College is one of the most stressful and (academically) time-consuming periods of a person’s life. From constant studying, deadlined assignments and little time to maintain a social life, there’s no doubt that the pressure to succeed is nothing short of overwhelming.
Considering all of these looming external factors, it almost seems as though there are not enough hours in the day to get everything done … or are there?
For some individuals, merely focusing on one assignment alone can be frustrating and difficult, and when all of the caffeine in the world isn’t cutting it anymore, more drastic measures might be taken.
Adderall, a drug that is primarily used to treat adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adolescents and young adults, has become an increasingly popular presence on college campuses. To the ‘lucky’ few with diagnosed ADHD, Adderall is usually prescribed at an early age and is a part of their daily norm.
While Adderall is the generic brand name brand for most ADHD/ADD medications, more familiar names for different kinds are Ritalin, Concerta, Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) and Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine).
Those who might not have an ADHD diagnosis or the resources to access the medication might have to find other ways to obtain it that are not ideal and, sometimes, illegal.
According to a National Drug Use and Health survey, about two-thirds of young adults using Adderall illegally get it from their friends or roommates. Unfortunately, some students have to go to measures such as this for what seems like a good cause, but can have lawful retaliation. Interestingly enough, getting the medication from a roommate or friend is not as complicated as one might think.
As a college student living with ADHD and ADD, I know that the normal day-to-day in college can look like a mountain that I can’t climb up. Thankfully, having the resources of medication can make this a little bit more bearable, but I wholeheartedly feel for those who are not able to be medicated if need be.
While it seems like a luxury to have the medication handy as someone who struggles with these impairments, a short attention span and ability to focus can make the medicine feel like it is taking you.
In 2023, a student confided via commenting to the site, “[ADD]TITUDE,” about how their medication negatively affects them. The student commented, “I don’t feel like myself. That’s a high price to pay. On the other hand, I can’t handle the college prep curriculum — much less college — without it.”
Surprisingly, this is how many students feel when taking their medication, and in return, they likely will choose not to take it most of the time unless absolutely necessary. Not taking the prescribed medication daily as usually instructed leaves no use for it— unless you loan it to a friend who might desperately need it.
Loaning Adderall and similar medication to a friend who needs it for a big test or a long day of studying is usually always with good intent and might be very useful to their success. On the other hand, someone you loan it to who is undiagnosed with ADHD or ADD might experience an intense sense of clarity or euphoria — almost like the voices and thousands of thoughts running through their head are taking a break. It is human nature to want to feel sane and focused, so chasing that feeling can often lead to misuse or addiction.
For some people, wanting to feel like they aren’t dumb or ‘slow’ in college is a huge insecurity, and if finding a substance that combats those feelings becomes particularly easy, why stop? If you are able, continuing to illegally get the pills from someone you know who is prescribed the medication can lessen the effects, leaving the body only to want more of this euphoric feeling.
According to New Jersey’s Premier residential treatment and detoxification campus, “as with any substance abuse, the brain of a person who suffers from psychological or physical addiction is dependent on the substance and will need it to function normally.”
When the effects start wearing off, seeking a more powerful dose is usually the catalyst for addiction. This is not to say Adderall is a gateway drug, but it very well could be if put into the wrong hands.
It is incredibly important to remember that, at the end of the day, Adderall is a drug. While it might make you feel superhuman or be a ‘study drug,’ remembering to use it as prescribed and intended is the safest outcome for a happy and healthy life in college.
If you feel like you can’t focus or study for long periods of time, check out some resources to make an appointment to be seen and find what works best for your needs. Alternatively, if you are someone who does not like your Adderall or a similar medication’s effects, natural resources like ashwagandha and other in-store accessible vitamins could be a game changer.
No Canvas assignment or test is worth going through the stages of Adderall addiction.
Ansley Graves is a junior at UT this year, studying journalism. She can be reached at[email protected].
Columns and letters of The Daily Beacon are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or the Beacon’s editorial staff.
