When the College Lifestyle Goes Beyond Partying
There are plenty of stereotypes that tend to go along with the college lifestyle. When it pops into your head, what’s the first thing you think about? For many people, it’s late-night parties. From depictions on-screen to things you might have experienced in your own life, there’s no question that college parties can involve a lot of alcohol. Sometimes, they go beyond that and even involve drugs.
Most of the time, it’s not difficult for a typical “college kid” to recognize their limits. Of course, partying can be part of the college norm, and many people don’t have to worry about taking things too far, but that isn’t the case for everyone.
So, what can you do when the college lifestyle goes beyond partying?
Recognize the Signs
Again, there’s nothing wrong with going to a few parties and “letting loose," but if you find yourself partying several times a week and losing your sense of self each time, it could be a bigger sign of a problem.
One of the best things you can do for yourself—or someone you might be worried about—is to look for any red flags. It’s important to understand signs of substance abuse, so you can pick up on them early. Some of the most common signs include:
Bloodshot eyes
Sudden weight loss/gain
Changes in behaviors
Impaired coordination
Slurred speech
Alcohol is the most common drug that triggers substance abuse, and it tends to flow freely in college settings. So it’s not uncommon for individuals to take things too far. Getting drunk one night is different from experiencing substance abuse. When you let the above symptoms go without treating the problem, you could end up dealing with a full-blown addiction.
Dealing With Addiction
How can you tell if or when addiction happens? Many people use the terms substance abuse and addiction interchangeably, but they are very different. Addiction stems from substance abuse but can completely wreak havoc on your life.
Even though drug use has become exceedingly common in collegiate settings, we’ll stick with talking about alcohol since it’s so readily available. But, unfortunately, when it comes to alcohol addiction, someone might have serious problems controlling their drinking habits.
Do you continue to drink even though it’s causing problems in your life? Addiction can impact your relationships, career, and even your success in school. In addition, it can throw you off track of your long-term goals. Additionally, addiction can cause a wide range of physical problems like nausea and mental health issues like anxiety or depression.
What Can You Do?
If you or someone you know has taken the college lifestyle beyond partying, it’s important to seek out help as soon as possible. Addiction is a challenging thing to overcome, especially when you’re just starting your adult life.
Since substance abuse has become such a common problem on college campuses, there are resources available to you that you can take advantage of right away. Most colleges and universities across the country have mental health care programs right on campus. They also have on-site counselors who can help you address what you’re struggling with and get you the help you need.
If that doesn’t feel like enough, though, consider reaching out to a therapist off-campus who specializes in substance abuse and addiction. These kinds of behaviors usually stem from somewhere. If you can’t involve yourself in the college “party” lifestyle without taking things too far, there is likely something under the surface that’s fueling your addictive behavior.
If that sounds like you, feel free to contact me to set up an appointment. Together, we’ll get to the bottom of what’s driving your substance abuse and work on effective ways to cope and take back your life.
Click here for more information on Substance Abuse Counseling.