Adderall is a prescription stimulant medication that is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and attention deficit disorder (ADD). It helps to increase your capacity to pay attention, stay focused, improve listening skills, and also to control behavioral issues in more problematic cases. In some instances, it is also used to treat sleeping disorders like narcolepsy to help patients stay awake throughout the day.
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College Students and Adderall Abuse
Adderall is often abused for studying in high school and college, but why is this so? Why is Adderall such a popular drug of choice for college students? According to a study done by NCBI:
The nonprescription use of stimulants has increased in this population, to the extent that the misuse of prescription stimulants is second only to marijuana as the most common form of illicit drug use among college students. According to a 2002 survey of a single US college, 35.5% of undergraduates reported using stimulants without a prescription.
Using Adderall without having ADHD is generally used as a “study aid”. Many young adults, such as those in college, try using this drug to get ahead in school to combat the pressures of higher education. Adderall can cause a person to stay awake for hours and hours, which is why young adults use this when they are studying or “cramming” for a test. They also use it to increase energy, memory, attention, and focus.
While this is true for people who are diagnosed with ADHD or ADD, those without these conditions experience the exact opposite and become even more unfocused and end up trying to focus on a thousand things at one time and it can even impair your memory performance. When you misuse Adderall you are moving faster than your mind’s capacity to even process what it is you are reading or doing. It is not very likely that Adderall will help you academically at all.
Effects of Adderall When Misused
Adderall has a whole mess of side effects when you use it unnecessarily. It also can cause long-lasting medical problems when it is abused. Some of the side effects of misuse of Adderall include:
- Anxiousness
- Hyperactivity
- Sleeplessness
- Decreased or non-existent appetite
- Increased heart rate
- Sweating
- Jittering
- Digestion issues
- Overtiredness
- Manic episodes
- Chest pain
- Headaches
- Seizures
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Irritability
Those who abuse Adderall for a long period may experience many unpleasant and potentially dangerous symptoms:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Inability to concentrate
- Depression
- Lack of motivation
- Lethargy
- Increased aggression
- Mood swings
- Panic attacks
- Unhealthy weight loss
- Tremors
- Paranoia
We are Here to Help with Adderall Addiction
If you or loved ones have an Adderall dependency or addiction, you can utilize one of the many treatment programs at Garden State Treatment Center. We offer many different treatment programs to meet your specific needs that provide therapeutic education and guidance for each individual to help them safely reintegrate into society. With the help of our team of therapists, we offer one on one, group therapy, as well as many other specialized options to fit each person’s needs. Addiction treatment requires a multi-layered approach for maximum success. We want to make sure you have the tools you need to avoid relapse in the real world.
Addiction isn’t an easy challenge to face, especially alone. Luckily you do not have to face it on your own. Our admissions counselors and addiction professionals are available around the clock. We are ready to help you or a loved one overcome the disease of addiction. Now is the time to change your life. Let us help you do it.
FAQ
Does adderall expire?