prescription drugs, which were developed for those properly diagnosed ADHD, are being utilized to make students workload easier.It is a cognitive enhancer providing increased memory, alertness and robust responsiveness. In turn, what does this mean in the long run for college students?
The dangers that can arise from Adderall can be life threatening and considering the statistics, it has become a epidemic.
As attractive as the stimulant may sound, the cons outweigh the pros as it can lead to severe side effects. Adderall is a narcotic amphetamine, the Drug Enforcement Agency lists it as a schedule II drug, meaning its chemical makeup has a high potential for abuse. It is to be considered dangerous as it can lead to physical and psychological dependence. When misused, it can have cocaine like effects causing feelings of hyper energy and intense euphoria which only increases its popularity becoming more of a recreational drug. Upon the initial effects that wear off, unwanted symptoms include: inability to concentrate, shortness of breath, anger, fatigue, depression, dizziness, insomnia, heart palpitations, and even loss of appetite. While these effects are standard, signs of a student becoming addicted may involve: drastic drop in classroom performance, unexplained changes in mood and behavior, and shifts of sleeping schedule or patterns.