As you are walking through the library, you see students that are studying constantly without any trouble staying up all through the night. Many students wonder how these students are so focused and determined at these late hours of the night. For a lot of these students, their energy and motivation is the direct result of taking attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) pills. With the prevalence of this condition, getting access to these mind-enhancing drugs is not a difficult challenge across college campuses. ADHD medication seems like a quick fix to getting assignments in on time or meeting strict deadlines, but they should never be consumed by students without a prescription. These pills might make students feel limitless or invincible, but in reality they are doing themselves far more harm than good.  

These prescription pills are very appealing to young students who will do almost anything to gain a competitive advantage at rigorous schools. Benefits of using these prescription pills include heightened alertness, stellar focus and memory improvement (Szalavitz, “Popping Smart Pills: The Case for Cognitive Enhancement). These changes can be considered the many reason for taking these pills. Furthermore, research indicates that these stimulants are very consistent in improving the interpretation and learning of material that must be remembered in students who do not have the condition (Szalavitz, “Popping Smart Pills: The Case for Cognitive Enhancement”). Students using the drug tend to have an advantage when memorizing crucial terms and important information before tests and examinations. Students have the best improvement in the classes that they have the least ability in when using attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder medication (Szalavitz, ‘“Popping Smart Pills: The Case for Cognitive Enhancement”). ADHD medication can has obviously become popular due to students with heavy course loads and rough schedules (Yanes, “Just Say Yes? The Rise of ‘Study Drugs’ in College”). As one can see, the ability to improve your grade in the course you are struggling in the most is beneficial. 

Although these pills seem appealing, they are very harmful and should not be consumed by students who have not been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The side effects of these ADHD drugs are very severe and should be taken seriously. Sleeplessness, nervousness and headaches are common side effects of Adderall (Pietrangelo, “Effects of Adderall On The Body”). Additionally, Adderall can create problems such as: loss of appetite, weight loss, shortness of breath, hives, heart problems and stomach aches (Pietrangelo, “Effects Of Adderall On The Body”). Unexpected death has recently been linked to people who abuse amphetamines pills (Aschenbrenner 28). Furthermore, deaths have been confirmed in individuals with cardiac abnormalities who had been taking prescriptions while taking the recommended dosage of ADHD medication (Aschenbrenner 28). Even with all of these negative outcomes that are a direct result of taking these drugs, many students still continue to take the medication frequently.  

The long term effects of study drugs on the human body are severe and should be researched and discussed. ADHD medication has a variety of long term effects, some of them are permanent and a few of them are reversible. By abusing pills like Adderall and Vyvanse, permanent damage will occur in the brain, heart, kidney and liver (Addiction Blog, “Long Term Effects of Adderall Addiction). Possible conditions that can occur from taking these drugs include mental health problems and a poor immune system. The medication can also have very strong negative impacts on relationships such as: unpredictable behavior, parting within relationships and heightened suspiciousness (Addiction Blog, “Long Term Effects of Adderall Addiction”). An experiment was conducted in order to determine the short-term cardiovascular effects that are caused by study drugs. Additionally, the group that was chosen was a variety of children from the age of four to seventeen that suffer from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The patients in the study were given medication and then assessed under five different states: “baseline, placebo, five milligrams per dosage, ten milligrams per dosage and fifteen milligrams per dosage” (Findling and Short, “Short-Term Cardiovascular Effects of Methylphenidate and Adderall”). According to the researchers, the patients had no significant change in their cardiovascular measurement and came to the conclusion that any dosage equal to or less than fifteen milligrams has no impact on the heart (Findling and Short, “Short-Term Cardiovascular Effects of Methylphenidate and Adderall”). As one can see, ADHD medication used medically and in small dosages is safe. 

Many people do not support the consumption of ADHD medication, even if they have received a medical prescription. According to Citizens Commission on Human Rights, there has been no scientific information that supports the validity of the abnormality of ADHD (O’Meara, “Major Study Reveals ADHD Drugs Have Never Been Proven Safe or Effective”). Across the world, large amounts of college students have been given prescriptions to ADHD medication without any information on the long-term effects and effectiveness. Across eight countries, there has been a total of forty-four drug regulatory agencies that have sent out warnings about the consumption medication such as Ritalin and Adderall (O’Meara, “Major Study Reveals ADHD Drugs Have Never Been Proven Safe or Effective”). Unfortunately, ADHD medication is easily accessible to these college students who are jeopardizing their lives for a slight academic edge. In addition to all of these warnings against the medication, shocking statistics have shown how multiple brands of these drugs have been stay in the United States. For instance, seventy-five was the median number of participants per drug and eleven of these drugs were accepted with less than one hundred participants (O’Meara, “Major Study Reveals ADHD Drugs Have Never Been Proven Safe or Effective”). Furthermore, a study showed that college students with prescriptions are far more likely to abuse ADHD medication than those who do not have a prescription (Judson and Langdon, “Psychology, Health & Medicine). These small studies and quick approvals are very frightening and do not provide any assurance of safety to consumers. 

College students who do not suffer from this disorder, should not be allowed to take ADHD prescriptions because it is unfair. College is very competitive and students who use these drugs without proper medical paperwork have been under scrutiny for receiving this academic boost. In the Iowa State Daily newspaper, a claim was made that many students have amphetamine abuse problems (ISD Editorial Board, “Use of ‘Study Drugs’ Gives Unfair Advantage). These college students should be encouraged to spend more time studying for their harder examinations and be given their exams on different dates. If these methods were practiced, there could potentially be a decrease in ADHD pill abuse. Students who use these drugs non-medically show no remorse or guilt (ISD Editorial Board, “Use of ‘Study Drugs’ Gives Unfair Advantage). Students need to realize that many colleges and universities consider this cheating and need to bring back a sense of credibility and integrity. 

Getting caught using ADHD medication without a prescription can have severe consequences. Adderall, Dexedrine and Ritalin are all prime examples of ADHD medication that are classified as schedule II narcotics. Alongside these study drugs, morphine and opium are also classified under the same level (MedShadow, “Drug Classifications”). Varying from state to state, getting caught with ADHD medication can range in legal consequences from a misdemeanor to a felony. Furthermore, each additional offense has worse consequences include steep fines and up to a whole year in prison (England, “Amphetamine Possession Charge”). Penalties that are involved with selling prescription pills are much harsher than those who are found guilty with simple possession. These illegal transactions result in multiple felony charges and prison sentences (Seeliger, “Selling Prescription Drugs Illegally”). College students need to come to their senses and realize that these habits are moronic and can end up ruining their lives. Students who have been caught selling or possessing ADHD medication have damaged their reputations and possibly their careers as well. Furthermore, these students are risking getting criminal records in exchange for short periods of concentration and motivation. 

ADHD medication is known for having a high potential for abuse, which eventually leads to a strong dependence or addiction. These ADHD medications can cause dependence in a variety of ways. For instance, these study drugs have been proven to increase the amount of dopamine in the brain at a rapid rate (NIDA, “Stimulant ADHD Medications: Methylphenidate and Amphetamines”). The increase in dopamine helps satisfy the consumer and increases their desire for these drugs. Therefore, it is clear that it is not hard for college students or other individuals to get hooked on ADHD medication even after they take it for a small period of time. After developing a strong dependence or addiction to ADHD medication, it is hard to quit taking these drugs and become independent. Going through amphetamine withdrawal is very brutal and painful. Withdrawal symptoms from ADHD medication include: “irritability, fatigue, depression, headache, unusual behavior (Ritalin and Concerta) and changes in heart rhythm” (Bailey, “Stopping ADHD Medications: Withdrawal Symptoms). After developing a habit for study drugs, it is painful to quit and also very challenging. 

College students all over the country are relieved by statistics that focus on the consumption of ADHD medication. However, these students should be concerned without the shocking numbers. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) approximates that almost six and a half million Americans older than the age of twelve have consumed methylphenidate for non-medical purposes in their lifetime (MacLaren, “History and Statistics of Study Drugs”). In 2011, there was a total of twenty-one million stimulant prescriptions for patients in the age range of ten to nineteen (MacLaren, “History and Statistics of Study Drugs”). Furthermore, non-medical use of Adderall increased by sixty-seven percent and trips to the emergency room increased by a shocking one hundred and fifty-six percent over a six-year study period (Benham, “Adderall Misuse Rising Among Young Adults”). The age group that has the highest concentration of ADHD medicine abuse is eighteen to twenty-four year olds (Benham, “Adderall Misuse Rising Among Young Adults). This age group concentration is not surprising in the slightest, because of the escalating rates of abuse among struggling students across the nation. Additionally, college students are more likely to take ADHD medication without a prescription at universities in the northeast region of the United States (McCabe, “Non-Medical Use of Prescription Stimulants Among US College Students: Prevalence and Correlates from a National Survey”). College students need to re-evaluate their consumption rates and find better ways to conquer their dependence or addiction. 

There are many alternatives to receiving better grades and increase motivation and determination when attempting to get strong grades and perform well on tough examinations. Instead of procrastinating, students should break up their assignments into segments and work on them periodically. Exercising and playing intramural sports are both very solid ways for staying health and increasing motivation and willpower. Students should also consider natural alternatives to ADHD medication. Natural supplements and certain diets are proven to help battle symptoms similar to ADHD and increase alertness and focus (Alban, “Natural Alternatives to Adderall, Vyvanse, and Prescription ADHD Drugs). Reportedly, around eighty percent of ADHD patients who use natural methods state them as primary treatment for their symptoms. (Alban, “Natural Alternatives to Adderall, Vyvanse, and Prescription ADHD Drugs). 

Natural remedies can also help college students strengthen their focus and determination and act as a strong replacement to consuming harmful medication. Ginkgo and ginseng are considered natural remedies for increasing the circulation of blood to the brain and improving memory (Alban, “Natural Alternatives to Adderall, Vyvanse and Prescription ADHD Drugs). Furthermore, fish acts as a powerful reducer of stress that can help college students remain calm during high pressure situations. Acetyl-l-carnitine is an amino acid that is required for energy metabolism and can significantly boost alertness and focus (Alban, “Natural Alternatives to Adderall, Vyvanse and Prescription ADHD Drugs). There are many natural remedies and solutions for fixing the symptoms that caused by ADHD. Physicians should encourage students to try a variety of these remedies in order to help them battle their symptoms rather than promoting the consumption of dangerous pills. Furthermore, these students would be able to spread the word about these natural cures that would also help their peers obtain the positive outcomes of the drug that they crave. 

Conditions need to be implemented in order to reduce the high rates of abuse among college students. Primarily, doctors and other physicians need to make the drug much harder to obtain a prescription. Furthermore, students need to feel worried and guilty when they take ADHD medication. Family members and close friends should stop providing college students with easy access to these study drugs (Desmon, “More College Students Are Using Adderall to Stay Up and Study”). Across the country, declaring non-medical ADHD consumption as an act of cheating and have consequences such as suspensions and expulsions. Lastly, students should have to receive their ADHD prescriptions from the school pharmacy in order to reduce the amount and frequency of their refills. 

Recently, there has been speculation about how ADHD medication can prompt psychosis and schizophrenia. Overdosing on ADHD medication has the potential of developing into psychosis and have effects that mirror those of methamphetamine (Fitzgerald, “Adderall Can Trigger Psychosis and Schizophrenia”). Frighteningly, research has proven that this can even occur in students who have no prior psychiatric issues. These problems have been seen resurfacing in patients who have tried to quit ADHD medication when they go through withdrawal (Fitzgerald, “Adderall Can Trigger Psychosis and Schizophrenia”). These terrifying outcomes of heavy usage of ADHD medication should discourage college students from reaching for these pills and capsules.

An experiment was conducted on ADHD medication on people with and without ADHD with the goal of figuring out more about the use and misuse of these drugs. The method used involved searching the US National Library of Medicine with combinations of phrases that relate to this disorder and reviewing the titles to comprise of solely relevant publications. The results of the experiment resulted with through information on the use of ADHD medication on cognition. According to the results, there has only been inconsequential evidence that shows that amphetamines and methylphenidates improve academic results (Lakhan and Kirchgessner, “Prescription Stimulants in Individuals with and without ADHD”). Furthermore, the recognition that ADHD affects adults has increased significantly. As a result, there has been a sharp hike of nonprescription ADHD medication use in many college students by multiple surveys (Lakhan and Kirchgessner, “Prescription Stimulants in Individuals” with and without ADHD”). Brigham Young University got together a group of computer and health science researchers in order to learn more about study drugs. A six-month study was conducted on a large social media platform and the results discovered that a large percentage of students mentioned ADHD medication in the southern and northeast regions of the United States (Hollingshead, “Adderall Use as College Study Aid ‘trending’ on East Coast”). These experiments and studies clarify that ADHD medication is being abused frequently in these regions of the country and the rate of abuse is increasing.

The drug that college students rely on for helping them study and meet deadlines turns out to be highly dangerous and should not be consumed by any student that does not suffer from ADHD. From the shakiness to the weight loss, the symptoms are awful and even worse and more painful when going through medication withdrawal. Although college students have to go through many stressful situations and time-consuming assignments, they should always look to other methods and solutions before attempting to take medication to give them an academic boost. The shocking statistics prove that ADHD medication should not be taken as frequently as they are and is starting to become an epidemic among young adults. Severe mind altercations from these study drugs lead to complicated family issues and relationship problems. Additionally, students can find themselves in legal trouble and facing consequences that can hurt their careers by selling or possessing ADHD medication. All in all, ADHD medication should never be consumed by college students that has not been given a prescription by a physician or experiencing negative symptoms. The benefits of ADHD medication do not outweigh the negative aspects that are direct results of consuming these drugs.
