It’s easy to see why the drug is so popular. It brings with it the appeal of being able to study until the early morning hours with no fatigue. Or even the appeal of being able to sit through a three hour lecture without a loss in focus. Oftentimes called the ‘productivity’ drug or ‘college kid candy’, Adderall can take massive tolls on both physical and mental health. Yet why aren’t we talking about it? College students across the nation are consuming Adderall in massive amounts and yet we turn a blind eye. Oxycontin, Xanax, and other highly abused prescription drugs typically take center stage when we discuss issues dealing with drug abuse on college campuses while Adderall flies under the radar. It’s as if the abuse of the drug Adderall is justified by our culture because of its association with the pursuit of higher education.

Adderall is a drug that is comprised of two stimulants, amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. The two stimulants work to alter specific processes in the brain that are linked to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). While the drug can oftentimes be beneficial to those diagnosed with ADHD, it can be detrimental to those who take the drug and are not diagnosed. The amphetamine in Adderall is addictive and can cause some pretty nasty side effects. Fast or irregular heartbeat, bladder pain, anxiety, cloudy urine, constipation, twitching, and stomach pain are all just some of the symptoms associated with Adderall. Not to mention, it’s possible for individuals to build up a tolerance to Adderall over a period of time which typically leads to higher and higher doses and eventually, addiction. According to the Clinton Foundation, between 1993 and 2005 the use of stimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin by college students has increased by ninety three percent. Even more shocking is the statistic from the Drug Abuse Warning Network that says that emergency room visits associated with ADHD stimulant medications have nearly tripled in the past decade. Yet college campuses across the nation continue to sweep this growing issue under the rug in hopes that it will magically go away. When will we recognize that Adderall abuse is a serious problem that needs to be addressed?

The lack of awareness and prevention associated with Adderall and other study drugs across college campuses is causing students to believe that these aren’t ‘real’ drugs. ‘Real’ as in being potentially harmful, contrary to the fact that Adderall is categorized as a Schedule 2 drug by the United States Controlled Substances Act, alongside cocaine, opium, and Oxycodone. Students view the drug as less harmful than other drugs in the same schedule due to the fact that they are extremely easy to obtain. Prescriptions for Adderall only call for a few select symptoms to be shown and are often times diagnosed after an online exam. With prescriptions so easily obtained, students on college campuses can find and sell the drug without much difficulty. According to the Journal of American College Health, two-thirds of college students are offered Adderall and other prescription stimulants by their senior year and about half of those students will choose to take the prescription stimulant. But just why is Adderall so popular? As mentioned previously, the drug contains amphetamine, (an ‘upper’) which college students utilize as a studying tool. The amphetamine keeps the student focused, alert, and awake while cramming for final exams or big assignments. However, while the drug keeps the user awake and focused, it also comes with a ‘crash’ that could last for a day or more. The ‘crash’ is when the body is no longer processing the amphetamine and all of those long hours of studying come catching up with you. This can cause a change in sleeping patterns, added stress, and increased anxiety.

As college students, we are heavily influenced to do well in our studies because it will lead to better GPA’s, better chances of grad school, better jobs, and ultimately more money. Yet where do we draw the line between dedicated student and Adderall addict? Is there one? College campuses need to start addressing the issue of Adderall and prescription ‘study drug’ abuse because these issues will only continue to become more prevalent if ignored. We need to understand that Adderall is a potentially dangerous prescription drug that people can easily become dependent on. Not only that, but we need to start asking ourselves why college campuses across the nation have not addressed the issue of study drugs. Are they truly oblivious to the issue, or are they more concerned obtaining higher test scores by any means necessary?