Adderall Editorial

          America’s been hit with an epidemic- the nation’s youth, suffering from ADHD or not, desires to get its hands on a little Adderall.

          Adderall, a combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine, is a prescription drug that is supposed to help with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and narcolepsy. It’s a psychostimulant, in that it induces improvement in physical and mental performance. Because Adderall affects the mesolimbic reward pathway in the brain, just like methamphetamine and cocaine, Adderall is considered a potentially easy drug to abuse and become addicted to.

          But that’s not stopping teenagers, young adults, and even parents from misusing the drug. According to a study, one in four American adults who seek medication or treatment for ADHD are either exaggerating their symptoms, or blatantly lying to receive the drug. Some are asking, is this really wrong? If a busy mom’s eight cups of Joe isn’t doing it for her, should she be able to take a pill to let her get through the day? If a college kid has to write a paper between the hours of 1 a.m. and 8 a.m., should they be allowed to receive a drug that gets the job done? This performance enhancer, which provides focus and concentration to the patient, doesn’t seem all too terrible to the people buying it from others, or falsifying symptoms to get it.

          The problems with this miracle drug are the same problems with any drug: Addiction, mistreatment, and mental and physical consequences. Not only that, but many patients that do have ADHD are frustrated with those taking Adderall that do not have ADHD. The majority of students who work hard, get a good night’s rest, and focus during class feel those on Adderall are cheating if they do not have an attention disorder. Adults that lie or exaggerate their concentration symptoms upset those that are justly prescribed the medication. Yet, it continues to happen.

          With any prescription medication, there is no way to know how your body will react to it. When it is NOT your prescription, or you give false symptoms to get one, there is no excuse for why you should be taking Adderall. It does more harm than good; although some may not feel the short-term effects, the long-term effects may be much more than you asked for.