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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Phillipa on October 18, 2011, at 21:42:05
Is adderal becoming a huge drug of abuse on college campuses? Phillipa
From Medscape Nurses > Ask the Experts
College Students and Adderall: What's Going On?
Richard S. Ferri, PhD, ANP, ACRNAuthors and Disclosures
Posted: 10/10/2011
I practice in a student heath clinic at a university and the "recreational" use of the drug Adderall is becoming more frequent. We are seeing students daily with Adderall-related health issues. What can you tell me about Adderall abuse?Response from Richard S. Ferri, PhD, ANP, ACRN
Lead HIV Adult Nurse Practitioner, Greater New Bedford Community Health Center, New Bedford, MassachusettsAn Epidemic in the Making
What you are seeing is an epidemic in the making. Adderall XR® is a prescription stimulant used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). When taken by a person with this disorder it helps regulate central nervous system functioning and assists people with ADHD with thought and behavior (primarily impulsiveness) disorders. In clinical terms, for those with diagnosed ADHD, Adderall is part of a comprehensive approach to treatment and is generally a well-tolerated and effective agent.However, when taken for nonmedical reasons, Adderall can have some serious consequences, including increased blood pressure, tachycardia, and excessive wakefulness leading to delusions and sleep deprivation. You may also see emotional lability, abdominal pain, anorexia, and weight loss. The conundrum is that these harmful physical and emotional side effects are the very effects many college students hope to experience by using Adderalll recreationally. Many students report that they "need" the drug to give them more time to study, work, and, play.
The nonmedical use of Adderall is rising. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA)[1] estimates that Adderall is taken by 6.4% of all full-time college students age 18 to 22 years compared with 3% of the same age cohort of non-college students. Adderall is taken orally, crushed and inhaled ("snorted"), or mixed with water and injected directly into a vein (known as "slamming"). Twice as many Adderall users compared with non-users also binge drink.
A simple Google search for "adderall without a prescription" resulted in more than 12 million results, meaning that the drug is available to anyone with an Internet connection and a credit card.
Implications for Clinicians
Health counseling in the young adult is typically challenging given the age group's generalized increased incidence of risk taking, feelings of invulnerability, and basic lack of life experiences, making it difficult for the student to see the long-term consequences of what they believe to be a short-term "fix" for issues in their college life. However, Adderall use can lead to dependence and addiction, and withdrawal from Adderall may lead to extreme fatigue, depression, mood swings, weight, gain, and often to the substitution of another drug (such as alcohol) to attempt to counteract these symptoms. An important consideration for counseling is that many college students do not see their use of Adderall as problematic. In fact, many think it is "just part of college life" and don't give it much thought at all.Professionals who offer health services to college students must balance the provision of care to patients with a valid diagnosis of ADHD with the need to recognize students who are misusing stimulants such as Adderall.[2] Signs and symptoms such as unexplained anxiety, irritability, excited speech, tachycardia, hypertension, and confusion should be explored.
Dependence and addiction are both possible with stimulant misuse and may require more than counseling the student to discontinue taking the drug. Referral to a drug treatment specialist may be necessary for inpatient or outpatient observation during stimulant discontinuation and for cognitive-behavioral therapy. It is important that clinicians follow strict and appropriate protocols when prescribing stimulant medications to students with ADHD and educate students about the health risks associated with these drugs.
Posted by Chairman_MAO on October 19, 2011, at 8:01:14
In reply to College Students + Adderal What's Going On? Study?, posted by Phillipa on October 18, 2011, at 21:42:05
That depends upon how you define "abuse". Amphetamine has been used for cramming for exams, paying attention in class, etc. since it hit the market, and it always will be.
"Abuse" is best defined by drug use which is harmful to the individual, though I include in this scope of this corner cases where the individual becomes dangerous to others, also, e.g. violent psychosis, etc.
Taking Adderall for pep in sane doses is no more or less abuse than drinking coffee.
Posted by Christ_empowered on October 19, 2011, at 10:03:48
In reply to College Students + Adderal What's Going On? Study?, posted by Phillipa on October 18, 2011, at 21:42:05
funny...adderal just went generic. Now that nobody's backing, I guess its time to study how "addictive" it is. Luckily, there' still Vyvanse.
Posted by sigismund on October 19, 2011, at 14:40:37
In reply to College Students + Adderal What's Going On? Study?, posted by Phillipa on October 18, 2011, at 21:42:05
>However, when taken for nonmedical reasons, ........
Oh, I see. It's out of control then. Unlike when doctors got their degrees years ago and medical supervision was not required.
I recall Oliver Sacks saying he was in the habit of taking 100mg methamphetamine and reading in a library all weekend, which is where his interest in Luria and his first book came from.
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 19, 2011, at 19:01:35
In reply to Re: College Students + Adderal What's Going On? Study?, posted by sigismund on October 19, 2011, at 14:40:37
My mother was a pharmacist, graduating in the mid 60's..... dex and methamphetamine were commonly prescribd and abused. Adderal is speed, the same as homebaked meth - and some people cant help but abuse it, they cant take it sensibly as directed.
Not sure of th answer, but its a dangerous drug to prescribe to freely.
Posted by Phillipa on October 19, 2011, at 19:21:12
In reply to Re: College Students + Adderal What's Going On? Study?, posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 19, 2011, at 19:01:35
Jono does your Mother still keep up on meds? Phillipa
Posted by Christ_empowered on October 19, 2011, at 19:38:06
In reply to Re: College Students + Adderal What's Going On? Study? » jono_in_adelaide, posted by Phillipa on October 19, 2011, at 19:21:12
I'm not big on giving kids speed just because they annoy their parents, nor do I like the way the Rx drug market works, but I can't help but think that the more we try to regulate prescribers, the more freedoms we lose (and we've already lost plenty to the failed "War on Drugs"). I think Dr.Szasz has a point; legalize (or at least decriminalize) everything and put it on an open market. I imagine health care costs will go way down as people choose the cheapest (and most pleasant) option over the heavily-promoted (and often decidedly less pleasant) "modern" options.
Also, people wouldn't need to visit docs to get permission slips to have drugs; they could just go to Joe's Drug Mart or whatever and stock up on whatever they need to maintain their health and maybe improve on reality a little bit.
Posted by Phillipa on October 19, 2011, at 20:16:08
In reply to Re: College Students + Adderal What's Going On? Study?, posted by Christ_empowered on October 19, 2011, at 19:38:06
CE funny saw a new pdoc today ridiculous as he did nothing said continue on same. I said to my husband why not just give me a RX script and I can write my own as don't and never have abused meds. I know what I need and that is what I take not more for sure. Don't like an altered state. I remember once a doc telling me to take .5 of xanax instread of .25 didn't like it so went off and back now on own. Then felt normal. Phillipa
Posted by Christ_empowered on October 19, 2011, at 21:10:12
In reply to Re: College Students + Adderal What's Going On? Study?, posted by Christ_empowered on October 19, 2011, at 19:38:06
yeah, I don't get this system either. I wasn't fully aware how ridiculous the Rx system is until I had to get drugs from India. Now a shrink appointment seems rather pointless, although I do like my shrink and she seems to take a genuine interest in my well-being. Still, I don't need the prescriptions she gives me; I order all my stuff online for relatively cheap. Same with my Retin-A. No dermatologist necessary, and now that I think about it, derms don't spend much more time with you than shrinks do--they just stare at your face, whip out a pad, and send you on your way.
Ah, modern health care.
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 20, 2011, at 0:20:00
In reply to Re: College Students + Adderal What's Going On? Study?, posted by Christ_empowered on October 19, 2011, at 21:10:12
Hi Phillipa
mum died a ouple of years ago now, she was only 65, and it was very sudden. She was working up until a few days before her death, and always priced her self on 1/ Staying upto date and 2/ being cynical about doctors and the drug industry!
Posted by Phillipa on October 20, 2011, at 18:25:35
In reply to Re: College Students + Adderal What's Going On? Study?, posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 20, 2011, at 0:20:00
Jono so sorry. I'm also that age now. And I feel young inside. Love Phillipa
Posted by Chairman_MAO on October 21, 2011, at 18:52:28
In reply to Re: College Students + Adderal What's Going On? Study?, posted by Christ_empowered on October 19, 2011, at 19:38:06
> I'm not big on giving kids speed just because they annoy their parents, nor do I like the way the Rx drug market works, but I can't help but think that the more we try to regulate prescribers, the more freedoms we lose (and we've already lost plenty to the failed "War on Drugs"). I think Dr.Szasz has a point; legalize (or at least decriminalize) everything and put it on an open market. I imagine health care costs will go way down as people choose the cheapest (and most pleasant) option over the heavily-promoted (and often decidedly less pleasant) "modern" options.
>
> Also, people wouldn't need to visit docs to get permission slips to have drugs; they could just go to Joe's Drug Mart or whatever and stock up on whatever they need to maintain their health and maybe improve on reality a little bit.
Amen.
Posted by Chairman_MAO on October 21, 2011, at 18:54:35
In reply to Re: College Students + Adderal What's Going On? Study?, posted by sigismund on October 19, 2011, at 14:40:37
> >However, when taken for nonmedical reasons, ........
>
> Oh, I see. It's out of control then. Unlike when doctors got their degrees years ago and medical supervision was not required.
>
> I recall Oliver Sacks saying he was in the habit of taking 100mg methamphetamine and reading in a library all weekend, which is where his interest in Luria and his first book came from.
This is the end of the thread.
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