College students use psychostimulants to study harder, stay up later, and feel more alert. Yet the side effects of drugs like Ritalin and Adderall are extremely dangerous, often fatal. Despite the perils involved, these drugs are some of the most abused legal drugs on college campuses aside from alcohol.
What Are Psychostimulants
Psychostimulants are drugs that increase energy and alertness. The word stems from "psycho" meaning "of the mind" and "stimulant" meaning that it stirs up the central nervous system. These drugs consist of amphetamines and methylphendiates (a substance similar to amphetamines). They are used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
It is estimated that seven to fifteen percent of college students abuse psychostimulants--meaning that they use it without a prescription--on a regular basis. The drugs are known to help students stay awake, remain alert in class, and get better grades. Others use them to get high, because the drugs produce a strong euphoria (pleasurable feeling). Users ingest, snort or even inject the drugs. Snorting and injecting are typically used to get high because it causes the substance to reach the bloodstream almost immediately.
Nearly one-half of students who are prescribed psychostimulant medication admit to sharing it with others. A large number of students feign ADHD in order to acquire regular prescriptions.
Dangerous Side Effects
The trouble with toying with these drugs is that they produce a number of powerful and dangerous side effects. Among them are:
• Decreased appetite
• Unhealthyweight loss
• Sleep disruption
• Seizures
• Tourette's Syndrome (involuntary twitching)
• Headaches
• Sudden acute pain
• Fever
• Blurred vision
• Hypersensitivity
• Anxiety
• Severe mood swings
• Suicidal thoughts
• Violent behavior
• Hallucinations
• Psychosis
• Overdose
• Death
Most kids don't know that abusing ADHD medication is a federal crime. So why don't people stop abusing psychostimulants even when they are aware of the dangers? The truth is, these drugs are extremely addictive. In fact, they are often referred to as "kiddie cocaine" because of the similarity. The college environment is full of these pills and students' attitude about them is very nonchalant; they're often passed around at study parties and shared in class. It is easy for students to fake ADHD symptoms because testing for the disease normally consists of nothing more than a one-page survey.
Creating A Dangerous Environment
Not only are psychostimulants dangerous to those who abuse them, they have proven perilous to others in their vicinity. Drugs like Ritalin and Adderall can produce psychotic episodes that lead to suicide and violence. As these drugs are mind-altering and mood-altering, the user's behavior can be confusing and unpredictable to friends and family.
A substantial number of school-aged children are on regular doses of psychostimulants for ADHD. While the doctors who prescribe the drugs assure parents and children that they are safe, suicides and violent behavior continue to occur as a result of use. Addiction experts are aware of a link between such medication and a lifetime of addiction.
| A college student studying. |
What Are Psychostimulants
Psychostimulants are drugs that increase energy and alertness. The word stems from "psycho" meaning "of the mind" and "stimulant" meaning that it stirs up the central nervous system. These drugs consist of amphetamines and methylphendiates (a substance similar to amphetamines). They are used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
It is estimated that seven to fifteen percent of college students abuse psychostimulants--meaning that they use it without a prescription--on a regular basis. The drugs are known to help students stay awake, remain alert in class, and get better grades. Others use them to get high, because the drugs produce a strong euphoria (pleasurable feeling). Users ingest, snort or even inject the drugs. Snorting and injecting are typically used to get high because it causes the substance to reach the bloodstream almost immediately.
Nearly one-half of students who are prescribed psychostimulant medication admit to sharing it with others. A large number of students feign ADHD in order to acquire regular prescriptions.
Dangerous Side Effects
The trouble with toying with these drugs is that they produce a number of powerful and dangerous side effects. Among them are:
• Decreased appetite
• Unhealthy
• Sleep disruption
• Seizures
• Tourette's Syndrome (involuntary twitching)
• Headaches
• Sudden acute pain
• Fever
• Blurred vision
• Hypersensitivity
• Anxiety
• Severe mood swings
• Suicidal thoughts
• Violent behavior
• Hallucinations
• Psychosis
• Overdose
• Death
Most kids don't know that abusing ADHD medication is a federal crime. So why don't people stop abusing psychostimulants even when they are aware of the dangers? The truth is, these drugs are extremely addictive. In fact, they are often referred to as "kiddie cocaine" because of the similarity. The college environment is full of these pills and students' attitude about them is very nonchalant; they're often passed around at study parties and shared in class. It is easy for students to fake ADHD symptoms because testing for the disease normally consists of nothing more than a one-page survey.
Creating A Dangerous Environment
Not only are psychostimulants dangerous to those who abuse them, they have proven perilous to others in their vicinity. Drugs like Ritalin and Adderall can produce psychotic episodes that lead to suicide and violence. As these drugs are mind-altering and mood-altering, the user's behavior can be confusing and unpredictable to friends and family.
A substantial number of school-aged children are on regular doses of psychostimulants for ADHD. While the doctors who prescribe the drugs assure parents and children that they are safe, suicides and violent behavior continue to occur as a result of use. Addiction experts are aware of a link between such medication and a lifetime of addiction.
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