When college students use illegal drugs – or illegally use prescription medication – they often do it recreationally or socially. Much like alcohol, they use these substances at parties and social gatherings.
But there’s another classification of drugs that are often called “study drugs.” These may also be used in social situations, but they’ve earned their name because college students sometimes turn to them to help them study. How do these drugs work and what do they include?
Short-term stimulants
Generally speaking, study drugs are stimulants. They can give someone more energy as they power through studying or writing a paper, for instance. Some of the drugs also increase alertness or help people focus on one specific topic.
Some of the prescription stimulants that students tend to use are things like Adderall, Vyvanse or Dexedrine, which are all amphetamines. They will also use a class of drugs known as methylphenidate. Examples of these include Concerta and Ritalin.
These medications can have very real uses for those with certain ailments. For instance, someone who has ADHD may have trouble studying and getting through their classes, so they get a diagnosis and a prescription for Adderall. The drugs themselves are useful. But the issue is that some students are using them illegally, when they don’t have a prescription, and that could be a violation of drug laws in the United States.
Criminal defense options
In some cases, college students get arrested for using study drugs, and it can put their entire future and their education in question. Those who are facing allegations of illegal drug use, sales or related charges must know about the criminal defense options at their disposal.
