Why Are So Many College Students Taking Prescription Drugs?

August 14, 2011 9:00 am     Posted in College, Reality  Heidi - Bridgewater State University g+ page


By Heidi

When it comes to almost every aspect of my social life, I gladly accept the “straight-edge girl” role. No, I’m not one of those crazy “straight-edge” people who draw X’s on their hands, dress in all black and  attack anyone who doesn’t follow their lifestyle, but I’m not afraid to admit that as a junior in college, I’ve never drank alcohol, smoked cigarettes, smoked weed or kicked it old school by downing Robitussin.

When it comes to drug culture, I’m more of a passive participant than an active one. Sure, I voted for my state’s legislation to loosen up the marijuana laws, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to take advantage of them. Yeah, I worked at a local liquor store, but that doesn’t mean I condone the amount of drinking that goes on in my town. That being said, I’ve still learned a lot by being a passive member of drug culture.

Remember when weed was cool and everyone was using it? I wasn’t into that, but it didn’t scare me. At least not in the same way that prescription drug abuse does. Whether it be adderall,  percocet,  sleeping pills, or anything else that should only be taken with written permission by a doctor, I’m still trying to figure out why so many of my friends are taking them. I just can’t see anything appealing about it, especially knowing everything that I know below.

1. Way Worse Consequences – I don’t know about the laws in other states, but where I’m from (Massachusetts), you’re much better off getting caught with a little weed than getting caught being in possession of illegal prescriptions. Aside from the general possession charges, you’ll also face extra charges depending on the drug itself and how much of it you get caught with. Many states, including my own, are trying to have pharmacies crack down and ask for extra ID from customers. I guess I’m kind of paranoid, but is the high really worth all the risks?

2. Pills are Pricey – Drug costs vary depending on where you live and who you buy from, but I’ve heard of people coughing up up to $10 per pill, paying $100 for 20 pills, or just blowing their whole paycheck on one night of fun. Sure, you might spend just as much at the liquor store, but to be honest, I’d much rather spend my money on a nice dinner, concert tickets or designer clothing. Sober memories tend to last a lot longer (and cost a lot less) than blacked-out ones.

3. They Can Mess You Up BAD – Too much of anything is unhealthy, but you know how everyone loves weed because it doesn’t pose any kind of real medical danger? Prescriptions actually do. By default, they’re drugs that are extremely powerful and meant to solve serious health problems. But using them incorrectly can create even bigger health problems. Exposing an otherwise  healthy body to Oxycontin, ADHD medication, or anything else it doesn’t need could cause problems like an irregular heartbeat, slow brain function, anxiety, seizures, depression, paranoia, and so many other things I think we could all really do without.

Now, maybe I’m just being a Negative Nancy, but I still can’t figure out what’s so appealing about prescription drugs. What’s so alluring about them? The risk? The exclusivity? The high? Whatever it is, I hope this fad doesn’t stick around forever (or maybe weed should make a comeback).

Have you ever tried prescription drugs? Would you if offered? What do you think of the drug sub culture as a whole?

20 Comments on "Why Are So Many College Students Taking Prescription Drugs?"

  1. Eimear says:
    Sun, 14th Aug 20119:22 am 

    I could never understand the appeal of doing prescription drugs. I mean, the things that the drugs are for are illnesses that you wouldn't want in a lifetime! I'd be much like you, straight edge but a passive participant. I don't drink, smoke or do drugs, prescription or otherwise, but I see how dependent some of my friends can get on them and just seeing that, I don't understand how anyone could get voluntary get themselves into that situation.

  2. Marym says:
    Sun, 14th Aug 201112:03 pm 

    It happens alot more than you think, people just don’t talk about it becuase people like you so harshly judge, drugs like Adderall can help people who struggle in school prescribed or not. If someone can take a pill that modivates them and then ace an exam that makes them wrong? It’s not like there stabbing a needle in their arm. And percocet is nothing but a reallly strong pain killer, anyone can take them

    they are just meant for injuries. These “drugs” really aren’t that bad there is alot worse out there. Plus the fact that marijuana gives you zero motivation and makes you watch shitty tv for hours eating mass amounts of taco bell. You tell me what’s worse. And where I’m from they only cost about $3-4 depending on the mg.

  3. Jenna says:
    Sun, 14th Aug 20115:53 pm 

    The fact that the drugs are legal under prescription does not make them harmless. The reason they’re only available under medical supervision is usually due to the fact that they are so strong that they can do serious harm. Often for example they’re processed by the kidneys so you’ll need to be tested before and while taking the drug to ensure your kidney’s are able to cope.

    If you have a genuine illness the advantages of the drug may outweigh the disadvantages and under medical supervision any problems can be spotted early and the medication stopped if necessary, a doctor also can look out for signs of addiction. None of this happens if you self medicate.

  4. Jessica D. says:
    Mon, 15th Aug 201112:07 am 

    Percocet is not just a "really strong painkiller", and Adderall is not a harmless "motivation" medication. Percocet is a narcotic – the same as heroin – so yes, taking Percocet IS like stabbing a needle in your arm. You may not be risking overdose if you take the prescribed amount (most of the overdose danger comes from the fact that Percocet is narcotic combined with acetaminophen, which can kill your liver if you drink alcohol or take OTC painkillers while its in your system), but its just as addictive as shooting heroin. I've watched two parents spiral downward in Percocet addiction. That's why its prescription only and not just a "really strong painkiller" – ITS ADDICTIVE. And its the same with Adderall, which is a pure amphetamine – in other words, legal cocaine. Again, also incredibly addictive.

    Having just finished 5 months of Percocet to treat stage 4 endometriosis (and I will have to endure again in another 6 months, once I finish my Lupron treatment and am back in massive pain again), I know how painkillers like Percocet affect people. Even when you've been off it for a while, your body still craves that 4-hour high. And like other illegal narcotics, your body gets used to them, and you need more and more to get the same effect.

    Anyone who says drugs like Percocet and Adderall aren't a "big deal" and "anyone can take them" is either an idiot or an addict themselves.

  5. Marym says:
    Mon, 15th Aug 20112:06 am 

    Realllllly? yeah these drugs can get out of control and people can get addicted but i think its up to the user to be responsible enough and not let themselves get to that point. I think this article is referring to the casual users not the pill addicted crackhead. People get way to worked up about these things. Its not like they are actually doing cocaine or heroin. pleasee give me a break. Some adderall is the least of what is going down on a college campus, go to any rager and drugs such as ecstasy and countless other hallucinogens are only a new acquaintance away. Youtube adderall 60 minutes, A Harvard professor takes it recreationally to work on new theories for his textbook.
    Sorry, but welcome to the real world.

  6. Jessica D. says:
    Tue, 16th Aug 20111:09 am 

    Honey, I'm 29 years old. I've been in the "real world" probably a lot longer than you.

    It has nothing to do with "not letting themselves get to that point". Your body itself, not just your brain, becomes addicted. Prescription addiction isn't about being responsible. You can be legally prescribed these medications and only taking your prescribed doses and still become dependent.

    Just because there's worse drugs being used out there in the "real world" (aka your college campus world) doesn't make prescription drug abuse any less dangerous. In the rest of the "real world" (aka adult life) people are mature enough to not use this crap for fun and leave it for the people who need it to treat actual medical conditions.

    (Actually, I take that back. Most adults aren't even mature enough to make that decision anymore. And that's why "casual" pill users become pill-addicted crackheads.)

    Oh, and another thing – if a Harvard professor needs to rely on Adderall to work on new theories, he's not that much of a genius to begin with. There are real geniuses out there who can come up with these theories without drugs.

  7. Marym says:
    Tue, 16th Aug 201111:19 pm 

    okay then marijuana is fine? thanks for the great advice mom.
    Seriously. over this conversation, some people are just too stubborn minded.
    and this site is called COLLEGE candy not. "Real world adult" candy. So i don't understand why you are reading this website in the first place.
    She was asking for our opinion. Thats my opinion hater.

  8. Lily says:
    Wed, 17th Aug 201112:25 pm 

    I don’t really get the appeal of doing prescription drugs for fun. My grandmother took her friend’s prescriptions once because of her arthritis pain and that landed her in the hospital for a week. My friend has a severe neurological condition and his doctor prescribed him pills that have high street value. He carries them with because he is paranoid that someone might break into his house to steal the pills. He says that those pills are the most valuable thing he has.
    To me, it’s so sad that people will go that far to get prescriptions just to have a little fun. Abusing prescriptions can land people in the hospital and it’s just a dangerous way of life to get them too.

  9. Jenna says:
    Wed, 17th Aug 201112:56 pm 

    You sound more of a hater than her. Marijuana is actually less harmful than many prescription drugs, so the comparison doesn't strengthen your point. The point is that while some people can take prescription drugs casually with no ill effects many others who start off the same way and like you assume no harm will come of it end up either addicted or with sever damage to their internal organs.

  10. Marym says:
    Wed, 17th Aug 20111:48 pm 

    Um the article was supporting weed, did you even read it?
    and I quote
    "Have you ever tried prescription drugs? Would you if offered? What do you think of the drug sub culture as a whole?"

    This is MY opinion. I don't give a fuck about yours.

    You can call me "Honey" and an "addict" all you want. That makes you sound so cool and mature right? You don't even know me stop trying to lecture some faceless person over a blog that doesn't care about you or your life at all.

  11. Lucy says:
    Wed, 17th Aug 20113:02 pm 

    Yeah, of course you guys "don't get it". If you've tried these drugs, you would know that they make you feel euphoric, relaxed, loose, peaceful. I'm not encouraging them, but that's how most drugs feel. Once someone with an addictive personality or someone hitting a low point tries these drugs, they find out they like them and do it more and more until the tolerance level is too high to maintain.

    It still is possible to use these drugs without any problems. Some people literally have to beg their doctor for pain pills they NEED but can't get because the doctor's so afraid of prescribing to druggies. So don't hate on prescription meds too much; there is a purpose for them.

  12. Jenna says:
    Wed, 17th Aug 20117:03 pm 

    You need to calm down! If you don't care about anyone else's opinion or can't handle having your ideas challenged don't comment on a discussion board!

  13. Jessica Davis says:
    Thu, 18th Aug 20118:44 pm 

    I never said marijuana is fine. I personally would never smoke marijuana. I also don't do other drugs recreationally, don't smoke, and only occasionally drink.

    So if you want to call me "Mom", fine. I call it "mature educated adult".

    Also, I brought up the "real world" point because you mentioned it first with your not-so-scathing-as-you-thought "Sorry, welcome to the real world" comment.

    I read this website because I am, in fact, a college student. A graduate student, to be exact.

  14. Jessica Davis says:
    Thu, 18th Aug 20118:47 pm 

    Yes, I did read this article, and this article was NOT supporting weed. The blogger mentioned that she voted in favor of looser marijuana laws. She didn't post anything like "YAY WEED, smoke weed instead of doing pills!"

    Use that college education that mommy and daddy are paying for and maybe learn some reading comprehension.

  15. Jessica Davis says:
    Thu, 18th Aug 20118:50 pm 

    I agree. I had to have my HUSBAND convince my doctor to renew my Percocet prescription because I was in so much pain I could not function – I almost got fired because my endometriosis had me in such agony that I could not perform the essential functions of my job. This is EXACTLY why its so horrible that people are using these drugs recreationally…not only because of the side effects and the chance of becoming addicted, but because the people who really DO need these medications can't get them because they look at us like druggies.

  16. Jessica Davis says:
    Thu, 18th Aug 20118:54 pm 

    Been there. I've had my pain medications stolen from me at work, by my family, even by my husband's family. And THAT shows that these medications are FAR more addictive than casual users make them out to be.

    Its really sad when you can't even admit to your friends or family what meds you're prescribed because you have to fear someone stealing them.

  17. tara says:
    Sat, 27th Aug 201111:11 pm 

    i use adderal sometimes and i admit it is not great, but i use it as a tool. i understand where people come from when they argue it's not right or healthy, but if i can keep my grades higher and still have a life and sleep during college i am going to do what ever i can.

  18. Bubai says:
    Wed, 11th Jul 20124:12 am 

    usually nothing. the actvie ingredient is the one that makes the difference, and it is the same stuff whether generic or own brand. sometimes the generic ones are manufactured abroad, or for export (known as a parallell import) which makes them cheaper. this way the pharmacies make more of a profit and you still get your drugs either way. its not really a quality issue, though you might prefer the shape or even the taste- any differences will be purely cosmetic.

  19. Larry says:
    Fri, 22nd Feb 20131:23 am 

    I do agree that from the general possession charges, you’ll also face extra charges depending on the drug itself and how much of it you get caught with. Many states, including my own, are trying to have pharmacies crack down and ask for extra ID from customers. I guess I’m kind of paranoid, but is the high really worth all the risks? learn more about our programs

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