America is known as the land of opportunity with an endless amount of resources to do anything that we desire. Whether it is people, business, physical things, etc., our country provides a likelihood of giving people a future. We have some of the best doctors in the world that bring medication to help people with the mental and physical health issues. Medication is something that should be used to treat a disease. But what happens when something made for good instead becomes a bad habit and a source of poorer health? Should ADHD medications be used freely without a prescription among college students?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a brain disorder that affects staying on task and the ability of an individual to remain focused. People, especially students, with ADHD overcome these symptoms with various medications. Medications, such as Adderall and Ritalin, are two of the most widely used to balance and improve concentration. Currently, getting a prescription is not difficult if someone in intent on obtaining the medication. The question that needs to be answered is why are college students driven to get and use these medications? Some students may argue that it is for improving academic results only, but the bigger problem is what they do after when there are no academic reasons. 

An article discussing the number of people using the medications indicated around 36.8% of the interview participants used psychoanalytic drugs without a prescription. Students are seeing the success of fellow students that use Adderall and are want to have that same success (Brandt 273) . 

The desire to have a good grade in college is one of the main motivators in the use of ADHD drugs. Stress occurs when students are wanted to do well or at least get credit for the classes they are taking and avoid retaking the class. There is a constant struggle to maintain acceptable grades or pass a test to ensure success passing the class. According to D.R. Moore in the article “Addictive Behaviors”, the students who use these drugs to reduce stress in school are also the ones who wait till the last minute (988). Adderall, and other ADHD medications, are what are known as speed which allows students to overcome the desire to procrastinate. The New York Times did an interview of a student that was a senior at UCLA in 2007 (Miller). The student said, “I started taking Adderall and things changed fast. I focused in the library for hours without distraction. I cranked out a 15-page research paper in one night, without wanting to take a break. I could shut out the world.” This type of success is the main selling point for students to use ADHD medication without a proper prescription. Dr. Merck, a psychologist and professor at the University of South Carolina, once said a quote that pertains to this situation. Dr. Merck said, “Anyone will do better if they use a simulant.” This statement shows that ADHD medication use isn’t just for those exhibiting ADHD symptoms, but encouraged use by anyone with a desire to do better.

Research has been done to show that college students are at the prime age of people who have the highest stress. The two main stressors for people at this age are school and social expectations. Adderall and other medications are often seen as a safety net helping avoid falling behind or failing without no opportunity to recover. In my interview with Dr. Malone, a local psychiatrist, after taking Adderall or any other ADHD medication, the highest effects are anywhere from 2-5 hours following ingestion. Also, the rate at which students take this medicine increases whenever they are in a situation that requires their best performance. The levels of worry and stress in students dramatically drop after finals are completed. According to an article by Nicholas Tomeo at the University of Cincinnati, stress in college students is due to an oversupply of cortisol to the prefrontal cortex of their brains. The oversupply of cortisol causes the students higher order thinking to decrease. This effect of lowering the level of a student’s thinking can be the motive toward them taking medication to increase their focus (2016).

The article “Addicted to Adderall” says that the “ADHD medications are used to bridge a gap that is between academics and social life.” The possibility of succeeding in class making them more accepted socially explains why students are looking to increase their academic status (Moneer). The article “Why Using Meds for ‘Neuroenhancement’ Is a Scary Thought.” supports the link between academic success and social acceptance. This article found that in research done at Harvard and Stanford both schools agreed that cognitive enhancement will result in a social response. This means when students use ADHD medications more often, the habit will spread and soon be known as a resource for passing a course (Lane).

The fear of failure is also a main contributor in the use of these drugs among college students. The expectations that are set by society or peers are viewed as stressors for students, as well. This need for societal approval is not isolated by gender. Both male and female have this internal desire to be successful. The part that is overlooked is the negative effect that abusing these types of medications can have long term. Research supports the fact that students will do things that are illegal if it leads to success. However, it has been proven that males are more likely to misuse drugs if they have had some type of grade issue themselves. Females were four times more likely to obtain the drugs for a friend or group. Both genders and behaviors add to the issues of students misuse and illegal easy acquisition of these drugs. An article discussed in a drug abuse class described a college student explaining how easily Adderall was sold through social media (Varga 300). The student said, “I use Snapchat because that is actually the most secure way to hide what you've said.” The more society and technology evolves, the more avenues available to obtain these medications. But the issue of having ADHD medications can have a negative impact on a student’s life unrelated to school work. Doctors are worried about the issue of the medication use in college kids because of the consumption of alcohol. 

College is known for things outside the classroom. The article “Characteristics of College Students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms Who Misuse Their Medications.”, stated that around 23.3% of students responded yes when questioned about mixing ADHD medication with alcohol (Jardin 375). This is a larger percent of students than were asked from the article “At Such a Good School, Everybody Needs It’: Contested Meanings of Prescription Stimulant Use in College Academics. " Around 15% of student respondents consume alcohol while taking ADHD medications (Cooper 298). The main effect on college kids when mixing alcohol and prescription ADHD drugs is liver failure. The article “Adderall Induced Acute Liver Failure”, Rohini Vanga found that around 39% of students develop liver failure when using higher than prescribed doses of Adderall (2). That percent went up by 8% when mixed with alcohol (3). For example, there are about 34,000 students who attend the University of South Carolina. Of those 34,000 students, 5,100 students will misuse or mix medications with alcohol. Out of 5,100 students, 2,397 on average will experience liver failure of some kind. This number fluctuates depending on the size of the school. Alcohol consumption with medications at parties or social events is mainly due to peer pressure. Students don’t want to be looked down on or seen as weak for not involving themselves in drinking or partying activities. In order to keep or build up their reputation or image, students will mix drugs and or alcohol without making rationale decisions about how the substances can cause physical harm. They choose to be liked or loved over their own health. Is the risk of health issues not enough to grab the students' and college official’s attention about this serious issue?

The decision to take ADHD medication without seeing a doctor or mixing them with alcohol is made by the students themselves. However, could other people be guilty for contributing, as well? According to the article “Adderall Abuse on College Campuses: A Comprehensive Literature Review”, Matthew Varga states that the use of medications to improve academics and social life among college students has dramatically increased in the last 10 years (296). The beginning of the misuse is not certain, but based on measurements of the past decade, the habit has gotten exponentially worse. With the passage of so much time, the misuse of ADHD medications has led society to view this as a normal trend in academic success. Finding an easier way to accomplish a task is one thing, but to put yourself in a situation where you could develop health issues is another.

Society is a major contributor to the misuse of these medications. The standard that every student tries to meet while balancing their social life is a constant internal war. The problem has proven to be worsening with the percentages showing increases in the number of students that are misusing the medications. Universities have a policy that forbids students selling unprescribed drugs. But the drugs are still accessible to almost everyone. So, should universities set more strict policies in that could decrease these numbers?

The issue of students misusing these drugs will not completely go away based on the fact that if students want to succeed bad enough they will do whatever it takes. With the information and research given, I agree that continuing increase in accessibility and abuse of ADHD medications must be addressed. I propose three possible solutions for lowering the level of illegal activities with ADHD medication. Begin by presenting to college students programs about prescription drug abuse and sharing the research and surveys that have been done on this issue. Communicating the statistics on this issue in person will impact encourage students strongly consider the side effects of misusing or mixing these drugs with alcohol. Additionally, to decrease the rate of selling and misuse, universities can start mandatory background and medical information when applying for college. Universities obtaining students' medical information would document if that student is prescribed any ADHD medications along.  A background check would disclose any prior criminal history related to this problem. And lastly, universities should require classes on effective study skills for all learning types. All students don’t know how to properly study, but if they learn some techniques, the procrastination factor will be decreased or eliminated. Using these solutions will inform, challenge, and educate students on this ongoing problem. Doing these things will improve society and institutions of higher learning while keeping students safe from any physical harm.

 