Finals week is a college tradition synonymous with energy drinks, all-nighters, and stress ridden internet memes.
But more and more, a new addition to students’ finals week artillery is Adderall, a stimulant drug meant for the treatment of attention deficit disorder and narcolepsy. Depending on the dosage, the medicine allows its user to stay awake and focused on a particular task without disruption for up to sixteen hours.
Since it became widely available in the U.S. in 2001, students with and without ADD have been using the so-called “smart drug” as the ultimate study aid. And with the stress of finals week looming on many college campuses, misuse of Adderall has become more common than ever.
So common, that now it’s even trendy to promote and proclaim via social media. A recent study from Brigham Young University summarized Twitter activity of the word “Adderall” and showed that over a six month period, the stimulant was mentioned over 200,000 times in finals related tweets like “We would all graduate with a 4.0 if Adderall was sold over the counter.”
Hofstra University is no exception to the trend. A survey of 100 random Hofstra students revealed that 1/3 has taken Adderall without a prescription during their college career. And 81% of those admitted users have popped the pill more than once.
Increased use has led to questions of not only health but academic integrity.
As Dr. Maureen Houck, Director of Hofstra’s Health and Wellness Center, explains, these multicolored tablets can hurt more than help. Prolonged use can cause “insomnia, anorexia, nausea, jitteriness, hypertension and heart palpitations” said the doctor.
“There is no magic pill,” Dr. Houck concluded. “It has its place for people who need it… if you don’t need it [and] you have an edge up on people who don’t take it then, yes, it is cheating.”
But, as expected, the moral compass of Dr. Houck does not exactly match the consensus of the students she treats. When the same 100 students surveyed were asked if they considered taking Adderall to be cheating, 54% said yes while 46% said no.
“Technically I know it’s wrong, but it’s not like I’m looking up the answers or stealing anyone else’s work.” said a Hofstra sophomore who has used the drug around ten times. “It just helps.”
“I don’t take it but who cares if other people do.,” answered another Hofstra student, a junior journalism major. “I bet if he could, George Washington would have taken Adderall if it helped him win the war. Whatever works for you.”