Adderall Abuse In College Students Essay
Emily Grant
Nicole Piasecki
Engl 2030-018
3 May 2012
Adderall Abuse in College Students
The diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to people in the United States has risen dramatically in the past decade. The US is in the lead globally as far as the amount of people doctors diagnose with the disorder and prescribe stimulant medications to (Diller). One of the consequences of this increased diagnosis is a significant increase in the amount of abuse of the drug Adderall by college-aged students. Across the board, research predicts an estimated 30% of all college students without ADHD have taken the drug sometime in their college careers in order to enhance their ability to focus and concentrate on their studies (Feiten). Recreational mis-use and abuse of Adderall by college students can be detrimental to one’s health with the potential to …show more content…
In a study conducted by DeSantis et al., students were interviewed about their perception as a whole of the drug Adderall. They found that “an overwhelming majority of these statements took the form of arguments aimed at justifying illegal stimulant use” (DeSantis and Hane). One of the most common misconceptions of students in their study was that they are not abusing the drug if they are taking the drug in moderation. One student reported “If I only use it for midterm exams and finals, then it is not hurting me…As long as I don’t abuse it” (qtd. in DeSantis and Hane). The problem here is a complete misunderstanding of what it means to abuse a drug. Obtaining the drug without a prescription either from an acquaintance or online service, faking symptoms to get a prescription, using it to heighten the capacity to study rather than to control ADHD symptoms, and taking more than the recommended dosages all constitute as abuse
Nicole Piasecki
Engl 2030-018
3 May 2012
Adderall Abuse in College Students
The diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to people in the United States has risen dramatically in the past decade. The US is in the lead globally as far as the amount of people doctors diagnose with the disorder and prescribe stimulant medications to (Diller). One of the consequences of this increased diagnosis is a significant increase in the amount of abuse of the drug Adderall by college-aged students. Across the board, research predicts an estimated 30% of all college students without ADHD have taken the drug sometime in their college careers in order to enhance their ability to focus and concentrate on their studies (Feiten). Recreational mis-use and abuse of Adderall by college students can be detrimental to one’s health with the potential to …show more content…
In a study conducted by DeSantis et al., students were interviewed about their perception as a whole of the drug Adderall. They found that “an overwhelming majority of these statements took the form of arguments aimed at justifying illegal stimulant use” (DeSantis and Hane). One of the most common misconceptions of students in their study was that they are not abusing the drug if they are taking the drug in moderation. One student reported “If I only use it for midterm exams and finals, then it is not hurting me…As long as I don’t abuse it” (qtd. in DeSantis and Hane). The problem here is a complete misunderstanding of what it means to abuse a drug. Obtaining the drug without a prescription either from an acquaintance or online service, faking symptoms to get a prescription, using it to heighten the capacity to study rather than to control ADHD symptoms, and taking more than the recommended dosages all constitute as abuse