A New Kind of Addiction
Prescription drug abuse is on the rise on college campuses.
By Elizabeth Stannard Gromisch
May 16, 2008
An assortment of prescription drugs are seen at a Portland, Maine, pharmacy on Friday, May 12, 2000.(AP Photo/Pat Wellenbach)While recreational drug use has always been part of the stereotypical campus life, our generation has been turning toward prescription drugs as a way to get high. In 2007, approximately 6.4 million Americans were reported as taking prescription drugs for non-medical purposes. And according to a study done by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University, the abuse of prescription medication has jumped substantially: In 1993, less than 1 percent of college students abused pain killers; by 2005, that number had risen to 3.1 percent. Prescription pain killers are now second only to marijuana as the most abused narcotic in the United States.
Useful When Prescribed
Unfortunately, many young adults think taking prescription medication is a safer way of getting high in comparison to “street” drugs, like cocaine and heroin. Why? The three most commonly abused prescription drugs—opioids, central nervous system (CNS) depressants, and stimulants— are often use by someone known, and the user believes that they are safe to take. These three types of drugs, when prescribed correctly and used under proper supervision, are important forms of treatment for those with certain disorders.
• Opioids (i.e., codeine, oxycodene, and morphine) are used to treat pain. They work by attaching to opioids receptors, which are in the brain, spinal cord, and gastrointestinal tract. Opioids produce a euphoric feeling by affecting the area of the brain that controls pleasure. However, side effects include slowing or cessation of breath.
• CNS depressants (i.e., barbiturates and benzodiazepines) are prescribed to those with anxiety or sleep disorders. They work by affecting the neurotransmitter GABA, which can produce a drowsy or calming effect, depending on the specific type of medication. Depressants can cause seizures, respiratory depression and decreased heart rate.
• Stimulants (i.e., dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate) are used to tread narcolepsy, ADHD and obesity. They enhance the effects of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. Stimulants can cause high body temperature, irregular heart rates, cardiovascular system failure and seizures.
Why Prescription Drugs?
One of main reasons for students abusing prescription drugs is the accessibility. Approximately 60 percent of users get their drugs for free, through friends or family (sometimes without their knowledge). Prescription drugs can also be obtained through doctor shopping (seeking out an additional doctor and gaining more pills through exaggerating symptoms) or other prescription fraud, illegal online pharmacies, theft, as well as through prescription. When medications such as opioids are over-prescribed, patients can build tolerance, creating an addiction and leading to severe withdrawal later on. Many students begin using prescription drugs illicitly as study aids. Ritalin, a commonly prescribed medication for Attention Deficit Disorder, is often abused in this manner.
Students also take CNS depressants to relieve stress and anxiety; there are a rising number of college-age students taking benzodiazepines, like Xanax, to keep them calm during exams and final papers. In addition, stimulants are being taken for weight-loss purposes; in a recent survey by the
NIDA, more women than men abuse prescription drugs, correlating with the higher percentage of women with eating disorders. However, despite the belief that these drugs will improve attention or help with weight loss, they rarely have the desired effects.
Prescription drugs are particularly dangerous when alcohol is factored into the equation. Many prescription drug labels strongly warn not to drink while on the medication. This is already a problem for college-age students, where drinking is prevalent on campuses, but even more so for users who are taking prescription drugs non-medically. 22.9 percent of students meet the medical definition for alcohol or drug abuse, compared to 8.5 percent of the entire population 12 and older. The age group that most college students fall under, eighteen to twenty-five, has the largest percentage of prescription drug use for non-medical use. The Office of National Drug Control Policy reported higher numbers in 2006 that the 2005 CASA study, with 6.4 percent abusing prescription drugs. Improper use of prescription drugs raises the likelihood of dangerous side effects; the chance is even higher when combined with alcohol.
Prescription drug abuse is starting at a younger age, with a noticeable percentage of users in high school. In a 2007 study, 6.5 percent of 8th graders, 11.1 percent of 10th graders and 11.4 percent of 12th graders were taking amphetamines for non-medical use.
What Can Be Done
Unfortunately, the government has a terrible record when it comes to handling prescription drug abuse; reckless, overly zealous prosecution of federal drug laws has become the norm. And as the “war on drugs” has shown, addiction is not a problem the government is well-equipped to handle. This is a problem whose solution must come from campus efforts. Students should advocate for campus counseling center that promote healthy methods of stress relief and study preparation. Narcotics Anonymous (NA), which is on many college campuses or nearby, is an important resource for addicts, as breaking free from an addiction can be an extremely harrowing, painful experience.. Students can help by increasing the visibility of meetings, or by bringing a support group to campus if one doesn’t exist. But the best way to fight prescription drug abuse is prevention, and the best means of prevention is education: many students simply aren’t aware of the dangers of taking prescription drugs for non-medical purposes.
Elizabeth Stannard Gromisch is a junior at Trinity College and a Campus Progress student representative.
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Comments
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What constitutes “abuse”?
What if the students involved are simply using the drugs as a perfectly legitimate way of getting high? Or, for that matter, studying?
We don’t pretend that all alcohol use constitutes ‘abuse’, so why do we do the same for other drugs that our government has arbitrarily shunted into one category or another?
— Joe - May 18, 07:35 PM - #There’s another article about this in a UCSB Student Paper:
www.dailynexus.com/a…
— Tanya Paperny - May 20, 02:47 PM - #I agree completely with Joe. Why is Ritalin or other study drugs only O.K for students who have got their doctors to prescribe them, as opposed to everyone who could study better with it?
What might worse than the actual medical problems of these drugs is the over-zealous enforcement as this article correctly points out.
In Missouri you face a minimum 5 year jail sentence for giving one pill to a friend. e.g. “hey take this time-released Ritalin to help you cram for finals”
— Josh - May 22, 04:19 PM - #Students who are fed up with the war on drugs should get involved with Students for Sensible Drug Policy. We have chapters on over 125 campuses already! Check out our site for more info.
— Tom Angell - May 22, 04:23 PM - #College students love Xbox Live, which allows gamers to connect with other players all over the world, allowing for a game at virtually any moment of the day.Now the average video game player is between the ages of 18 and 30, and 32 percent have either graduated from or are attending college.
Rocky
Addiction Recovery Maine
— avnish - Jul 16, 05:16 AM - #