Bryce Mason Speidel English 131 21 November 2011

The Misuse of Adderall

Drug abuse in college has become a huge problem. First, Teens or young adults may need a drug to help them sleep. Second, others may need to lose some weight. Last, many say that Adderall is completely harmless and has no long lasting effects. This drug has become a widely used drug in many colleges due to its ability to be easily obtained. Adderall is a prescription drug commonly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

(UXL Encyclopedia of Drugs and Addictive Substances, 2006, Paragraph 4) It was used to treat
obesity, fatigue or depression until different uses of the drug were revealed. These types of pills have become extremely easy for college students to come upon. Many people have been diagnosed with ADHD in the U.S. making it easier for non prescribers to get. The medicine increases dopamine levels in the brain and this is how the user obtains an addiction if not prescribed. ADHD medicine is closely related to cocaine and can cause a major addiction if misused or abused. Due to it being a very cheap drug is a reason why many are getting a hold of it and using it. (Twohey, 2011 Paragraph 7) Students are able to obtain the prescription drug from their peers who have been diagnosed with ADHD. Drug abuse then takes effect. The pill has the effect on a person to stay awake and zone in to what they need to accomplish. It calms the user down and helps them to concentrate on the task that needs completed. It is also used for partying at college to stay awake for hours. Alcohol and Adderall shouldnt be mixed just like any other drug because one is a depressant and the other is a stimulant.

Doing this can put the users heart in a state of shock causing a heart attack or even death because the user is telling their body to do two different things at once. It is said that pilots took Adderall in World War II so they could stay alert and awake. This is a hard point to argue because war does take a lot out of soldiers but they still shouldnt be permitted to abuse drugs. Students could easily defend themselves by bringing this point up if they were to get caught abusing Adderall. Generals or higher ups had to be aware of the drug being used during combat. Does that mean that the U.S. was supplying it for them? (Twohery, 2011 Paragraph 11) People have also been known to take the pill to cut some weight down. When under the influence of Adderall a huge loss of appetite is experienced. This can definitely increase the misuse of the pill for people that are overweight and want a simple way to shed some pounds. It requires no working out or dieting to lose weight if using this pill which is why many pop it or take it. Even though it is illegal people take the drug with no prescription just to look good or slim down. Doing this can cause people to lose weight in a way that isnt natural and can cause result in bad consequences. (Twohery, 2011 Paragraph 10) People need to realize the effects that this drug can cause. Scientists are unaware of the long term effects of the drug because it is relatively new. Due to its relation with cocaine it doesnt seem as if the effects will be good in the long run. When people say it is harmless they should do research on it and find out that it is highly addictive. It is very harmful to put your body in these conditions especially if used with alcohol at a party or club. When your heart is racing already and you do things to make it beat even faster it can cause cardiac arrest and heart attack risk is definitely increased. It is completely ignorant for students to use this drug just to complete an assignment or make a deadline. Students are very competitive and are willing to take these risks to get work done but they shouldnt. Balancing time effectively can cause prevention from taking ADHD medicine and wont cause possible long term effects. Sleeping is when the body is supposed to restore itself from the day and under the influence of Adderall

the user is unable to sleep. Lack of sleep can break the body down and everyday performance is lower than normal. There are many other alternatives to get a little bit of energy other than the illegal use of drugs. There are things like caffeine or nicotine the same time of buzz in a legal way (The Humanist, 2011 Paragraph 10). These alternatives provide a much safer outcome than Adderall offers. It is also legal to use these substitutes even if they increase focus or calm down people when they arent prescribed. Doctors also need to figure out a way to test people to see if they truly have the symptoms of ADHD and arent just faking the symptoms to get prescribed to the pill. This is why the drug has become increased in use because so many people have been enabled to get a simple prescription for it. Students need to be analyzed on their actions or characteristics to be certain that they are diagnosed correctly. This could definitely decrease the ability to obtain it due to less people have the chance to get it in a false way. Drug abuse should be more broadly spread in school systems at a younger age. This could help children at a young age learn that there are consequences with abusing drugs. Drug tests in school systems should be randomized to point out the students that are abusing drugs so that the user can be helped with their drug problem in the future. Doing so would enable the United States in the future to be a much better place. There are many problems in the world today that cant be completely fixed but drug abuse can, even if people are taking simple drugs such as Adderall. Even though Adderall isnt a known killer it has taken lives. It can take a persons life after the first time they try it if their body has a different reaction to it and is unable to cope with the new substance. People need sleep to excel in life. Partying gets people nowhere but behind on their studies which causes them to abuse drugs like this one. Put forth the effort and get motivated to complete an assignment or make a deadline without a substance in your system. To complete a challenge through hard work is much more satisfying than it would be to have to take something to help you work. Theres no need for drugs so dont go to a place where they can be encountered or are being used.

Works Cited
"Adderall Is a Dangerous, Addictive Drug" by Megan Twohey. Student Life. Karen Miller, Ed. Opposing Viewpoints Series. Greenhaven Press, 2011. Megan Twohey, (Twohey, 2011) "Adderall." UXL Encyclopedia of Drugs and Addictive Substances. Ed. Barbara C. Bigelow. Vol. 1. Detroit: UXL, 2006. 12-25. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 21 Nov. 2011. Swanson, David. "The small group of thoughtful, committed citizens has been drugged." The Humanist July-Aug. 2011: 9+. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 21 Nov. 2011.