News You Can Use: Fall Increases Substance Abuse Risk for Young People

However, addiction specialists at the University of Mississippi have several recommendations to help control alcohol and drug use and avoid problems down the road.

"Society normalizes partying, drinking, using drugs as part of the college experience," said Alysia Lajune, program manager for the William Magee Center for Alcohol and Other Drugs and Wellness Education. "It's part of the boxes we feel we need to check when we go to college."

A spring 2025 survey conducted by the university's William Magee Institute for Student Wellbeing found that more than 50% of undergraduate students across Mississippi consumed some sort of harmful substance in the past month.

To be precise, 53% of students drank alcohol, 20% used cigarettes or electronic cigarettes and 15% engaged in recreational drug use in the past 30 days.

While alcohol is the most used substance, the number of students who drink has been steadily declining. Drinking among college students is at its lowest rate – 71.5% past year use, 63.0% past 30-day use – since it has been measured, according to the Monitoring the Future report.

September marks Recovery Awareness Month, making this a great time to focus on reducing addiction and its effects. The William Magee Center provides alternatives and education about harm reduction when it comes to alcohol and other drugs on campus.

For those who choose to drink, counselors suggest several ways to experience fewer negative consequences from drinking, including:

• Alternate drinking water between alcoholic drinks
• Replenish electrolytes with things such as Liquid IV and Gatorade
• Refrain from drinking alcohol while taking medications
• Avoid drinking alcohol and using marijuana at the same time
• Make sure you have food in your stomach before and while drinking alcohol
• Avoid binge drinking, which for women is consuming four alcoholic drinks and for men, consuming five, both over a two-hour period
• When attending a function with alcohol, have a cup of water or soda to drink from instead of alcohol
• Have a designated driver or use a ride-share to travel safely if you have been drinking.

Additionally, the center provides alternatives during home football games. Its Hydrate Tailgate can also be found in the Grove during game days, distributing bottled water and Liquid IV packets to encourage people to be safe and stay hydrated if they are drinking.

"We offer an alcohol-free tailgate in the Grove for those in recovery or choosing to live a sober lifestyle to have a place where they're not surrounded by alcoholic beverages," Lajune said.

Top: Sporting events and other fall activities bring plenty of opportunities to overindulge in alcohol and other substances, but specialists at the university's William Magee Center for Alcohol and Other Drugs and Wellness Education have several tips to help young people avoid those pitfalls. Adobe Stock photo