The Pros and Cons of Adderall Essay

Adderall is a combination of stimulants (Fitzgerald & Bronstein, 2013) used to increase the patient’s ability to concentrate, focus and pay attention. The highest misuse of Adderall is by college students looking to enhance their ability to study and take test (Fitzgerald & Bronstein, 2013). The higher availability of Adderall for use by adolescents suffering from ADHD has increased the reports of misuse by adults especially students who are in need of a stimulant to increase brain function and awareness. According to Fitzgerald & Bronstein (2013) Adderall can only be prescribed by a licensed physician, just as ADHD can only by diagnosed by a psychologist, psychiatrist or physician, but the prevalent misuse of this drug persist on a national level. Primary concerns related to Adderall and other ADHD stimulant drugs are cardiovascular and central nervous system complications, which both may be fatal (Adis,

Ritalin, the most common drug prescribed for ADHD, has many side effects. It can cause a variety of symptoms including nervousness, insomnia, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, palpitations, headaches, high blood pressure and heart rate, skin rashes, abdominal pain, weight loss, digestive problems, toxic psychosis, psychotic episodes, drug dependence, and anxiety (Bailey 3). These drugs also cause food cravings (mainly sweets), hinder allergies, psychosis and pre-existing tics. Long-term effects of Ritalin consist of

This overabundance of coverage has led to a kind of public hysteria, parents and doctors now see ADHD around every corner. It has almost become a social norm for a child in school to have ADHD. One could argue that ADHD isn't necessarily a disorder but an unfortunate byproduct of a fast paced reward driven Society. Luckily there is hope. Recent studies have been done and new tests have been designed to help curb the tide of malingering in terms of ADHD. “The IVA CPT adequately distinguished adults with ADHD from non-ADHD” (Colleen A Quinn 2003) Many people will fake the symptoms of ADHD in order to get access to the prescriptions given to those who suffer from the disorder I say few that these medications will help give them in the edge in their work or home life. Students will sometimes take these drugs and hopes that will help them focus on the paper that there trying to write or give them that needed edge to focus on the test they are taking the next day. Either is are pursuing these drugs for recreational use they are hoping for a high off of the schedule

Susie Lomelino “[it] is a drug widely reported to increase alertness, concentration and overall cognitive performance, while decreasing fatigue – but it is also a drug widely abused across college campuses” (Highly Addictive Nature of Prescription 1). “Adderall is a synthetic drug that contains a combination of amphetamine salts. Approximately 72.7 percent of Adderall is made of lisdexamfetamine (Vyanse), and the rest is levoamphetamin” (Moore 90). Adderall is used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) (Adderall 1).

When growing up, nothing is more frustrating then giving your best effort in your school work and continuously being unsuccessful. The effect it can have on a child is very damaging. Students may feel inadequate and non-intelligent in the classroom setting growing up, not to mention, being confused all at the same time about why school is such an ongoing battle for them. Why are these children trying so hard and never having any success? It is more and more common today; more than ever we see children having these problems inside and outside of classrooms all over the world. Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can become very problematic in a child’s

With the increased pressure to succeed and the chaotic collegiate lifestyle taking a toll on students, Adderall has evolved into the “go-to drug.” The Class II prescription amphetamine is intended to solely treat individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. The stimulant “works to enhance concentration by stimulating the production of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain” (Stolz 585). Recently, there has been a dramatic increase in the use of Adderall on college campuses to enhance academic performance and cram for exams through the over-stimulation of the brain, therefore “creating super-enhanced focus” (Stolz 585), deeming it the “smart drug.” Due to the fact that several students are not truly diagnosed with ADHD, a majority of this use on campuses is illegal; this has become a growing problem affecting the health of students and entailing “issues of competiveness and fairness” (Jacobs 1). In recent years, the abuse of Adderall has circulated hundreds of college campuses and even secondary schools.

I first tried this drug last year to see what effect it would have on my attention problems, and I had no idea that I would find myself enjoying it so much or consider it so beneficial. I used both extended and rapid release adderall many times throughout the course of last year to help me better focus on my school work and to complete major assignments like papers or studying for tests. After my experiences with adderall I began to question the possibility that I was suffering from ADHD, a disorder that runs in my family. Since entering college I have felt my concentration abilities plummet significantly, and I have developed other habits such as receptive foot bobbing and the inability to stay on task. A positive aspect of adderall is that it enabled me to focus in a way I have never felt in my entire life. The negative aspects of adderall include how it suppresses your appetite, makes it impossible for you to sleep, and makes your heart beat a million miles per

Each dosage is prescribed s per patient according to their level of neediness and age. One capsule should be consumed daily by mouth unless otherwise told by psychiatrist or physician. There are many side effects for consuming Adderall. One major side effect is a suppressed appetite and headaches. Consitpation, a dry mouth, weight loss, diarrhea, and … is considered a side effect for adderall as well. Some side effects may be severe if a patient contains glaucoma, when the eyesight of an individual decreasing causing a loss of sight; if the patient has a background of dipsomania or any substance that the patient was addicted to would be a contraindication for the use of adderall. Another contraindication is hyperthyroidism, when an individual’s body

When a person that at the normal level takes the pill, extreme focus is achieved. However, consequences that may include lack of creativity and health effects are added. Other symptoms of drug use include loss of appetite, trouble with sleep, and overall illness (McLaughlin). More serious side effects include high blood pressure (Jaffe). Adderall can also be harmful to the cardiovascular system, which can lead to heart disease (Green).The use of this drug can affect the body in serious ways for a person without a prescription. Despite the lethal side effects, Adderall is so widely abused that there is a shortage of the drug.

Adderall, a prescription drug, was first developed to treat patients that suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a chronic condition including attention difficulty, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. Students and young professionals that

Taking Adderall when you do not have ADHD can lead to serious consequences. The human body requires sleep in order to function properly. Adderall being an amphetamine, causes sleep deprivation, which is one of the many dangers associated with such a drug. Adderall, which was established for the sole purpose for those diagnosed with the disorder, is, unfortunately, beginning to be used recreationally and casually by those who, in fact, don’t actually suffer from ADHD. Is this dangerous physically or mentally? Medications like Adderall are one of the largest concerns in the medical field today. College students, for example, realized that utilizing this drug forces them to perform better both inside and outside of the classroom. As an undergraduate student, one knows that Adderall is considered a student’s best friend. This disorder has become a prevalent diagnosis for teenagers who feel that they are incapable of concentrating or focusing on their studies.

Many drugs have been developed to treat ADD and ADHD. One of these drugs is Methylphenidate otherwise known as Ritalin. It is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs for treatment of ADD and ADHD. Use of Ritalin is up 700 percent since 1990 (ABC News). Other drugs also used in treatment of ADD and ADHD include Zoloft, Praxil, and Cylert. Ritalin is a drug that is used to restore neurotransmitters in those that lack or have malfunctioning nerve impulses in the

One of the most shocking things that I learned is that Adderall is a stimulant. I knew that Adderall has an amphetamine base, however, I never made the connection. I know several people from my past and now that take Adderall, some without a prescription. Knowing that Adderall is a stimulant makes it seem entirely more dangerous than I saw it before. Adderall is a common drug now, people of all ages are consumers. Adderall is so common, legally and illegally, that I am sure most people are unaware of the interactions it can cause with other drugs. Adderall is generally viewed as a harmless drug for ADD and ADHA, but when you look at it from the perspective of having amphetamine in it, it appears much more dangerous.

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

Study drugs have a variety of side effects. Adderall has similar effects to cocaine, it can be addictive and can have strong withdrawal symptoms.“ADHD stimulants are categorized by the FDA under Schedule II drugs. Due to this categorization, the penalties are strict, and similar to having bought bought, sold, or possessed cocaine or speed. The typical Adderall pill comes in various dosages. The most popular tends to be 20 mg on campuses. In the United States, for possession of less than 1 gram of Adderall the charge is similar to State jail felony, with a maximum range of 180 days to 2 years in a state jail” (“Study Drugs”). Not only can study drugs be criminal to the health of an individual,