THE SCENE is all too familiar. You’ve just walked out of your second midterm of the day on two hours of sleep from the night before, and now you’re going to have to go right back at it for another test tomorrow. It’s exam time. How are you going to crush those tests day in and day out? The honest, hard-working student out there will suffer and survive on green tea and spending massive amounts of Plus Dollars on Greenberry’s coffee. But for the others, there is a scary phenomenon of drug use that is spreading on college campuses near you. No, this isn’t your typical street corner drug. Adderall, Ritalin, and Concerta are hot on the market and can most likely be found on your dorm hall or in your roommate’s drawer for that matter. Meant to treat the symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder, these drugs are being increasingly used by college students to stay awake longer and focus better in order to improve study habits, without regard to the damage they are doing to their bodies.
Marked by an inability to sit still, procrastination, frequent shifts in conversation, and a tendency to be easily distracted, Attention Deficit Disorder or ADD is diagnosed among many people at various ages. That most of these diagnoses come at a very early age has raised a lot of controversy among doctors, who challenge whether or not we are overmedicating our children. Teachers don’t help much either, as they can be catalysts for perpetuating the ongoing trend when students show even the slightest sign of inattentiveness. One too many wiggles and all of a sudden a child is in the doctor’s office being tested for ADD and ADHD. So what is the problem with taking these medications if so many people are being misdiagnosed anyway? The misuse of the drugs by children essentially medicates away their childhood. Now imagine what it could do to us.
Adderall is a chemical compound of dextroaphetamine and amphetamine that acts as a central nervous system stimulant contributing to hyperactivity and impulse control. Dopamine causes euphoria when increased in the brain through the presence of amphetamines, making this drug just a toned-down version of the street drug methamphetamine. Ingesting prescribed Adderall carries pretty standard side effects including nausea, dizziness, sleep disturbance and dry mouth. However, when taken illicitly and incorrectly with the drug not fighting off any chemical imbalance or actual disease, paranoia, delusions and strokes can occur, creating much more serious risks for the user. Their problems are then compounded by the fact that they statistically take more than the suggested dosages, thus steering themselves towards addiction. Illegal use is very dangerous. Physical dependence and addiction will result if used for long enough.
Intramural sports, part-time jobs on the Corner, maintaining your social life, club meetings, writing for The Cavalier Daily, not to mention classes — this balancing act is enough to drive anyone crazy. Under pressure to overachieve these days, college students look for every edge possible. But sacrificing your health for an “A” is not anywhere near worth it. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports that full-time college students between the ages of 18 and 22 were twice as likely as their peers not in school to use Adderall nonmedically. They then found that these users were three times more likely to use marijuana and eight times more likely to use cocaine. They were also found to use painkillers and to be heavy alcohol users. That “A” may turn into AA if you’re not careful. Since Student Health does not keep up with such statistics, a representative of the pharmacy department did not know whether or not this was a rising trend at the University and commented, “[a rising trend] doesn’t seem to be the case.” Although a rising trend may not be as clear, the drug abuse happens. I’ve seen it and I’m sure you have too.
Stop pill popping. Pop into bed or pop a Red Bull. Not only do you end up giving yourself an advantage and cheating other students who are succeeding naturally, but you are cheating your body as well. To ask the University to tone down its standards and lighten up student’s loads would be futile, as that is why we came here: for the challenge. The University needs to promote awareness of the dangers of these drugs and condemn those users. So step up to the challenge and compete naturally instead of utilizing these steroids for the brain. Your body will thank you later.
Bobby Laverty is a Cavalier Daily Associate Editor. He can be reached at b.laverty@cavalierdaily.com.
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