College Student and ADHD Medication Abuse Facts to Ponder By Jimmy Brownen At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

A study done in 2007 shows that misuse and abuse of medication prescribed by ADHD is fast becoming a nationwide problem. This study had participations of nearly 11000 4th year students from colleges all over the US. These students we promised that their identity will be concealed to ensure honest and open answer.

Results included the following:

- The percentage of students that have used the stimulants during their life time is about 6.9%. 4.1% reported that they have used such stimulants in the past year and 2.1% in the past month

- It was also found that there are twice as much as male than female students who abuse these stimulants. Compared to African American, Caucasians uses them at a significantly higher level.

- Sorority and fraternity members used at a rate of more than double than nonmembers.

- Use was higher among students with a GPA of B or below.

- A collage with a more competitive admission criteria have higher number of students that abuses stimulants compared to colleges with lower admission criteria.

Also of interest is the fact that non-medical use of stimulants is often associated with other substance use. Consider the following percentages of those who used stimulants versus those who didn’t:

- Use of cigarettes: 67% vs. 24%
- Frequent binge drinking: 69% vs. 21%
- Use of ecstasy: 19% vs. 1%
- Use of cocaine: 17% vs. 1%
- Driving after binge drinking: 35% vs. 9%
- Being the passenger of a drunk driver: 66% vs. 21%

What are the reasons for using stimulants? The most common motive is to enhance academic performance especially when studying outside of class. This does not mean that using stimulants is never used for recreational purposes, but the findings are not that significant.

There is also reason to believe that students who uses these stimulants have undiagnosed ADD but then again, what are the reasons for students who do not have ADD yet still feel the need to stimulate concentration? Many who claims they have no problem with paying attention confesses that they find later that it is becoming increasingly hard for them to pay attention.

What actually is this findings trying to convey to parents who are concerned about the possibility of their children being involved with abuse of stimulant?

Parents should be on the look out for the following symptoms in their children :

1. Is your child under a lot of academic pressure, either to get in, or to excel, at his particular university? You may notice that he seems obsessed with getting into a school, or once in, worries constantly about keeping up and doing well.

2. How are his grades? If he seems horribly stressed and yet his grades are not reflective of his efforts, check with him.

3. Has your daughter lost a good bit of weight? Is she irritable and does she complain of having no appetite? Is this normal for her?

4. Is there other substance abuse that you are aware of?

5. Is your child complaining of problems with attention?

6. Does your child seem depressed?

Whatever the answers you may find from as a result of these questions, you should not neglect them. Whether they prove that your child is engaging in abuse of stimulants or not, as parents you will find it valuable enough as they make you understand what your children is experiencing.

The most important findings of this study shows that college students should be educated more about stimulants abuse. We should be looking out for accurate information on ADD as well as methods of treatment. We should also learn about other factors that can contribute to attention difficulties and why it is important to seek professional help rather than prescribing one’s own medicine. It is then also important for us to be aware of other methods be it medical or non medical that can assist people with ADD.

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