Addiction in School and University

Young people have the same exposure to addictive drugs and alcohol as older generations, but that’s not the whole story anymore. A student today is just as likely to be addicted to gaming, social media, pornography, or gambling. Something that started as a choice becomes something they can’t stop, even when it’s causing problems. This is the definition of addiction, whether it’s a substance or a compulsive behaviour that is harming their health, education, relationships, or future.

The guide will focus on how to recognise the signs of addiction in students, what steps can be taken early, and how professional help can turn things around before long-term damage occurs.

The scale of the problem

Everyone knows about the drinking culture that exists at universities and even in many sixth forms in Britain. But drug use among students is also more common than many parents and educators may realise.

Research from Sheffield Hallam University found that nearly six in ten UK undergraduates had tried at least one illegal drug, including cannabis, cocaine, ketamine, and MDMA.

Behavioural addictions are harder to measure, but a University of Cambridge study of nearly 19,000 young people found that 48% of 16-18 year olds felt addicted to social media. Among girls, it was 57%, and among boys, 37%.

The Gambling Commission’s 2025 survey found that 30% of 11-17-year-olds had gambled with their own money in the previous year, and 1.2% already had a serious gambling problem. Somewhere between 700,000 and a million people in the UK are addicted to gaming, and the NHS opened a dedicated clinic for it in 2019.

Most of these problems start young. Four in five people who end up addicted to drugs or alcohol started as teenagers. The same pattern goes for behavioural addictions, and a child who can’t stop gaming at 14 will often begin university with the same problem.

What drives these behaviours

There is no single reason why one person gets addicted, and another doesn’t. There are usually several things combined.

Fitting in matters enormously for young people. This goes for drinking and trying drugs, but phones and screens also bring their own pressure. When nearly all teenagers use social media, and many check their phones constantly throughout the day, not doing the same can feel like social exile. Gaming communities work the same way. You’re expected to join in, and if you don’t, there’s a social or emotional price.

A lot of it comes down to difficult feelings. University in particular often means freedom, but it also means being on your own, worrying about money, dealing with exams, and not knowing what comes next. Drugs, alcohol, gaming, scrolling, and placing a bet can all offer a quick and easy escape from all that. For students who haven’t learned better ways to deal with what they’re feeling, this becomes how they cope.

Ease of access is also part of it. Drugs circulate freely at most universities, betting apps make it as easy as possible to gamble, and social media and games are engineered to maximise time on screen. When something potentially addictive is available all the time and feels harmless, it’s really likely that many people will try it.

Some students are also dealing with problems nobody’s spotted yet. The Sheffield Hallam study found that students with anxiety, depression, stress, or other mental health difficulties were much more likely to use drugs. Data from the NHS gaming clinic found that among young people referred for treatment, 11.7% had ADHD, 10.9% had depression, and 8.6% were autistic. For these students, coping strategies like gaming or drinking can go on for years before anyone works out what’s really going on.

Signs of addiction in young people

Spotting addiction in your child or a young person isn’t easy, because many signs overlap with ordinary teenage behaviour or the normal pressures of student life. What is more noticeable are patterns rather than isolated moments and incidents.

Academic performance changes are often one of the first issues that parents, teachers, and even friends and siblings notice first. These can include lower grades than normal, problems with deadlines, being late or not attending school or university, and being distracted, tired, unengaged or badly behaved in class.

Changes in behaviour are another sign, particularly issues with loved ones, or pulling away from family or long-standing friends. Parents sometimes notice their child has new social circles that seem to have appeared from nowhere, are secretive about how they spend their time, or get irritable or defensive when they ask questions. NHS data shows that 41.4% of young people referred for gaming treatment got aggressive when asked to stop playing.

Physical signs depend on the substance or behaviour. Drugs and drinking a lot of alcohol can cause a whole range of symptoms, including bloodshot eyes, unfamiliar smells, changes in weight or sleep patterns, and coordination problems. For behavioural addictions, the signs can be exhaustion from late nights online, not looking after themselves, weight changes, and disrupted eating. All of these are hard to pin on any one particular thing, so it really is the patterns and changes that often show something is wrong.

Having the conversation

Problems caught early are much easier to deal with than a longer-standing addiction that has already caused a lot of harm. There are various effective ways that family, friends, and teachers can help, but the first conversation needs some real thought, because how you approach it can matter just as much as what you say.

Pick your moment very carefully. Trying to have this conversation when either of you is stressed, tired, distracted, or already annoyed rarely goes well. Never attempt it when they’re intoxicated or in the immediate aftermath of an argument.

Start from a place of concern. There is a big difference between “You’ve seemed really withdrawn lately. I’m worried about you” and “I know what you’ve been doing.” The first opens a door. The second slams it shut. Even if you’re confident about what’s happening, leading with care gives them a calm opportunity to engage.

Let them talk. Ask questions that can’t be answered with yes or no, then wait. You probably won’t get the full story in one conversation, but what is important is that they know you’re available when they’re ready.

Don’t issue ultimatums, as these tend to end communication rather than change behaviour. The goal of a first conversation is understanding, not resolution.

How treatment and support can help

Most schools and universities offer counselling, welfare teams, mental health support, and student services. Many have staff specifically trained to help with substance use and behavioural problems. For a student who isn’t yet in crisis, these are often the best starting point as they can prevent addiction taking hold or help to address early-stage dependency.

A GP can check whether there’s something physical or mental going on and refer to specialists if needed. For gaming specifically, the NHS National Centre for Gaming Disorders accepts referrals for anyone aged 13 and over.

UKAT has inpatient rehab centres which accept young people for a range of behavioural, drug, and alcohol addiction. Residential treatment gets them away from the environment where the problem started and gives them proper, focused help. This matters most when addiction has started affecting everyday life, and they’ve already tried to stop on their own.

We offer family therapy and conjoints as part of our rehab programmes, as we understand that the involvement of loved ones can be critical for successful recovery.

Taking the next step

Addiction in young people can be treated, and the earlier you act, the better the chances. Whether the problem involves substances, screens, gambling, or some combination, hoping it will resolve on its own rarely works.

Contact Oasis Bradford today and we can advise on the right approach for each situation. Our team understands the pressures students face and can help before addiction causes lasting harm.