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Side effects and risks of Adderall use
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Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic condition that is characterized by difficulty sustaining attention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. Adderall increased in popularity upon approval by The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used for the treatment of ADHD and treatment of the sleep disorder, narcolepsy, in the 1990s. Although Adderall has been proven effective in decreasing and preventing ADHD symptoms, there are concerns regarding cardiac side effects and the potential for dependence and abuse of its chemical components.
Adderall is a central nervous system stimulant composed of a mixture of amphetamine salts, dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. Amphetamines are thought to block the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine into the presynaptic neuron and increase the release of these monoamines into the extra neuronal space. (Developed, 2010). Amphetamines produce feelings of euphoria, relieve fatigue, improve performance, increase activity, and suppress appetite. Euphoric effects associated with the use of amphetamines, increase potential for abuse. Consequently, prolonged use of amphetamines may lead to drug dependence and tolerance. Desired effects are only achieved by increasing to higher doses of amphetamine, which can result in an acute overdose. Seizures, hypertension, tachycardia, hyperthermia, psychosis, hallucinations, stroke, or death can be experienced. Additional reports revealed that those who abuse amphetamines were significantly more likely to report using a greater number of illicit substances including nicotine, marijuana, cocaine, hallucinogens, and opiates.
In order to minimize potential for abuse and remain effective in decreasing and preventing ADHD symptoms...
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Ritalin and Adderall are prescription drugs commonly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Brown has never been diagnosed with ADHD but he started taking the drugs recreationally as a college freshman to have energy for concerts and for partying into the early morning hours. Soon after, Brown began taking Ritalin to study for exams. Brown was taking the pills about six times a week.
College can be a challenge with endless papers, tests, and other tasks. A pill that allows extreme focus helps accomplish necessary tasks. Adderall is a prescription medication given to patients with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Jaffe). However, this drug has become known as a “smart drug” around college campuses (“Daily News & Analysis”). About 6.4 percent of college students have taken Adderall without a prescription (Carver). At more competitive schools, about twenty-five percent of students have taken Adderall (Pantovich). Students take the drug with hope to improve a grade. However, in the long run, the student only hurts himself or herself.
Adderall is a drug (stimulant) mixture of Amphetamine and Dextroamphetamine, usually in the pill form. Adderall is usually prescribed to people with ADHD and narcolepsy because they typically are people with lower levels of dopamine and is a cause of why they cannot focus fully. This drug is highly abused in most college settings because students want that extra focus when stressing about exams (and passing). Adderall gives a release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and adrenaline in the system by destroying the degraded enzymes, so mainly so you do not lose focus, which ultimately gives an agonistic drug effect in the body. When these neurotransmitters are usually found in the synaptic cleft after taking the drug. When the
He described the feeling of adderall as if someone pulled a curtain back, which enabled him to focus on certain tasks more effectively. Being distracted at every turn makes taking a pill an easier way to shut certain destructors out in order to focus more efficiently. In continuation, the desire to come out on top is the making driving force behind the addiction to adderall. Competition is never ending and one’s human capital value is becoming more important. The documentary discusses unhealthy ways people are using adderall. For example, the drug is not only used for performance enhancing skills, but for weight control and the pressure and anxiety of increasing human capital value. Human capital value is the value measurement of an employee’s skill set. The desire to be perfect is an addicts worse nightmare. Some negative side effects of adderall include focusing on the tasks distracting you, instead of becoming more focused and also, becoming addicted to harder drugs like meth. Amphetamines, like adderall, and methylphenidates are very similar in how one acts and feels. The chemical make ups are also similar. For instance, The Controlled Substance Act made it illegal to have adderall unless medically
Stimulant drugs are widely used to treat the symptoms of ADHD. These stimulants dramatically reduce the hyperactivity of sufferers and improve their ability to focus, learn and work. Such medication may also improve physical coordination, for instance handwriting and sports. Research completed by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) suggests that these medicines may also help children with an accompanying conduct disorder to control their impulsive, destructive behaviours. The three medications that have been proven by the NIMH to be most effective in both children and adults suffering from ADHD are: methylphenidate (Ritalin), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine or Dextrostat), and pemoline (Cylert). (NIMH 1999) Yet there is currently much research on the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, such as t...
Adderall and Ritalin are two of the many types of Amphetamines prescribed to children and adults in the United States. Amphetamine is a potent chemical stimulant that affects the central nervous
When someone is diagnose with ADHD, they could be under the pressure there is a lot of support given to his or her way. Special classes are given with the disorder and the programs are taught in a particular way where it slows the material down for the individual. The offer of drugs are also given like Adderall or Ritalin. Adderall interacts with the brain to “increase executive functions, such as ability to focus, memory and response control” (Fenton). Adderall is a high dosage drug with a variety of side effects which is unpleasant to hear when children consume it without an actual test to prove they have the disorder, to find out they end up abusing or selling the drug.
Adderall is a medication that has proven to be beneficial in treating these medical conditions. According to LiveScience, “Adderall, a combination of amphetamines dextroamphetamines are central nervous system stimulants. This medication is aimed at helping to restore the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain” (Elaine J. Hom). Studies have shown that college students who have taken Adderall legally have benefitted greatly on their overall performance. “This is due to higher motivation and enhanced levels of
If a child is diagnosed with ADHD it is likely that they will be prescribed a stimulant. The most common is Ritalin or Adderall; the newer ones are Vyvanse and Concerta. All of these drugs are classified as a Schedule II by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). A Schedule II drug is classified as having a “high potential of abuse” and "with use potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence." In addition to the Schedule II drugs that are given to treat ADHD this classification is also use for cocaine, methamphetamine, Demerol, and
Many find what they assume they are searching for in methamphetamines, a deadly drug that can give potential addicts the same feeling they receive from Adderall. Adderall can be used for many purposes; weight loss, athletic performance, studying. The effects of methamphetamines correspond with the uses of Adderall. The effects include hyperactivity, alertness, and loss of appetite. (AddictionCenter, 2017)
Disturbingly over two-thirds of children are given some type of medication over a two week period. Children with ADHD are being medicated without needing it. The question many researchers are asking is, “Is that patient really in need for the medication given?”
Although many Americans side with medical treatment when dealing with ADHD, the FDA advisory committee stated that "we rejected the notion that the administration of potent sympathomimetic agents to millions of Americans is appropriate. We sought to emphasize more selective and restricted use, while increasing awareness of potential hazards" The FDA believes that there is a high number of ADHD in Americans and that millions of children should not be given stimulant drugs as treatment. The fact that the FDA believes this could largely be due to the misdiagnosis of the disorder. Misdiagnosis occurs due to a number of reasons such as the misconception of thinking ADHD is a disease and not a disorder and because diagnosis ADHD is extremely hard.
Stimulant medication was designed to work for the majority, if not all, people with ADHD. Studies show that over 80% of the ADHD population respond positively to medication (Boorady “The Facts”). Additionally, about two-thirds of children with ADHD are medicated (Danielson et al). This shows that the majority of people trust ADHD medication to do its job and to be efficacious, without impairing their everyday lives. Even most parents allow their children to be treated with medication, knowing that it is helping their child overcome the struggles associated with ADHD. Considering these factors, parents should support the treatment of medication for their child in light of its proven effectiveness in treating
Amphetamine was initially outlawed because of its highly addictive nature; once the immediate effects of the drug wear off the user will typically return to normal, often feeling even worse than they did before they took the drug. To counter this they may take more, which could lead to a viscous cycle of substance abuse. Users also may build up a tolerance, requiring more and more of the same substance to achieve those positive effects they felt in the beginning. When taken in large quantities, Adderall has an effect closer to that of Meth than to a cup of coffee, and can have disastrous effects on one’s mental and physical health; the user may be unable to sleep, eat, or even function in society if the dependence has gotten bad enough. Not surprisingly, emergency room visits due to Adderall overdoses have nearly doubled in the last ten years as the drug has become more prevalent. This is concerning considering how many new people are being introduced to this substance each
Abuse can cause countless medical problems to the body. A person who is addicted will continue to stimulate themselves regardless if they are aware of the negative chain reactions. Once addicted, it becomes difficult to stop due to how the body has become dependent. Health will be harmed the more a stimulant is used. Health effects include: cardiovascular disease, strokes, cancer, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, lung disease, mental disease, birth defects. Mental health is what keeps a person in the right mind to make better decisions and have better control in life. Drugs have the ability to change mood and behavior. If drugs have affected the brain already, the desire increases which changes mental health. Some may not realize that they have been affected their health negatively. “A person who abuses drugs may not realize they have a problem until pronounced effects of drug abuse are seen, often physically. While drug abuse effects on the body vary depending on the drug used, all drug abuse negatively impacts one 's health (Addictions Community). Since drugs create many health issues, treatment is not a simple task. Treatments are hard to obtain and addictions often go