Reason People are Prescribed Stimulants

Ritalin is another example of a prescription ADHD stimulant that is misused frequently with a high mortality rate from overdose. Ritalin, which is more prevalent with high school age students, is primarily misused for weight loss and a feeling being high. The majority of children misusing prescription drugs such a Ritalin are under the impression that it is safer then illegal street drugs (CCHR, 2013). Ritalin is the most common stimulant drug prescribed to children with ADHD, but is also prescribed for other disorders, such as cancer, brain injury and pain management (Morton & Stockton, 2000). According to Morton & Stockton (2000) the effects of Ritalin are similar to the feeling of using cocaine, which may be one of the reasons that the ADHD drug is misused. According to research done by Musser et al. (1998) most school aged children using Ritalin did not think that Ritalin or any other prescription medication for ADHD could be abused. This ignorance may be part of the overwhelming reason that drugs such as Ritalin are becoming more widely

Psychoactive drugs, such as stimulants have a lot to do with the alteration or manipulation of brain activity (Cherry, K., 2015). A good example of how stimulants can alter brain activity would be, after a person takes a drugs such is cocaine they may experience a feeling of elevated alertness temporarily. According toCherry, K. (2015), drugs that are classified as stimulants include: caffeine, narcotics, cocaine, amphetamines and prescription drugs. The most common legitimate use for stimulant that drugs, would be for ADHD. The most common illegal uses for stimulant drugs would be for sports, parties and college students (studying). Stimulants work by increasing the speed of the the messages going between the brain and the body by increasing the activity of the central nervous system

In this day and age, drugs are being prescribed without hesitation. In fact, many of these drugs are being prescribed for children with various disorders. One of these disorders is called Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). An estimated five to ten percent of children are diagnosed with this syndrome (Taylor 11). One of the methods to treat this disorder is to use stimulants, specifically Ritalin. This method is controversial because it has many side effects and its long-term effects are unknown. It can also lead to addiction. Approximately two to three percent of elementary school children are taking some kind of stimulant to treat ADHD (Taylor 64). Since so many children are taking this medication, new problems have arisen.

Most Americans have heard of Ritalin and Adderall, either being used to calm hyperactive children or used illegally across every college campus for the purpose of studying. These are two completely different circumstances, which may be confusing to some. The reason that these two different groups of people get two vastly different results from the same drug is that these belong to the drug class of central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. CNS stimulants increase alertness mentally and physically, but do the opposite for those with hyperactivity disorders. This is because these drugs release dopamine levels in the brain. Dopamine is a chemical in the brain that is related with motivation (Healthline Editorial Team).

Stimulants can be used to speed up the central nervous system making a person fell more alert and aware of their surroundings. Depressants are the opposites and reduce the activity of the nervous system and produce a feeling of calm and/or “taking the edge off”. Hallucinogenics can be used to make an individual have hallucinations and have distortions in space and

f. .stimulants can cause enhanced brain activity increase and llertness in energy elevated blood pressure increase heart rate increase respiration and sleep deprivation…. Ultimately these three drugs possess the same long term affect when abused; high potential for physical dependence and addiction.

Stimulants are the common type of medication perscribed as treatment. The stimulants include drugs such as Ritalin, Adderall, and Dexedrine. These medications have the most research to back up the fact that they are working as treatment. The stimulants are supposed to work by increasing levels of dopamine in the brain. (Robinson. L, Smith. M, Segal. J, 2016,) say "Dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with motivation, pleasure, attention and movement." These stimulants boost concentration and focus, and reduce hyperactivity. There are short-acting and long-acting stimulants used as treatment. Short-acting are used for several hours and must be taken 2-3 times a day. Long-acting also called extended release last 8-12 hours, and are taken once a day. Stimulant medications have side effects of course. Next, the authors of this article take a look at the saftey concerns of taking stimulant medications Patients taking these medications may have personality changes, become less talkative, or may seem withdrawn. These stimulants raise blood pressure, and heart rate so, there are many dangers of taking these medications for long

This academic journal is written by Shaheen E. Lakhan. (source and author) The point of this segment was to test how people react to prescriptive stimulants. Those who have ADHD and those who do not. (summary) This source is helpful to my research because it compares the effects on students that take adderall, prescribed to them or not. (relevance)

There are two groups of stimulants: methylphenidate-based medications, which include Ritalin, Concerta, and Metadate, and dextroamphetamine-based medications, which include Adderall, Vyvanse, and Dexedrine (Boorady 2). The two most popular of these groups, Ritalin and Adderall, have these similar side effects: loss of appetite, insomnia, dizziness, nervousness, and prone to raising blood pressure (Ogbru 1). Both of these medications are also similar in short-acting and long-acting formulations, but, according to Susan York Morris, Ritalin is highly preferred over Adderall because it reaches its performance peak much more quickly, and prevents cells from reabsorbing norepinephrines, a precursor of adrenaline (Marcovitch 476), and dopamine, a precursor of norepinephrines that conveys inhibitory in the neurological system (Marcovitch 197), keeping them active in the brain.. (Morris 2). As a child, my parents began the process of testing different medications to treat my ADHD, and they began with Ritalin because it received the majority of positive results. Unfortunately, after random spurts of aggression, irritability, and unrest, they had to try a different medication. Next, they tested Adderall, but the same results occurred, but at greater rates than the

Addiction, classification and possible side effects are all hidden dangers when receiving medication to treat ADHD. Not knowing the true risks of consuming a stimulant drug could have harmful side effects on the human body People who seek medication for the treatment of their ADHD symptoms should be aware of the risks. Families should research the possible long term effects this medication could have on their child. An educated consumer will be able to notice the harmful side effects and stop taking the

Various surveys report that 8% to 35% of college students say they gave used stimulant pills to help them in school (Connor, 2011, p. 14-18). One problem with such stimulant drugs is that they can be addictive. The feeling a person gets on these stimulants is that similar to a seven hour long caffeine rush. The individual becomes addicted to this feeling and wants it all the time. This can result in the abuse of these medicines. Another problem is that they are easy to obtain. Doctors are quick to give a patient who shows symptoms of ADHD one of these stimulants without realizing the potential downfalls of them. Stimulants such as Adderall and Vyvanse can cause a wide range of side effects including, insomnia, aggression, worsened anxiety, mood and behavior changes, twitching, and shaking (Connor, 2011, p. 14-18). Side effects can be more serious in some, causing a sudden increase in blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, seizures, and in the worst cases, death (Connor, 2011, p. 14-18). Drugs this dangerous should not be prescribed as easily as they are. Patients should have to go through a full physical and mental examination before taking a drug that can be this harmful.

Arria, Amelia, Ph.D. "Nonmedical Use of Prescription Stimulants What College Administrators, Parents, and Students Need to Know." Center on Young Adult Health and Development, n.d. Web. 6 Dec. 2015.

To add to that, the research that has been conducted on the disorder has led to a variety of effective treatments. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (2014) the most widely used medication is a stimulant. There is a wide variety of stimulants available for ADHD subjects. Although, with these stimulants come side effects including sleep problems, decreased appetite, anxiety and other diverse uncommon side effects (NIMH, 2014). Stimulants tend to calm children with ADHD. However, these medications can be detrimental to the patient in many ways. Certain medications have been subject to abuse, including Adderall and Ritalin. These medications are in some cases abused by patients who are over diagnosed. Since these patients do not have the disorder they can feel the side effects and use the drug to achieve a certain kind of high. When using these drugs for non-medical purposes they can seem to replicate the effects of cocaine

Transition: So those are the most common types of study drugs, and now to explore why non ADHD people would take.

Another common form of psychoactive drugs is depressants, in which many people also have participated in using,