Misuse of prescription drug creates hazards
ADHD medication is reportedly being used for illegitimate purposes by college students
By Jeff Goodemote
Contributing Writer
Adderall is becoming increasingly
popular with college
students, according to national
statistics.
Unfortunately, a large number of college
students are misusing the prescription
medication for weight loss, help stay
awake or or just to get high.
Students who legitimately need Adderall
typically get the substance prescribed
by a physician after being properly diagnosed
with Attention Deficit Disorder or
other disabilities.
The North Lake College Health Center
is aware of Adderall and its proper usage
and abuse.
“Adderall is a good drug but if abused
it can be lethal,” said Jean Mills, campus
nurse. “Adderall is dangerous to diabetics
when the drug is mixed with diabetic
medication,” she said.
Because it is a stimulant, those who
take Adderall daily should consider taking
some minor precautions. “They don't
realize when they drink soda, coffee –
anything that has a high caffeine level –
that it will speed up their heart rate and
could have a huge impact on the body,”
said Mills.
Some experts say that college students
become so dependent on this drug that
they lose faith in their own ability to perform
everyday activities such as concentrating
in class or at work. Experts say
that in some cases, Adderall can cause
psychological damage as well.
Steve, a student at North Lake College,
was prescribed two 25 milligram
capsules a day of Adderall because of
concentration issues
.
“I don't like taking Adderall because
it's a drug,” said Steve.
His solution to the problem was to sell
the capsules. Before long he started attracting
people who wanted access to Adderall
for reasons other than its intended
purpose. Steve said the main reason his
friends wanted the drug was to get high.
But many were interested in just staying
up late so they could get their homework
done.
According to the National Institute
of Drug Abuse, “Adderall, is a stimulant,
that causes rapid weight loss by
decreasing your appetite.”
Since Adderall is a stimulant, it becomes
addictive. The NIDA also reports
that college students
misuse Adderall during
nights of heavy drinking
to remain alert while they
are intoxicated.
The NIDA says that a stimulate
user is five times as likely to drink
and drive than a drunk person who
is not on stimulants.
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