Stimulant Drug Use Growing Concern | Video

Amy Fox | 2/28/2013

Drugs like Adderall and Ritalin can help fight against ADHD. But, unfortunately, some high school and college students are abusing these stimulant drugs to help them in the classroom.

Non-medical use of stimulant drugs is becoming a growing problem across the country.

"If you got it, your roommate`s got ADHD and you`re up 24 hours cramming for an exam, you know. For him to say or you to say, СHey, give me one of your pills and you pop it and either snort it or pop it or something, and, you know, you`re good to go for another 8-10 hours,ТФ said North Central Human Services Psychiatrist Dr. Stan Wright.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, in 2012 nearly eight percent of high school seniors across the country reported abusing Adderall and other stimulant drugs, which is up two percent from 2009.

With more people abusing stimulant drugs, that means more people are getting treated at addiction services.

Dr. Wright said, "Well, some of them will come in and tell you they are addicted, but a lot of them will not and a lot of them will have certain personality traits that we look for.Ф

Medical professionals are paying more attention to the history and symptoms of ADHD to make sure the prescription is really needed.

"The physicians and stuff are becoming more aware of the diagnosis, so they are being a little more attentive to it,Ф explains Dr. Wright. УBut, also, I think the influx of people from all over the country has contributed to it as well.Ф

As the population continues to grow, Dr. Wright said the community will see more stimulant drug abuse.

For DEA controlled medications, like Adderall, Dr. Wright only writes prescriptions for 30 days at a time.

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