Prescription drugs endanger students
Kate Kramer, Staff Writer
This article is part one of a three-part series on collegiate substance abuse.
When coffee and cold showers fail to stimulate stressed students, it can be tempting to use prescription drugs to focus, stay awake or de-stress.
However, there are many side-effects and consequences of using pharmaceuticals that students may not be aware of.
In 2005, the New England Journal of Medicine published a study by Richard Kadison of college students’ use of stimulants and anti-depressants.
The study indicated that between 3 and 10 percent of college students are abusing these pharmaceuticals.
It has traditionally been difficult for colleges to monitor prescription drug abuse when many students need these drugs for strictly medical purposes.
Reported collegiate non-medical use of prescription drugs was highest among white males who were members of fraternities, according to data from the Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study.
“Recreational prescription drug users were also more likely than other drug users to report negative consequences as a result of their drug use,” according to a 2006 study by Ethan A. Kolek published in the NASPA Journal.
One of the reasons that college students may misuse prescription drugs is to help them focus while studying or taking a test.
Ritalin is one of the more widely researched prescription stimulants, and it is sometimes used by college students for this purpose.
About 5 percent of college students abused Ritalin from 2001 to 2004, according to a study published in of The Peer Educator.
Common side-effects for Ritalin include elevated blood pressure, extended periods of sleep deprivation and dry mouth. Students have also complained of depression or general moodiness as a result of taking Ritalin.
Adderall, another common prescription stimulant that students may use to help them focus, often causes stomachaches and can cause students to have difficulty eating.
Ritalin is an amphetamine-dextroamphetamine medication, whereas Adderall contains methylphenidate.
Although these drugs are sometimes seen as a helpful study tool by students, there are healthier ways to achieve the same goals of alertness and heightened concentration.
Proper study habits are a safer and more effective way to improve productivity.
If you or a friend are looking for a resource to learn more about prescription drugs or if you would like help dealing with any drug-related issues, contact the Alexander Health Center at x2241.
Tips for studying without the aid of stimulants
•Study in a quiet location (no TV, soft or no music)
•Study alone or with one friend, not in a group
•Create an incentive, such as purchasing a new DVD after studying for a test
•Avoid studying late at night, when the brain naturally begins to prepare for sleep
•Take 10 to 15 minute breaks every hour or so to help build concentration during study periods
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