College is a whirlwind of activity, right from club meetings to late night parties and intramural matches. Many such chaotic college students fall behind on academics. So what do they do? A risky but rewarding solution seems to be a few pills of Ritalin.
While study drugs seem safe by purely social proof (and peer pressure), they send many spiraling down the rabbit hole. Adderall and Ritalin top the list of substances that are used as a misused means to boost mental productivity and focus on studies. These drugs are traditionally used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Because they are primarily used for the purpose of studying, they are also nicknamed “smart drugs”. When used without a prescription, they can be unsafe – and of course, illegal. But statistics show that 1 in 5 college students abuse these drugs to pull all-nighters.
A viral problem
Many students are initiated into drug-induced studying during exams or while preparing for important tests. Students often “help out” their friends with a pill or two and then the story only goes downwards from there. The productive high that students experience is any day better than what a pot of strong, black coffee could do.
The University Health Services department at the University of Texas claims that a large percentage of their students doesn’t seek academic help in study drugs but that it is “a growing problem”. The department is also aware that those with prescriptions have been approached by others to share their pills.
Weighing the risks
Students simply seek the dopamine rush of these drugs as the boost of dopamine brings about edginess and excitement. These students feel that they can leverage this to get more things done in a short time.
While many are under the false impression that study drugs are less dangerous when compared with street drugs. The abuse of these drugs can be just as dangerous if not more, especially when combined with liquor and other prescription drugs.
