Adderall Use By College Students
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Adderall is a prescription drug intended for use by patients diagnosed with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In addition to treatment for ADHD, Adderall is used to treat certain sleeping disorders. It is not intended for treating tiredness or to keep awake in people without a sleep disorder. Adderall is the brand name but it is also known under its’ generic name of amphetamine-dextroamphetamine. It works by restoring the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain. Neurotransmitters are natural substances found in the brain.
Adderall is becoming increasingly popular with college age students. It allows students to focus, stay on task, and stay awake on those long all-nighters studying for finals. Much like the effects it has on people with ADHD. Adderall has reportedly become so popular, there has been a shortage for patients who are prescribed the drug.
With society becoming more and more “McDonaldized,” students are expected to perform well without putting in as much time or effort. Adderall is viewed as the drug that will help students with this. It allows students to not put in as much effort studying. It allows them to retain information without having to repeat studying as many times. Adderall allows for the studying experience to be quick and efficient without being time consuming.
Adderall has been known to cause withdrawal reactions in patients taking high doses or being taken regularly for more than a few weeks. Some of these symptoms include severe tiredness, mood changes, depression, sleep problems, weight loss and lack of appetite. Adderall, being an amphetamine, can be an addictive drug. Close monitoring by your physician is a must and a full health screening should be completed before it is prescribed. Unfortunately, college students are acquiring this drug without these health screenings. This is not only dangerous but life threatening in some cases. Adderall has been classified in the group of drugs with the highest potential for abuse or dependence.
According to a report by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), approximately 6.4 % of full-time college students ages 18-22 used Adderall non-medically. These same students reported the abuse of alcohol or binge drinking. Full time college students also were more likely to use, non-medically, other drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine, prescription pain relievers and tranquilizers, than were students not using Adderall. Combining cocaine and other stimulants, such as Adderall can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
The abuse of Adderall by those who have had no health screening can be dangerous, if not deadly. So the question is, potential lifetime of addiction to drugs or is not worth the “A” on that final?
http://www.samhsa.gov/samhsanewsletter/Volume_17_Number_3/Adderall.aspx
http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drugreview-63163-Adderall