College campuses are notorious for parties where drinking and other substance use is chalked up to young adults, newly in charge of themselves, just blowing off steam. We've seen countless movies and television shows where the sheltered 18-year-old goes off to college only to slack off in their classes and spend all their time socializing, drinking, and learning how to be an adult the hard way. In fact, a recent study discovered that almost 40% of college students nationwide were repeatedly abusing alcohol or drugs, or both.

Up until recently, the prevalence of addiction was much lower, and colleges and universities were ill-equipped to support their student's recovery. Instead of finding ways to stay sober, these students were reprimanded for violating the school's code of conduct and/or forced to drop out of school to avoid engaging in social situations where drugs and alcohol were frequently available.

What Universities Are Doing Now to Support Students

With the increase in addiction, more and more colleges are building programs to help students pursue sobriety and recovery while navigating life on campus. Many colleges are finding ways to put Narcan kits (which help counteract the effects of narcotic drugs and can prevent an overdose) on campus, hiring mental health counselors with a focus on addiction and recovery, and creating collegiate recovery centers (CRCs). CRCs are massive resources for recovering students at every step of their sober journey, providing everything from scholarships to sober social activities and dedicated counselors.

How an Attorney-Advisor Can Help

Without support, students struggling with an addiction can find themselves being reprimanded for code of conduct violations. It is not uncommon for these students to miss class, show up late, or do poorly on assignments or exams, leading to academic progress issues. Additionally, when students are put into the position of constantly feeling behind, it can push them to use alcohol or illicit drugs more frequently. When this happens, the cycle of falling behind or doing poorly just grows wider.

Struggling students are more likely to act out in ways they normally wouldn't. For instance, a student struggling with alcoholism may put off studying to party. When they show up for an exam ill-prepared, they are more inclined to cheat off their classmates. Moreover, students with drug abuse problems who are looking for their next fix are more likely to lash out at the people around them, which could put them before a disciplinary committee and the possibility of harsh sanctions preventing them from graduating.

While the CRCs endeavor to help support students, most students will still need help and guidance if they are notified of a disciplinary or academic hearing. Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm have spent years helping students navigate these types of hearings. They will work tirelessly to ensure they are not subject to any unnecessary negative consequences – like suspension or expulsion – and encourage the university to provide the student with the necessary support.

If you or someone you love is struggling with an addiction while in college and is facing conduct issues, Attorney Lento can help. Call 888-535-3686 today for help or schedule a consultation online.