...Head: ADDERALL ABUSE Adderall Abuse Adderall Abuse In today’s society, the use of stimulants or otherwise known as cognitive enhancers is becoming a popular source for students as an alternate study aid. After long-nights of massive reading, deadlines and countless responsibilities, students with feelings of frustration and anxiety are using legitimate drugs for a “quick fix” i.e., Adderall to help enhance concentration. Adderall is becoming a popular study aid for students. Most students are unaware of Adderral’s potential dangers that can lead a student into a mental and physical nightmare. Stimulants, such as Adderall are commonly prescribed medications for people diagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Individuals diagnosed with ADD, have symptoms known as an inattention or mind-wandering symptom. Adderall is an effective drug used with a combination of amphetamine compounds that covers a broad range of attention deficit disorder symptoms. Volkow (2009) stated that these stimulants are a single-entity amphetamine product combining the neutral sulfate salts of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine that will help increase energy and release endorphins for feelings of excitement. Students with ADD find stimulants useful in times of stress especially when faced with deadlines during midterms or finals. Some students say Adderall helps...
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...to earn a decent living; meanwhile, only certain individuals receive a prescription for neuroenhancing medication. An individual receiving Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treatment is at an advantage compared to an individual with ADHD and no prescription. Neuroenhancing drugs, categorized as stimulants, are most often prescribed to people who’ve been diagnosed with ADHD. Students are the main focus of this research paper because data supports the claim that neuroenhancers are often used to improve performance in the classroom. There are positive and negative results that come from the use of neuroenhancing medication. A qualitative study by Margaret Talbot examines a Harvard student and includes personal insight from an Adderall user that earned a college degree. If a student doesn’t have access to prescribed neuroenhancers, and has a hard time focusing on schoolwork, is the student similar to someone with bad vision and no access glasses? The current situation in our information based economy with a growing need for higher education puts prescribed users of neuroenhancement at an academic advantage over people with similar neurological characteristics and no prescription. Defining the Drug ADHD medication has an intended purpose to improve the ability for the user to focus on a given task. More specifically, “stimulants increase the activity of the sympathetic nervous system; making students feel more alert.” (Schoenfeld and Konopasek, 15) Many students...
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...The Effect of Modern Drugs on Today’s Youth Children and the Law Seminar It’s nearing finals time and students across campus are beginning to feel the anxiety with exams over the horizon. While many students hit the books to quash this feeling, others search for something more. Whispers soliciting a need for Adderall resonate throughout the halls. These students don’t have prescriptions for their drug of choice, but this doesn’t deter them. They know that the risk in purchasing and ingesting this “study buddy” is far outweighed by the extreme focus and potentially high exam scores it may bring. It’s not that these students are ignorant of the law; it is quite the contrary. These situations are now so commonplace that today’s youth perceives the law to be a technicality in their search to find a means to an end. This pervading attitude should come as no surprise to most adults. For as long as human history has been recorded, drugs have defined and reflected the attitudes of their era. In the 1920’s, alcohol was placed under prohibition and Americans were looking to every which way to circumvent this federal regulation. In the 1930’s, reefer madness swept the country and marijuana was criminalized. The 1960’s marked the era of a rising counter-culture fueled by the psychedelic drug LSD. Even the cocaine boom of the 1970’s and 1980’s define a period of American history marked by high crime rates and an evolving nightlife. Today’s society is no different. In many ways, people...
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...College Students and Drug Abuse The irresponsible use of drugs and alcohol by college students has always been an issue for university campuses, but the problem has become more and more frequent and has grown in familiarity with every passing generation. In past years, the problem has not only multiplied in frequency, but has also grown in danger. Now students are abusing not only recreational drugs like Marijuana and Cocaine, but also prescription drugs like Ritalin and others like it such as Adderall. "As many as 20 percent of college students have used Ritalin or Adderall to study, write papers, and take exams..." (Jacobs 2). Medications like Ritalin are used to provide energy and concentration when a person cannot achieve them through regular means. Students take medication like Ritalin to help them deal with loss of sleep so they can stay up all night to cram and still do well in class. Students are now using similar medications like Adderall that are released over long periods of time so they can keep an energy high throughout an entire day instead of just one or two class periods. On some campuses, if you’re not using Ritalin or Adderall, you are just increasing your risk to fall behind. As one Columbia student said, “If you don’t take them, you’ll be at a disadvantage to everyone else” (Jacobs 3). This previous statement is unfortunately all too true, these types of prescription medications are so popular and commonplace that students attending certain...
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...among undergraduate college students. Adderall and Ritalin are the most popular among the students. Some use the drugs to stay awake to study to get by with good grades, even with acknowledgement of the dangers of using. However, the use of prescription stimulants among future graduated students is at risk. Table of Contents Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………... 2 Chapter 1 ……………………………………………………………………………..….. 4 Purpose of the Study ……………………………………..……………… 4 Statement …………………………………………………..……………. 4 Research Questions …………………………………………..…………. 5 Significance of the Study ……………………………………..………… 5 Delimitation ……………………………………………..……………… 5 Definition of Terms …………………………………………..………… 6 Chapter 2 Literature Review…………………………………………………………….. 7 Chapter 3 Research Methods …………………………………………………………… 18 References ………………………………………………………….…………………… 22 Appendix A ……………………………………………………………………………… 23 Dean’s List and More Nature of Study If you are a full time student with heavy load of courses while working to support your lifestyle, then you will be worrying where you can find the time. Undergraduate college students do stress out daily worrying about grades, studying all night, and working. Many cannot handle the stress and rely on drugs such as prescription medications to be alert and to accomplish their goals of good grades and staying up late studying. Some students believe they will not be harmed by taking Adderall or Ritalin since they are prescribed...
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...The selected WWYD video for analysis is the Teens pressure friend to abuse Adderall. This video shows a staged act by two friends; Dominick and Lucas, at a restaurant in New Jersey where they are trying to convince their female friend, Ariane who like them is also an actor, to take Adderall. This analysis hopes to answer the question of what ethical action would I take if I were in the restaurant. Would I do nothing, while I watch the friends pressure Ariane into taking Adderall or confront Dominick and Lucas for deceiving their friend into taking Adderall or advise the lady to avoid taking it, In identifying the facts in this scenario, Dominick and Lucas are seen pressuring Ariane into taking Adderall with beer. Dominick can be seen convincing her to take the prescription drug because it is the best intoxicating drug out there. The friends expressed surprise that Ariane has never taken the drug as Lucas is seen telling Ariane that Adderall is better consumed with a beer or three. Ariane expresses reluctance to use but her friends pressed her even more to take it. While watching the situation unravel, I am faced with some options before deciding on the best course of action. One option would be to do nothing since I do not know who they are. Another option will be to...
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...Mackenzie Weiss ENC1101-Tuesday July 31, 2012 Research Paper ADHD Medications and their Abuse Today The medications used to treat Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are powerful, especially when abused, and have lasting impacts on the patients and the abusers. Treatment, in the form of prescription drugs is available to help these individuals, yet is harmful to others who either are misdiagnosed or abuse it. Additional laws and policies implemented by our elected officials will help ensure the prescribed medications reach the intended patients resulting in lower abuse. ADHD is described as the “most common neurological disorder” (“Facts”) and is a condition that affects many children and adults all over the world. The diagnosis and treatment for ADHD is on the rise in this country, and the signs and symptoms are important for people to notice. ADHD first appears in children who may show a combination of disruptive problems including impulsive behavior, low self-esteem, hyperactivity, and poor performance in school/work. Children, treated for this disorder, are more likely to carry it until adolescence, but for some, ADHD may become a life-long adjustment into adulthood. Specifically for males, hyperactivity is a huge signal that they need to be tested for attention deficit. For females, the signs are the opposite, leading to many underdiagnosed women. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “boys were more likely than girls to have ever...
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...Society has been manipulating human behavior for centuries, commanding great influence over how we view ourselves and others. Life in the United States is generally fast paced, a society of ‘runners’ we struggle to fit daily activities in our already packed schedules, leading us to find short cuts in order to maximize our time. The quest for instant gratification in mental performance and physical beauty has normalized the extreme use of controlled substances along with surgical procedures that alters the physical appearance of an individual. Dissatisfied with their natural attributes, a frightening majority of society seems to be battling with their inner demons or low self-esteem; they willingly put themselves in harm’s way in order to fill this void. The need to maintain a favorable view in the public eye and presence of our peers is obviously prevalent in our society. While the idea is not flawed it’s the way in which we go about achieving this status that is rather bothersome. Women especially often wear the hats of many roles, juggling work, family and even school females increasingly find it difficult to take care of their selves, paying less attention to their physical appearance. With the popularity of reality shows more and more women are comparing themselves to women on TV who seem to have it all. Likewise college students are also in the juggling game, trying to do well academically while participating in extracurricular activities, work and enjoying social pleasures...
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...Prescription drug abuse is severe today. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) says that more than 22,000 Americans who use Vicodin abuse it. When you're ready to get clean, you really should consider entering into prescription drug detox in luxury. You can't underestimate how important the proper detox environment is. Despite prescription drugs' legality, detoxification is just as dangerous as detoxifying from street drugs. Your likelihood of abusing prescription drugs again in the future also remains just as high. Understanding adults aren't alone in their prescription drug addiction is important. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) a rising number of teens are also abusing them today. They believe...
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...has been used by the Chinese natives for more than 5000 years (Ebadi, 2002). The active agent of Mu-huang was found to be ephedrine in 1887. First synthesis of Amphetamine proper was in 1887 as part of a program for manufacturing aliphatic amines. At first, investigations on amphetamine properties concentrated on peripheral effects and it was found that it was a sympathomimetic agent having bronchodilator properties. However, the effect on the central nervous system was not reported until 1933 which was followed closely by the first amphetamine abuse reports. Amphetamines give people a feeling of relief from fatigue and euphoria, it produces anorexia, improves performance of doing simple tasks and increases the activity levels (Ebadi, 2002). Amphetamine abuse is considered to be related primarily to the euphorigenic effects that lead to its use in high doses before the onset of the final stage which is compulsive abuse. The abuse of Amphetamines at present has been at low epidemic levels since the drug as introduced in the 1930s. During the beginning of the 1950s and 60s however, the epidemic appeared in the United States, Sweden and japan. A study of the epidemic reveals that there were several factors which contributed to its spread and these include; large population segments being introduced to the drug for recreational, medical and reduction of fatigue purposes, the quick spread of knowledge of the effects and experience of the use of amphetamines, the swelling of a...
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...Memorandum…………………………………………………………………………………….3 Executive Summary……………………………………………………………………………...4 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………5 Purpose of the Report ………………………………………………………………………...…...5 What are Stimulants?.......................................................................................................................5 Stimulants and ADHD…………………………………………………………………………….5 The Problem and Causes……………………………………………………………………..….6 Chart 1…………………………………………………………………………………..…………6 Table 1…………………………………………………………………………………………….7 Chart 2……………………………………………………………………………………………..7 Nonmedical Use of Prescription Stimulants……………………………………………………8 Contrary Findings……………………………………………………………..…………………8 Table 2…………………………………………………………………………………………….9 The Danger of Prescription Stimulants……...…………………………………………………9 Short Term Side Effects……………………………………………………………………….…10 Continual Use Side Effects………………………………………………………………………10 Conclusion……….……………………………………………………………..………….........10 Works Cited……………………………………………………………………………………..11 Memorandum Executive Summary The purpose of this report is to provide insight to the problem of the rise in use of prescription stimulants in college students. The nonmedical use of these stimulants is dangerous. What seems to make it the most dangerous is the fact that the severity is underestimated. Reasons why students take stimulants: * Stay awake. * Concentrate. * Get high. * Party. * Focus. Students believe that these benefits outweigh...
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...Addiction Among College Students Kniecolle Brown Comm/156 Amy Leedy 08/24/13 The abuse of illicit drugs is affecting students on campuses causing addiction at colleges and universities all across the globe. Students attend colleges and universities all over the world, and arrive at these institutions with preconceived notions about studies, social activities, and new found freedom. Ironically, these elements, if not embraced maturely, often exacerbate underlying stressors that adversely affect students. Thus, the independence in which students find themselves, if not dealt with responsibly, can lead to addictions and other destructive behaviors, such as, late night partying, poor grades, and subsequently dropping out of school altogether. With the arrival of new students’ peer pressure to fit in can be an adequate reason for the student deciding to indulge in drugs and alcohol, as a way of acceptance into a group. There are many reasons that college students continue to drink and use drugs. Some may do it because of the pressure to fit in while gathering sociably, while others may see it as the cool thing to do. There is also the misconception...
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...No one can deny that the problem of prescription drug addiction is at its worst today than ever before, causing countless cases of dependency and abuse at epidemic proportions, and gaining the reputation of being the "silent epidemic" in some major cities in America. Prescription drug addiction is also known as the "silent killer," and rightfully so, because it can take one innocent pill, or the wrong dosage, to place its user into a permanent sleep-an all-too familiar event known as fatally "overdosing." From suburban neighborhoods, to celebrity life, to the ghettos-prescription drug abuse seems to have no bounds in our society, affecting millions everyday. But how wide-spread is this kind of abuse, and how serious is it? In 2010 alone, it was reported that an estimated 7 million America citizens claimed to be abusing prescription medications. Granted, this is only a little less than 3% of the total US population, but the jolting fact comes from the amount of increasing deaths from prescription medication abuse. It's one thing for large populations to abuse drugs, true; but it's another thing to lose lives rapidly over such a short period of time. As stated earlier, the strength of prescription drugs can be so overwhelming that it may take one instance, or one miscalculating dose, to result in a deadly overdose. In other words,...
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...English-123 9 January 2016 ADHD Medications: Evidence of Overprescribing ADHD is a familiar and often used term in today’s society. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Ritalin is the medication most-often mentioned when looking at the treatment of ADHD patients. “First synthesized in 1944, Ritalin is a stimulant drug and was first approved for use in adults during the mid-1950s” (Mayes, et al). According to Dr. Matthew Smith, Ritalin wasn’t even considered for use in children with behavioral issues until many years after its introduction. It was originally marketed as a “pep” pill. Advertisements were aimed towards the elderly, and housewives whom lacked the energy to get all their work done around the house. The pharmaceutical company Ciba, whom created Ritalin, did not receive approval to market the drug to underachieving school children until 1962 (Smith). ADHD later became the diagnosis for both children and adults who were observed as having concentration and behavioral issues. Whether or not too many people are being diagnosed and medicated for ADHD has certainly been a hot topic of debate for many years now. Research does show that medical professionals are overprescribing ADHD medications. Trends have indicated a rise in diagnosis along with drug treatment, the ADHD drug industry is booming, and ADHD prescriptions are easily obtained by those seeking them. Today, ADHD drugs are prescribed to both children and adults who have been diagnosed with the disorder...
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...The Drug Abuse Epidemic and Today’s Teenagers Drug abuse among teenagers has been an issue since the 1980’s when programs such as D.A.R.E., (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), were implemented. Using the slogan “Just Say No”, the program trained school officials and police officers to teach techniques and children and adolescents effective ways to resist experimenting with all drugs, including tobacco and alcohol. While there has been some success, this epidemic has become a major problem in today’s society that is not getting better due to the availability of prescription and over the counter medications, continued funding cuts for athletics and other extra-curricular activities and the increase in teenagers being left unsupervised. The availability of prescription and over the counter medications has made abuse easier among teens. Many parents do not even realize the dangers that are in their own medicine cabinets. “In 2011, 22% of 12th graders indicated misuse of a prescription drug without medical supervision in their lifetime; and 15% over the past year.” During that same time, one in 12 high school seniors reported that in the past year they had obtained the prescription pain reliever Vicodin, and one in 20 high school seniors used OxyContin for non-medical uses. And 70% of those teens surveyed had stated they obtained them from family and friends. (“Prescription” 2011). “Enough prescription painkillers were prescribed in 2010 to medicate every American adult around-the-clock...
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