Last Updated on December 10, 2019 by Valarie Ward

About a month ago, we covered a topic close to the heart of every parent on the planet: A nationwide call for safer pediatric drugs. We disclosed the facts about pediatric prescription safety, and we touched on how thousands of children are misdiagnosed and put on medication for any of several mental illnesses, which can lead to dramatic changes in lifestyle and quality of life. Today, we’d like to discuss a topic relevant to our previous discussion, except this time it’s about college students who misuse ADHD drugs.

What is ADHD?

ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It begins to affect a person during childhood, sometimes as late as the teen years, and continues into adulthood. It is most commonly diagnosed as a mental disorder in children.

School-aged children have a hard time with ADHD because they are usually hyperactive and impulsive. They may have trouble paying attention or concentrating during school, and the resulting short attention span can interfere with academic performance and home life.

ADHD is more commonly found in boys than in girls. In most cases, it is discovered and diagnosed in the early school years. Some children are dependent on medication for a few years until they learn to manage the symptoms on their own while other children will be on the medication well into and throughout their adult lives.

The Recent College Trend

According to Medical News Today (MNT), a recent study has found that 17 percent of college students misuse ADHD drugs. 17 percent breaks down to 1 in 6 college students who are misusing stimulant medications prescribed specifically for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

The study found that many students take these drugs in an attempt to improve their academic performance, and many are falling victim to a myth. When under high stress to achieve academically, they turn to what they believe is a means of increasing their normal academic levels to those of excellence.

Stimulants are most commonly prescribed for people with ADHD because they have a calming and focusing effect on those confirmed to be affected by this illness. Medication usually comes in the form of a tablet or capsule meant to be taken daily. Studies have shown that in legitimate cases of ADHD, the right prescription can actually improve symptoms right alongside self-esteem and social interactions.

A widespread, mythical belief is flooding college campuses across the country. Students are under the belief that stimulant ADHD meds can improve their academic achievements. No scientific evidence demonstrates any such improvement or change in people without ADHD. For this reason, the 17 percent of students taking these meds are risking both legal trouble and health problems.

ADHD stimulants are being used on campus both recreationally and to (supposedly) improve academic performance. In most cases, the students who start taking the medication and see performance improvement are either doing it completely on their own without realizing it or have an undiagnosed case of ADHD.

The NIDA states that use of these medications without the supervision of a doctor, and the absence of the illness they are meant to treat, can cause several health issues. For example, health problems resulting can include:

• Malnutrition
• Feelings of paranoia and hostility
• Serious cardiovascular complications, including seizers or stroke

Last year, Medical News Today ran a report on a study regarding college-aged abuse of stimulant drugs. The study revealed a link between the abuse and impaired brain activity.

Additionally, stimulant drugs, such as the Schedule II controlled substances used to treat ADHD, are being used to “better enjoy” on-campus drinking. According to MNT, taking these drugs with alcohol prolongs the amount of time a college-aged student can drink before they pass out. As a result, they run a higher risk of alcohol poisoning and passing out so drunk they need to be hospitalized immediately to prevent death.

How to Spot Misuse of ADHD Drugs

The real question for parents is how to spot the misuse of ADHD drugs. According to the study, students obtaining Schedule II controlled substances usually do so through friends. They’re motivated by the need to improve academic performance, and they think popping a pill can make all the difference with no adverse side effects. Your child might be at risk of abusing or currently abusing these drugs if they:

• Feel Mounting Pressure: College is demanding. Most students are aware of what’s on the line, from the money to pay for education to the need to excel.
• Have Friends with ADHD: If your child has friends with ADHD, they are at a higher risk of trying the medication. While ADHD stimulants are proven to promote wakefulness and increase the ability to concentrate, they have not been found to improve how a person thinks or learns—a distinction most students fail to understand.
• Actively Hide: Students who take medication obtained through a friend often hide it. If your child is overprotective of their belongings, sneaks off before or during class, or is passing off the regular ingestion of a pill as something minor, these are all possible signs of a bigger problem.
• Make Rapid Improvement: If a student suddenly makes rapid improvements with no visible hard work behind it, the source of those improvements will be questioned. Hopefully, this will happen before the school becomes involved.

What to Do If Your Child is Misusing ADHD Medication

If you suspect or confirm your college student is misusing ADHD medication, talk to them. Be kind and considerate, and try to relate to how they feel. Discuss the dangers of taking a controlled substance, especially without having the disorder it treats or a proper prescription. Encourage your student to talk to their doctor and seek medical help.

In rare cases, a student who takes ADHD medication through a friend sees positive change that indicateds they have an undiagnosed case of ADHD. Instead of depending on a medication for an undiagnosed disorder to improve their performance, they should speak to their doctor to find out if any medical condition has gone untreated.