For many college students, drugs and alcohol are a large part of their environment. Statistics show that nearly 55% of full-time college students between the ages of 18-22 drank alcohol over one month.[1] That is over 10% higher than their peers who are not in college. Illicit drug use is also prevalent, with 20% admitting to using drugs over the past month.[2] This usage, combined with specific triggers college students face, can spell trouble for those trying to recover from a substance use disorder. We’re going to take a closer look at several common addiction triggers in college, as well as ways students can avoid them to remain sober.
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What are Addiction Triggers?
An addiction trigger is anything that reminds a former substance user of their addiction. This can be in the form of people, places, feelings, or memories. These triggers are dangerous because they can easily lead to relapse. This is why college students must be able to recognize these triggers to stay on the path of sobriety.
Common Addiction Triggers in College
While everyone may have a different addiction trigger, several common ones can be found on college campuses across the country.
Academic Pressure
The pressure to succeed academically can easily turn college students towards substances. For many, this may have been what contributed to their drug or alcohol use at the start. The pressure to get good grades and succeed in college can cause stress, which can, in turn, result in substance use. Many people turn to substances as a coping mechanism to help them deal with their stress and anxiety.
Peer Pressure
The pressure to fit in, especially for first-year college students, can be intense. Many may feel pressured to try substances to feel as though they are part of a specific group. Perhaps they have friends they used to drink or do drugs with who are with them at college. In these instances, these groups can become triggers for someone trying to recover from substance abuse. Returning to the places and spending time with people who support substance use can certainly lead to relapse.
Depression & Mental Health Issues
Depression and mental health issues can be substantial addiction triggers for college students. A 2022 study from The American College Health Association found that 77% of college students surveyed experienced some type of psychological distress.[3]
If a student experienced mental health issues before, these similar feelings can trigger substance use once again. Students may get depressed over being left out of a group or may miss home if they’re away. Anxiety issues can also form as students deal with the stress of college. Any of these issues can lead to substance use.
Being able to identify these triggers is essential to the recovery process. It helps college students better understand their cravings and thought patterns when it comes to substance use. Once these triggers are identified, the next step is knowing how to avoid them.
How To Avoid Addiction Triggers in College
Make New Friends
If there are groups of people who may trigger substance use, it’s best to avoid them. Seek new friends who don’t use substances and won’t pressure you. Look to meet new people who share common interests. This can be a great jumping-off point to meet new friends and form lasting relationships that don’t involve substance use.
Make a Schedule
When the pressures of academia begin to set in, having a schedule can help to avoid feeling stressed and looking to substances to self-medicate. Set a schedule of when assignments are due and when they will be completed. This allows you to see what needs to be done and when. As you accomplish these goals, you can check them off, giving you a sense of accomplishment. These positive feelings can also help to keep you on a sober path.
Exercise and Stay Active
If you’re feeling tempted to use substances, exercise and stay active. Exercise is known to distract you from your triggers.[4] Establishing an exercise regime can not only give you something to do with your time that doesn’t involve substances, but it can also help you to meet new people.
Exercise also reduces stress, reducing the desire to return to bad habits. This is especially helpful if stress is one of the reasons why you started using substances in the first place.
Practice Self-Care
Practicing self-care can also help manage triggers. Focusing on yourself can help you stay strong when times get tough. Getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and exercising are all ways you can practice the self-care you need to fight triggers and remain sober.
Meditate
Meditating and learning to be mindful can be extremely helpful in managing addiction triggers. Mindfulness forces you to be present in the moment to help reduce stress. It can also help you to regulate your emotions. Meditation helps to quiet the mind and bring about clarity. Seeing situations clearly can help to avoid triggers.
Seek Support
When the threat of addiction triggers becomes too much to handle, support groups can help. Whether in-person or online, these groups of people who are experiencing similar situations can help you stay focused and avoid substance abuse in college. Some colleges and universities also provide support groups on campus for those recovering from addiction. Seeking these out can not only help to manage triggers but can also introduce you to people who are dealing with the same experiences.
Seek Substance Use Treatment at Ember Recovery
Ember Recovery is here to provide the substance abuse treatment that teens and young adults in Iowa need to live sober lives. Our programs are specifically for teens and young adults and the challenges they face as they try to overcome their substance use disorders.
Our treatment programs include a variety of therapies and other techniques aimed at helping teens get sober and prevent relapse. We also provide an aftercare program that can help teens deal with the challenges they will face when their treatment program is over, including how to handle addiction triggers. Contact the team at Ember Recovery today to learn more.
Sources:
[1] https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-topics/alcohol-facts-and-statistics [2] https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-DetTabs2014/NSDUH-DetTabs2014.pdf [3] https://www.collegetransitions.com/blog/college-students-mental-health-statistics/ [4] https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/exercise-help-addiction-recovery
Andrea Dickerson is a Licensed Therapist and Certified Substance Use Counselor who has worked in behavioral health since 1997. Currently, Andrea is the Director of Behavioral Health, overseeing the Ember residential treatment programs and YSS outpatient counseling clinics throughout Central and North Central Iowa. She became a Motivational Interviewing (MI) trainer in 2006 and provides MI trainings throughout Iowa.
Andrea specializes in working with adolescents and their families and enjoys seeing the family relationships grow through therapy. Andrea is also a CARF International Surveyor, going around North America ensuring behavioral health organizations are meeting required standards.
In her free time, Andrea enjoys cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Cubs, as well as being an active member of Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA), a global organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. She has been a member of the SI of Des Moines club since 2012 and has been actively involved at the regional level, currently serving as Co-Governor of the Peaks to Plains Region.
Through her involvement in SIA, Andrea has been actively involved in the Dream Programs, coordinating annual Dream It, Be It: Career Support for Girls projects, which give girls the tools they need to achieve their education and career goals, empowering them to break cycles of poverty, violence, and abuse.