Introduction
As a teacher in my educational context, I must be aware of any medications and substances that my students might be using, as well as any potential effects they might have on their learning, behavior, and mood. My awareness of their requirements improves my ability to discern probable adverse effects and tell whether a kid is abusing drugs. In this essay, I will discuss five medicines and substances frequently used by kids and teenagers. I will discuss their therapeutic uses, potential side effects, indications of overmedication, and indications of substance usage.
Medications and Substances
Amphetamines and methylphenidate are examples of stimulants.
These medications are crucial for those with ADHD due to their beneficial effects on better concentration, less hyperactivity, and reduced impulsivity (Faraone, 2018). If you take too much medicine, you will experience side effects, including irritability, visualization, difficulty resting, difficulty waiting, faster speed, squealing, and rhythmic chatter. Also, uneasiness, expanded movement, sweating unreasonably, widened understudies, and tall blood weight are signs of inebriation (Faraone, 2018).
Antidepressant Drugs (e.g., Specific Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors – SSRIs)
SSRIs, or specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are frequently endorsed drugs to treat uneasiness and depressive clutters (Bruggeman & O’Day, 2022). Concurring to Chu and Wadhwa (2023), SSRIs have beneficial impacts on temperament, uneasiness, and everyday well-being. Taking too much pharmaceutical can have antagonistic impacts, counting weight changes, erectile brokenness, cerebral pain, sleep deprivation, disturbance, and an increment in self-destructive contemplations or behaviors. Tiredness, disarray, need for coordination, expanded understudies, changes in craving, and disposition swings are all pointers of inebriation. To diminish side impacts, it is essential to screen the utilization of these solutions and alter the measurement as essential.
Antipsychotic drugs, such as risperidone and olanzapine
These medicines are regularly utilized to treat mental ailments like schizophrenia, bipolar clutter, and extreme behavioral issues. The beneficial impacts of these drugs incorporate the improvement of disposition steadiness and the mitigation of insane indications. Overmedication, in any case, can result in unfavorable impacts such as weight pick-up, tiredness, confusion, muscle firmness, tremors, fretfulness, and tardive dyskinesia (automatic developments). Slurred discourse, disarray, modified awareness, postponed developments, and destitute coordination are all signs that one is under the impact of these drugs (Yang & Qi, 2021). To decrease side impacts, it is essential to closely screen the use of these solutions and alter the dose as vital.
Opioid Pain Medicines (e.g., Oxycodone, Hydrocodone)
Taking after surgery or a hurt, masters, as regularly as conceivable, recommend opioid painkillers like oxycodone and hydrocodone to treat extraordinary torment. Using patients with subacute pain following surgically repaired breaks, Jenkin et al. (2021) conducted a randomized clinical trial to examine the efficacy of oxycodone hydrochloride (a potent opioid) and acetaminophen as well as codeine (a mellow opioid) together. These medications have therapeutic advantages, such as comfort improvement and pain reduction. However, taking too much medication can have negative consequences, including physical dependence, sleepiness, constipation, nausea, shallow breathing, and nausea. Precise learners, tiredness, drifting off, slurred speech, poor coordination, and euphoria followed by sedation are symptoms of drug use. These drugs can help prevent adverse effects and physical dependence if used appropriately and under close supervision (Weiner et al., 2022).
Cannabis (Marijuana)
Cannabis (marijuana) used for medical purposes in kids and teenagers is not yet authorized. There may be medical benefits in specific disorders, including epilepsy, according to limited data (NIDA, 2019). Overconsumption of cannabis, however, can result in adverse effects such as poor memory and attention, decreased motivation, anxiety, paranoia, respiratory problems, elevated heart rate, and potential addiction. Bloodshot eyes, poor coordination, sluggish reflexes, feelings of exhilaration, cravings, and impaired judgment are all indicators of cannabis use (NIDA, 2019). It is crucial to weigh the hazards and advantages of cannabis use carefully and to consume it only when necessary or recommended by a doctor.
Conclusion
It is imperative that, as a teacher, I am knowledgeable about the typical drugs and substances that my kids might be using. I now recognize warning indications of adverse responses, overmedication, and substance abuse, thanks to my increased understanding of their possible impacts. I can secure my students’ academic achievement and well-being by recognizing these issues, offering proper support, and consulting with the necessary experts.
References
Bruggeman, C., & O’Day, C. S. (2022, July 5). Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Toxicity. Nih.gov; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534815/
Chu, A., & Wadhwa, R. (2023, May). Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. Nih.gov; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554406/
Faraone, S. V. (2018). The pharmacology of amphetamine and methylphenidate: Relevance to the neurobiology of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and other psychiatric comorbidities. 87, 255–270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.02.001
Jenkin DE, Naylor JM, Descallar J, Harris IA. Effectiveness of Oxycodone Hydrochloride (Strong Opioid) vs. Combination Acetaminophen and Codeine (Mild Opioid) for Subacute Pain After Fractures Managed Surgically: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(11):e2134988. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.34988
NIDA. (2019, December 24). Cannabis (Marijuana) Drug Facts. Retrieved from https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/cannabis-marijuana on 2023, June 30
Weiner, S. G., Hendricks, M., Sanae El Ibrahimi, Ritter, G. A., Hallvik, S. E., Hildebran, C., Weiss, R. D., Boyer, E. W., Diana Pelaz Flores, Nelson, L. S., Kreiner, P., & Fischer, M. (2022). Opioid-related overdose and chronic use following an initial prescription of hydrocodone versus oxycodone. 17(4), e0266561–e0266561. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0266561
Yang, L., & Qi, X. (2021). Effect of olanzapine combined with risperidone in treating schizophrenia and its influence on cognitive function. 37(3). https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.3.3348
write