CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) -
A recent study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, reports the perceived risk of abusing Adderall continues to increase among high school and college students.
College is hard enough. But throw in end-of-semester exams, term papers and standardized tests, and there just aren't enough hours in the day. Enter Ritalin or Adderall.
In 2012, nearly 6 percent fewer high school seniors said trying Adderall is harmful.
It's an epidemic that's getting kids hooked and the consequences could be lethal.
Patrick Narmi struggles as college freshman to focus.
"I'd had some problems first semester of my classes," Narmi said. "My thought process feels I guess kind of cloudy a little bit hazy."
Last year he got help.
"I take Concerta, which I think the medical name is methylphenidate," he said.
"We typically look for symptoms that are in two different settings school work home life," said Dr. Mark Collins of the Cotswold Medical Clinic Arboretum.
Narmi was diagnosed with ADD.
"Complain of impulsivity, hyperactivity inability to focus on task on things that they may be doing in school and at home," Narmi said. "I've kind of had problems with that for a long time."
Dr. Collins said Patrick did the right thing by coming to see him.
"Those that have the diagnosis it really helps treat the symptoms," Collins said. "I really worry about the college students probably the most."
Some college students, searching for ways to pull all nighters self medicate.
"I've seen kids who aren't on the prescription use it to help them study but honestly I think they should get a prescription," Collins said. "If I'm prescribing to a patient that's a college student I typically will encourage them not to tell their roommates. They're often times stolen; they may be offered money for that."
Dr. Collins says abusing prescription pills is a deadly game.
"We worry about conditions with the heart (butted to) they may end up having some type of arrhythmia and that can lead to death or hospitalization," he said.
And he recommends that people only use the medication to get their lives back to normal like Patrick.
"Yea it's actually worked wonders. My grades have improved drastically. I was making D's last semester and now I'm making A's," he said.
Dr. Collins says when ADD or ADHD pills are used according to prescription, it really helps treat the symptoms and it helps patients focus and stay on task.
Someone that doesn't have the condition actually would have adverse effects and feel hyperactive while taking the medicine.
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