School Daze: the Dangerous Long Term Effects of “Study Drugs”

Why Do People Take Study Drugs?

“Stay in school, don’t do drugs.” This colloquial mantra holds true, especially in this day and age of study drugs, legal medications that are used for nonmedical purposes, e.g., studying. Ironically, many high school and college students believe that they need drugs to stay in school and improve their performance–which, of course, is never the answer to academic problems. But in today’s cutthroat culture of academia, young people are drawn to promises of heightened energy levels or an increased ability to concentrate. Adderall and Ritalin–prescription drugs used to treat ADHD–are cheaply bought, sold, and misused on college campuses. According to SAMHSA, approximately 6.4% of full-time college students used Adderall non-medically in the past year. Young people are purchasing the “magic” pills that pledged to help them to focus, memorize, and regurgitate information with the greatest of ease. What these students don’t see? The very consequences that will come back to haunt them: mental and physical harm which they will begin to see as they age–as they realize that it is too late to reconsider the damage they have done.

The Consequences:

Side effects of Adderall include nausea, restlessness, seizures, verbal tics, and many more. However, these are all short-term effects Adderall may have on one’s system. Over a long period of time, it is also possible for someone to become addicted to it. After years of taking it, hallucinations and memory loss may occur as a result of continuous over-stimulation. Anxiety, heightened blood pressure, and weight loss or gain are also common long-term effects.

Getting Help:

As with addiction to any drug–prescription or otherwise–it is imperative to seek help immediately. Casa Palmera offers a variety of resources to those who want to recover from experience with substance abuse. By emphasizing a whole-person approach, we can help you reclaim a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

Sources:
http://medicineabuseproject.org/assets/documents/NPSFactSheet.pdf
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100254163
http://media.samhsa.gov/samhsaNewsletter/Volume_17_Number_3/Adderall.aspx
http://www.livescience.com/41013-adderall.html

Disclaimer


This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be a substitute for medical advice. We understand that everyone’s situation is unique, and this content is to provide an overall understanding of substance use disorders. These disorders are very complex, and this post does not take into account the unique circumstances for every individual. For specific questions about your health needs or that of a loved one, seek the help of a healthcare professional.