We usually think that if a doctor prescribes something, it's totally safe. But that's not always the case. When people don't use prescription meds the way they're supposed to, things can get messy.
The National Institute of Drug Abuse says millions of people misuse prescription drugs every year. That includes painkillers, ADHD meds, and stuff for anxiety or sleep. Misuse can mean taking more than you're supposed to, using meds that aren't yours, or just taking them to feel a certain way instead of to actually treat an issue (NIDA, 2020).
A lot of young people think, "It's prescribed, so it can't be bad." But that's a risky way to think. Misusing these drugs can lead to addiction, overdoses, and other serious problems. For example, college students sometimes take stimulants like Adderall to cram for tests or stay up late. It might seem harmless at first, but it can mess with your heart, make you anxious, and before you know it, you might be hooked.
Opioids are another big concern. People often start taking them after surgery or injuries, but if they don't use them exactly as prescribed, it can turn into addiction. Some folks even move on to heroin. The bottom line? Prescription meds can be super helpful when used right, but misusing them is a whole different story. Knowing this can help us make smarter choices about pain, stress, and focus without putting ourselves at risk.
I found the idea of Adderall interesting, so I researched various studies that support your claims about how it can affect the heart and increase anxiety. I found a study which aimed to investigate whether substances like Adderall could enhance cognitive performance in individuals without ADHD when they were administered 30 mg of the drug. The researchers found that Adderall had minimal effects on attention and memory, but it significantly impacted heart rate, blood pressure, and mood. Additionally, students reported experiencing more emotional stress (Weyandt et al, 2018).
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, and students often fail to consider the risks they are putting themselves in. They think they are doing the right thing when taking Adderall because it is helping them "cram for a test or stay up late."
Reference
Weyandt, L. L., White, T. L., Gudmunsdottir B. G., Nitenson, A. Z., Rathley, E. S., De Leon, K. A., & et al. (2018). Neurocognitive, autonomic, and mood effects of adderall: a pilot study of healthy college students. Pharmacy. 6(3), 58. 10.3390/pharmacy6030058
References
The opioid epidemic is always an area of concern. I think about the people in my life that have gotten surgeries or minor procedures done and walked out with a large prescription for an opioid. People who aren't aware the full extent to how addicting these substances are can get hooked so quickly! Once that prescription runs out they start looking for something else that makes them feel that way so then they turn to a cheaper option of heroin. In more recent years I personally have seen less opioid prescriptions being used and alternative options being given. I am hopeful that we are acknowledging the dangers of these drugs and are trying to prescribe them only when completely necessary. I found an article that was looking at the heroine and opioid epidemic that hopefully will shed some further light on this subject. Thank you for this blog, it was very well written and allowed me to do some further research into!
ReplyDeleteKolodny, A., Courtwright, D. T., Hwang, C. S., Kreiner, P., Eadie, J. L., Clark, T. W., & Alexander, G. C. (2015). The prescription opioid and heroin crisis: a public health approach to an epidemic of addiction. Annual review of public health, 36, 559–574. https://doi-org.dml.regis.edu/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-031914-122957