Students Abuse Adderall

Controversial to what some people might believe to be a harmless drug, Adderall has become one of the most abused drugs by students in college environments.

Adderall, an amphetamine that helps patients suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, increases alertness, improves task performance and decreases fatigue,according to WebMD.

Adderall has been occasionally referred to as “kiddy cocaine” because it can produce effects similar to those of cocaine, such as increased heart rate and stimulation.

College students constantly find themselves faced with tedious exams, papers, reports and other assignments, all of which can make time management difficult. The overwhelming pressure students feel to succeed and maintain good grades has caused some to try Adderall as a way overcome this stress.

By taking Adderall, students bodies and minds become manipulated because this drug allows them to have an increased attention span, alertness and energy, according to WebMD. Adderall also makes the body less dependent on sleep, allowing students to cram all night for an exam or write a paper.

Courtney M. Moorhead, a communication major at Washington State University, was prescribed to Adderall after being diagnosed with AD/HD at age 15.

“When my grades began to decline in ninth grade and I was having difficulty concentrating, I was tested for AD/HD,” said Moorhead. “Now that people know I am prescribed to it, I constantly have friends and acquaintances asking me to sell them my Adderall.”

Adderall is a fairly easy drug for students to obtain because so many people are prescribed to this drug, and some people are willing to make a profit by selling it to others.

“Being a college student myself, I can understand the stress of taking 15 credits and not finding enough time to get everything done, yet I refuse to sell Adderall to anyone,” said Moorhead.

The effects that Adderall can have on students who are not prescribed to it can be dangerous. According to WebMD, amphetamines can increase brain blood levels, blood pressure and heart rate. It can also induce insomnia, irritability and psychotic behavior. Chronic abuse of this drug can cause dependence, and withdrawal of amphetamines can lead to weight gain, depression, sedation and thoughts of suicide.

College students are not only using Adderall to study but also as a dietary supplement. Because Adderall increases heart rate and decreases appetite, students believe that it is a quick solution to weight loss. Students tend to gain weight after coming to college because with so much homework and studying, it is hard to find time to eat healthy and exercise.

College students, especially females, believe that if they don’t have to concentrate on their weight, then they are more likely to succeed in their classes, said Moorhead. “A friend of mine once asked me what the symptoms of AD/HD were, so that she could convince her doctor she needed Adderall as a way to lose weight.”

Adderall has become a phenomenon around college campuses, and many students are beginning to try it. Because it is usually used for studying instead of partying, Adderall tends to fly under the radar. When most people think of college parties, drugs such as alcohol, marijuana and cocaine come to mind. People don’t realize that prescription drugs are some of the most abused drugs. However, the easy accessibility of these drugs has caused an increase in abuse.

This generation of people has become accustomed to a life of never-ending demands, and “25” hour days. We exist in a society where people “live to work” instead of “work to live.” There is no escape from deadlines, and work never ceases. Our society has become so busy, most people rarely have the time to take a second and breathe.

“I would assume that students feel pressure to perform at such high levels in the college environment, and therefore amphetamines are appealing because they allow students a way to accomplish all of their demands,” said Dr. Deborah D. Scott, a Clinical Psychologist of Feminist Psychology Associates.

College acts as a rite of passage for most students. They learn independence, responsibility, time management and hard work. Students are just beginning to understand what it takes to become an adult, and are realizing that growing up is harder than it seems. Students view Adderall as a way to manage stress, but the real question is, is it really worth it?