College studies can get overwhelming for students. Stress, anxiety, and fear are typical reactions, particularly close to examination periods. Afraid to fail, many young adults fall in to study drug abuse.
At first, all they want is to stay alert and feel energized long enough to study or complete huge workloads of assignments. However, before long, they are way too deep into prescription drug abuse to find their way back. These drugs have side effects and other risks, including hospitalization. Furthermore, using them may incur nasty reactions when students combine them with other substances like alcohol.
It’s critical to learn the effects of study drugs like Adderall and how Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston can help you. If you feel you’re no longer in control of your study drug abuse, contact our expert team today by calling 866.516.8356.
What Are Study Drugs?
Study drugs or smart drugs are prescription stimulants that act like cognitive and neuro-enhancers and nootropics. Physicians use these substances to treat people with ADHD, ADD, or narcolepsy.
Study drugs are Schedule II controlled substances. In other words, they have known medical functions and a high tendency for abuse, which necessitates heavy regulation. Examples of this class of drugs include:
- Adderall
- Ritalin
- Concerta
- Focalin/Attenade
- Vyvanse
- Dexedrine
- Provigil
College students aren’t the first ones to fall into study drug abuse. In fact, military personnel used smart drugs as far back as the Second World War. Furthermore, homemakers and artists have also used them to increase energy and focus on their tasks.
Is It Illegal to Use Study Drugs?
Study drugs are not necessarily illegal because they are medications people use to treat known health conditions. They are very effective interventions when used for the intended purpose.
However, it is illegal to sell or give away these medications without a valid prescription. In addition, it is also unlawful to fill someone else’s prescription. Even people with prescriptions can get into trouble for study drug abuse if they begin sharing the medication with friends or taking more than necessary.
If your doctor notices that you’re filling your prescription more often than the dosage requires, they may decide to investigate and discontinue your prescription. They have a duty of care, which means that they cannot do anything that will risk your health (like taking more drugs than prescribed).
The use of study drugs is less stigmatized on campus, and because they are legal, college students interpret that to mean these drugs are safe. As a result, many young adults in college will practice study prescription drug abuse. In fact, 18-25-year-olds use more stimulants than any other age group.
Effects of Study Drug Abuse
Most students start Adderall abuse or other study drugs because they think it will improve their performance. Experts haven’t done much research into the long-term effects and risks of study drug abuse. However, we do know that study drug abuse can lead to drug addiction and risk-taking behavior.
The stimulation from taking these drugs can affect teenagers’ and young adults’ still-developing brains. In addition, long-term Adderall abuse can result in cognitive or behavioral changes. Stimulants prescribed for ADHD can be very addictive, leading to more complications.
Overdosing on Adderall and other study drugs can lead to strokes, liver failure, or heart attacks. Mixing these drugs with other mind-altering substances like alcohol or other drugs can be fatal. Also, if you have underlying conditions, you may face higher risks from using study drugs.
Learn More at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston
If you have abused study drugs and you wish to stop, you can get help at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston. We have specialized programs to help you eliminate the drug from your system and manage withdrawal symptoms. These include:
In addition, through our dual diagnosis treatment program, we can help you resolve the addiction and any mental health issues that could have led to the initial abuse. Talk to Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston at 866.516.8356 if you want to learn more about study drug abuse. We can help you detox and get on the path to full and lasting recovery.
