Some would say that a little competition is healthy. It forces people out of their comfort zones, and allows them to push themselves harder and grow in order to succeed. In the academic world of secondary education, it could ultimately help students reach their goals for the future.

That is, until that competition becomes unhealthy. More and more college students turn to “study drugs” to give them an edge. Supposedly, these drugs help students focus and stay awake so they can study longer and harder. Unfortunately, that rarely lasts.

Doctors prescribe study drugs

The drugs college students use, believing they provide an edge, are not the same as the illegal drugs people buy on the streets. The medications are to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, narcolepsy and attention-deficit disorder. Doctors prescribe them, so many people believe they won’t suffer any ill effects from them. However, if you take them, you could suffer one or more of the following side effects:

• You could become addicted to them.
• You could experience mood swings or feel emotionally flat.
• You could crash right in the middle of your exams.
• You may feel depressed, anxious, hopeless, exhausted and/or paranoid.
• You could experience panic attacks and paranoia.
• You may develop stomach issues.
• You could find yourself experiencing heart palpitations or even have a heart attack.
• You could experience insomnia and/or restlessness.

Other side effects include financial issues since you will spend all your money feeding your habit. You could even end up losing your friends as you withdraw into your addiction. In fact, the more of these drugs you take, the more you will need in order to achieve the same results. This could lead you to other dangerous behaviors.

When prescription drugs become illegal

If you don’t have a prescription for your study drugs, you could end up with more than just side effects and an addiction. Possessing prescription medications that don’t belong to you could constitute a criminal offense. If police find you in possession of them without a valid prescription, you could face drug charges. If this happens to you, ignoring the problem will not make it go away.

In fact, this could provide you with the opportunity to beat your addiction and get your life back on track. The criminal penalties associated with a drug conviction are not the only consequences you face. You could lose your scholarship if you have one, face suspension or expulsion from school, and otherwise put your future in jeopardy. For these reasons, it would be wise to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney as quickly as possible.