Ten Percent Of Teens Use Study Drugs Yet Most Parents Aren't Aware

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Main Category: Psychology / Psychiatry
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health;  ADHD
Article Date: 22 May 2013 - 0:00 PDT Current ratings for:
Ten Percent Of Teens Use Study Drugs Yet Most Parents Aren't Aware

Many teens across the country are using "study drugs" to give them an academic advantage and help them achieve better results in school.

The University of Michigan Mitt Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health, which was carried out by researchers at the University of Michigan, found that only one percent of parents of teens between the age of 13 to 17 believe their children are using prescription stimulants or amphetamines.

However, national data from Monitoring the Future revealed that an overwhelming 10% of high school sophomores and 12% of high school seniors take these attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drugs without a prescription from their doctor.

It is important that children who are mentally healthy avoid taking attention-boosting drugs. The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) announced in a public statement that it is wrong for doctors to prescribe ADHD drugs for mentally healthy kids who misuse them as a means of achieving better grades at school.

A study carried out by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) reported that the number of emergency department visits involving ADHD medications increased from 13,379 in 2005 to 31,244 in 2010 (a rise of more than 100%).

Study drugs include all medications that are prescribed to treat ADHD, such as Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta, and Vyvanse.

?? Students take ADHD medications without a prescription (either by taking someone else's medication or buying it illegally) to improve cognitive performance and achieve better results in their exams.

?? Matthew M. Davis, M.D., M.A.P.P., director of the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health said that it is imperative that people understand that study drugs have not been proven to improve students' grades and can be very dangerous to their health if abused.

??Davis said: "Taking these medications when they are not prescribed for you can lead to acute exhaustion, abnormal heart rhythms and even confusion and psychosis if the teens get addicted and go into withdrawal."

He added:

"What we found in this poll is a clear mismatch between what parents believe and what their kids are reporting. But even though parents may not be recognizing these behaviors in their own kids, this poll also showed that one-half of the parents say they are very concerned about this abuse in their communities."

The most concerned parents were white (54% were "very concerned") followed by black and Hispanic parents.

Although many parents expressed concern, only 27% of them had talked to their children about improper using prescription drugs such as Adderall.

??Davis added: "If we are going to make a dent in this problem, and truly reduce the abuse of these drugs, we need parents, educators, health care professionals and all who interact with teens to be more proactive about discussing the issue." ?

One third of parents supported school policies that focused on stopping the abuse of study drugs in school. 76% of parents said that schools should educate children about the dangers associated with abusing study drugs.

79% said they would support a policy that made students with a prescription for ADHD medications keep their medicines somewhere secure where other students can't have access to them.

One in ten teens using "study drugs," but parents aren't paying attention

?Davis concluded: "We know teens may be sharing drugs or spreading the word that these medications can give their grades a boost. But the bottom line is that these prescription medications are drugs, and teens who use them without a prescription are taking a serious risk with their health."

The long term health effects of taking ADHD drugs could result in health risks that aren't yet fully understood. A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry (June 2009 issue) revealed that stimulant drugs for ADHD treatment may increase the risk of sudden death in healthy children.

Written by Joseph Nordqvist

Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today Visit our psychology / psychiatry section for the latest news on this subject. "The University of Michigan Mitt Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health"
Matthew M. Davis, MD, MAPP, Sarah J. Clark, MPH, Dianne C. Singer, MPH, Gebremariam, MS, Regina Royan, MPH, Anna Daly Kauffman, BA
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posted by immediate care justice il on 22 May 2013 at 1:59 pm

It seems like there is always something new to worry about. While many parents talk to their kids about known party drugs, study drug usage is not well known or discussed. Michael Jackson's death created a lot of awareness about prescription drug abuse. Increased concentration isn't something that gets most parents worried enough to suspect something. It will take serious problems and media attention to raise awareness and get parents to start talking to their kids about this.

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The relationship between parents and pediatricians

by Yolanda, MD

It’s strange being on the other side for a change. I remember bringing my son to his first doctor’s appointment.  A new mom. No stethoscope around my neck. No patient schedule, replaced instead by the constant grind of breastfeeding.

I knew it was just another routine newborn check for our pediatrician, but every maternal fiber in me believed that my son must be the cutest baby that ever walked through that clinic.  Every thing he did, every coo, every gurgle and smile, every moro reflex …  It was all so incredible to me, as if these were breakthrough accomplishments in the entire history of all babykind.  I was a proud and excited mama.

I like my pediatrician and I value her input and advice.  She’s efficient and knowledgeable.  But I distinctly remember walking away from that first appointment feeling ambivalent simply because she didn’t ask any personal questions to get a sense of who we were as a family.  I didn’t expect this to be a social visit; I didn’t want to be treated any differently because I’m a pediatrician.  But I would expect that knowing the social context of a new patient is an important step to building rapport.

I have always wondered what parents think of me as their pediatrician.  If only I could hear the running commentary of thoughts that goes on in their minds.  Would I laugh?  Would I cry?  Sometimes it’s obvious that a great rapport has been built.  I love it when that happens.  I feel like I am actually being useful.  But sometimes I get these blank expressions.  In some cases, I can blame it on my mediocre Spanish.  But if they speak English…. well….

Some medical schools videotape their students as they meet  and examine “practice” patients.  I wish it was something doctors out in practice could do.  I’m sure I would cringe at some of my habits and body language, intentional or not.  I’m sure it would also inspire me to wear more make-up and actually do something with my hair.

When I listen to people talk about their kids, it sure doesn’t sound like they look to their pediatrician as a resource for parenting advice and support.  Is it because people don’t realize how to maximize the use of their pediatrician?  Or is it because the pediatrician hasn’t conveyed an interest in the broader scope of their child’s development and behavior?

I went into pediatrics because I loved the idea of getting to know families over many years.  I had hoped to play an active role in helping parents bring out the potential of their kids.  Now I wonder if that’s even realistic.  Maybe our current approach to health care, as a system and as a culture, simply doesn’t encourage this kind of relationship between parents and pediatricians anymore.  Perhaps society has become too mobile.  Rarely does anyone stay with one job, let alone one doctor.  The part that troubles me most?  I’m beginning to wonder if being the pediatrician I envisioned is simply not possible when I’m choosing to work only two days a week.  I just can’t be there for these families in the way I had hoped.  That’s a tough pill to swallow.

“Yolanda” is a pediatrician who blogs at Blaggie Plaggie: Babblings of a Mommy Doctor.

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Tagged as: Patients, Primary care

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