In the past few weeks, we’ve all definitely had “those” nights; you have a pile of readings, two midterms the next day- and don’t forget a quiz on top of that. You’re already stressing over the fact that there’s no way you can tackle it all unless you stay up all night, which leads you to your next issue: how are you going to stay awake AND be focused? For some teenagers, there’s coffee; others, there’s energy drinks. Some just fight the sleep naturally, while others just give up and realize the cramming won’t do their health or their minds any good. But for many college students, there is a solution to all their midterm and homework problems that comes in the form of a pill: Adderall.
What exactly is Adderall? A drug that’s equal in cost to the traditional cup of coffee, its effects are drastic. A combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, Adderall has a major effect on your brain and the
nerves of the body that are linked to hyperactivity and controlling impulses- thus making it useful in treating narcolepsy or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Despite the prescribed use of Adderall for medical purposes, most people who use Adderall are those who aren’t actually suffering from a medical condition- as in the college students, desperately trying to remember a whole textbook for their test.
Along with alcohol and marijuana, Adderall seems to be up there on the list of substances that are seen on numerous college campuses. When 119 students on various college campuses were asked about Adderall use in a survey published in the journal Addiction, 25% of those enrolled at very competitive universities admitted to using the drug to help them study. In a study from early 2012, 34.5% of college kids admitted to using Adderall.
Many students are doing it, and colleges are seeing it rise in popularity everywhere. So if everyone is doing it, why is it such a big deal? Well, when you take Adderall, norepinephrine and dopamine are released in your brain; ironically, this is the exact same process that occurs when one takes methamphetamine or cocaine. That being said, Adderall is addictive- it’s even possible for a person with ADHD (and a prescription) to become addicted. It seems that once a college kid is exposed to Adderall for the first time and sees how well they can get their work done, they are also mentally able to become dependent.
While some college students see Adderall as a normalcy in their college life, some students are against it, and are clear on their intent to stay away from it. One Pitt student says, “I’ve never taken it, nor do I ever plan on it. I just don’t like the idea of having to resort to pills to do homework. Yeah, it helps you focus, but the fact that you get all jittery and superman-y freaks me out. I’d sooner drink some coffee.” What seems to be an issue amongst students who don’t use it as a study aid is the unfair effects it has on schoolwork. Students who take Adderall are able to study for hours on end, write fast, and attain a lot more information (amphetamine increases memory), thus usually increasing their grades- and in the case of a curved exam, it will affect the grades of the students who refrained from using.
Yes, it is evident that Adderall has its negative effects: stroke, heart attack, hypertension, aggressive behavior, etc., yet some college students see no issue with it; it helps them do well, it helps them focus, so why not use it? According to one female freshman here at Pitt, “I take Adderall once every week, and I don’t view it as bad at all. Yeah, maybe I do get twitchy when I take it, but I don’t get distracted at all and I have no issue getting my homework done. It’s a lovely thing to have and if you have access to it, take advantage of it. You’re work will double.” Another student added, “I take Adderall only when it’s extremely needed, and it helps. It doesn’t have any negative effects on me, so it doesn’t worry me.”
Whether you take Adderall on a weekly basis, for extreme measures, or are against using it to aid your studying, Adderall will continue to rise in popularity. As long as students are stressed, it will always be available. The negatives and positives can be argued anywhere, especially here at Pitt, where from what I’ve heard many people have tried it; just keep in mind that it is a drug, and with drugs comes addiction. Passing a midterm may seem like a life-or-death situation, but just think about if drastic measures, like Adderall, are really necessary.
More facts on Adderall:
http://www.drugs.com/adderall.html
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/health/addiction/college-students-and-add…
http://www.soberliving.com/resources/adderall-2013-a-common-study-aid-on…
PIc Creds:
http://canidoit.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/adderall.jpg
http://collegecandy.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/stressed-student-intro.jpg