CREATE ACCOUNT

Please help support Alcohol & Drug Services in your local community

Pot Use Among College Students

/ / Addiction in Media, Cannabis Use, College Alcohol Abuse, Current Drug Trends, Drug Abuse Trends, General Discussion, Information for Parents, Marijuana Addiction, Prevention and Intervention, Teen Substance Abuse, Tobacco

A University of Michigan study funded by the National Institute On Drug Abuse (NIDA) found that college students are presently 51% more likely to use marijuana than same age peers who are not enrolled in college.

This trend has been increasing at about 10% per year for several years underscoring the need for increased prevention & education efforts. Studies have found that more potent forms of marijuana are being grown and illegally brought into the U.S. with news articles in recent years highlighting youth who have had adverse reactions to new forms of pot and synthetic marijuana (Spice and K2).

Related: 19 Year Old Jumps to His Death After Eating Marijuana Cookie

Many teens have developed an unrealistic view of marijuana’s long-term effects on functioning. Scores of college students eventually drop out due to developing a substance use disorder. A traditional characteristic of an emerging substance use problem is “continuing to use despite adverse consequences”. Many students have proclaimed “It’s no big deal. I can stop when I want.” Yet, they persist in smoking while clear warning signs are visible to those around them.

But this is the insidious nature of addiction. Many addicted individuals begin using and tell themselves they will “apply the brake” before things get out of hand. Also the ever popular belief “It won’t happen to me.” Finally, there is an old, wise saying which bears consideration:

“No one starts off with the intention of becoming an addict”.

 

TOP