By MICHAEL LEACH
Contributing writer
As fall approaches, so does another school year for many college and university students. And thankfully, the 2021-22 school year looks to be more than just a return to class. This year, most schools are planning on hosting students on campus again after a year filled with abnormalities.
The COVID 19 pandemic brought many things to a screeching halt, including college campuses.
Schools scrambled to convert classes to an online, stay-at-home format, so they could continue services and not leave countless students' educations on hold with no end in sight. But the end has come, and as states have lifted social distancing restrictions, schools have begun preparing to deliver a "normal” year once again. But this year won't quite be normal for many students.
After a year away from campus, all college students will be going through a sort of reorientation. No one has attended in-person classes or lived in on-campus housing for a while, and they'll all be there together now. Freshmen will be brand new to the experience, as they always are.
Sophomores won't have been on campus previously for any substantial period, so they will essentially be in the same boat as incoming freshmen. And juniors will have only had one full year on campus that ended over a year ago. In short, it will be a very new experience for most students attending.
This means that many students will be experiencing situations that are risky for freshmen, even if they aren't necessarily freshmen. And doing so without the benefit of having others to turn to who are more experienced in these situations. So, when it comes to learning how to balance things like school and partying, most students will be new to it.
It is widely known that college is a time when many people are away from home for the first time and they have the autonomy to make their own choices. That's why a lot of freshmen end up overindulging and can have a difficult time adjusting to the college atmosphere. Having others around who can set an example or help guide them properly is an advantage that will be missing this year, presenting a unique set of circumstances.
There's potential for colleges to be faced with problems with so many students returning who are "new" and looking to celebrate their independence, whether it be from their parents or the COVID restrictions. Substance use isn't a new issue among college students. But it's easy to see that, with so many different factors at play, this fall could be a sort of perfect storm where students could easily get caught up in the extracurricular activities that can come with college, and that includes substance use.
Many parents have already thought this through and have concerns about their children going off to school, given the current circumstances, especially since, for 2020, the nation just saw the highest drug overdose rates ever recorded. For those concerned, there are some ways to identify if someone has begun to struggle with substance use.
One of the first signs is a withdrawal of communication. The person will usually stop communicating with loved ones as much, particularly their parents. They don't want anyone knowing that they are using drugs or alcohol excessively. Another sign of substance abuse among college students is poor performance in school. Things like missing class and getting lower grades than normal are all signs that something is wrong.
Addiction often causes the person to become irresponsible because they prioritize drug and alcohol use over other important activities, like school. The student may also need money or spend it too quickly. If their parents are helping them financially, this should be noticeable. Look for peculiar requests for money, such as the student saying they need more schoolbooks or supplies even though it isn't the beginning of the term, etc. Anything that feels unusual probably is.
Talking is the best way to get through to anyone who may be abusing drugs or alcohol. Confronting them about the concern that they may be using substances is always better than waiting and hoping something changes before it's too late.
The sooner they get help, the better the chances of long-term recovery.
Author Bio: Michael Leach has spent most of his career as a health care professional specializing in Substance Use Disorder and addiction recovery. He is a regular contributor to the healthcare website Addicted.org and a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant.