If you asked around a high school or university campus, it would probably not be too hard to get your hands on the popular drug, Adderall. Adderall contains an amphetamine and dextroamphetamine combination that work in the central nervous system affecting the chemicals that contribute to impulse control and hyperactivity. The drug is commonly used to treat people with Attention Deficit Disorder in order to increase concentration and keep focus, as well as increasing the ability to pay attention and stop fidgeting. It is also often prescribed to narcoleptics to help them remain awake throughout the day [“Adderall Oral : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing – WebMD”].
According a study conducted by the University of Michigan, 7.4 percent of seniors in high school have abused Adderall last year. [“Adderall Abuse Increases Among High School Students”] In addition, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that full time college students (ages eighteen to twenty-two) are twice as likely to abuse the drug [“Adderall Addiction: Students Misuse Drug to Gain Boost While Studying.”]. Why is Adderall so popular among adolescents and young students? Although some adolescents use the drug in order to feel the hyperactive “speed” effect, many more use it in order to focus on their academic pursuits. Students often take Adderall studying and/or before taking finals, SATs, ACTs, projects, and other stressful school work so they can help ensure higher grades and maintain a high GPA. Not only does it help these students to concentrate on their content, but the stimulant property of the drug helps to keep the student awake during all-night cram sessions or long back-to-back finals. Another contribution to the popular...
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...heir system. This detoxification is a very crucial part of recovery. To reduce common psychological cravings for the drug, behavioral therapy has proven to be very beneficial [“Recovering from Adderall Addiction”].
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"Adderall Addiction: Students Misuse Drug to Gain Boost While Studying." Iowa State Daily. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2014.
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"The Effects of Adderall Use." The Effects of Adderall Use. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2014.
"Find the Best Residential Adderall Recovery Center." Recovering from Adderall Addiction – Best Inpatient Adderall Recovery Programs. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2014.
Adderall is a drug that is approved to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) along with narcolepsy. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurobehavioral disorder of childhood as it affects an estimated 5% to 7% of school-age children. Adderall has a structural and action resemblance to other recreation drugs methamphetamine, which is commonly known as crystal meth, and ecstasy.
In a 2012 study published by the Journal of American College Health, by senior year, Adderall and other prescription stimulants are offered to two-thirds of college students. Furthermore, about 31 percent are taking the drug in hopes to enhance their concentration to get better grades (Zadrozny 2013). Students who take Adderall that don’t have ADHD report that they have a increased sense of focus, motivation, and concentration, which are all the ingredients you need to have for a successful all-nighter to help on providing an added boost before an exam. With characteristics such as difficulties in focusing, reasoning, problem solving and planning, ADHD is a neurobehavioral-based disorder and is associated with an insufficient amount of dopamine (Student Health: Drug & Alcohol Abuse among College Students 2015). Adderall is enticing to students because they believe it can help them perform enhance their academic skills. On the other hand, some students abuse the drug because simply for the high it gives
Like Jason, more and more children are being diagnosed with ADHD or its less hyperactive cousin, attention deficit disorder (ADD). And, correspondingly, during the past decade the production of stimulants used to treat ADD has risen dramatically, (see Graph 1.). However, an increasing number of parents, doctors, and public health officials are becoming alarmed about the jump in the use of Ritalin and amphetamines to treat ADD. In the last year, at least three prestigious medical journals published articles examining whether the condition is being overdiagnosed and American children are being drugged unnecessarily, (N...
National Institute of Drug Abuse (2010). Cocaine: How is Cocaine Abused? Retrieved from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/cocaine/how-cocaine-abused on 24th March, 2014.
But Brown is not part of this 3-5% of the population. For Brown and others without the disorder, ADHD medications increase dopamine levels in the brain, giving the user a sense of euphoria similar to cocaine. Students at Northeastern University as well as other campuses are consuming these drugs for better academic performance and a cheap high on the college party scene. Students are taking Ritalin, Addrall, and the newest drug on the market, Conserta, either orally or crushing and snorting them to study, party, or lose weight. In some cases, kids are melting them down and shooting them up. According to Northeastern students, the drugs are very cheap and very accessible.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic condition that is characterized by difficulty sustaining attention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. Adderall increased in popularity upon approval by The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used for the treatment of ADHD and treatment of the sleep disorder, narcolepsy, in the 1990s. Although Adderall has been proven effective in decreasing and preventing ADHD symptoms, there are concerns regarding cardiac side effects and the potential for dependence and abuse of its chemical components.
The most common prescription drug that many teenage drug abusers may be stealing or trying to purchase online would be opioids, also known as narcotics, which include drugs such as OxyContin, morphine, and Percocet (5). Narcotics are drugs that are used to relieve pain, triggering a sense of euphoria from the brain’s pleasure center. Many teens may abuse narcotics to feel that sense of pleasure (5). Another prescription medication that teenagers commonly abuse are stimulants, such as Adderall, Ritalin, and Dexedrine. These drugs stimulate dopamine production in the brain, lifting moods and calming anxiety, which is why it is a commonly abused prescription drug (5). Due to the easy accessibility with some of these prescription medications and their high potential for abuse, teenagers who abuse them are putting their mind’s and bodies at risk for the many side effects that come along with abusing drugs, which can sometimes be fatal.
Over the last decade, a new epidemic has risen in America regarding the sustained trend in teens abusing and misusing stimulant drugs prescribed for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), specifically Ritalin and Adderall. There has been an increase in the number of teens diagnosed with ADHD and practitioners prescribing stimulants as treatment. These drugs are known in the teen community as the so-called “study drug”. An alarming high percentage of teens that are not diagnosed with ADHD are using this drug in attempt to achieve academic success as well as abusing it for recreational purposes. Due to the increase in teens being diagnosed with ADHD and being prescribed stimulants, the availability of ADHD stimulants has increased and are being abused and misused by other teens. In addition, caregiver’s lax attitudes as well as not supporting school safety prescription policies, has contributed to this disturbing trend in teens misusing and abusing the so-called “Study Drug”.
College can be a challenge with endless papers, tests, and other tasks. A pill that allows extreme focus helps accomplish necessary tasks. Adderall is a prescription medication given to patients with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Jaffe). However, this drug has become known as a “smart drug” around college campuses (“Daily News & Analysis”). About 6.4 percent of college students have taken Adderall without a prescription (Carver). At more competitive schools, about twenty-five percent of students have taken Adderall (Pantovich). Students take the drug with hope to improve a grade. However, in the long run, the student only hurts himself or herself.
Smith, M., Segel, J., & Ramsey, D. (2013, 9). Add / adhd medications. Retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/adhd_medications.htm
"What Is Crystal Meth Addiction - Side Effects of Meth and Long Term Crystal Methamphetamine Effects." What Is Crystal Meth Addiction - Side Effects of Meth and Long Term Crystal Methamphetamine Effects. N.p., 2006-2014. Web. 11 Feb. 2014.
Years ago, the common image of an adolescent drug abuser was a teen trying to escape from reality on illegal substances like cocaine, heroin, or marijuana. Today, there is a great discrepancy between that perception and the reality of who is likely to abuse drugs. A teenage drug abuser might not have to look any further than his or her parent’s medicine chest to ‘score.’ Prescription drug abuse by teens is on the rise. Also, teens are looking to prescription drugs to fulfill different needs other than to feel good or escape the pressures of adulthood. Teens may be just as likely to resort to drugs with ‘speedy’ side effects, like Ritalin to help them study longer, as they are to use prescription painkillers to check out of reality. Pressures on teens are growing, to succeed in sports or to get high grades to get into a good college (Pressures on today’s teens, 2008, theantidrug). Furthermore, because prescriptions drugs are prescribed by doctors they are less likely to be seen as deleterious to teens’ health. A lack of awareness of the problem on the part of teens, parents and society in general, the over-medication of America, and the greater stresses and pressures put upon teens in the modern world have all conspired to create the growing problem of prescription drug abuse by teens.
Examples of amphetamines include adderall, benzidrine, and dexedrine. Students often abuse prescriptions of adderall as a study tool. I’ve known students at my previous school in Miami take adderall during every exam when they weren’t even prescribed it which is a perfect example of amphetamine abuse. I’ve even heard about students becoming addicted to such drugs.
Drugs.com Prescription Drug Information, Interactions & Side Effects. (2014). Retrieved March 5, 2014, from http://www.drugs.com
Few people deny the dangers of drug use, while many teens are curious about drugs. They should stay away from drugs because drugs affect our health, lead to academic failure, and jeopardizes safety. Drugs are used from a long period of time in many countries. The concentration of drugs has increased from late 1960’s and 1970’s. Drugs can quickly takeover our lives. Friends and acquaintance have the greatest influence of using drugs during adolescence.