Why Study Drugs Don’t Work

Perhaps you have a classmate who swears “study drugs” like Ritalin and Adderall have helped sharpen their focus before an exam or a major sports competition. You might have even tried them yourself to pull an all-nighter or try to have a more productive study session.

Doctors commonly prescribe these medications to help people with ADHD concentrate on the task at hand, which has increased the prevalence of study drugs on campuses from coast to coast. Many dangerous myths surround these drugs, and people who use them recreationally or without a doctor’s supervision can do themselves more harm than good. Let’s look at the top reasons study drugs don’t work.

1. Study Drugs Can Impair Your Concentration

Maybe you’ve never received a diagnosis of ADHD, but you’ve heard rumors that prescription stimulants can make you smarter. Instead of boosting academic success by sharpening your concentration, alertness and cognitive abilities, these drugs may worsen your short-term memory and leave you jittery and distracted. In people without ADHD, these medications can lead to poor impulse control and rash behavior.

2. Using Medication Without a Prescription Is Dangerous

There’s a persistent misconception that all prescription drugs are “safe” to use. However, using stimulant medications without a doctor’s guidance is illegal, and comes with a host of side effects. When used improperly or excessively, study drugs can cause health problems such as irregular heartbeat, insomnia, headaches, digestive problems, anxiety, mood swings and high blood pressure. Trying to taper off these meds or quit using them cold turkey can lead to withdrawal, an even more unpleasant situation.

3. Prescription Stimulants Are Highly Addictive

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency lists prescription stimulants as Schedule 2 drugs, due to their strong potential for abuse and addiction. They’re among infamous company on that list – opioids and cocaine are also Schedule 2 substances. People who take medications like Adderall and Ritalin recreationally might crush the pills and snort them to achieve faster-acting effects. They could also use a much higher dose than what a doctor would prescribe, either because they’re unaware of the correct dosage or they’ve reached a point where it takes more and more of the drug to achieve the same feelings.

Boost Your GPA the Old-Fashioned Way

Instead of relying on drugs and risking your mental and physical health in pursuit of better grades, go back to basics with these tried-and-true study tips.

• Get a tutor: Many college campuses offer free or low-cost resources to students, including tutoring services. If you’re struggling to keep up in a class or worried about passing an exam, a tutor can help break down complex topics in an easy-to-understand way.
• Stay on a sleep schedule: College students are often chronically sleep-deprived. However, creating a consistent sleep schedule will ensure you get enough shuteye to feel well-rested and wake up with plenty of energy and enthusiasm to face the day.
• Don’t procrastinate: It can feel tempting to wait until the last minute to start studying for a test or working on a big assignment. However, this approach can make you anxious and less likely to do your best work.

Young Adult Addiction Treatment in California

If prescription stimulant addiction is adversely affecting your life, contact us at Hope Academy. We proudly offer qualified addiction treatment that makes it possible for high school and college students to be well-adjusted adults.

The Hidden Risks of Study Drugs

With most students across the country starting a brand-new school year, now is an ideal opportunity to remind parents that many young adults are vulnerable to experimentation with drugs. However, unlike what you might be picturing, not all these high school and college students are taking drugs to relax and get high.

The reality is sometimes quite the opposite: Students under pressure to perform well in school are taking “study drugs” in an attempt to sharpen their focus and help them overachieve.

As a parent, what do you need to know about these dangerous drugs, and how can you tell if your child is using them? Read on for your guide to study drugs.

What Are Study Drugs?

The most commonly used study drugs are prescription amphetamines designed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), such as the brand names Adderall and Ritalin. Since the purpose of these drugs is to improve concentration, students use them to help with their studies. Students usually obtain study drugs by buying them from others who have a legitimate prescription. It’s also possible to find and order them online.

Why Do Students Use Them?

Many students experience tremendous pressure to do well academically. Perhaps your high school student is in a college-preparatory curriculum and is taking an advanced course load to get into a top university, for example. Even if they are motivated to get good grades on papers and exams, an overwhelming amount of material can lead them to believe they need an extra boost to help with their schoolwork.

ADHD medications can make people who don’t have the disorder feel more energetic and focused. However, there is no conclusive research to demonstrate a connection between the use of these prescription and people’s ability to learn or retain information. Despite this lack of proof, many high school and college students turn to study drugs each year. Other than marijuana, amphetamines are the most misused drugs by college students, according to the Monitoring the Future survey published in June 2017.

Signs of Study Drug Use

What can you look for if you suspect your child is using or abusing prescription stimulants as study drugs? Here are some of the primary symptoms.

• Headache
• Dry mouth
• Nausea
• Appetite loss
• Restlessness
• Sleep problems

Taking the drugs in higher doses increases the risk of dangerous side effects like anxiety, confusion and insomnia.

Do Study Drugs Lead to Addiction?

When used correctly under a doctor’s supervision, ADHD medications are unlikely to be habit-forming. However, misuse of study drugs can cause an addiction, especially in young adults whose brains are still developing. The Drug Enforcement Administration classifies amphetamines as Schedule II controlled substances, which means they have an approved medical use, but also have a high potential for abuse and addiction.

A person with an addiction to prescription drugs may feel as if they cannot function normally without these medications. Instead of only using them when they want to pull an all-nighter before a big exam, they start relying on drugs to maintain their “mental edge” during typical daily activities. They may also experience withdrawal symptoms like disturbed sleep, fatigue and mood disorders when they try to quit.

Along with the risk of addiction, using some of these drugs can have highly dangerous outcomes. For example, an overdose of Adderall can lead to a heart attack, and mixing it with other substances can be fatal.

What to Do If You’re Concerned About Study Drug Use

If you have reason to suspect your child might be using prescription ADHD drugs in a non-prescribed way, talk to your child about ways to develop more effective study techniques. Encourage them to be honest with you about any problems they’re having in school, and if they are feeling excess pressure to succeed, consider counseling or tutoring.

At Hope Academy, we know how worrying it can be when your child begins relying on drugs for any reason. We offer addiction programming tailored to the needs of young adults, and we accept many kinds of insurance. Contact us to learn more.