Addiction in School / University

UCAS reports that in the last decade, there has been a 450% rise in mental health declarations among UK university students, a stark reminder of how overwhelming academic life can become.

What contributes to addiction in schools and universities?

The driving factors of any drug addiction can be complex and multi-faceted. Sometimes we may find ourselves grateful, as adults, that we have been through experiences that help us defend ourselves against life’s pressures. It can be heartbreaking to see the innocence of a young child or adolescent spoiled by drug or alcohol addiction. They may try a substance innocuously, without realising the dangerous doors they are opening to addiction and dependence.

School and university students may be equally susceptible to the drivers of adult addiction, if not more so. There are, however, a few unique challenges that young people face:

Signs a student might be struggling with addiction

Spotting addiction in a young person is often less straightforward than in an adult. A young person can be more likely to internalise, or mask, their issues, especially when the forces of fear and judgement exert their influence.

However, as a parent, guardian, or caregiver, there may be marked behavioural, emotional and social changes to look for. Some signs can point to a deeper issue, especially when they persist over time, including:

• Unsettling changes in behaviour or performance: A student may start missing classes, handing in lacklustre work, or losing interest in previously important goals. This may be especially difficult to spot in a university student, as they are at a point where, if they don’t want to come to class, they usually aren’t forced to. The onus of their academic life rests now on their shoulders, which can be a difficult weight to lift and carry suddenly.
• Mental health struggles and emotional withdrawal: For both school and university students, there will be times of low mood and emotional instability. However, these relatively normal changes will appear more strongly in a young person battling addiction. If intense emotional changes coincide with other warning signs, it may suggest that substance use is having some effect on their mental well-being.
• Secretive habits and social isolation: In response to suffering mentally and emotionally, most young people develop the unhealthy tendency to withdraw from close relationships. You might notice them hiding evidence of drug use by secluding themselves or becoming defensive or even hostile to your genuine expressions of concern.

How does addiction affect education and life prospects?

The potential impairments an addiction can cause to a young person’s education cannot be understated. Addiction can and probably will slowly unravel the entire structure of a student’s life. Addiction tears at not only their academic performance, but also their long-term goals and development.

At school and university, students need varying degrees of focus and consistency, both of which are compromised by addiction. They might start missing classes or handing in work of worsening quality, but these are only the outward signs; the real cost may run deeper.

A student’s social bonds can fade away and push them towards self-isolation, or even a new, risky peer group. They may lose complete sight of what a supportive network looks like, which will completely hinder their ability to network in their later career.

Left unaddressed, trauma will dangerously bloom into adolescent addiction, which in turn echoes across adulthood. Employment opportunities vanish after graduation, if they make it at all, as the world keeps spinning and leaves them behind, suffering alone.

How can I approach a student that I’m concerned about?

If you suspect a student is struggling with substance use, you might not know where to start. However, if you handle it with care, you may be instigating the change in life they’re crying out for.

The powerful movement of “University Mental Health Day”

Amidst all of the unsettling and disheartening news of student drug use increasing, there are positive glimmers of hope emerging.

Student Minds’ University Mental Health Day is right at the heart of it.

This annual event is dedicated to tackling the mental health crises felt on many campuses by putting student wellbeing at the top of the agenda. Universities across the UK are coming together to create events and support pathways that highlight the importance of early intervention.

The events they hold are opening the door for students who are struggling in silence and creating a culture where mental health is treated with the same urgency as academic performance.

When communities and organisations come together in such a way, real change happens, not just for one day, but for the future of sober student life.

Where can I get support for a young person’s addiction?

If you’re worried about a student or young person in your life, you may be changing their life if you reach out for professional support. Whether you’re a parent, peer, housemate or tutor, we’re ready to support you.

Every journey begins with a single step. Reaching out to us may be the step that changes their life. Contact Sanctuary Lodge today to speak with someone who understands and can show light the way to a brighter, sober future.