Drug and alcohol use in high school can lead to severe problems down the road. When alcohol and substance use take hold of an individual, the likelihood of accomplishing academic goals lessens.
It’s possible to graduate college while in the grips of addiction. However, many people who struggle with alcohol or substance use disorder find the task is too challenging. College classes are exceptionally demanding and can preempt severe amounts of stress. If a person is under the influence much of the time, then they may be unable to cope with the demands of university.
Many young people living with use disorders are not ready to seek help during their college years. They look around at their peers’ relationships with drugs and alcohol and may become convinced that there isn’t a problem. Since heavy drinking is pervasive at college campuses across the country, it is not hard to hide addiction from one’s classmates.
Sooner or later, a person’s issues with substance use come to a head. They have to make a choice, struggle in class, or drop out. Those who choose to leave school, have a couple of options: seek assistance or continue down the path of active addiction. Hopefully, such men and women choose the latter.
When young people make the courageous choice to leave campus and seek professional assistance, they have a chance to change their life. Many young adults go into treatment and begin working programs of recovery. They are then able to return to school once they have a firm footing in sobriety.
Continuing Education in Recovery
One young lady recently earned a bachelor’s degree after having left Penn State nearly ten years ago. Megan Martin was at the height of her problems with substance use when she decided to drop out, according to Penn State News. While leaving school was a tremendous blow, it was the impetus for seeking assistance and finding recovery.
After leaving college, Martin had a son and eventually took steps toward recovery. She says she always knew that one day the opportunity to finish her degree would arise, the article reports. In 2015, Megan contacted Penn State to explore her options. She knew that traditional on-campus classes probably were not a good fit because of work and motherhood.
Martin was able to continue her education online through Penn State World Campus. Martin earned a bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies (HDFS) and received the 2019 Corneal Award for Outstanding Student Achievement.
Recovery and giving back remained a priority while Martin was in school. She founded a State College chapter of Young People In Recovery, a national organization that works to create recovery-ready communities for adolescents. Megan got involved with recovery high schools and alternative peer groups as well.
Last year, she moved to Texas and is now working as a recovery coach. A bachelor’s degree is not the end of Martin’s academic pursuits; she plans to earn a master’s degree in social work from the University of Houston.
Hope Academy
At Hope By The Sea, we’ve created a unique program to assist young people in transition from addiction and prepare for a lifetime of success. Please contact us today if you require help for an alcohol or substance use disorder and have dreams of pursuing higher education.
“The Mission of Hope Academy’s young adult addiction treatment program is to guide our clients through the process of becoming successful young men and women, one step at a time. By highlighting the client’s current skill set, focusing on areas of enhancement and developing more productive habits, staff will train and encourage each individual to accomplish their educational and professional goals.”
