Study Drugs Frequently Abused Among Law Students

Posted by azdrugrehabctr on November 19, 2016 under Addiction Trends, Prescription Drugs | Comments are off for this article

Some may find it strange that students immersing themselves in the legal and ethical structure of our country have greatly increased their non-medical use of study drugs like Adderall or Ritalin. But, the immense academic and social pressures of being a law student has forced many to rely on the same drugs that are sweeping through college campuses across the country.

Adderall and Ritalin are prescribed to people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and are designed to help people with this problem to focus better and complete tasks. However, those who do not have the disorder consume the drug in order to study for a test, stay awake in class or complete a project. And, like any other drug, continuous use of Adderall and Ritalin lead to a dependence not unlike cocaine or methamphetamine. The similarities to cocaine and methamphetamine do not end there, the energy and focus achieved while taking ADHD drugs is very similar to the feeling one receives after taking street stimulants.

A new survey entitled “Suffering in Silence: The Survey of Law Student Well-Being” showed that 14% of those that filled out the survey took prescribed ADHD medication in the last 12 months. The researchers are unsure how many students are taking non-prescribed Adderall or Ritalin, but they believe it is much higher than the 14% who are legitimately prescribed the drug. This information has sparked many colleges and universities to rethink their approach when it comes to helping students come forward and address their dependence issues.

This research wasn’t restricted just to prescription stimulants, but also the use and abuse of other substances and mental health problems among law students as well. It showed that many of the students are reluctant to communicate about the difficulties they face and therefore they typically do not receive the help they need.

“We’re trying to communicate that we care about you as a student. If the message comes out we’re headhunting, then we’re definitely driving the students underground. You risk turning students off from getting help,” explained David Jaffe, associate dean for student affairs at American University Washington College of Law.

Perhaps one of the most important takeaways from the study was the level of responsibility colleges and universities have to take for this growing problem. The incredible demands placed on law students may need to be cut back in order to see a decrease in prescription stimulant and other substance abuse. Law students often feel the pressures of keeping up with other students, making the right connections and doing well enough in school to get a well-paying job that will help them pay back the student loans required to pay for law school in the first place.

Marijuana Legalized in More States, Denied in Arizona

Posted by azdrugrehabctr on November 11, 2016 under Addiction Trends, AZ Drug Rehab News | Comments are off for this article

The election has come and gone. Some people are overjoyed with the results and some people are devastated. It is safe to say that this has been one of the most divisive elections in history. However, the presidential election is not the only thing that has polarized people. In 2012 citizens in Colorado voted to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes. This was a first for the country, but since then more states have decided to bring the issue of legalized pot to voters. So, while the country was struggling with determining who would be our next commander in chief, marijuana legalization was placed on ballots in California, Massachusetts, Nevada, Maine, Arizona, Florida, North Dakota, Arkansas and Montana. Some of these measures were for medicinal use and some were for recreational use.

And, just like the presidential election, the results of these measures are just as polarized. Not all states gathered the required number of votes to legalize the drug. Residents of Arizona did not approve the ballot measure in the state, but voters in California, Massachusetts, Nevada and Maine all chose to legalize the drug for adults aged 21 and older. This continued shift in the public opinion of marijuana actually highlights the fact that there is still a great divide between those that want marijuana to be legal, and those that do not want to legalize the drug.

For those that have advocated marijuana legalization, the passing of recreational marijuana in some states was a celebrated event. However, many actively fought against the passing of these bills, and were disappointed with the results. “We were outspent greatly in both California and Massachusetts, so this loss is disappointing, but not wholly unexpected. Despite having gained considerable ground in the last few weeks, the out-of-state interests determined to make money off of legalization put in too much money to overcome,” explained Kevin Sabet from Smart Approaches to Marijuana.

Despite the profit-driven push to make weed more legally prevalent, there are millions of Americans who still see past the rhetoric because they know how destructive the drug can be to individuals and communities in multiple ways. For example, researchers have confirmed that marijuana use by teens can damage their developing brains.

We are happy that Arizona citizens stood up to the pressure to legalize pot and hope that more states are able to remain as resilient in the future.