TITLE:
Addiction on Educational Campuses: A Conceptual Review of Substance Use and Interventions in U.S. High Schools and Colleges
AUTHORS:
Prince Oduro, Asma Khan, Benjamin Kwame Asamoah
KEYWORDS:
Addiction, Substance Use in Education, High School and College Students, Recovery Programs, Mental Health and Equity
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.13 No.10,
October
29,
2025
ABSTRACT: Guided by the Social Learning Theory, this conceptual review examines the prevalence, risk factors, and consequences of substance use among students, drawing on evidence from national surveys, peer-reviewed research, and practitioner-oriented reports. The findings revealed that peer influence, academic stress, and campus culture strongly influenced substance use patterns, while co-occurring mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, often worsened outcomes. Equity concerns, including racial, socioeconomic, and sexual minority students’ disparities in both risk and access to services, are emphasized throughout the review. Emerging trends, such as vaping and the opioid crisis, further complicate this landscape. This review highlights promising interventions, including evidence-based prevention curricula, harm-reduction strategies, collegiate recovery programs, and family engagement initiatives. For practitioners, this study provides actionable insights into early identification, intervention, and the design of recovery-supportive environments that prioritize equity, belonging, and integrated mental health-substance use care.