Most of you know that using prescription drugs without a prescription is illegal and dangerous. Unfortunately, research shows some college students have the perception that “study drugs” are harmless and can make you smarter (DeSantis and Hane, 2010). This false belief may be responsible for a 67% increase in nonmedical use of Adderall from 2006 to 2011.

Researchers from the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins recently looked at data from three national surveys to identify trends. According to the Drug Abuse Warning Network, the number of emergency room visits involving Adderall misuse increased from 862 visits in 2006 to 1,489 in 2011. Common problems associated with nonmedical Adderall use include anxiety, agitation, and insomnia, but the stimulant drug can also lead to increased blood pressure and in rare events, heart attack and stroke.

Source: Chen, et. al, Prescriptions, Nonmedical Use, and Emergency Department Visits Involving Prescription Stimulants. J Clin Psychiatry. 2016