Adderall Abuse Growing Among College Students
The effects of abusing Adderall can be attractive to the student who is under a lot of pressure to exceed in the classroom and meet deadlines. Unfortunately, the price for Adderall abuse can be very very high...
- article by Khoi Nguyen
Steroids have been getting a lot of attention in the media over the past few years due to the performance-enhancing scandals in the world of Major League Baseball. This, in turn, has brought increased awareness in the use, pervasiveness, and dangers of the drug in society at large.
Like the athlete who wants to improve his performance on the field through the use of illegal steroids, the student who wants to raise their grades and studying ability is turning to the drug Adderall. Taken illegally, the drug can enhance concentration, increase motivation, and provide a heightened level of alertness conducive to such college traditions like all-night study sessions before an exam.
What is Adderall?
Adderall is the brand name of a prescription drug intended for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It is an amphetamine that serves as a stimulant and is safe for use by those with the disorder. It safely and effectively helps them be “normal”. However, there are a growing number of users who do not have ADHD and use the drug illegally without a prescription. The segment that seems to be abusing the drug the most is college students who want a competitive edge over their classmates.
A Growing Problem
7% of full
-time college students are using Adderall illegally, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. They discovered that college students between the ages of 18 and 22 were twice as likely to use the drug for non-medicinal purposes as those that are not in college. They also found that those same students who used Adderall illegally were likely to use other drugs, including:
• three times more likely to use marijuana
• five times more likely to use pain relievers illegally
• eight times more likely to use cocaine and tranquilizers illegally
90% of them were binge drinkers. Even with those potential dangers, the use of Adderall is prevalent throughout college campuses and the attitude among students is lax and indifferent towards the “commonplace” drug. Because so many have been prescribed the drug, access to it is easier for those that are not prescribed. However, there are many risks and side effects associated with non-prescription use of Adderall. It has a very high potential for abuse and dependence.
Health Dangers and Eventual Addiction
Adderall side effects include:
- insomnia
- impotence
- headache
- loss of appetite
- nervousness
- dry mouth
- high blood pressure
- depression
- hallucinations
More importantly, Adderall abuse can lead to Adderall addiction. Students who may take the drug only occasionally eventually could find that they can not function as well without it. Young men and women can develop a dependency on the drug for other tasks, such as big work assignments for work or projects around the house and think that they will be impossible to perform if they do not take Adderall. It is a quick fix that could lead to a long term problem. The temptation to start using Adderall to outshine your classmate, peers, or colleagues may be great, but it is not worth risking your well being.
If you have an addiction to Adderall, we can help. Please call us at 866-540-5242.
