By Alan I. Leshner, Ph.D., Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse
Bethesda, Md.--(COLLEGIATE PRESSWIRE)--Mar 12, 2001--Too often, college students under stress turn to drugs of abuse to relieve the pressures of social, academic, or financial concerns. Distractions such as smoking, drinking, or taking drugs are considered by some a remedy for stress, anxiety, depression, and personal pain.
The problem is that these substances actually increase the risks of long-term health problems.
For example, some students ignore the well-publicized risks of smoking and decide to use cigarettes. But nicotine is highly addictive. It goes straight to the brain. The human brain has circuits that control feelings of pleasure. A brain chemical called dopamine contributes to the desire to consume drugs. Nicotine spikes an increase in dopamine, so once a person is hooked, it’s tough to quit.
Marijuana is another frequent choice that has serious drawbacks. Short-term effects of marijuana use include memory problems, difficulty in thinking and problem solving, distorted perceptions, loss of coordination, increased heart rate, anxiety, and panic attacks. More importantly, studies of college students show that long-term marijuana use can impair the essential skills related to attention, memory, and learning—even after stopping drug use for 24 hours or more.
And the party scene has potential risks, too. The dangers of methamphetamine and the other club drugs such as Ecstasy, GHB, and Rohypnol are real and are increased when these drugs are mixed with alcohol.
Methamphetamine, also known as “speed,” “chalk,” or “ice”--is a powerful stimulant that is similar to amphetamine but more toxic to the central nervous system. Short-term effects such as agitation, decreased appetite, and increased energy levels may result from taking methamphetamine. The long-term health consequences include addiction, memory loss, potential cardiac and neurological damage, depression, paranoia and aggression.
The drug Ecstasy is reportedly widely available on college campuses and despite its nickname--the “hug drug”--it may cause dehydration, hypertension, and heart or kidney failure. In high doses, Ecstasy can elevate body temperatures to dangerous levels, which may lead to the kidney and cardiovascular system failures that have been reported in some fatal cases at raves. And research shows that even occasional Ecstasy use can lead to damage to brain cells and interfere with sleep, mood, and memory.
GHB and Rohypnol are sometimes called “date rape drugs.” Both drugs have no taste and are odorless and colorless. If slipped into alcoholic beverages or soft drinks, these drugs create a sedating effect that removes barriers to sexual assault or unplanned, unsafe sex.
Every student copes with problems ranging from academic worries to dating. And smoking, drinking, and taking illegal drugs won’t make problems go away. Before you turn to cigarettes, alcohol, or other drugs to temper your stress, check out your campus health center. Let school health professionals help you work through your stress in a constructive, healthy way.
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* Dr. Leshner is the director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, a component of the National Institutes of Health. More information about the health effects of drug abuse and addiction is available on the Institute’s websites at www.drugabuse.gov and www.clubdrugs.org.
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