As spring begins to blossom underway, the beginning of finals season has crept up on students across universities nationwide. Their secret to surviving the cramming and stress? Adderall.
According to standard.net, Adderall is a prescription drug used to treat attention deficit disorders (ADD). The drug increases a patient’s ability to focus and accomplish menial tasks.
Wayne State University senior, Kyle Bryant*, 23, was prescribed to Adderall 3 years ago by a psychiatrist. Bryant is a double major in global supply chain and marketing.
“I get 90 30-milligam IRs a month, but I only use about 10-15 on average. Isn’t that crazy? People are always trying to buy some or I’ll throw a couple to some of my friends for free,” Bryant says.
According to cnn.com, The numbers vary significantly by school, with the greatest proportion of users at private and "elite" universities. Some researchers estimate about 30 percent of students use stimulants non-medically.
“A pill goes for $10-$15 in Ann Arbor around this time of year. The demand is super high,” Bryant says.
However, the prices fluctuate based on location. Bryant says the popularity of Adderall is so high on campus during this season that he’s able to sell a single pill on average for $8 at Wayne State.
Bryant says he not only reaps the benefits of Adderall for educational purposes but for financial purposes as well. After working two jobs, Bryant says his leftover Adderall money is just enough to cover his car payment.
“Adderall really helps me when I’m in a crunch. I only use it when I feel like I’m really overwhelmed or don’t have any motivation to get things done,” Bryant says.
ADHD stimulants "strengthen the brain's brakes, its inhibitory capacities, so it can control its power more effectively," Dr. Edward Hallowell, a psychiatrist and ADHD expert says to cnn.com, "they do this by increasing the number of certain neurotransmitters, like dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine."
Bryant says he takes the pill in smaller doses and more sparingly than prescribed because of the side effects he faces on Adderall. His biggest issue being a lack of appetite.
According to cnn.com, short-term adverse consequences include sleep difficulties, restlessness, headaches, irritability and depressed feelings. Other side effects include loss of appetite, nervousness, and changes in sex drive.
The long-term risk of psychological and physical dependence is of concern for routine users that may find they do not feel they can function optimally without it.
“The lack of nutrition always takes a huge toll on my body. Aches and pains always follow after I take a full pill,” Bryant says
Bryant also admits to taking Adderall while drinking alcohol on rare occasions to give him an increased euphoric feeling.
“You just feel great. Or almost like nothing so I wouldn’t get tired when I combined them. The possibilities felt endless. Plus, you can drink an endless amount,” Bryant says.
Former University of Michigan football manager, Josh Levine passed away from the toxic combination late summer 2014. His mother, Julie Buckner, shed light on the realities of her son’s passing in an article for the Free Press.
“What my son did isn’t out of the norm of what’s going on in campuses. And it’s gotta stop," Buckner says.
Dea.gov classifies Adderall as a Schedule II substance next to meth, cocaine, and morphine. Schedule II drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with a high potential for abuse, less abuse potential than Schedule I drugs, with use potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence.
*Name has been changed to protect student’s identity
