Stimulant Abuse
Abstract
There is an increasing problem with college students abusing stimulant medications such as ADHD medications. In my paper I observed the problem college schools are having with substance abuse, potential reasons why this is happening and how we can put an end to it. I used research conducted my others to support my findings and arguments and to help better understand the problem this is.
Stimulant Abuse Among College Students
Whether it be academic, social, or athletic there is an increasing amount of stress for success on college students these days that is leading to the rise in prescription stimulants all over America. Stimulant abuse is defined as the misused of substances--amphetamines, cocaine, nicotine, and caffeine--to increase the function of the central nervous system (Scaterelli, 2008). Observations and studies of competitive college students can provide both answers as to why this problem is occurring and solutions to end abuse of these prescription drugs. An increased pressure to do well in school, an increased number of prescriptions, and an increased ignorance in regards to the stimulants being abused are just a couple of the possible reasons that such drugs are becoming so popular. To stop usage we should start educating students about the stimulants and their harm, regulate the amount of stimulants prescribed and make laws regarding Type II drugs--both selling and possessing--stricter.
There is obvious abuse in both prescribed and non-prescribed users, but one may first wonder how stimulants actually work in the brain and how they differ between people with and without ADHD. The main stimulant drugs abused are dextroampethamines (Adderall and Dexedrine) and methamphetamines (Ritalin and Concerta) and the effect they have on the body is described as a feeling somewhat stronger than the effect of caffeine but weaker than that of cocaine. ADHD stimulants boost two different neurotransmitters in
There is an increasing problem with college students abusing stimulant medications such as ADHD medications. In my paper I observed the problem college schools are having with substance abuse, potential reasons why this is happening and how we can put an end to it. I used research conducted my others to support my findings and arguments and to help better understand the problem this is.
Stimulant Abuse Among College Students
Whether it be academic, social, or athletic there is an increasing amount of stress for success on college students these days that is leading to the rise in prescription stimulants all over America. Stimulant abuse is defined as the misused of substances--amphetamines, cocaine, nicotine, and caffeine--to increase the function of the central nervous system (Scaterelli, 2008). Observations and studies of competitive college students can provide both answers as to why this problem is occurring and solutions to end abuse of these prescription drugs. An increased pressure to do well in school, an increased number of prescriptions, and an increased ignorance in regards to the stimulants being abused are just a couple of the possible reasons that such drugs are becoming so popular. To stop usage we should start educating students about the stimulants and their harm, regulate the amount of stimulants prescribed and make laws regarding Type II drugs--both selling and possessing--stricter.
There is obvious abuse in both prescribed and non-prescribed users, but one may first wonder how stimulants actually work in the brain and how they differ between people with and without ADHD. The main stimulant drugs abused are dextroampethamines (Adderall and Dexedrine) and methamphetamines (Ritalin and Concerta) and the effect they have on the body is described as a feeling somewhat stronger than the effect of caffeine but weaker than that of cocaine. ADHD stimulants boost two different neurotransmitters in
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