Stimulants, also known as uppers, is a drug that temporarily increases alertness and energy. The use of stimulant drugs among college students was once thought to be a problem among high achievers seeking energy and focus to study.
Not so, according to new research that links misuse of these so-called "study drugs" to binge drinking and marijuana use. The stereotype of students bumming a prescription medication like Adderall or Ritalin to study is off the mark, it suggests.
"Stimulant use may be a kind of catch-up behavior," study author Ash Warnock, a doctoral student at the University of Georgia College of Public Health, in Athens says. "Some studies have shown that students who party with drugs and alcohol on the weekends use stimulants like an academic catch up because they're behind on their studies."
Students who reported any alcohol or marijuana use were three times more likely to use stimulant drugs— and more so if their use of pot and alcohol were frequent, the findings showed.
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Although the survey respondents were mostly white and in fraternities or sororities, this could prove to be a threat to all college students.
"It is important for universities to know that students who are involved with those kinds of substances are likely to be involved in prescription stimulants also," Warnock says. "We need to be aware of the additive health effects of these behaviors."
The report — recently published in the Journal of American College Health — suggests the drugs may be creating new problems for users.
Side effects of stimulants
"The fact is that these drugs don't help you academically. It's a subjective effect. You feel lifted. You feel up, and so, you feel like you might be more focused, but the research doesn't show that. The research shows that people that do stimulants
like this likely do worse," Warnock adds.
Students who use stimulants are more likely to have the following side effects:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Sleep problems
- Nausea
- Agressiveness
- Increased breathing
Additonally, stimulants can cause the following long-term side effects:
- Cardiovascular complications
- Stunted growth in children and teens
- Hypertension
- Manic states
- Stroke
- Seizures
Those who take high doses of stimulants over a short period of time can also experience feelings high temperatures, sweating and irregular heartbeats.
Depsite stimulant drugs being most common among teens and young adults, the addiction that often comes with taking stimulants can last for years. Students may become dependent on stimulants to help them manage heavy workloads, family responsibilities, and busy social calendars.
Before you take stimulants
Before you think about taking stimulants, remember:
- Know the law: Taking stimulants without a valid prescription or using them in any way other than they are prescribed to you is illegal.
- Know the risks: When stimulants are taken in ways that they aren't prescribed, they can lead to dangerous health complications. They can also be potentially deadly, whether prescribed or not. So, talk with your parents, doctor, counselers, teacher, etc. if you have questions.
- Don't give in to peer pressure: Refrain from using stimulants just because those around you may be using them.
