Worrying the increase of drugs to study |
Posted: January 29, 2018 |
It is among the worst kept secrets in the university or college centers. As the final exam period approaches, Adderall abuse in college and other drugs 'to study' and to increase concentration. In general, it is other students who have prescribed the medications that take them to the campus. These medicines are safe for those young people who are under treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, says Dr. Eugene R. Hershorin, a professor of clinical pediatrics at the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami and a physician at the Hospital de Children Holtz. And what for those who are not? "If the person has underlying heart disease, these medications can be very dangerous," says Hershorin. "They can also worsen depression and anxiety and cause other conditions such as insomnia." Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is a developmental disorder that affects an individual's ability to be still and concentrate. Symptoms include hyperactivity and impulsivity. According to a study published earlier this year by the Academy of Pediatricians, 14 percent of children, or about 10.4 million, suffer from it. Males are three times more likely to be diagnosed with this condition than girls. That number represents a dramatic increase over the 6.2 million children who suffered from the disorder in 2000. Experts say that the increase happens because pediatricians are better trained in mental health and development issues and it is also a problem that is increasingly accepted socially. So the number of children treated with medication is also greater. "There was a group of patients who had clearly recognizable signs and symptoms that could be verified by family doctors and psychiatrists, and that guaranteed the proper use of the medication, which is a stimulant," says Dr. John Eustace, Medical Director of the Center. of Addiction Treatment at South Miami Hospital. In 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that 2.7 million were receiving medication for the treatment of ADHD. Since 1930 stimulants for treatment began to be used. There are two types: amphetamines, such as Adderall and Vyvanse, and methylphenidates such as Concerta and Ritalin. They act by increasing the levels of chemicals such as dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. These in turn stimulate attention. The medical community says that medications are generally safe and help patients. The problem arises when these medicines are used by people who do not have ADHD. And this is precisely what is happening on university campuses. Some students consider Adderall as a recreational drug. Some grind it and inhale it like cocaine. "Adderall is an amphetamine, therefore it can be used as a recreational drug," says Eustace. "It keeps you awake longer. You dance faster you drink more." Other young adults use the medication to improve their academic performance. "They can take it at night and it helps them stay awake to study," says Hershorin of the University of Miami. But, like most controlled substances, Adderall and other medications used to study can have side effects. When the effect of the drug disappears the person may experience a period of low energy and depression. Aderall is also an appetite suppressant, so by passing the effect the person can feel a ravenous hunger. Taking Adderall regularly is not healthy and can lead to dependence on the medication, says Eustace, of the Addiction Treatment Center at South Miami Hospital. "Leaving the studies to do them at the last moment, can be problematic," says Eustace. "This fosters a pattern of irresponsibility and lack of discipline." Even these drugs to study can have deadly consequences in those people with heart problems. "When young people offer medicine to a friend, they do not realize that if someone has a heart disorder, they can cause serious health problems," says Dr. Mitch Spero, a physician at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood. And director of Child & Family Psychologists, with offices in Plantation and Weston. It can be much more problematic if mixed with alcohol or drugs like cocaine.
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