• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
 

Anaheim Lighthouse

Your Beacon of Hope!

Questions? Call Now(877) 959-5909
  • About Us
  • What We Treat
  • Treatment Options
  • Our Facility
  • Admissions
  • Learn About
  • Contact Us
  • Our Team
  • Awards & Recognitions
  • Yelp & Google Reviews
  • Client Testimonials
  • Accreditation & Licensing
  • Employment Opportunities
  • Press Releases
  • Alchohol Abuse
  • Drug Addiction
  • Dual Diagnosis
  • Trauma Victims
  • Veterans Program
  • Holistic Treatment
  • Specialties
  • Detox Alcohol & Drugs
  • Drug Rehab
  • Inpatient Rehab
  • Complete Residential Care
  • Partial Hospitalization
  • Intensive Outpatient
  • Intervention
  • Family Support
  • Verify Insurance
  • Financing Options
  • Coronavirus Safety Procedures
  • Alcoholism
  • Health and Wellness
  • Life in Recovery
  • Love and Relationships
  • Opioid Addiction
  • Parent Resources
  • Relapse and Recovery
  • Substance Abuse
  • Opioids
  • Sleeping Pills
  • Stimulants

Med Students and Addiction

Dec 12 2016
Categories:Articles

Medical students everywhere are faced with high pressure schedules, intense learning requirements, and high standards that often aren't present in many other academic careers. Because of this high stress environment, a statistically large number of medical students use substances and stimulants and even become addicted to painkillers, drugs, and alcohol. In fact, in one study, it was found that 20% of medical students are expected to be regular users over their lifetime, compared to just 9% of the general population.

Why Med Students?

High pressure environments, and the need to perform, stay awake longer, and fit long study sessions in alongside exams, lectures, and even visits to a hospital take their toll and cause fatigue, burnout, stress, and mental issues. As a result, many medical students abuse drugs that are intended to either help them cope with stress or to give them the cognitive or physical boost they need to perform. In one study of 12,500 medical students, 32.4% (1,411) met diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse or dependence, and risk factors included high student loans, low quality of life, high stress, low emotional quality of life, and a mental or physical burnout from too-high workloads. Some studies have also cited the 200x increase in medical tution costs since the late 1990s as directly correlating to the increased risk of drug use by med students in that time.

Performance Boosting Drug Use

Adderall, Ritalin and similar ADHD medicines are often abused to improve performance and improve wakefulness, alongside coffee and some other drugs. Adderall functions as a stimulant which is believed to boost cognition and focus, and thus, many students know it as the study drug. Students often chew these drugs or hold them under the tongue for faster and more potent absorption right into the bloodstream, bypassing the liver. As a result, while the number of Adderall prescriptions in the USA remained relatively stable between 2006 and 2011, misuse of the drug jumped 67 percent and emergency room visits related to the drug jumped by 156% during that period. Because most of these users are between the ages of 18 and 25, a significant number are students.

ADHD/Cognitive Behavior Diagnosis – In a study of 143 students, it was found that nearly 9% had a diagnosis for ADHD or other cognitive behavior issue and a prescription from that diagnosis. However, the study also found that they were more than 30 times as likely to abuse their prescriptions as regular students. Getting an ADHD diagnosis and the prescription that comes with it also isn't especially difficult, as estimates suggest that only 2-4% of the currently diagnosed medical student body with ADHD have ADHD. Unfortunately, these drugs quickly lead to dependence, even at low dosage, and can cause agitation, anxiety, insomnia, crashes, cardiovascular problems, and even death.
anaheim-lighthouse-med-students-addiction-article-image-of-medical-students-listening-sitting-at-desk-at-the-university-244062976

Stress Reducing Drugs

While many med students take drugs to improve their focus and clarity, others use alcohol and drugs to escape from stressful schedules. In one study, it was found that as many as 22.4% of junior med students abused alcohol regularly, often in combination with benzodiazepines, prescription medication, and of course, nicotine. Stress is one of the most common triggers for addiction across all types of addiction, and medical students are faced with dailypressure to perform, memorize, and handle growing responsibilities. This makes many of them more vulnerable to drugs that are made available on campus, alcohol at parties, and to abusing their own existing drug prescriptions.

In one study, published in the Journal of Addictive Medicine, Issue 4, 2013, it was shown that in a review of data on more than 44,000 medical studentsbetween 1975 and 2009, 2.16 out of every 1,000 residents were shown to have been addicted to or abused hard drugs or alcohol. From 2003-2009, that rate was a high as 2.87 per 1,000 residents. Among 284 residents who were highlighted in this study, popular drugs included IV opioids like fentanyl, alcohol, anesthetics like benzodiazepines, marijuana, and even cocaine. The same data shows that many of these students have an average of a 20% relapse rate at 5 years and a 35% rate at 15 years.
Many medical students combine drugs, using combinations of energy drinks and alcohol for a 'high' without the reduced motor control given by alcohol, combine 'uppers' like Ritalin with benzodiazepines to reduce stress, and even bring down dangerous highs from Adderall and Ritalin with high doses of cold medicine to sleep. These combinations, which are used to counteract the negative effects of the drugs are often dangerous on their own and more addictive than a single drug by itself.

As many as 20% of medical students use drugs for recreational or performance boosting purposes, and this often goes on to affect doctors. In one study, it was shown that 10-15% of all practicing doctors will face substance abuse and addiction at some point during their career, and many abuse the drugs that they hand out as part of their own prescriptions.

Many Never Get Help

Despite high levels of med student drug use and addiction, the stigma surrounding substance abuse ensures that many medical students are likely to self medicate but unlikely to report. In an anonymous survey, only 1.6% said that they would even want help with their addiction or dependence, and many were unaware that there were options available for help at all. This is in part because many medical students learn a great deal about the drugs they are using, and therefore are more likely to think they are in control. As a result, many never seek treatment, and can remain addicted well into their careers. Many also fear that the stigma of an addiction will negatively affect their career as a nurse or doctor, but The Federation of State Physician Health Programs 'physician health program' mandates that any physician or medical student be allowed to keep their addiction and subsequent treatment secret, providing they are not or have not physically harmed a patient through negligence when addicted.

If you or a loved one is addicted or dependent on a substance, it is crucial that you get help and get your life back. There are many treatment programs that will not only allow you to keep your treatment a secret, but also that will allow students to continue attending classes as though nothing is wrong. Substance dependence can cause physical and bodily harm, cause students to fail or reduce your grades, and can affect decision making, judgment, and memory. A professional rehab can help you to get over a physical addiction while treating your mental addiction, helping you with stress, and giving you the tools to stay clean.

The Anaheim Lighthouse is a modern and effective addiction treatment center in Southern California. To talk to us about financing options at our affordable drug and alcohol rehab that fit your needs, contact us today.

Confidential Contact Form

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Privacy Policy

Learn About Lighthouse

  • Affordable Drug Rehab and Detox Center
  • CARF Certified
  • Homelike setting and world-class facilities
  • State licensed and certified
  • Most PPO insurance accepted
  • Specialized Alcohol and Drug Treatment Programs
  • Licensed and well-qualified professional staff
KNOW MORE

BLOG CATEGORIES

All Categories Alcoholism Drug Facts Health and Wellness Love and Relationships Opioid Addiction

Recent Posts

Snort Xanax

Can You Snort Xanax? Dangers You Should Know

March 20 2023
Alcoholism

5 Ways To Spot A Closet Drinker

March 13 2023
St. Patrick's Day In Addiction Recovery

Surviving St. Patrick's Day In Recovery

March 3 2023
Snort Hydrocodone

Can You Snort Hydrocodone? Here's Why You Shouldn't?

February 17 2023
Valentine's Day When You're Single And Sober

How To Spend Valentine's Day When You're Single And Sober

February 6 2023

WHY CHOOSE LIGHTHOUSE

  • Affordable Drug Rehab and Detox Center
  • CARF Certified
  • Homelike setting and world-class facilities
  • State licensed and certified
  • Most PPO insurance accepted
  • Specialized Alcohol and Drug Treatment Programs
  • Licensed and well-qualified professional staff

Google Reviews

Christopher Tamburello

Absolutely loved this place. Great counselors- my counselor was Johnny. Great Alumni aftercare program that helps keep you connected. I highly recommend Lighthouse for anyone struggling with alcohol or drug addiction.

Josh Mugol

When I first stepped in to fill out the paper work to get admitted to housing, I immediately felt welcomed. If you treat the staff, therapists, and doctors with respect and use common courtesy, you will get more in return. The staff is run by former addicts/alcoholics so they...

Teresa Egan

The Lighthouse saved my life. I was willing to do whatever it takes to learn how to live a new way of life. Before I came into the program I was a hollow shell just wanting to die.. The staff loved me until I could love myself, and taught me how to deal with myself. I have a...

Related Posts

Sep 12 2018

Does Hypnosis Work for Drug Addiction?

Hypnosis or hypnotherapy is the process of using relaxation techniques to induce suggestions on the mind, which then affect the conscious mind, which is thought to be effective in treating substance use disorders related to behavioral problems. While often a subject of contention in medical circl...
Aug 29 2018

7 Bad Habits That Will Affect Your Recovery

Whether you’ve recently left rehab or have been in recovery for some time, relapse is always a risk. Taking the time and care to build good habits revolving around keeping your mental and physical health in a good place, helping you to cope with cravings, and building a support network so that wh...
Aug 22 2018

Drug Use at Raves and Club

Clubs and raves are almost as well-known for their drugs as for music and dancing, with millions of people around the world participating in a culture of use and abuse while out. These drugs range from the well-known MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine) to a range of less-identifiable drugs known...
Aug 15 2018

How I Forgave Myself for My Drug Addiction

When the time came in my recovery to apologize to and make amends with all of the people I hurt during my using, I expected I would finally be free of all of the guilt I carried. It didn't quite work out that way. The Value of an Apology First of all, not everyone accepted my apology or wanted t...
Aug 09 2018

Setting Healthy Boundaries with an Addict

Boundaries are an incredibly healthy part of any relationship, but when your loved one is addicted to a substance, good boundaries can mean the difference between a toxic relationship that harms you and them and one in which both of you can benefit. Addiction changes people, damaging the ego and ...
Aug 01 2018

8 Ways to Teach Yourself You Deserve Love in Recovery

After I hit my bottom and came into recovery I realized that I had super low self-esteem, and that those feelings would need to change somehow. I thought once I got sober that it would be a piece of cake. After all, my drinking was what caused all of my problems. I was clueless. GETTING TO KNOW ...

We Accept Insurance

Don’t see your provider? Contact us to confirm coverage.

3 Easy Options to Get Started or Learn More

You Call Us

We are here to answer your questions. Learn about detox, treatment, costs, or anything else. Give us a call now.
(877) 959-5909

We Call You

Complete this secure form to receive a fast response from our support team
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Verify Your Insurance

Quickly confirm your coverage using our fast & easy verification system. We accept most insurances (and financing).
Verify My Insurance
  • About Us
  • What We Treat
  • Treatment Options
  • Our Facility
  • Admissions
  • Learn About
  • Contact Us

Connect With Us

(877) 959-5909

1320 West Pearl Street, Anaheim, CA 92801

Licensed and Certified by the State Department of Health Care Services 300188AP Exp. 5/31/2024
Licensed by the State Department of Health Care Services 300188CP Exp. 5/31/2024
Certified by the State Department of Health Care Services 300188FP Exp 5/31/2023

Copyright © 2022 Anaheim Lighthouse. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Web Accessibility