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students abusing study drugs

The Health Risks of Abusing "Study Drugs"

“Study drugs” is a term for prescription stimulant medications that are meant to be used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) but are often taken illegally by students to enhance their academic performance. Medications such as Adderall, Vyvanse, Focalin, Ritalin, Concerta, and Modafinil are examples of drugs that are commonly misused under prescription or taken without any prescription at all.

Although these drugs might provide the short-term mental boost that students need to make it through midterms or finals week, recent research is proving that abusing these kinds of drugs can have dangerous long-term effects on the brain.

Study Drug Statistics

According to a study publish in the journal Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience, more than one million American students are misusing prescription drugs or taking illegal stimulants to improve their attention span, memory, and capacity to stay awake. A 2008 survey study cited on CNN.com states that approximately 81% of students think illicit use of ADHD medications are “not dangerous at all” or “slightly dangerous.”

These statistics are alarming for two reasons. First, this class of drugs is classified as Schedule II substances because of their highly addictive potential. Secondly, the way that a person who is diagnosed with ADHD responds to these medications is very different to the possible reactions a normal brain might have to the substances.

Short-Term Effects of Study Drugs

Students take these drugs for the benefit of intense focus and increased memory abilities, but they may experience less-than-desirable physical and emotional side effects. These side effects include:

  • irregular heartbeat
  • increased blood pressure
  • restlessness
  • anxiety
  • nervousness
  • paranoia
  • headache
  • dizziness
  • insomnia
  • dry mouth
  • suppressed appetite
  • irritability
  • diarrhea or constipation
  • impotence or change in sex drive

Long-Term Effects of Study Drugs

The long-term risks of study drugs are rarely understood or even considered by students. Recent research has found that still-developing brains of many high school and college students are particularly susceptible to long-term negative effects of these kinds of drugs. These lasting effects include impairments in working memory, decreased multitasking ability, and shorter attentional flexibility.

While these drugs might seem helpful while students are pursuing their education, their negative effects can take a toll after graduation. One of the biggest consequences of using study drugs instead of developing professional self-discipline is psychological or physical dependence that can cause the users to feel that they cannot function optimally without them.

If you are regularly using “study drugs” as a student who is not diagnosed with ADHD or are considering giving them a try, know that there are consequences for this type of self-medication. There are many potential short-term and long-term effects of using unprescribed prescription stimulants. Not only can you suffer mental deterioration, but you are also partaking in illegal drug use—something that has its own set of possible repercussions.

Last Updated: October 15, 2020