• Of college students with a substance use disorder, less than 5% receive treatment.

One key point about these figures is that they include both illicit and legal substance use. Upperclassmen of legal drinking age may be going out for a drink with friends on a Friday night without misusing alcohol. Marijuana is legal for recreational use in 24 U.S. states as of 2026. Acknowledging that substance use exists on a spectrum can help you recognize the difference between experimentation, misuse and addiction.

Substance abuse is defined as a pattern of drug abuse leading to significant problems or distress. Substance dependence is the continued use of drugs or alcohol, even when it’s causing significant problems. Both can be issues for college students.

Going to college is a major life transition, and it’s normal to feel anxious and uncertain. Some college students drink alcohol or use drugs as a way to make socializing easier or to fit in. Others may be experimenting with substances for the first time now that they have more privacy and independence.

Other common reasons college students turn to drinking or drugs include:

• Stress: The demands of coursework, part-time jobs, internships, social obligations and other responsibilities can be stressful. Many students turn to drugs and alcohol as a way to cope with it all.
• Course load: Students may take stimulants like Adderall to help them stay awake long enough to study or to complete their homework. Stimulant use is especially common for students in high-pressure fields like medicine or law. 
• Curiosity: College students are exploring many new aspects of their lives in personal and professional ways, and experimenting with drugs and alcohol is common as they figure out who they are and what they want.
• Peer pressure: When others around them are experimenting with alcohol or drugs, college students may be more likely to try the substances themselves.

The Influence of Greek Life

Joining a sorority or fraternity in college is a great way for students to make friends and network. Although these fraternities and sororities try to create a family-like environment, drinking and drug abuse are much more prevalent than they are in students outside these communities.

A study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that 90% of male members of social fraternities reported binge drinking at least once in the last two weeks. This percentage was more than 2.5 times the rate of binge drinking for non-affiliated college students. In addition, fraternity and sorority members are more likely than their non-Greek peers to abuse prescription drugs, including stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin.

Substance use can be driven by trends, especially with the influence of social media, but some substances consistently rank among the most common for college students.

• Alcohol: Because drinking is so socially acceptable in college, it can be hard for students to recognize when they may have a drinking problem. Around half of college students drink regularly, and around 25% report instances of binge drinking. 
• Marijuana: As more states consider legalizing marijuana, more college students are turning to pot as their drug of choice and don’t feel like they’re breaking the law. Abuse can easily turn into an addiction to marijuana if students become dependent.
• Stimulants: Adderall and Ritalin are commonly referred to as “study drugs.” Students may share pills or be able to get a legitimate prescription of their own. Students without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who take Adderall report a heightened sense of motivation, focus and concentration. They may take these medications to cope with the pressures of coursework and other obligations. 
• Ecstasy and other party drugs: College students fall well within the target age range for party drugs like ecstasy, commonly known as MDMA or Molly. One of the unique dangers of these drugs is that it’s impossible to know what’s actually in them or how pure they are. Pills may be cut with even more dangerous substances, such as fentanyl, which can significantly increase the risk of health problems and overdose.

Other substances college students may misuse include prescription opioids, over-the-counter medications, such as cough syrup, illicit drugs like cocaine and even caffeine. All these substances can carry significant health risks when abused.

Many students think that substance use isn’t a big deal or that it’s a normal part of the college experience. But the truth is that substance use can lead to something as minor as a hangover or as serious as death. 

The more a student drinks or abuses drugs, the more likely they are to experience negative consequences, such as:

• Unprotected sex: Drinking or using drugs can increase the chances of someone having unprotected sex, increasing the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and unwanted pregnancies.
• Driving under the influence: According to Campus Drug Prevention, a little more than 13% of students reported drinking before driving in the past month. Almost 30% reported driving within 6 hours of using marijuana. This behavior can lead to legal consequences such as DUI charges and can cause significant injury or death in the event of an accident.
• Assault: Every year, hundreds of thousands of students aged 18-24 are assaulted by another student under the influence of alcohol.
• Sexual abuse: Each year, thousands of college students are victims of alcohol-related date-rape or sexual abuse. Women, students of color and LGBTQ+ students are disproportionately affected, according to a study published in Frontiers.
• Poor academic performance: About 25% of college students report academic consequences of drinking, including missed classes, falling behind or doing poorly on exams or papers, all of which can ultimately lead to lower grades. 
• Hazing: The misuse of alcohol plays a role in the rapidly increasing rate of hazing on college campuses. Approximately 70% of college students who saw hazing behavior reported that alcohol was involved to some degree. 

When college students are away from home and on campus most of the time, it can be harder to monitor the changes in their mood and behavior that could signal a substance use issue. But early detection is key. 

Staying in regular communication with the student can help you better understand what’s part of the normal adjustment to college and what could be a sign that they need help. Texting can be a great way to stay in more frequent contact, but talking on the phone or video-calling can give you a clearer sense of how your student is doing. 

If you think your child may have a substance use issue or you’re a college student who’s concerned about yourself or a friend, help is available. Most colleges have resources like counseling services that can refer students or concerned parents to local resources, including rehabs and other support services. They can also help you understand how substance use treatment may impact academics or what rehabs may offer flexible treatment plans that let you continue pursuing a degree.