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Who's Really Using Prescription Stimulants?

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4.9 million people abuse stimulants annually. Teens and college students often misuse prescription stimulants to improve their grades, and older adults misuse them to try and improve their memory.

Groundbreaking research is increasing the evidence that "study drugs" aren't providing the benefits some claim - stimulant misuse is associated with lower odds of obtaining a college degree.

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What are Prescription Stimulants?

A stimulant is a drug that excites your central nervous system, meaning you experience a rise in alertness, attention, energy, elevated blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration. Amphetamines were originally developed as a decongestant in 1929 and then began to be commonly prescribed for narcolepsy and depression. Today prescription stimulants are considered the first-line treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in the United States.

The High

  • Euphoria
  • Enhanced confidence
  • Inability to sleep
  • Increased concentration, energy, and exhilaration
  • Reduced appetite

Stimulants + the Body

The severity of the symptoms are directly related to the amount used. If someone were to use more of the drug, these symptoms would become more pronounced.

Short Term Effects

  • Trembling
  • Sensitivity to touch
  • Loss of appetite

Long Term Effects

  • Dizziness
  • Tremors
  • Headache
  • Flushed skin
  • Chest pain with palpitations
  • Excessive sweating
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal cramps

Overdose

  • High fever
  • Convulsions
  • Cardiovascular collapse
  • Death
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Did You Know?

  • In 1947, researchers began pointing out problems, such as addiction and hallucinations, yet companies have continued to aggressively advertise and use has continued to rise. More recently, the amount of stimulants used for medical purposes, especially attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, quintupled from 1995 to 2005.
  • Medical use of prescription stimulants can be extremely helpful and is necessary for many people. But, for those who don’t have medical conditions that warrant these drugs, they can cause serious complications. You wouldn’t think taking blood pressure medicine would be good for you if you didn’t have a heart condition, would you? Every drug, including prescribed medication, has potential side effects and complications; so you have to weigh those pros and cons with the expert opinions of your doctor.

Sharing ISN'T Caring

If you are prescribed stimulants, how can you keep your friends and family safe?

Remember your first day of Kindergarten when your teacher is going on about the rules?

  • Be nice.
  • Have fun.
  • Sharing is caring.

These are largely still true. However, when it comes to prescription drugs, sharing is definitely not caring. Say your friend really needs to study all night to cce that test and they ask you for one of your ADHD meds. You are torn, because you want to help your friend out, of course, but you know you’re not a doctor. When a doctor writes a prescription, they consider the person’s size and check for allergies and potential bad interactions with other medications the person might be taking. When you decide to share your prescription drugs, you are bypassing these important safety measures, putting both yourself and your friend in danger. You don’t want that kind of responsibility, or regret, if something bad were to happen. Sharing is never caring when it comes to prescription drugs.

Leftover Pills

What can you do with all those leftover pills?

Many people have multiple prescriptions just lying around their house, for just in case... just in case may turn into a very problematic situation. Instead of letting old prescriptions lie around waiting to tempt someone, get rid of them safely!

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Common Names

  • Cat
  • Crank
  • Flake
  • Pellets
  • R-Ball
  • Skippy
  • Snow
  • Speed
  • Uppers
  • Vitamin R

More Drugs

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