Arguments Against Adderall

Justifications 4.8 million Americans use prescription drugs on a regular basis for medical needs. However, there are many situations where studies have shown that the misuse of prescription drugs is prevalent. The question remains, what justifications particularly college students have as to why they feel the need to abuse prescription drugs? Reasons that do not qualify these individuals for their own dosage of the prescription. One of the most common justifications for the misuse of the prescription drug Adderall, is the rationale that it aids in studying and completing school work. Students often complain about the grueling work load college courses bring. This puts a lot of stress on college students, in many cases leading them to the

The students believed that it could not be sold to the public unless it was safe. The students trusted the FDA and medical doctors and assumed that they were exaggerating on the potential dangers of using the drug. The FDA’s own warning about Adderall’s potential dangers “include a risk of sudden death, serious cardiovascular adverse events, worsening mental illness, possible decreased growth, increased tics, headaches, and mood changes. This danger is exponentially increased if users have undiagnosed heart defects, high blood pressure, heart or blood vessel disease, and an overactive thyroid” (DeSantis and Hane,

These participants showed no moral difficulty overlooking the illegal purchasing and use of the drug. Failing to recognize the negative effects of Adderall usage, the students believed that the pros outweighed the cons. Desantis and Hane make a point in their 2008 study that, "Users must understand that the chemicals used in pharmaceutical stimulants are as potentially dangerous and addictive as uncontrolled substances sold on the streets" (42).
Students also argued that Adderall was not a “bad” drug and featured no actual high. Over half of the participants claimed that ADHD stimulants improved their attention and cognition skills. One student said, "I can think better. I can focus without being distracted... and I remember more too" (36). When using the stimulants, the students valued the concept of moderation; however, the use involves many dangers to one’s health and distributing the drug carries a mandatory five-year federal sentence. Because of these risks, the concept of moderation is simply irrelevant