Running Head: EPIDEMIC WITH SMART DOPING 1

The Modern Day Epidemic with Smart Doping

Anna Read Barth

Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing

November 15th, 2015

The Modern Day Epidemic with Smart Doping 2

The Modern Day Epidemic with Smart Doping

Smart Doping is a common act occurring among many college students

regarding the stealing, selling, or trading of nonmedical prescription stimulants. The

prescription drugs used as part of the act include but are not limited to Adderall, Ritalin,

Concerta, and Vyvanse. While illicit drug use has been a problem in our society for

many years, stimulants seem to be the most popular among college students for multiple

reasons. The exchange does not only occur with intentions to assist friends in their

academic success though. In fact, it has become a modern day problem that is also apart

of the alcohol and drug abuse epidemic among young adults. With this problem

increasing in popularity by the day, our society is quick to point fingers at the students

participating in the act. However, we need to take a step back and look at the problem as

a whole. Many parents perceive these performance enhancers as a method for their

children to gain an advantage towards increased academic performance. Research has

shown that this may not always be the case though. This issue stems back to the

prescriber, pharmaceutical industry, and institutes of higher education as well. Recently,

the recreational abuse of these drugs has many people reassessing their views about

stimulant use, and instead examining the potential for mental health issues, academic

problems, and disguising underlying drug use (Arria & DuPont, 2010).

The Real Facts Regarding Smart Doping

Nonmedical prescription stimulant use among students has multiple underlying

issues that influence the negative impact this problem has on college campuses nation

wide. Research among the universities has concluded that many students who do use

stimulants as prescribed, have also received the appropriate psychiatric testing to

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diagnose a legitimate diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Unfortunately, these users are starting to feel an increased pressure to ignore what they

know is ethical and have started to lend medication to their friends or to help their

friends out on a big test. Instead of friends and acquaintances respecting ones medical

use for prescribed stimulants, they are pressuring others to engage in the act of something

these prescription holders may feel uncomfortable with. This epidemic is also an issue

regarding its use by nonprescription users for recreational use. The illegal users that fall

under this category abuse stimulants with the simple goal to enhance a night of partying

or to increase a desired high from another substance. Studies have found that these users

have a higher tendency to participate in illicit drug use and heavy drinking too. Another

recent study found that nonprescription users are more likely to skip class on a frequent

basis, spend less time studying, and have a higher dependence for alcohol and marijuana.

This is a sign that many parents of college students miss because they are unaware of

their child abusing stimulants outside of their own supervision on the college campus.

However, studies also show that it may be ignored because many parents believe if their

student is using a friends stimulant prescription, negative effects are either nonexistent

or very mild. The parents among this category are more concerned with their childs

academic success. These parents believe that a friends 30 mg Adderall is okay to take as

needed because receiving a higher test grade is much more of a concern, as opposed to

investigating the adverse side effects, potential for addiction, and possible decline in

mental health status. Lastly, the illegality of such medication distribution seems to be

both ignored or unknown by the patient prescribed to the medication. They are not aware

of the legal consequences that they could be charged with, should government officials
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become aware of their actions. This area needs to be discussed by the prescriber, but

unfortunately, this rarely occurs. Many researchers believe that if physicians did discuss

the legal ramifications with patients, it could influence a decline in these stimulant drugs

being passed out to others without any second thought (Arria & DuPont, 2010).

Services and Treatment

Treatment for nonmedical prescription stimulant use among college students

revolves around physician and nurses, educational institutions, and the pharmaceutical

companies. Several studies have suggested that the prescribing physicians create specific

guidelines, screenings, and interventions to help eliminate this problem from the college

student population. Researchers would like to see the guidelines teach physicians how to

monitor for patients that misuse stimulants, as well as requiring an informed consent form

to be signed that cautions students about the consequences of sharing prescription

stimulants to others. The use of screenings would require patients to complete urine

toxicities if they are at high risk for abusing stimulant prescriptions or have admitted to

doing so. Today, there are several substance abuse treatment centers for those that may

need increased medical attention for their problem. Programs that promote and

encourage sobriety are also available in the communities should a patient need additional

assistance after completing time in a facility. Over time, pharmaceutical companies have

begun developing abuse resistant formulations of these prescription medications, such

as extended release medications. Research shows that many substance abusers do not

want these medications because they lack the rapid rise in blood levels, which

simultaneously fails to please the craving brain. Prescription stimulants that do work in

this rapid effect are much more likely to be abused as opposed to a medication like
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Vyvanse. Vyvanse has a slower onset of action and allows the medication to remain as a

steady concentration in the blood over the course of a day. As time continues, it is

assumed that stimulant medications will still be used among the public. However,

researchers believe that if the pharmaceutical companies can continue to create abuse

resistant medications, issues with stimulant abuse may resolve without interfering with

the legitimate medical use for patient needs. The university campus administrators are

also encouraged to talk to students about this epidemic while in freshmen orientations or

campus health centers. The policy regarding illegal use of the medications should be

stressed to all students. Educating the student body on the risks of selling and sharing

stimulants with others in another important area to discuss. Unfortunately, until this is

done so on a consistent basis, stimulant abuse will continue to be a problem nationwide

(Arria, & DuPont, 2010).

The World Health Organizations Regard to Substance Abuse

According to the information found in the Sixty Fifth World Health Assembly

Published by the World Health Organization (WHO), individuals that do suffer with

substance abuse problems are often found to have a mental health disorder as well. Many

college students that abuse nonmedical prescription stimulants are in denial of such a

diagnosis. Another guideline addressed by the WHO indicates that these patients are

ignorant to the fact that sometimes, this consistent substance abuse can lead to the

addiction of other harmful drugs such as cocaine or opioids. Parents may also have a

blind eye to their child abusing drugs. They may not realize that their child is actually

already hooked on these dangerous substances or that the abuse is also occurring with

excessive alcohol intake. Substance abuse can be life threatening at any degree and
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should not be ignored for any reason. It can lead some individuals to suffer with different

degrees of disability too. Lastly, the WHO guidelines mention that the issue of substance

abuse is not always noticed early on in ones life; when it is thought, consistent medical

and social monitoring are required to complete the necessary interventions towards

redeveloping a sober lifestyle (Sixty Fifth World Health Assembly: Resolutions and

Decisions, 2012).

What Does Healthy People 2020 Say About Substance Abuse?

The Healthy People 2020 goal for substance abuse states Reduce substance

abuse to protect the health, safety, and quality of life for all, especially children.

Unfortunately, the agency has found that individuals suffering with substance abuse do

not always recognize their problem, and if they do, seeking treatment may not be

completed or even an option. As mentioned earlier in this paper, substance abuse does

not only affect the individual suffering. It also affects families, physicians, and

community members as a whole. Research conducted by this Healthy People 2020 has

found that people suffering with substance abuse are at an increased risk for domestic

violence, motor vehicle crashes, and suicide. While many people disagree between the

questions if substance abuse is a genetic issue or if it is a personal choice, many people

can agree that this issue is a complex health issue seen among many age groups.

Substance abuse does not discriminate. As this problem continues to occur, many

researchers are putting fourth an abundant amount of time and effort in order to decide

what is the most effective strategy to address this chronic illness. There has been a recent

progression in research that identifies factors that may cause an individual to begin

abusing drugs. Brain imaging technologies and medication treatments for patients that
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suffer with substance abuse have also found answers to questions regarding this world

wide issue. Healthy People 2020 also identifies that the federal government has recently

implemented improved access to treatment for these patients as well. All of the studies

conducted are beneficial regarding unanswered questions to substance abuse. As

psychiatric discoveries continue to progress, nonmedical prescription stimulant abuse

may come to an end over time (Substance Abuse, Healthy People 2020).

The Wrap Up to Modern Day Smart Doping

Many college students believe that integrating the use of nonmedical prescription

stimulants does not hold the same life threatening effects as streets drugs. However, they

fail to realize substance abuse of this degree can trigger the development of an underlying

drug issue, mental health issue, or academic problems. The misconception that

stimulants are harmless can be eliminated as our society continues to monitor this issue

through the help of physicians, parents, and pharmaceutical companies.. As new research

findings progress and open up, they can be implemented into educational programs

regarding psychiatric medication administration and compliance. Combining all of these

studies and research about substance abuse can help decrease the continuation of such a

detrimental illness (Arria, & DuPont, 2010).

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References

Arria, A. M., & DuPont, R. L. (2010). Nonmedical Prescription Stimulant Use among

College Students: Why We Need To Do Something and What We Need To Do.

Journal of Addictive Diseases, 29(4), 417426.

http://doi.org/10.1080/10550887.2010.509273

Sixty Fifth World Health Assembly: Resolutions and Decisions. (2012). Retrieved

November 15, 2016, from https://bsmcon.blackboard.com/bbcswebdav/pid-

119905-dt-content-rid-714464_1/courses/NUR3114-201617-FA-D1D5/Fall

2016/World Health Organization.pdf

Substance Abuse. (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2016, from

https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/substance-abuse