The medicine cabinet can be a dangerous coping skill when things get tough. How many high school and college students turn to stimulants under stressful times?
Procrastination is common in the life of students. Playing catch up can be typical and students are often pulling "all-niters." That is part of college life. What is of concern is the fact that more and more students are popping pills to stay sharp, don’t know the side effects of the medications and don’t know the consequences of this action. Taking a little pill not prescribed to you can be lethal.
University of Michigan
Jennifer Christner, M.D., an adolescent medicine specialist at the University of Michigan Health System, states that misuses of stimulants can be very dangerous. It can lead to
- Irritability
- Stomachaches
- Headaches
- Depression
- Hypertension
- Stroke
Taking these medications to stay alert studying may turn deadly.
How Many?
Christner says, "Studies have shown that anywhere from 5 to 35 percent of college students are misusing stimulants around stressful times with academics. There is also some evidence that high school students – anywhere from 8 to 10 percent – can misuse stimulants during these times." [University of Michigan Health System (2008, April 11).] Ritalin, a drug used for ADHD, is often misused.
Refusal Skills
Adolescents are often tempted with offers of cigarettes, alcohol and even prescription drugs. Programs like DARE, Drug Abuse Resistance Education, help students become assertive and conscious of their own safety. DARE teaches students what to do in tempting situations and how to make wise choices. However, parents need to be aware that prescription drug abuse is growing to epidemic proportions.
Energy Drinks
What about drinking high caffeine energy drinks? If a student drinks one occasionally, the effects are not likely to be harmful. However, if a student consumes more than one or two a day, the side effects could be high blood pressure, stroke and hyperthermia." [University of Michigan Health System (2008, April 11).] High school and college students do not take into account family genetics and a predisposition to health concerns. They think they are invincible.
Healthy Living
Students should pace themselves academically and work out a schedule that will allow them to finish projects in a timely fashion. Waiting until the last minute is not the way to produce the top quality product. While occasionally being up at 2 a.m. may be part of fond college memories, students should
- Eat a balanced diet
- Get enough sleep
- Exercise
Parent Component
Parents should not assume that everyone else is doing dangerous things but their child never would. Parents should call their children at college and make sure they sound happy and not depressed. If there is a concern that there is something wrong, call the counseling center on campus. It is better to be safe than sorry.
