When you send your child away to college, the best you can hope for is that he or she acts in a responsible manner at all times. Of course, you realize that they are going to be tempted to make poor choices, time and time again.
Over the years, a growing number of college students have begun to abuse amphetamines. This type of drug has been used medically for many years in people who require help to remain alert. Along with this, it is often times used by soldiers, pilots, and other professionals who need to stay awake for an extended period of time.
Unfortunately, college students have come to abuse this drug for a number of reasons, often times leading to an addiction.
Here are five signs your child may be engaging in amphetamine abuse.
- Denial. If you have good reason to believe your child is abusing amphetamines, there is nothing wrong with confronting them to get to the bottom of the problem. However, you may be faced with a child who continues to deny his or her use, even though you know this is not the case.
- Psychological symptoms. Have you noticed these changes to your child’s mood?
If you have a loved one in college, you should be aware of the symptoms of amphetamine use and abuse.
- Increased level of self confidence
- More sociable than before
- Improved mood
- Periods of euphoria
- Continued use of the substance despite the side effects
- Physical symptoms. To go along with the psychological symptoms detailed above, there are physical symptoms associated with amphetamine abuse:
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased body temperature
- Dry mouth
- Faster breathing
- Dilated pupils
- Decreased appetite
- Behavioral symptoms. Some of the behavioral symptoms of amphetamine abuse include the following:
- Giving up on hobbies and activities that used to be enjoyable
- Dependency and tolerance
- Continued use of amphetamines even though it is having an impact on responsibilities at school and in their personal life
- Financial problems. Many college students have financial problems, so it is your job to determine if this is tied to amphetamine use and abuse. If a college student is constantly purchasing this drug, they are sure to run short on money that is intended to be used for other things.
If your child is always asking for more money it does not necessarily mean he or she is abusing drugs. When you combine financial problems with other symptoms, such as those listed above, you may be onto something.
If you realize that your college student is changing in the ways above, he or she could be engaging in amphetamine abuse. At that point, it is important to help your child get professional assistance.