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Studying on Adderall can cause addiction
By: Tarah Hackman
Issue date: 8/30/06 Section: News
Although UA students illegally use Adderall to study, Campus Health Service officials warn the drug can be addicting and dangerous to their health.
Adderall, or Dextroamphetamine, is a stimulant meant to help people with Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, although students will sometimes abuse the drug to aid them in school, Campus Health officials said.
Adderall allows people with ADD and ADHD to operate at a normal level of functioning by boosting dopamine levels within the central nervous system, said Lynn Reyes, an alcohol and other drug prevention specialist for Campus Health.
The drug helps people with ADD or ADHD to better focus in school, and can fight the depression and social issues that sometimes correspond with ADD or ADHD, Reyes said.
Unfortunately, many students start to self-medicate themselves rather than seeking their physicians and begin to take the medication illegally to help them study for tests, said Kim Birmingham, Campus Health staff pharmacist.
Whether or not Campus Health is aware of the prominence of illegal Adderall use on campus, students are aware of its presence at the UA.
Nicole Lelevier-Joseph, a journalism and international studies sophomore, said many of her friends use Adderall to study.
"Supposedly, they can't study without it, and they say it makes them more driven," said Lelevier-Joseph. "If they want to do it and it helps them, they can do what they want, but I think it's a psychological addiction."
Birmingham said it is difficult for Campus Health to determine the severity of illegal Adderall use on campus because students don't normally admit to having a dependency on the drug.
The drug seems to be prevalent on campus, according to students, but Campus Health does not have data regarding the often-illegal uses of the medication.
"It (Adderall) can be addictive, but it's not something we see here at Campus Health. We don't really see people coming in with Adderall addictions," Reyes said.
Adderall, or Dextroamphetamine, is a stimulant meant to help people with Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, although students will sometimes abuse the drug to aid them in school, Campus Health officials said.
Adderall allows people with ADD and ADHD to operate at a normal level of functioning by boosting dopamine levels within the central nervous system, said Lynn Reyes, an alcohol and other drug prevention specialist for Campus Health.
The drug helps people with ADD or ADHD to better focus in school, and can fight the depression and social issues that sometimes correspond with ADD or ADHD, Reyes said.
Unfortunately, many students start to self-medicate themselves rather than seeking their physicians and begin to take the medication illegally to help them study for tests, said Kim Birmingham, Campus Health staff pharmacist.
Whether or not Campus Health is aware of the prominence of illegal Adderall use on campus, students are aware of its presence at the UA.
Nicole Lelevier-Joseph, a journalism and international studies sophomore, said many of her friends use Adderall to study.
"Supposedly, they can't study without it, and they say it makes them more driven," said Lelevier-Joseph. "If they want to do it and it helps them, they can do what they want, but I think it's a psychological addiction."
Birmingham said it is difficult for Campus Health to determine the severity of illegal Adderall use on campus because students don't normally admit to having a dependency on the drug.
The drug seems to be prevalent on campus, according to students, but Campus Health does not have data regarding the often-illegal uses of the medication.
"It (Adderall) can be addictive, but it's not something we see here at Campus Health. We don't really see people coming in with Adderall addictions," Reyes said.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 24
carina
posted 9/05/06 @ 4:52 PM PST
I don't really understand the point of the article. Is adderall dangerous if used recreationally? If so, how? How many college kids are worried about heart disease or thyroid, so why would this article concern them? Where are the kids getting the illegal sources and can something be done about this? In the end, it just sounds like grades will be boasted because of this drug and that there are no real signs of anyone having problems because of it. (Continued…)
jess
posted 9/15/06 @ 4:06 PM PST
I'm a college student and have a heart problem. It's not unheard of. Adderall can be dangerous. Don't be stupid.
Sally
posted 12/03/07 @ 4:28 AM PST
Well if you know you have a heart problem or anything that can be harmed by the use of adderall don't take it. It helps many students concentrate and study. (Continued…)
Katie
posted 12/17/07 @ 4:30 AM PST
Nobody takes Adderall because they "think" that they have ADD or ADHD. Either they have a legitimate prescription for the drug, or they take it as a study aid, or they take it because it feels amazing. (Continued…)
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