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College students rarely seek help despite serious substance use problems
Kimberly M Caldeira1, Sarah J Kasperski, Eva Sharma
1Center for Substance Abuse Research, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, USA.
Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment
|June 26, 2009
Summary
College students show high rates of substance use disorders (SUD), with nearly half experiencing alcohol or marijuana issues. However, very few recognize their need for help or seek treatment, highlighting a critical intervention gap.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- Substance Use Disorders (SUD) are prevalent among college students.
- Understanding the help-seeking behaviors in this demographic is crucial for intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of SUD in college students.
- To examine the help-seeking process and barriers among students with SUD.
Main Methods:
- Personal interviews were conducted with 946 students at a large public university over 3 years.
- Statistical adjustments were applied for purposive sampling to estimate prevalence.
Main Results:
- An estimated 46.8% of third-year students met DSM-IV criteria for SUD (alcohol/marijuana).
- Only 3.6% perceived a need for help, and 8.8% sought help, though rates increased with perceived need or social pressure.
- Utilized resources included educational programs, health professionals, and 12-step programs.
Conclusions:
- College students exhibit high rates of SUD but low rates of help-seeking.
- Early intervention opportunities exist, emphasizing the need to address recognition of need and social support for seeking treatment.
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