Finals are approaching. The pressure is on for students like us.
We’re overwhelmed with work and responsibilities and we’re beginning to think that an A is no longer possible (though our story here suggests A’s are getting easier to come by…).
Still we’re in desperate need of some help to Ace that final ...
Where do we turn?
Well, for more than 1/3 of college students, the answer is prescription stimulants.
What are prescription stimulants? Adderral, Ritalin, any drug prescribed by doctors to treat ADHD or narcolepsy.
These drugs increase alertness and concentration and decrease fatigue. Its no wonder that they are abused for power-study sessions and all-nighters.
However, many students fail to realize that:
- They are DEA Schedule II substances, meaning they are highly addictive and dangerous. Chemically, they differ very little from methamphetamine and cocaine.
- 74% of users obtain the drug from a friend with a prescription.
- Penalties for illegal sale include: imprisonment for up to 20 years and fines up to $25,000.
- Abuse of these drugs causes increased anxiety, lack of sleep, and susceptibility to depression.
These “study drugs” can be compared to steroids used by athletes. They may produce great results in the short-term but are by no means sustainable.
In a society that is fixated on maximum achievement and productivity, how are students expected to keep up?
Medical Director Brian Quigley puts it best:
“By avoiding these drugs you’re going to be the winner in the long run. If all you care about in life is getting a certain grade on a test and doing it at any cost, you might temporarily win, but over the long haul it’s not going to benefit you.”
