Adderall: College Students' Best Friend-- Or Worst Enemy??
Attention deficit hyperactive disorder is a neurologically based behavioral disorder that afflicts children and adults alike (1). Characterized by inability to pay attention, hyperactivity, and impulsive actions, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, or ADHD for short, this disorder has become a popular diagnosis for students who claim that they are unable to concentrate or focus on their studies (2). Much research has been done in recent years regarding ADHD, its neurological basis in the brain, and how to treat it effectively (1). Many prescription drugs have been released onto the market that effectively target the levels of certain hormones which in turn enable one to counteract the symptoms of ADHD (3).
However, drugs such as Adderall, which were developed solely for those properly diagnosed with the disorder, are beginning to be used recreationally by those whom admit to not having ADHD, but either find that they perform better with its aid or simply enjoy the high of the prescription drug (4). What does this mean for college students? Is recreational use of this drug dangerous physically? Mentally? Does the use of Adderall by those not diagnosed with pose the threat of an addiction? Is an addiction to a drug that seems to make you more efficient a bad thing?
To begin to answer these questions and more, one must understand a few of the basics of the neurobiology behind the disorder ADHD and the science behind drugs that treat it. Like many neurologically based disorders, scientists are not 100% sure of all of the complicated functions that play a role (1). However, by using state of the art brain imaging techniques, several studies have deduced that brains afflicted with ADHD malfunction in the frontal cortex (1). The frontal cortex is involved with primarily executive functions like reasoning, planning, focusing, and problem solving (1). It is in this part of the brain that dopamine, an important neurotransmitter, has been found to be deficient. Without proper concentrations of dopamine in the frontal cortex, these executive functions suffer (5).
To treat this disorder, prescription drugs like Adderall may be prescribed to patients. Adderall is a cocktail of several active ingredients that include amphetamine salts, an active ingredient in many ADHD medications. These amphetamines are thought to treat ADHD by blocking the reuptake of dopamine from the neural synapses and increasing the uptake into subsequent neurons. The increased dopamine flow in the frontal cortex then allows the brain to carry on its executive functions as a normal brain would, thus counteracting the effects of ADHD (6). But what happens when a brain whose executive functions work properly is treated with such a powerful stimulant?
The answer to this question lies in the 1 in 5 college students that admit to using this drug and not having ADHD (7). Why? Athletes have steroids, depressives have “happy-pills”, and those who wish to do it all, and do it fast, have Adderall. A person with a perfectly normal, functioning frontal cortex and dopamine levels will experience a heightened sense of motivation, focus, and concentration. Presumably this is the perfect mood to pull all-nighters, read hundreds of pages at a time, and write pages and pages of that final paper (8). “I didn't feel like I was becoming smarter or even like I was thinking more clearly. I just felt more directed, less distracted by rogue thoughts, less day-dreamy (7),” states Joshua Foer, a journalist who, after consulting many doctors, decided to try Adderall for himself. “I felt like I was clearing away underbrush that had been obscuring my true capabilities (7).” Before performing his experiment, Foer discussed his decision with psychiatrists who informed him, to his surprise, that when taken in small doses, irregularly, with or without a prescription, Adderall is most likely harmless (7). Other scientists beg to differ, and it is these accounts that are of particular interest.
The general consensus is that stimulant amphetamines like Adderall do indeed increase performance in those that do and do not have properly diagnosed ADHD. The promise of a better GPA with less effort is promise enough for college students across the board to obtain Adderall by any means necessary. Many students admit to actually seeing doctors and purposefully exaggerating symptoms of ADHD to acquire medication. Others simply pop a generously donated pill from their pals (8). The danger lies in the possibility of dependence and the rarely considered effect of the drug on those that have preexisting medical problems that can deteriorate with prolonged use (8).
Since many students assert that they use Adderall only for studying for large tests and completing important assignments, the risk of dependency is high. “I don’t think I’m addicted…..I just can’t imagine not taking it (8),” says student Susan. Says student Steve: “I attend a major university….I take two pills when I have a ton of work to do….Without Adderall I failed one class….I began to take Adderall again and saw a huge improvement (9).” The long term effects of using Adderall in this manner are relatively unknown, however it is well known that those that use amphetamines in larger doses by snorting or inhaling can very well be diagnosed with addiction. Just one example of an amphetamine of this nature is speed (10).
Other side effects of this drug include being irritable while under the influence (8) and feeling as though one’s creativity has been stifled in the name of creating order out of disorder and doing the one task at hand (7). “These medications allow you to be more structured and more rigid. That's the opposite of the impulsivity of creativity,” says Dr. Heiligenstein of the University of Wisconsin (7). Is this just a small price to pay for an “A?” Can one sacrifice their creativity for a few hours in the name of passing Chemistry?
There is even more to this issue than menacing side effects, however. What is it about academics today that have students popping pills to succeed? And is it fair? Athletes that use steroids are kicked off their sports teams because they are assumed to have an unfair advantage—so isn’t this the same general principle? Many students, especially those that actually suffer from ADHD reply “Yes.” “It’s the kind of medication that can help anyone,” says ADHD afflicted student Josie, “For people with ADD, it just makes them normal, and for people without ADD, it makes them above average. If both me and someone without ADD were both on Adderall, I could never outdo them (8).”
So, as a stressed out college student striving to succeed in school and boost my GPA, I sit here wondering how much faster and more efficiently I could have written this paper had I been taking Adderall. A nagging suspicion tells me that yes, maybe I would have finished before 2 am. Maybe I would have stopping pausing to check my e-mail and Facebook. But my gut tells me that this is the wrong thing to do. Not being afflicted with ADHD, I do not have a good reason to take a pill to succeed other than to counteract my own inability to “get down to business”, as they say. My motivation for writing this paper was to find out whether or not unprescribed use of Adderall was dangerous. It appears that though it is not. The risk of dependency, however, is real, and can be seen in those students that can no longer finish assignments without the help of this drug. My question now is whether or not it is morally correct for college students to continue taking this drug as a stimulant—a question that is up to the reader to decide for his or herself.
Works Cited List
1. http://www.adhd.org.nz/neuro1.html
2. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/adhd.cfm
3. http://www.adderallxr.com/about_adderallxr/about-works.asp
4. http://www.adrugrecall.com/news/adderall-abuse.html
5. http://www.med.yale.edu/chldstdy/plomdevelop/genetics/01febgen.htm
6. http://www.answers.com/topic/adderall
7. http://www.slate.com/id/2118315
8. http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/ohe/library/drugs/adderall.htm
9. http://www.thecitycollegian.com/artman/publish/article_409.shtml
10. http://amphetamines.com/adderall/classroom.html
Comments
scared parent
just recently found out my son has been using this drug illegally for 2 years, scares the hell out of me and saddens me to no end , he was always a straight A student until he started using these pills and he became so anxious he started using pot to combat the anxiety . He has now lost out on two engineering internships because of drug testing with weed and amphetamines in his body, He doesnt think he can do any homework without taking pills which is so freaking pathetic, how is he going to function in the world, now in order to get off the pot for anxiety he is on benzo's and anti-depressants which i read are godawful to withdraw from, and he is dropping engineering and changing his major after 3 years of college,not to mention the alcohol abuse that is taking place so that he can sleep and be numb to the stress, as a parent this is a total nightmare and it makes me sick to read all of the other dependent kids on this damn drug, School has always been tough anything worth anything is tough but to get your body and mind so addicted to something is just a sad pathetic existence . Adderall and pot have messed up my kid so bad I dont know if he will ever get his life in order, and all i cand do is pray he doesnt die from the mix of chemicals that are constantly going into his body, this really is a sick twisted drug that can ruin your life
AGREE WITH SCARED PARENT!
I really agree totally with you... I sense that same feeling about adderrall..... Personal life has been crazy worrying about my son who was diagnosed with ADHD in 2nd grade and the schools would have loved him on the meds. but i didn't do it. When he turned 16 and almost failed i let him decide if he wanted to take it and he did... He took it and did great in school. While in grammar school they would say that they usually turn to drugs if nothing is done. Well, he graduated from high school did a semester of college and dropped out but is working now. He told me he hated how he felt on Adderrall and he is so glad he wasn't on it when he was in elementary school... I just can't help think of how the school was so wrong suggesting for him to see his dr. for help... I sent him to get tutored in reading and even though i paid alot for it i don't regret doing that instead of the meds... But now i too feel that Adderall and other meds are soo dangerous for our children. They forget, can't sleep, and end up on depression medicine too...I see and hear sooooooo much of the same comments now... My daughter is in college and she said she has ADD and the dr. gave it to her without any problem and i trusted it. well she is on depression med. now.. I CANT BELIEVE IT... I am still trying to find an answer to my wondering about the adderall doing that to her... She couldn't sleep and was depressed... shocked the hell out of me... we are a close family, and have been here for my family all the time... Still wondering will she ever be off those meds now for depression....I HATE IT... Well we shall see ...It's only been a month now since she has been on it, and i hope she can wean off the meds and deal with life again the way she used to in high school... Now she also said she would forget alot and that never was her before.. and then she wasnt sleeping. she never told me till she took a leave of absence from college and asked me to please let her talk to a psychologist. so i did that for her because she pleaded for me to do so... I wanted her to tallk to me but she said she needed to speak to a professional.. It was so hard for me to understand but i did it and she was told it was depression. That blew my mind when she told me ...So this is all that happened and I am still hoping she can be ok without the help of meds... UGH>>>>>> what can we do to stop all the medicines our kids are taking to be able to be a success in college.. It's a nightmare. thanks // i needed to speak out...
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update on my son
well some time has passed now and as far as I know my son is not taking Adderall anymore, he claims he isnt smoking pot either but I am not completly convinced that is the case, he is still on two antidepressants and is going to the psychiatrist every 6 weeks or so, he has never been diagnosed with depression as far as I know but he believes he needs these drugs to help with anxiety still. He is planning on going back to school in the fall but not to finish his engineering degree now he is switching to a special studies degree which is pretty generic but at least he is planning on getting a degree for a while he was considering dropping out of school altogether, He is going to be a father in a few weeks so that will add a new dimension to everything, He has a steady job too so all in all he is going in the right direction. I think that Doctors need to be more careful about giving out Adderall like its no big deal because it takes away these kids confidence in their own God given abilities and teaches them to rely on drugs instead of learning how to cope with life, Good luck with your daughter and I really hope this trend changes because its awful watching your kids go through this!
I am an 18 year old college
I am an 18 year old college student in the same position as your son. Get him a prescription for it and make him stop smoking weed and you will be impressed at exactly how successful your son will turn out. I take adderall and have a 3.5 gpa at university of Washington and I smoke weed every day. He will be fine just make sure he doesn't turn to meth amphetamine or cocaine when he cant get adderall anymore. All those drugs are stimulants and adderall is the only on that wont harm your son
What you should do as a parent
I don't think that you should blame the Adderall for your son's problem and on that note, blame Adderall for getting him addicted to other drugs. Also marijuana is not an addictive substance and so if your son is addicted that means he just has an addictive personality or he is psychologically depressed. Personally, I use both, marijuana and adderall, but i don't NEED them. I go to a very competitive high school so it is obviously very stressful but that is not the reason I smoke pot, i do it to have fun at parties and such. As for adderall, i use it if i have homework in all 8 of my classes so i know nothing can distract me while i try to finish my work or during big exams, but either way i get them finished. Obviously everyone reacts differently to drugs but it is not the drugs that are the problem, it is the people using them. For example some people nothing happens and for others like me it works when i need it, but for people like your son, they develop a dependence on drugs and are stuck in a really bad corner. I for one cant imagine how awful it would be to be in that corner, but you cannot say it is pathetic for him to depend on Adderall to do his homework because you need to put yourself in his shoes and understand how it feels to be stuck in the corner that he is in. And as for "praying" for him to get better, that's not going to work out. What you need to do as a parent is EMPATHIZE and ask him what he wants and needs. You need to get to the roots of his addiction and try to find a way for him to get clean, and if not clean, at least try to get him to control his use of Adderall. I, for one, can control it and it helps me get my work done so i can enjoy life. Even though i'm only 17, i have parents and they do not empathize and look at what i'm going through in my shoes and just jump to conclusions like you. So if you could take more time to understand why your son is going through these problems you would be able to properly handle it so be calm and know your son can be helped, instead of praying and blaming the drug.
your advice
I have been empathetic , the thing you dont understand is the side effects of this drug , you might think you have it under control but it can really screw your life up, I still believe it is a horrible thing when someone who has always been a great student feels like he cant function anymore in his classes unless he takes a drug . Life can be very difficult and stressful but turning to pills in any form just isnt the answer or any other chemical . My son is still taking antidepressants which he probably doesnt need but is addicted too at this point. Nothing I can do to help him right now he is 21 years old and has to work this out on his own but I still worry , as a parent you never stop worrying about your kids . There will always be pressures and ups and downs in life , turning to drugs or alcohol is never the right answer. They need to teach kids coping mechanisms . Adderall is a terrible drug that seems to be causing alot of kids longterm problems. Your only 17, you say you dont need adderall but I wonder how long it will be before you think you do need it, eventually you probably will feel that way if you keep taking it, its not worth it , I hope that you learn to have enough confidence in your own abilities that you dont feel the need to turn to a drug that has and is causing major problems for numerous families
I love this post because; you
I love this post because; you are so dead-on and right. My mom doesn't seem to care that much or isn't bothered by it so I'm struggling through this on my own and after reading your comment I feel I deserve to be fussed at.
I share the same story as your son with the Adderall and weed. I lived that life, switching majors and lack of direction, but here's a success story...I graduated college! It took 7 years but I finally did it in Dec11.
But here'e the true unsuccessful story... A year after I started college and already discovered my 2 new drugs (adds and weed), I became pregnant. I ended up a single mom and everything along the way but when I was pregnant I easily got off the 2 drugs, no problem and I felt great. However, when my daughter turned 6 weeks old, I went back to school and back to the same unhealthy behaviors. So for the last four years I have been just like your son. I couldn’t study without it or function and I had to smoke weed to counteract the chemical imbalance I created. And now after 7 years of this crap, I can't seem to stop. I am a mother and soon to be a professional so I will change. I have to change; even my health is in bad shape. I can just feel it throughout my body. So, I went in to see my doctor.. He wanted to put me on an anti-depressant but I told him, "No way"! I'm not going to substitute one drug dependency for another. I've turned to God and I'm searching so I’ll let you know what works once I find it!
I'm sorry to hear about your troubles. You have every right to be worried and upset.
And thank you for caring
just to add..its not the
just to add..its not the "pot"...id say its the speed that is fuggn up your sons life. ..if anything cannabis can ease all that those rx meds he is taking does...and its natural.
Your son clearly has much
Your son clearly has much bigger issues than Adderall.
The only "pathetic" thing
The only "pathetic" thing here is the way you paint our own son. But he is an idiot to think pot alleviates anxiety, because it is a stimulant.
cannabis...a stimulant??!..
cannabis...a stimulant??!.. please kno what you are saying before you think your are right. cannabis is either sativa, indica, or a hybrid of both. granted..sativas are generally speedier.Its mos def not a stimulant.
you dont have it quite right either pal
all cannibis is sativa AND indica, they just vary on the "ratio" so to speak of either one. So one strand can be more indica or sativa, but never can it truly be only indica or sativa.
But that is besides the point, which is that adderall sucks and has the ability to turn healthy functional kids into anxious overworked time-bombs. Don't do it. i just tried that ginkgo biloba that another guest suggested and i think it works better and is actually ADVISED by DOCTORS to do it DAILY for a HEALTHY brain supplement.
What saddens me is that you
What saddens me is that you keep referring to your son as "pathetic". Also, you're going to have to do more than just "pray" about this. Amphetamines are incredibly addictive and he needs your help. In fact, you are very lucky that you caught him. I hid my addiction from my friends and family for years until I came begging for help because I had hit rock bottom pretty hard. Lost my fiance, job, RN license, neglected all my responsibilities...etc. I advise sitting down with him and discussing it like two adults and refrain from using words like pathetic.
You're AWESOME!
You'll make a great parent someday if you're not already :-)
I started to take it, and I
I started to take it, and I got OCD and couldnt stop.ceverything had to be clean, from my hair to my bed being made to the house being clean, and Im still at home, I also started to pop my black heads or pull out in grown hairs If I was stressed, I had to stop, people thought I was cutting my self, in a way I was hurting my self, so I stopped and it's been a very long time since I had an anexity attack or had to pop a pimple
...
I'm predicting major brain and neurological problems with the people that are routinely taking this medication by the time they're in their thirties. You people honestly don't expect that a major neuro-stimulant such as Adderall - which sends you to an altered state of conscience - won't eventually degenerate your natural brain processes and impede your long term spatial abilities, do you?
You'll start seeing these results soon.
Mild dementia, short-term memory problems, etc.
Not to mention Alzheimer's too!
If you're in college and you can't get by without a damn drug (unless you medically need it), then you're possibly an idiot and shouldn't be in college at all.
I don't have ADD or ADHD, but I'm as distracted as a person can get.
I can barely focus, concentrate and do things on time.
But dammit, when I feel the pressure coming on of a next day Organic Chemistry test and I haven't studied at all, then I can channel all that energy and focus into truly studying, and can do pretty much just amazing on that and any test.
The cost of this, of course, is that I have no guarantees about how well I'll actually do, I'll be scared shitless, and I will have a massive undertaking of stress during and before the exam.
I bet a lot of other people have trouble with this, but hey -- the whole point of college is learning to make do with what you have and wholesomely adapting yourself to the situations around you. Had I taken Adderall beforehand, I would just rely on it and not learn REAL problem-solving skills and discipline - which is to say, solid study behaviors and academic responsibility -, both of which are heavily sought after in the working industry and both of which I am now learning to integrate into my daily life.
Your my hero
First your predictions remind me of the myan calendar. Where are your facts? Alzimers dimentia short term memory problems?
You seem to need it more than anyone else on this site. Who cares what you did or how you did it. Let me dumb it down for you so you understand. All brains are different. If I have troube reading, concentrating,focusing. And most people can. That means I'm malfunctioning and need assistance. So take the drug if you need it or it makes you better. Some people are going to have bad reactions to it.
Re serendib visitor
So basicly you want to do things natrually, great for you. Should you get on the internet and offend others that either take it by choice, or are prescribed the drug? I dont remember electing you to any throne so stop looking down at others. Is anyone forcing you to take a drug? Nope? It is my understanding that your pissed because people who do take adderall justdo better than you, at everything. Here's the funny part. It doesnt enhance intelligence or preformance, it just gives a better focus and drive to do what an individual can already do. Sucks to suck.
i hate people like you
I hate people like you much more than I hate having to study without Adderall. Thanks for your prediction, I am sure that you did a lot of research and it took you a while to make it. Your statement "If you're in college and you can't get by without a damn drug (unless you medically need it), then you're possibly an idiot and shouldn't be in college at all" really intrigues me and makes me question whose really the idiot here. If this decision was up to you we would probably have around a total of 12 people nationally attending college. I don't know what world you live in, but it seems very very sad. I live with a "Whatever it takes" kind of mentality, more or less "If you're not cheating you're not trying." Lucky for me, I am my own person and don't need or even remotely care about what people like you think of me. I am honestly more upset when I need to take a poop, but realize that I need to make the additional effort to put down the toilet seat, than someone who judges others based on their picture-perfect, non-risk taking, uninteresting, lame, and brainwashed mind. Go change society Mother Theresa, and then maybe I will respect you more than my pet hamster. At the end of the day, aside from me more than likely already being more intelligent than you, I am now also as, if not more, motivated than you. Sucks to suck:P
"I overcome my natural
"I overcome my natural inability to focus by just studying anyway and then doing amazing on any test and also I am positive that amphetamine will cause memory loss and dementia because any mind-altering drug does this" <- what you just said
Not just scientifically invalid but also untrue and completely uneducated. Nobody "medically needs" it in the same way that nobody medically needs fluoxetine. There is a gradient of dopaminergic activity and amphetamine will affect people all along that gradient. It's also a relatively safe drug, much more so than, say, alcohol. But I used both (and many others) through college and did just fine. Don't need your trite drug lectures.
This is to help those who
This is to help those who decide to take adderall for whatever purpose.
I have been taking adderall since I was introduced to it as a freshman in college, I am now a senior set to graduate in may, and have figured out how to make it most effective without any type of crash. First, take adderall after eating until you are stuffed, and eat mostly proteins or complex carbs that take your body a long time to digest. This is because your heart beat will be accellerated, causing you to digest food much faster than normally. The reason that you crash when the adderall wears off is because you're body is being forced to work much harder and if you dont have fuel in the form of food in your stomach, you will be buying that energy on credit which you pay back when the drug wears, causing you to have no energy. In addition, adderall will kill your appetite so you won't feel like eating after you have ingested it. Second, do not drink caffeine or alcohol while on adderall, instead drink water, and juice or lemonade (anything non carbonated with sugar). This is because adderall dehydrates you, giving you a headache similar to a hangover unless you are pumping water into your system faster than you are burning it up or pissing it out. Drinking juice or sugary non carbonated liquids heightens the experience because it gives your body more calories to burn without dehydrating you. Third, take a dosage that will wear off before you plan to sleep. If you time it correctly, 5 hours of sleep after coming off of adderall will feel like 10 hours of sleep normally and you will wake up more energized than when you went to bed. I usually take a 30 mg tablet, break it in half, and take half of it after eatting a breakfast of 4 or 5 scrambled eggs, and half after eating lunch. Before bed, I eat yogurt or something with protein so that my body has something to digest to recover from the day. The next day I feel great with no crash or headache and I can do it all over again. Doing this also minimizes weight loss and gives you plenty of energy without getting jittery. You can up the dosage as long as you give your body plenty of food and water and you should never have a crash. This is a far better drug than caffeine, you just have to know how to use it. As for heart problems, I don't see how this drug can cause them any more than being over physically active can. So have fun.
So I took one concerta pill
So I took one concerta pill on an empty stomach. If you don know concerta is a slow release pill that's is a stronger verison of adderol. Now don't get me wrong . I could be wrong. But I want to hear the criticism. Now I took one and subsequiently smoked a bowl of pot . That calmed the jitters. I felt relaxed and focused. And trust me I never got that fro the biggest or most concentrated monster that I used to take daily. But when I came down from my high after eating. My pot high that is. I thought I was safe to take mysecond one at lik 7ish at night. That was a bad idea bc its 5 am and I'm still up.
Now ur advice on eating and hydrating sounds solid. The problem with people who get it illegaly is the only directions they have is to take it.
But if more people knew how to take it correctly (ok here comes the opinion)
There would be less (depending on the person) dependency cases because there wouldn't be the crashes that hinder u from getting up
Now everyones different and this may not apply. Tonight I tried it to stay up to try and get myself on a school schedule.
That didn't work but it was fun. Now that's uve people scared me. I don't think ill take it again.
Just one question that does apply
Are the risks worth the reward.
Now I don't know everything and this was my first time evr taking it
So I may be wrong. But all drugs have side effects even more so if taken incorrectly
I strongly reccommend not lying to drs. Or parent or anyone about it
And if u can't live with out it ( if your not perscribed it for add)
Then u should consulate a dr. And tell them ur not depressed you are addicted to it
And even in some cases drs. Take patients off it after prolonged use. If they feel its not need anymore. So if your kids on it and your scared talk yo a dr. About if your child will er be able to slowly ween off of it.
And also u should never call your child pathetic no matter how old because clearly caught earlier it could have been a lot easier.
"As for heart problems, I
"As for heart problems, I don't see how this drug can cause them any more than being over physically active can"
beside the fact that adderall is legal speed..just a tad bit more dangerous. Not to judge though (i have adhd)
i took adhd tablets and i had
i took adhd tablets and i had problems with it. im not adhd and i couldnt sleep. my anexity went soo bad i couldnt stop shankin and i couldnt stopm cleaning. its bad..
I think the biggest problem
I think the biggest problem with people who do not have ADH/D that fake symptoms to get the perscription, at least in my area at the moment, is that there is currently a shortage of Adderall which they are only unnecessarily contributing to. I had to check over 5 pharmacies in the area before I could find one that had my perscription of generic Adderal in stock. I was suprised to find any at all after one of the pharmacies told me that it was highly unlikely that I would find any Adderall available at all in the area due to the shortage that has been apparently present over the past few months.
Addieerall
Great article, I am finding that adderall is just too tough on my system. Ritalin doesn't really do much for me. I take a natural supplement called AddieUP which has stimulants and nootropics and it works well for me.
Biased article
This article is one of the MOST biased pieces I have ever seen. The way they begin to the end is obviously geared toward some motive. It's completley uneducated and very annoying if you ask me.
this essay
this essay is persuasive, its supposed to be biased
honestly
people should have the option to get this shit for lack of motivation. But I know plenty of ppl who are smart but they're so over worked and occupied with like 2 jobs trying to survive that they need this drug to stay up during class and to stay up to do assignments. Its not just a lack of motivation its harking back to the days when truckers used to use speed to make a living its just a way to keep going in this rat race. Point is don't blame the substance when there are too many factors pushing ppl toward it. That's like blaming guns for murder.
last comment on this topic
last comment on this topic ..promise ha.. but i really think that's one of the dumbest reasons why someone should take adderall. Its a amphetamine..related the meth..and has serious side effects. someone like me who actually has adhd. i get mad to see people tink they deserve to take it. we struggle enough with adderall let alone trying to function without...sadly adderall will be the next oxycodone IMO...and will be getting nothing but bad things said about. because so many people not prescribed it are taking it as a coke sub, selling it, abusing it...etc..
Agreed
I took it for the first time today because my school work is just too much. I am a very intelligent young man but I am stressed out of my ears and was almost able to bring myself to tears, having two jobs myself, and attending school is almost impossible for me. I took adderrall today, it was the first time I was able to study, go to class, and pass a test with a straight A in a long time. SO in short I agree with you 100 percent.
I do agree that adderall
I do agree that adderall dependancy is a negative and dangerious thing in todays society, but also one must consider what todays society damands. Now adays the demand from society on the individual person is higher than ever, with college studings having 5 different 20 page papers to due within a week + the reaserach required to do it, or the fact that people now have to work 2-3 jobs just to make it by. Today the damand for output per person is higher than it was 5 years ago, 10 years go, even 100 years ago. This requires the average person to be actively ingaged in continues mental work. I believe that the human body hasnt developed enough inorder to meet the demands of soceity, on a biological perspective. The human body needs sleep, rest, exercise, and needs to be given mental and physical breaks multiple times on a daily basis. Also another very important factor to consider is the amount of distractions every individual must face everyday. Everyone has to keep up with 2-3 different e mail addresses, cell phone calls, text messages, facebook messages and post, myspace, twitter, skype, tv, radio, news papers, i pods,video games, etc. Compaired to 100 years ago the number of distractions every person must face has increased dramatically. I believe that sociey has advanced faster then alot of people can keep up with, so in order to be redirected, increase focuse, and to meet the extremely and usually unfair demands society has placed on the average person adderall is taken. I dont believe that it is the fault of the individual for not staying focused, but the fact that society moves so fast that inorder to keep up with speed people turn to adderall. If it helps one successed in a world that runs/promotes/ and rewards the success of the few and the failure of many then i dont see a problem. But if the individual is selling adderall on the streets, is abusing it, using it just to get high, or has it for a negative factor then the individual should be punished.
More B.S. excuses. The human
More B.S. excuses. The human body is just fine. Stress is normal. If you're doing too much, cut back and live with less. Learn to live without abusing drugs or without your self-respect. It's an either-or choice.
ok...adderall is scary imo.
ok...adderall is scary imo. its turning our generation into some super human bots (at least people without adhd) mmmm utopian society anyone????
I'm thinking about taking
I'm thinking about taking adderall for a 8 page final paper on about a 300 page book I have not read that need to be done 2 days from now. I should actually be working on it right now.
When it comes down to it, this is your future we are talking about here. It's the difference between an F and a D, D and a C, B and an A. That one assignment could be the difference between you graduating with a master's degree and getting a promising career, and you dropping out and working a dead end job. When you find yourself falling behind and you are really out of conventional options, you need to turn to something else. And even though I'm not in that dire of a situation, I'm gonna go to some sources and get a dose or two of adderall.
If you take it in a controlled matter, side affects will be minimum. I can't speak of this through personal experience, but i know others can and I know people who take it without having ADD / ADHD and they've said it helps them power through their work efficiently. I take their word for it.
Conventional Options
Everyone had the same conventional options in the beginning - a syllabus and time. To take adderall and finish that test will remedy an isolated incident. Your true problem is what got you to this point. Avoiding your work is an issue that may not get resolved if treated with bouts of substance abuse. I believe adderall abuse unintentionally promotes poor study habits. In your case, you admit to not being in "that dire of a situation." but still insist on using.
if you fail then you
if you fail then you shouldn't earn your masters because you do not have what it takes to get the masters. therefore you are not qualified for the job you hope to posses after "passing" and will most likely get fired, demoted, or not get a promotion in the future.
So if I'm really good at
So if I'm really good at math, and all my engineering classes but I fail an ENGLISH or FRENCH or HISTORY class your telling me I'm not qualified to become an engineer because I cant pass a language based class or History which in most cases has absolutely nothing to do with the degree I'm going for and really only there for a "generalized knowledge base" and to give the school more money...? Your logic seems to have a few holes in it. Personally I feel like the whole world should be giving adderall prescriptions in small doses say a 10-15mg xr and told to take 1 pill each morning. I feel like a lot more would get done, especially at the DMV.
or you could put some work
or you could put some work and actually learn something outside of your strengths. isn't that what college is for
WOW
Out of conventional options? STOP READING THIS PAPER AND DO YOUR OWN! YOU'RE PROCRASTINATING! ALL PEOPLE WHO USE ADDERALL WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION ARE CHRONIC PROCRASTINATORS. JUST STOP LOOKING AT FACEBOOK AND SHIT AND GET GOING. You only have you to blame, don't start using a crutch and blame it on your brain. Just do your shit. LIKE IT'S BEEN DONE FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS! The most brilliant people in the world who invented what your having to write your "hard" 8 page paper DIDN'T USE ADDERALL.
i love what you posted :)
i love what you posted :)
The most brilliant people
The most brilliant people probably weren't in the same situations as a lot of individuals are today. What happens when mommy and daddy don't fund your education? I work a full time job, a part time job, have a 3 year old and I am a full time student. Trust me, the cause of my work getting pushed off to the last minute definitely do not include laziness and lack of motivation. I work my ass off to eventually be able to provide my son with a better life.
RE: WOW
No, didn't use Aderall; they used cocaine. Stop being so judgmental and naive.
Yeah really, drugs were way
Yeah really, drugs were way less controlled if they were at all even twenty to thirty years ago (Coca-cola used to contain coca leaves which is what you get cocaine from). The world we live in today is much different than it used to be. Information travels fast and around the world in an instant. People have to follow a strict set of rules set by society that limit options of creativity, and innovative thinking. Anyone who is not within the top 1% of wage earners are slaves to them and their country's government officials rules. These rules coupled with media control make up a deadly concauction which limits innovative thinking, creativity, peoples actions in general (Overthrowing oppressive government is pretty impossible in the U.S.) and brainwashes people to think the way they want them to. So, congratulations. This perception of drugs/substances is exactly what keeps the rich/corrupt in power. You are a brainwashed dog.
Yeah, you're right.
Yeah, you're right. Everything's different now. The old rules and "morality" are so outdated, they just don't apply anymore! Who needs to live a natural, drug-free life, anyway? Why bother to try? Everybody's doing it! My mommy and daddy weren't rich and didn't pay for my college, so I have to work, boo hoo...
I have news for you. Some of us didn't have a free ride to college either, but we somehow managed to get through college and graduate school with high grades with nothing more than.... a healthy lifestyle, discipline, and hard work.
We also took precautions against unplanned pregnancy, which would have (obviously) presented major challenges.
I bet you can do it, too.
Several months ago I took
Several months ago I took adderall simply because I was bored and someone gave me a ton of it. I would take about two-three 20mg pills a day and found that if I so much as glanced at the television I'd be unable to look away for hours. after about five days I realized it was making me much less efficient and immediately quit. One of my friends gave me a couple of 10mg pills a few days ago. I then took only half of one this morning before going to school (as my usually work ethic involves sleeping) to see how it would effect me, if at all, and found that only 5mg improved my motivation, it actually made me enjoy school pretty much. I finished half of a four page essay that I hadn't started on in about 30 minutes, fluently using vocabulary that typically takes me five to ten minutes to think of. This was outrageous to me because I normally struggle to write an essay at all. I was twice as fast in math, completed my social studies project, paid attention in French, and considering my class is so slow in biology I drew an awesome picture on my desk. I believe that in times of necessity it can be incredibly useful but overuse can have the opposite effects from my experience.
simply agreed
simply agreed
College Freshman
So I had never even considered doing adderall until about a month ago when I realized how much needs to be done before finals. I worked extremely hard to get most of it done but now finals will be here next week and this afternoon I decided to take a 30mg pill for the first time to help me keep up and stay on track with studying and writing papers. I don't think it is as helpful as everyone says and I don't think it's anything worth getting addicted to, I mean maybe I did it wrong. My productivity level with my paper was pretty high compared to the usual, but I never even finished the paper or moved on to the other studying I was trying to get completed because the second the effects decreased by a lot I couldn't bring myself to even look at that word document. I only felt the full effect of the drug for about 5 hours but in those 5 hours I spent a lot of time focusing on nothing but texting my friends or mindlessly browsing the web, then I'd go back to my paper and write intently and productively for about a half hour, then my mind would go back to wandering. I feel like I could have accomplished that same amount without the drug and have been less emotionally drained when the peak started to go away. Now I'm left with a killer headache, feeling like I've been hit by a bus, unable to sleep, thinking I could be doing more now if I wasn't so forcibly drained.
For those who say it saved their grades, I wish I could say the same, but I think I'll just stick with studying without the drug.
Really?
What the hell are you guys talking about? honestly its all about how much self control you have, sure drugs do influence you, but with me, i DONT have ADHD or anything actually, im perfectly clear of any medical conditions, do i take it? yes i do, its having that motivation even before taking adderall, you have to take advantage of the effects and have enough control to realize that everything IS fine, the ONLY problem that i have experienced is the fact that i fucking cant fuck my girlfriend when im on it.... but its okay because i have viagra for that LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL IM JUST KIDDING... about the viagra part but no its a bitch explaining to her that its not because shes ugly (sdsu cheerleader) <--- hot. I work 40 hours a week, take 16 units, without adderall i worked 40 hours a week and took 16 units... same shit, only difference is the fact that i get so much more done in 1 day, dont waste time when you're on it. The entire POINT IS to have the benefits exceed the cost... lol cmon guys econ 120, zzz.
Addies
Hey man, I was wondering if you could hook me up with some.
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