With the end of the school year approaching, final exams and testing are more than likely consuming students’ lives. During this time, it’s not uncommon for some to seek out anything that will help them keep their focus and stamina.

Traditional methods usually consist of coffee, caffeine, or energy drinks for full-throttle studying. However, stimulant medications used to treat ADHD have now become the “performance-enhancing” drugs of the academic world.

A recent poll released by the Pediatric Academic Society found nearly one in five students at Ivy League universities said they misused ADHD drugs like Ritalin, Adderall, and Concerta to improve their performance. It’s not just students at some of America’s top universities abusing them–it’s happening all across the country as well as in high schools.

A joint study by the universities of Michigan, Duke, and North Carolina in Greensboro found one in 20 college students misused the drug. Students stated they mainly used the medications for writing essays or studying for tests.

Research shows that 90% of students get these drugs from their friends who were either prescribed them or who obtained them from someone who was. Those who are diagnosed with an attention disorder are pressured for their medication. Sleep difficulties, irritability, and headaches were among the adverse effects reported by students who misused the drugs.

There is debate if there is any improvement by students who used ADHD medications but are not prescribed them. According to USA Today, several studies show that students who misuse these drugs are already on the academic fringe, with lower grades and more drug and alcohol problems than their peers.

Medically assisted detoxification may be necessary for those who abuse these drugs on a frequent basis. Victory Addiction Recovery Center provides detox on all substances. If you feel someone you know is misusing or abusing ADHD medications, you can schedule a free assessment by calling 337-347-9307.

-Doug MacDiarmid

Sources
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/05/03/college-students-adhd-cheating/8480637/
http://www.drugfree.org/join-together/drugs/study-finds-adhd-medication

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