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Misuse Of ADHD Medication, Why College Students Should Be Warned.

By: Jimmy Brownen

Misuse of ADHD as prescribed medicine has become one of the nation’s prevalent problems. Findings of a study done in 2001 was released in 2007. This study was carried out on almost 11,000 students from 199 nationally representative of 4 year collage students. These students were asked on usage of non-medical use of stimulant medications and were promised that their personal identities would not be revealed to ensure honest and open responses.

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

- Males used them twice as much as females while misuse of the stimulants among Caucasians are significantly higher than African American.

- 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.

- It was found that there are more students that came from colleges with higher admission criteria who abuses stimulants than those that came from 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%

The number one reason for using stimulants according to respondents were to enhance academic performance outside of class. Stimulants are also used for leisure but no significant findings are tied to this belief.

One theory on abuse of stimulants is that these student actually do have ADD but failed to get it diagnosed. However, there is still the question of why those who really do not have ADD feel that they are experiencing ADD symptoms. There are even students who voice out that they actually don’t have problem with paying attention but over time has developed this problem.

Finding of this study might be relaying something important to parents who anxious about their children getting involved in stimulant abuse.

Parents need to check for some of the following symptoms.

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?

While the answers to these questions may not be a sure sign that your child is engaging in non-medical use of stimulants, pay attention to the answers anyway. You will definitely learn something about what your child is experiencing!

Whatever the reasons are for using stimulants illegally, this study does get our attention, pardon the pun! It is crucial that there is more education for college students about stimulant abuse. In addition, more accurate information about what ADD is and how it can be treated must be provided. More needs to be understood about other problems that can contribute to difficulties with attention and the importance of seeking professional assistance for those issues rather than opting for self-medication. Finally, and for the reasons above, it remains crucial to continue finding alternative methods and non-medical interventions that can assist people with ADD.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

About the Author:
As a leading practitioner in the field of treating attention deficit disorder, Jimmy Brownen has had man years of experience in the treatment of such disorders. For more information on adderall or vyvanse, please visit his site today.

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