A World Health Organization (WHO) report, entitled ‘”Neuroscience of Psychoactive Substance Use and Dependence”, details many environmental and individual factors, including genetics. Genetics contribute to the increased likelihood that an individual will abuse drugs, and to what extent the substance abuse may escalate. Environmental risk factors include availability of drugs, poverty, social changes, peer influences, employment status, type of occupation and cultural attitudes. Individual risk factors include: being a victim of child abuse, personality disorders, extreme changes in family situation, interfamily dependence problems, academic stress, poor academic performance, social deprivation, depression, and suicidal behavior. The report also states:

‘”in thinking about dependence, it is important to remember that over a lifespan many people experiment with a variety of potentially dependence-producing substances, but most do not become dependent. There are also individual differences in susceptibility to substance dependence due to environmental and genetic factors.”

A college student’s decision-making skills are influenced by a number of different factors: including peer pressure, separation from family and friends, academic performance pressures, and biological mental duress can also contribute greatly to substance abuse.

The following further explanation of different factors that may contribute to addiction among college students:

Drug Abuse and Depression

Environmental Risk Factors for Addiction

Substance Abuse Statistics and Factors of Substance Abuse Among College Students

The DANA Foundations Guide to Drug Addiction Prevalence and Contributing Factors

Scientific Facts and Risk Factors Contributing to Drug Use

National Institute on Drug Abuse: Understanding How A Drug Addiction Develops

American College of Neuropsychopharmacology – Genetic Influences in Drug Abuse
The Truth Behind Party Schools