The use and abuse of prescription stimulants has been on the rise in recent years. Especially among college students, the use of prescription drugs such as Adderall and Ritalin has made news. In a recent report, researchers showed that 8% of university students in Australia had used Adderall without a prescription, and an astonishing one third of those students used Adderall to get high. While students seem to be taking Adderall primarily to stay awake for long study sessions and to focus their attention with the belief that this will lead to academic success, Adderall is addictive and abuse of Adderall is dangerous.
What Is Adderall
Adderall is a central nervous system stimulant. It is prescribed primarily for people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is also prescribed for narcolepsy. Adderall induces general wakefulness and alertness. It can increase focus and assist in an individual’s ability to concentrate. Adderall can also create feelings of euphoria, self-confidence, and enhanced motivation. These feelings are incredibly appealing to busy and over-stressed college students.
Anyone who had been to college can understand the feelings of staying up too late with friends and then facing an exam schedule. Certainly those students who balance a job while maintaining a fulltime academic schedule will inevitably feel frayed. Adderall has found its niche among precisely these types of young people. What is more, since Adderall is a prescription medication, many young people delude themselves into thinking it is safe to use and abuse. It carries none of the stigma of cocaine or methamphetamine.
Adderall Abuse
Adderall abuse is difficult to spot. It is not as dramatic as other illicit drugs. Some tell-tale signs of Adderall abuse include rapid speech, rapid or repetitive movements, and hypervigilance and hyperfocus. People who are using Adderall will become highly energized, more than we commonly see even in younger people. Since it tends to facilitate focus, abuse of Adderall can create focus which appears abnormal. The more visible sign of dilated pupils in conjunction with these other symptoms could demonstrate signs of Adderall abuse.
As Adderall abuse progresses, more destructive symptoms can appear. Users may begin vomiting. They may experience seizures. Insomnia and excessive irritability will become pronounced. This can lead to anger and aggression issues.
Ultimately, Adderall abuse and addiction can lead to increased blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and even cardiac arrest. The malnutrition which is often associated with advance Adderall abuse can also lead to severe and potentially fatal consequences.
Once dependence has developed, it can be difficult to stop using Adderall without some form of treatment. However, Adderall addiction is responsive to drug treatment and rehab. Contemporary treatment facilities are fully prepared to treat Adderall addiction. The medical complications associated with Adderall abuse are well-documented and treatment programs are prepared to treat these problems.
It is definitely tempting for busy college students to use a drug that is specifically designed to boost energy and concentration. The challenges students face can wear them down. But Adderall is a dangerous temptation and it comes with a tremendous cost.
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