Addiction is a major issue on college campuses today. A person is considered “addicted”
to a if they feel that they have to use regularly, if they can’t stop using, if they make certain
they keep a supply of the substance, if they spend money on drugs or substances they cannot
afford, or if they take extreme risks, like driving, while under the influence.
Signs of addiction can include changes in quality of schoolwork or issues with physical
health, but are more often substance-specific. For example, someone abusing prescription
drugs like Xanax or Valium may seem drowsy, have memory problems, slur their speech, or
become dizzy, while someone under the influence of methamphetamines may speak very
quickly, show signs of euphoria, or seem restless and/or irritable. Narcotics (such as heroin),
marijuana, and prescription pain meds are all “downers”: depressants that sedate the user and
cause the heart rate to drop and breathing to slow. Depressants tend to give the user a feeling
of extreme relaxation. Hallucinogens (LSD, PCP), methamphetamines, and cocaine, as well as
club drugs like ketamine and ecstasy are “uppers”, stimulants which raise the heart rate. Many
of these stimulants cause a feeling of intense happiness in users.
