Adderall & Ritalin Use in College Students

Most college students tend to believe that “study drugs” such as Adderall and Ritalin are safe, but the facts paint a very different picture. Adderall and Ritalin are prescription stimulant drugs, typically prescribed to individuals with ADD or ADHD. Abuse of such drugs is increasingly common among college students because they believe they’ll help them study harder and perform better on a test.

Characteristics & Behaviors Associated with Abuse of Prescription Stimulants

The number of college students using stimulant drugs for nonmedical reasons is growing. Here are a few characteristics and behaviors associated with their recreational use:

• Drinking and other drug use. Adderall and Ritalin give users a lot of energy. It’s common for college students to drink alcohol or smoke marijuana after they’re studying to help them unwind and relax.
• Lower GPA. Because these drugs are usually used to help students focus on reading, studying or writing a big paper, users tend to have a lower grade point average.
• Attention difficulties. Again, drugs like Adderall and Ritalin are usually used by students to help them focus and pay attention for longer periods of time.
• Weight loss. Stimulant drugs reduce a person’s appetite. Some individuals see these drugs as a way to stay in shape while improving their academic performance.
• Becoming increasingly social. Abuse of these drugs can occur for social reasons as well, allowing users to stay up later than usual and be more talkative.

Side Effects Adderall & Ritalin

Use of stimulant drugs like Adderall and Ritalin can come with a long list of potential side effects. These include:

• Insomnia
• Alcohol poisoning (when combined with alcohol consumption)
• High blood pressure
• High body temperatures
• Stroke
• Seizures
• Heart attack
• Heart palpitations
• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Unusual behaviors (including aggression or hostility)
• Anxiety
• Paranoia

Myths Surrounding Ritalin & Adderall in College

As alluded to earlier, there are myths surrounding these types of stimulant drugs (i.e., they’re safe and can enhance academic performance). It’s important to know the facts. If you’re interested in learning more about the realities surrounding Adderall and Ritalin consumption, click here: http://medicineabuseproject.org/assets/documents/NPSFactSheet.pdf.

Get Your Loved One the Help They Need

If you think your adult son, daughter, sibling or friend might be abusing Adderall, Ritalin or other stimulant drugs, get them the help they need. They never meant for this to happen, but it’s time they took back control of their life.

Cycles of Change Recovery Services in California is designed to help your loved one gain the knowledge, courage, and determination they need to maintain a drug-free lifestyle. From day one, each step and treatment program will be customized to fit their individual needs and ensure they reach the goal of recovery. We’re here to help. Fill out this form or call today at 9494847451.