Back to School: Tips for College Students in Recovery

It’s that time of year again… A new school year, new Jansports, new dorm decor, and so many new beginnings—as the carefree days of summer quickly fade into the rearview.

But going back to school also means the return of textbooks, essays, midterms, early mornings, late nights, and other stressors that can put added pressure on students. This pressure can be hard to manage for anyone—and especially hard for students struggling with drug and alcohol misuse or those in recovery from addiction.

The desire to do better in school and improve academic performance is one of the main reasons teens and young adults misuse drugs. Additionally, stress, depression, anxiety, and environmental factors like easy access and peer pressure are all risk factors for addiction.

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health just released new data, which showed that teens and young adults are experiencing mental illness at higher rates than ever before. In 2023, over 10% of Americans aged 18 to 25 (3.5 million) had a serious mental illness, and nearly half of people in this age group (16 million) had either a substance use disorder or other mental illness.

The recent survey also reported alarming statistics about underage drinking and illicit drug use, such as:

• In 2023, more than 14% of adolescents aged 12 to 20 (5.6 million) drank alcohol in the past month. Of those, 3.3 million engaged in and 663,000 engaged in
• In 2022, marijuana use among this age group reached an all time high, with nearly 20% of youths (7.4 million) reporting use of the drug in the past year. That number was followed by a slight decline (7 million) in 2023.
• Young adults aged 18 to 25 have the highest rates of any illicit drug use (39% or 13.3 million), as well as the highest use rates of marijuana (36.5% or 12.4 million), cocaine (3.1% or 1 million), and (6.7% or 2.3 million).

One of the more risky trends among this age group is the widespread misuse of prescription stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin. Sometimes called “study drugs,” these medications are commonly used to treat ADHD and, when used appropriately, they may help improve focus and attention span.

But in 2023, more than 3% of young adults aged 18–25 (1.1 million) misused prescription stimulants. Misuse is considered any use without a prescription, using more of the drug than what is prescribed, or taking it to get “high.”

Previous research revealed that nearly half of college students who used prescription stimulants did so without a prescription. Study participants reported being given these medications from friends and buying them online or from someone else. Over a third of them said they had been asked to share or sell their stimulants.

Misuse of prescription stimulants is dangerous and can lead to serious health effects like increased blood pressure and heart rate, as well as an increased risk of overdose. Prescription stimulant misuse is also associated with more emergency room visits, depression and suicide ideation, and substance use. For example, one study found that over 95% of people who misused prescription stimulants used at least one other illicit drug.

So, as the new school year kicks into gear, don’t forget to take care of yourself and prioritize your mental health. Nothing is more important than that. And if you know someone who is dealing with substance misuse or in recovery, be sure to check on them and support them along the way.

Here are some tips to help you stay on track when going back to school:

Schedule time for studying and homework. Getting yourself into a predictable routine and ensuring you get a good night’s sleep and eat a well-balanced diet can help minimize stress and build long-term healthy habits.

Seek out sober activities and groups on campus. Clubs and fun events abound at universities. Find ones that appeal to you with like-minded people who support your sober lifestyle.

Plan ahead and have an exit strategy. For parties, that is. You don’t have to avoid all places with alcohol or drugs just because you’re in recovery or simply choosing not to drink. But it can be helpful to have a game plan (like bringing a non-alcoholic beverage with you) and an out in case you start feeling triggered.

Take advantage of the available mental health services on campus. Most colleges offer counseling and other mental health services, and they are often included in the price of tuition. If you need something more comprehensive or specialized, the student health center may be able to refer you to a provider nearby.

Keep connected with your recovery. Don’t lose sight of all the hard work and skills you built in treatment. Aftercare is a pivotal part of the process and can help you sustain your recovery through peer support groups, alumni programs, sober living houses, and more.

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