Adderall Abuse Ravages College Campuses
And Graduate School Around the Country
By Valerie Harris
16 November, 2012
Countercurrents.org
Several years ago, Counter Currents posted some alarming facts about the FDA’s hesitancy to fully disclose the risks of ADHD medications like Adderall on the drug’s packaging. The next article, written by education blogger Valerie Harris, provides a snapshot of why these warning labels are still necessary. Valerie looks at the rampant abuse of Adderall on college campuses with a specific eye for its detrimental effects. Valerie is an accomplished writer about all things college; go here for more of her musings on how to get started searching for schools and programs.
Substance abuse at the college level has been a major concern for decades. But in recent years, the use of Adderall as a study aid has reached epidemic proportions. Today, educational leaders are warning young men and women to avoid using the drug recreationally, pointing to alternative study aids that are more effective and less harmful to one’s physical well-being.
Commonly prescribed to treat narcolepsy or attention-deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), Adderall contains both amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, stimulants that counteract symptoms like hyperactivity and poor impulse control that are influenced by the human brain and nervous system. The drug has long been considered an alternative to Ritalin, which is used to treat the same symptoms but carries a greater risk of negative health effects. Under regulations put in place by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Adderall is only available through physician prescription; sale, possession and use of the drug by individuals who do not have a prescription is considered a criminal offense and is punishable as a felony.
However, the legality of Adderall has not stopped a significant number of high school and college students from taking it. Last year, CNN reported that roughly 30 percent of the nation’s college students have taken “study drugs” like Adderall or Ritalin in order to increase focus on their college coursework. In addition, 80 percent of fraternity or sorority members have admitted to taking Adderall as a recreational drug. Most users ingest Adderall, while others crush up the pills and snort fragments through their nostrils. In recent years, doctors and drug abuse specialists have also noted the troubling trend of “stuffing’” – ingesting the drug through large mucous membranes like the anus, penis or vagina – in order to achieve a longer-lasting effect.
Physicians argue that taking the drug can cause health problems. Side effects include heart palpitations, painful urination, headaches, insomnia and chronic diarrhea. Adderall can also cause adverse effects in certain users, including those who suffer from conditions like congenital heart defect, high blood pressure or epilepsy. There is also the potential for overdose, which is often fatal. Doctors warn of long-term health problems as well, such as moodiness, depression and chronic anxiety. They also note that, like most prescribed narcotics, Adderall is habit-forming and long-term abuse can lead to debilitating addiction.
However, the competitive nature of modern education has led many young men and women to take the drug in order to improve their academic standing – many of whom have not yet reached college. A 16-year-old female student from Minneapolis recently told The New York Times that she began taking Adderall on the advice of several friends and an older sibling who was a freshman in college. “Adderall is popular in my school, where it's highly competitive,” she said. “Everyone is competing against each other for scholarships and it definitely gives you an extra edge over students who don't take it. As much as I was initally [sic] against Adderall, I cannot deny the fact that it's completely effective.”
Experts today are encouraging students to adopt healthy study habits that accomplish the same goals as chronic use of “study drugs.” Kelsey Sheehy of US News & World Report writes that high school and college students should “set a schedule” as part of their daily routine; this measure better prepares them for upcoming assignments and reduces test anxiety. Another strategy is to eliminate distractions, such as television, cell phones and surfing the Internet. Finally, Sheehy notes that studying for hours can be a tedious process – taking regular breaks is an effective way to reduce monotony and approach course material from a refreshed perspective.
Today’s students face a significant amount of pressure related to grades and academic performance, but studies show that drugs like Adderall and Ritalin are not a feasible solution. Instead, young people should work to improve their concentration skills with measures that will allow them to do well in class without sacrificing their physical and mental health.
Valerie Harris is a writer and researcher for MastersDegreeOnline.org
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