Being a college student can come with many stressors, especially for those driven to achieve and students just entering college life. You may have sent your child off to college with high hopes of achievements and wonderful experiences he or she would have. What you may not have anticipated, however, is drug use.
Unfortunately, college students do not always make the best choices. When they are feeling considerable stress, their decision-making abilities may be even less clear. As a result, when they learn that they could take a pill to help them stay awake or increase their focus, they may take it without thinking about the possible repercussions.
Study drugs
Many medications used to address symptoms of ADHD become known as “study drugs.” These substances, which can include Ritalin and Adderall, can result in individuals who do not have ADHD feeling more focused. Many college students also believe that the drugs can help them learn and retain information better. However, research has not found any conclusive evidence that such results are possible from these medications.
Research does show that thousands of college students use study drugs every year. Approximately 10 percent of college students indicated that they used an amphetamine without a doctor’s prescription. Serious issues can stem from such use. When properly monitored by a doctor, the use of ADHD-related medications has a low chance of resulting in an addiction to the substance. However, misuse can result in an addiction and serious side effects.
Negative consequences
Your child may experience various consequences of misusing a prescription substance. For instance, he or she may feel the following side effects:
- Insomnia
- Blurred vision
- Delusions
- Anxiety
- Dizziness
- Confusion
Of course, using a prescription medication without a proper prescription can have legal consequences as well. If your child is found in possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, it is likely that criminal charges will result.
Defending against allegations
You certainly do not want a lapse in judgment to corrupt your child’s college career and future. As a result, you may wonder how he or she can defend against the allegations of drug possession. Fortunately, you can reach out to a Wisconsin attorney who can assess your child’s situation and help you determine the best courses of action. It can be a difficult ordeal, but you may be able to get your child the help he or she needs to avoid or break an addiction and address criminal charges.
