Fay's friend overdosed on Adderall while experiencing stress from school. When pressures feel overwhelming, some students turn to abusing prescription drugs, but there are healthier coping strategies. These include taking breaks, planning ahead, spending time with friends, deep breathing, laughing, and being physically active. While prescription drugs may seem like an easy way to deal with stress or emotions, they can be dangerous and lead to side effects when misused. It's always better to cope with stress in healthy ways.

1. STUDENT HEALTH 101™ ⎪ MAY 15, 2015
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Rx drug abuse and stress
Healthier ways to deal
BULLETINS UCOOKBOOK FITNESSU
>BY JOELLE ZASLOW

2. HEALTHY WAYS TO
DEAL WITH STRESS:
Take breaks
Plan ahead
Reach out to your
support system
Be physically
active outside
Talk to someone
you trust
Breathe deeply
Laugh
Make time for the
things (and people)
you love
STUDENT HEALTH 101™ ⎪ MAY 15, 2015
FEEDBACKSIGN-UP ARCHIVES PRINT
BODY IMAGE PLAGIARISM RX DRUGS
“A
friend of mine
overdosed
last year
on Adderall”, says
Fay, of Amherst,
Massachusetts.
“He was
experiencing a lot
of stress with school,
and instead of reducing his
workload he took medication
and it ended poorly. It was a
wake-up call, and this semester
he is working on balancing his
schedule in a healthier way.”
When the pressures and stress
of school feel like too much to
handle, it may be tempting to
abuse or misuse prescription
(Rx) drugs. But, as Fay’s friend
discovered, there are healthier
and less risky ways to cope
with how you’re feeling.
Side effects
When Rx drugs are not used
as directed, it can sometimes
lead to a physical dependence,
addiction, or even death.
Mixing different types of
Rx drugs can be particularly
dangerous because they can
interact in your body and make
the harmful side effects worse.
“[These drugs] are not
effective in the long
run,” says Dr. Fred
A. Baughman Jr.,
adult and child
neurologist, and
fellow at the
American Academy
of Neurology. “[They]
come with many harmful side
effects including aggression,
hostility, depression, suicidal
thoughts, diabetes, and heart
disease.”
Life can be tough, and
sometimes Rx drugs seem like
a way out. But here are some
healthier ways to deal with
stress, anxiety, and anything
else life throws at you.
Learn more about
common side
effects of Rx drug
abuse or misuse
What’s the
difference
between abuse
and misuse?

4. Here are some of the side effects
of Rx drug misuse and abuse
• Dangerously high body temperature,
constipation, irregular heartbeat, risk of
heart attack and seizures, and slowed
breathing, which can cut off oxygen to
the brain, potentially leading to coma or
permanent brain damage.
• Impaired judgment, which can put you
at greater risk for accidents and injuries,
unintended pregnancies, HIV, and other
sexually transmitted infections.
• Feelings of hostility, paranoia, psychosis,
and suicidal thoughts.
• Decreased academic performance. A
recent CDC study revealed that only 13
percent of students with higher grades
(mostly A’s) took Rx drugs without a
prescription. In comparison, 41 percent of
students with lower grades (mostly D’s and
F’s) took Rx drugs without a prescription.

5. academic pressure
When the pressure to earn an A or to get into your dream college feels
overwhelming, try these tips:
• Take a break. If you’re in the depths of studying for an upcoming test,
remember to take a five-minute break every hour or so. Set an alarm so you don’t forget.
When it’s time for a break, get up and move around to stretch your legs and give your brain
the opportunity to reboot.
• Find a productive space to work. If you get too distracted studying at home, try the library
or a local café. Look for a quiet spot with few distractions and plenty of free Wifi.
• Plan ahead. If you know a big paper is coming up, plan your schedule ahead of time, knowing
you’ll need to dedicate more hours than usual to homework. Check out “8 ways to take
control of your time” from College Board.
• Reach out. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, talk to your school counselor or a trusted teacher.
They are there to help and can work with you to troubleshoot your school-related concerns.

6. Stress
Here are three healthy ways to deal with stress:
• Meditate. Meditation helps your mind and body focus and relax. Even brief meditation (10–12
minutes a day) has been shown to lower stress and increase concentration. Meditation can
include guided meditation, mindfulness meditation, tai chi, and even yoga.
Here is a meditation guide for beginners.
• Talk to someone. “Talk to others and express emotions,” suggests Sam, a sophomore from
Indianapolis, Indiana. Even if it’s just a text conversation, talk to someone you trust about
your feelings and concerns. “Find people who have been through it and dealt with it without
drugs,” says Margie Skeer, ScD, MPH, MSW, assistant professor at Tufts University School of
Medicine in Boston.
• Get active. Research shows aerobic activity (the kind that gets your heart pumping) can help
reduce stress and anxiety. Plus the endorphins will boost your mood. Try going for a jog or
bike ride, dancing to your favorite upbeat song, or meeting up with some friends to play
basketball or soccer.

7. Heartache
If you’re dealing with a recent breakup or the pang of liking someone who doesn’t like you back,
keep these tips in mind to help ease the burn:
• Share your feelings. Talk to a trustworthy friend who understands what you’re going through.
If you don’t feel comfortable telling others, try writing in a journal.
• Keep active. “Do things, such as sports, that keep you busy and happy without drugs,”
suggests Ethan, a freshman from Indianapolis, Indiana.
• Do the things you love. Devote time to a healthy activity or hobby, such as starting a blog,
playing a sport, learning to cook a new recipe, or volunteering. Find something you enjoy that
will help distract you from the heartache.
❤︎

8. Nerves/anxiety
Here are a few tips for managing nerves and anxiety:
• Take deep breaths: When you’re anxious, your body has a tendency to take quick, shallow
breaths, which can trigger a “fight or flight” response. Deep breathing stimulates the
parasympathetic reaction in your nervous system, which calms us down.
• Try a breathing exercise. Inhale for a count of four then exhale for a count of four. Repeat,
eventually increasing the length of each inhalation and exhalation.
Here are other breathing exercises you can try.
• Sip some herbal tea. Studies have found that chamomile can reduce anxiety and
passionflower can help calm the nerves. Non-caffeinated herbal teas are available at most
grocery stores. You can brew them at home or pour some in a travel mug for on-the-go
convenience.
• Laugh. Studies have found that humor and laughing can reduce anxiety. Take at least 10
minutes every day to do something that brings you joy and makes you laugh, whether that’s
joking around with friends or watching a ridiculous Vine on repeat.

9. Rx drug misuse vs. abuse
What’s the difference between misuse and abuse of Rx drugs?
• Drug misuse: When a person takes the incorrect dose, takes a dose at the wrong
time, forgets to take a dose, or stops taking a medicine too soon.
• Drug abuse: When a person takes a drug, especially at a higher
dose than prescribed, with the goal of getting high.
Both misuse and abuse involve not following medical
instructions. When Rx drugs are taken as directed by your
doctor or nurse, they can be safe. However, “Rx drugs are
not safe just because they’re prescribed,” says Margie Skeer,
ScD, MPH, MSW, assistant professor in the Department of
Public Health and Community Medicine at Tufts University
in Boston. “If not used as directed, using opiates like
OxyContin, for example, can be very dangerous and can even
lead to heroin use and addiction.”

10. Rx drug abuse and stress: Healthier ways to deal
SOURCES
The resources below were used to research our article.
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https://www.addictioncenter.com/stimulants/facts-statistics/
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Sciences, 1172, 54–62.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Alcohol and drug use and academic achievement. Retrieved
from http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/health_and_academics/pdf/alcohol_other_drug.pdf

11. Rx drug abuse and stress: Healthier ways to deal
SOURCES
The resources below were used to research our article.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015, February 27). Combating misuse and abuse of prescription drugs:
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ucm220112.htm
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http://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/prescription-stimulant-medications-amphetamines

12. Rx drug abuse and stress: Healthier ways to deal
SOURCES
The resources below were used to research our article.
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13. Rx drug abuse and stress: Healthier ways to deal
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The resources below were used to research our article.
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14. FIND OUT MORE
OR GET HELPHow to get support when you need it
Teen Line: A teen-to-teen hotline when you’re looking for guidance or just someone to talk to
Crisis Text Line: A number you can text 24/7 for support
TeensHealth: Five ways to deal with anxiety
The National Alcohol and Substance Abuse Information Center: A hotline open 24/7 to answer questions
and recommend treatment options, 1-800-784-6776