For countless Americans, college is an opportunity to take advantage of newfound freedom and try new things in life. Many young adults are living on their own and away from their parents’ supervision for the first time in their lives, allowing them to take risks and experiment with drugs and alcohol. According to national statistics, approximately 80 percent of U.S. college students have reported abusing alcohol. Though to a certain extent it’s normalized in our culture to drink or use drugs recreationally with peers at parties and other social events, there comes a point were drug use transitions into abuse and addiction.
If you are a parent or family member of a college student, it’s natural to be concerned about what your loved one is up to when they’re away. If you have serious concerns about them nursing a drug or alcohol addiction, it’s important to understand the warning signs of addiction. If you strongly suspect they’re struggling, it might be time to address the issue and help them seek a medical detox program so they can safely get sober and begin recovery.
Warning Signs of Addiction
If your college student is exhibiting any of the following symptoms or behavior patterns, it might be time to have a frank discussion with them about their potential drug or alcohol addiction.
They’re Failing Their Classes
Drug abuse and addiction impact your brain cognition and functions, leading to an inability to concentrate or retain memory. As a result, a person with an addiction may have a difficult time paying attention in their classes and performing on tests. They may also feel compelled to skip their classes altogether after late-night partying or exhaustion from symptoms like insomnia. If your college student’s grades have suddenly dropped for no apparent reason, this may be cause for concern.
They Have Financial Problems
Thanks to the increasing costs of tuition and limited job prospects, it’s not news that many college students struggle financially while they’re in school, and some have to get campus jobs to afford basic necessities. However, it’s important to realize that people with drug addictions often go deep into debt to continue feeding their addiction. If your college student has stopped paying bills or is beginning to borrow money from others without paying them back, they may be using the money to purchase more drugs. A major red flag is if you catch your student stealing from friends or even you, or if you catch them lying about where the money is going.
Their Behavior or Appearance Has Changed Drastically
A common symptom of drug addiction is severe weight gain or loss, as well as changes in hygiene. If your loved one has stopped taking care of themselves and it’s physically obvious, it might be time to intervene and address their ongoing addiction. Similarly, a person’s mood can be impacted by addiction. Sudden aggression, agitation, or social withdrawal are all symptoms of addiction. If your college student is no longer seeing friends or avoiding phone calls from family members, they might need professional help.
A Safe Place for Your Loved One to Land
For many, the thought of having to go through the uncomfortable and often painful stages of withdrawal is unappealing and can deter them from seeking help for their addiction. The Nestled Recovery Center strives to make this process as comfortable and safe for patients as possible. Detoxing on your own can be dangerous and feel isolating, but when you call our facility for professional help, you can expect to be treated with compassion by our team members and have all your symptoms monitored closely by our medical director.
We have individualized detox treatments for alcohol or drug addictions such as cocaine, fentanyl, opiates, heroin, and more. If you’re concerned for yourself or a loved one, you can rest easy knowing we have our patients’ best interests and well-being in mind.
The Nestled Recovery Center can help you or a loved one manage your withdrawal symptoms safely through our medical detox program. Learn more about our treatment options by calling (702) 299-6406, or fill out our online form.
