Study Drugs Information

During busy times like midterms, finals or major projects, some students may feel tempted to misuse prescription stimulants—often called “study drugs”—in hopes of boosting focus or productivity. These medications, such as Adderall or Ritalin, are sometimes used without a prescription or not as prescribed. 

While prescription stimulants can be helpful and necessary when prescribed and used as directed, misusing them comes with real health, legal and academic risks. This page shares information to help you make informed choices and explore safer ways to support your academic success. 

About Study Drugs

“Study drugs” usually refer to prescription stimulants, including medications commonly prescribed for ADHD. When taken without a prescription, in higher doses or outside medical guidance, these substances can affect your body and brain in unpredictable ways. 

Using prescription stimulants without a prescription, or sharing or selling them, is illegal and a violation of CU’s Student Code of Conduct. 

Risks and Side Effects to Know

Some students believe stimulants will improve focus or grades, but research shows they do not reliably improve academic performance when used without a prescription. Instead, misuse can lead to unwanted effects, including: 

  • Increased anxiety or panic 
  • Irritability or mood changes 
  • Trouble sleeping or extreme fatigue 
  • Nausea, stomach pain or digestive issues 
  • Focusing on the wrong tasks (like organizing instead of studying) 
  • Worsening mental health symptoms 
  • Dependence or addiction 
  • Seizures or heart‑related events, especially without medical supervision 

There is also a serious risk of accidental overdose, especially because counterfeit pills may contain unknown substances. 

If you take prescription stimulants as prescribed and experience side effects, reach out to your healthcare provider for guidance. 

Counterfeit Pills and Hidden Risks

real pill compared to counterfeit pill; they look nearly identical

Any pill not purchased directly from a pharmacy could be counterfeit. Fake pills are often made to look like real prescription medications, including: 

real pill compared to counterfeit pill; they look nearly identical
  • Adderall 
  • Ritalin 
  • Xanax 
  • Percocet or Oxycodone 

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has found that nearly half of counterfeit prescription pills tested contained a potentially lethal amount of fentanyl. 

Getting pills from friends, classmates or dealers is especially risky and can result in serious harm or death. 

It is very hard to tell the difference between real and counterfeit pills. Get your drugs from a pharmacy. 

Ways to Reduce Risk and Stay Safer

The safest option is to only take medications prescribed to you and exactly as directed. If you choose to use substances, these strategies can help reduce harm. 

Please note: There is no foolproof way to eliminate risk when using substances not as prescribed. 

Avoid mixing substances

Mixing stimulants with other substances—especially alcohol, Xanax or opioids—greatly increases the risk of overdose and dangerous side effects. 

Start low and go slow

If you choose to use stimulants without a prescription: 

  • Use smaller amounts 
  • Avoid repeated dosing 

Remember: you can always take more, but you can’t undo taking too much.

Avoid using alone

If something goes wrong, having someone nearby can save a life. Make sure someone can call for help and administer naloxone if needed. 

Use fentanyl test strips

If you choose to use pills that are not from a pharmacy: 

  • Test all of the drugs that will be consumed with fentanyl test strips before use.
  • Testing can show whether fentanyl is present, but it does not make a drug safe—stimulants themselves can be harmful, and pills may contain other unknown substances.

Free test strips are available from Health Promotion on the third floor of Wardenburg Health Center.

Carry naloxone

Naloxone (Narcan) can temporarily reverse opioid and fentanyl overdoses. 

  • It will not harm someone if opioids aren’t present.
  • Free naloxone is available at Health Promotion.

Make sure people around you know where it is and how to use it. Naloxone is available for free from Health Promotion on the third floor of Wardenburg Health Center. 

Be Ready for Emergencies

Signs of an overdose: 

  • Irregular heartbeat or chest pain 
  • Confusion 
  • Seizures or convulsions 
  • Hallucinations or delusions 
  • Passed out or unresponsive 
  • Shallow or slowed breathing 
  • Blue or gray lips or fingertips 

What to do: 

  • Call 911 immediately 
  • Administer naloxone, even if you’re unsure about the person’s condition 
  • Put the person in the recovery position 
  • Stay with the person until help arrives 

Good news: 

CU’s Amnesty Policy and Colorado’s Good Samaritan Law can protect you from disciplinary action or prosecution if you call for help and stay with the person. 

Find Support

Free naloxone and fentanyl test strips: All students can pick up free party smarter supplies, including naloxone, fentanyl test strips and more at the Health Promotion office at Wardenburg (third floor).   

Free substance use workshops: Students can reflect on their relationship with alcohol and other substances. Workshops are educational, and not therapy or treatment. 

Collegiate Recovery Community: Weekly support meetings, substance-free activities and connection for students considering, pursuing or in recovery from substances and other unwanted behaviors. 

ADHD information: Review treatment services, information and frequently asked questions from Counseling & Psychiatric Services (CAPS). 

Academic Support Without Study Drugs

There are safer and often more effective ways to improve focus, memory and performance. 

Study strategies to try: 

  • Study when you’re most alert 
  • Break sessions into shorter, focused blocks 
  • Prioritize exam content and difficult topics 
  • Reduce distractions and reward progress with breaks 
  • Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep 
  • Use naps strategically (15–20 minutes) 
  • Eat regularly and stay hydrated 
  • Create a consistent, study‑friendly space 

Starting early and pacing yourself usually leads to better outcomes than cramming. 
 
There are also free or low‑cost tutoring and learning services available across campus. Check your syllabus or ask your instructor where to start.