NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF USING

ADHD MEDICATIONS NON-

MEDICALLY
Numero Dos
Grace Holland, Pete Mikaele, Chase
Chilson
English 1102-051
19 March 2014
CONSEQUENCES OF USE
Its illegal without prescription from doctor
Side effects of Adderall - more addictive
Weight loss, insomnia, irritability, increased muscle
tension, anxiety, increased heart rate, increased
blood pressure, Headaches, jitters, and stomach
problems.
Side effects of Vyvanse - less addictive
Discomfort, erectile dysfunction, dizziness,
restlessness, nausea, dry mouth, anxiety, diarrhea,
vomiting, headache, insomnia, weight loss,
irritability, euphoria, upper abdominal pain, rapid
heartbeat.

PRESSURE ON COLLEGE
CAMPUSES
Students want to keep up with others on the
prescription pills
Grades, students want to be able to maintain
and earn good grades
Students want to be able to spend many hours
working
FEELINGS
Students want to have the upper hand
They feel like they have to take the pills

ISSUES
Students become dependent on the
medications
They do not feel the same without taking it


ABUSE
Students begin to develop other problems
They start to try speed, cocaine, and other
drugs
Alcohol abuse can also go along with the
abuse of these medications

STATISTICS AND SURVEYS
In 2004 a government survey found that
methylphenidate, the main drug in ADHD
medications, had a connection to 1,541 drug-related
emergency visits.
In 2005 the same survey found that the number of
emergency visits had risen to 3,212.
In February of 2007, the Food and Drug
Administration required the manufacturers of ADHD
medications to make known to patients the
dangerous risks and side effects that are associated
with these types of medications
SIDE EFFECTS OF ADHD MEDICATIONS
Suicidal or homicidal thoughts or actions
Seizures
Hypertension: Abnormally high blood pressure
Hypotension: Abnormally low blood pressure
Tachycardia: Rapid heart beat
Palpitations: Irregular heart beat
Dsyrhythmia: Abnormal rhythm of the heart or brain
These health risks are increased when the medication is taken
non-medically or when combined with alcohol or other types of
drugs.
TABLE 1. FREQUENCIES AND BRANDS OF
MPH USED NONMEDICALLY

Used Methylphenidate Non-Medically N=110
Within past 30 Days 15 (13%)
Within past 12 months but not past 30 days 27 (24%)
More than 12 months ago 68 (62%)
Frequency of use in
preceding 12
months
N = 110 Brand-name product
used most often
N = 110
Only once 35 (32%) Ritalin 59 (54%)
2-10 times 49 (45%) Concerta 15 (14%)
11-50 times 20 (18%) Metadate 0
51-100 times 1 (1%) MPH HCL (generic) 1 (1%)
More than 100 times 1 (1%) Dont know 38 (35%)
Not sure/Declined to
answer
4 (4%) Declined to answer 2 (2%)
RESULTS OF TABLE 1
Out of 110 students surveyed
Most, 62%, used ADHD medications non-medically over 12
months prior to participating in the survey
Out of the students who used in the preceding 12
months:
Most, 45%, used between 2 and 10 times
Ritalin was the brand that most, 54%, of the students
used.
TABLE 2. PROPORTIONS OF LIFETIME ILLICIT
DRUG USE BY MISUSERS AND NON-MISUSERS
OF PRESCRIPTION STIMULANT MEDICATION
N = 42
Illicit Drug Misusers Reported
Using
Non-Misusers
Reported Using
Nicotine 94.7% 47.8%
Alcohol 100.0% 91.3%
Marijuana 100.0% 73.9%
Cocaine 47.4% 13.0%
Amphetamine 5.3% 4.3%
Hallucinogens 57.9% 21.7%
Opiates 26.3% 0.0%
Inhalants 10.5% 0.0%
RESULTS OF TABLE 2
Out of 42 students surveyed
Alcohol and Marijuana were the two most used illicit drugs
between both misusers (100% and 100%) and non-misusers
(91.3% and 73.9%).
Misusers were the only ones that reported using
Opiates (26.3%) and Inhalants (10.5%).
Nicotine was the third most used drug between both
groups of students.
94.7% for misusers and 47.8% for non-misusers
Amphetamines were the least used drug
0% for both groups
Non-misusers had 0% for opiates and inhalants as well.
WORKS CITED
Adderall Abuse Growing Among College Students | NYCATS. NYCATS.
N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2014.
Adderall Abuse: Unhealthy, Unfair, or Ineffective? Themaneater.com N.p.,
n.d. Web.18 Mar. 2014.
"Adderall: College Students' Best Friend-- Or Worst Enemy??" Serendip
Studio. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2014.
"CQC Raises Concerns About Students' 'Smart' Drug
Abuse." TherapyToday.net. Sep 2013: 6. Web. 18 Feb. 2014.
WORKS CITED (CONTINUED)
DeSantis, Alan D., Elizabeth M. Webb, and Seth M. Noar. "Illicit Use Of
Prescription ADHD Medications On A College Campus: A
Multimethodological Approach." Journal Of American College Health
57.3 (2008): 315-324. Academic Search Complete. Web. 18 Feb.
2014.
Dupont, Robert L., MD, John J. Coleman, PhD, Richard H. Bucher, PhD,
and Bonnie B. Wilford, MS. "Characteristics and Motives of College
Students Who Engage in
Nonmedical Use of Methylphenidate." American Journal on
Addictions 17.3 (2008):
167-71. Print. 19 Feb. 2014.
Jardin, Bianca, MA, Alison Looby, Ma, and Mitch Earleywine, PhD.
"Characteristics of College Students With Attention-Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms Who Misuse Their
Medications." Journal of American College Health 59.5 (2011): 373-77.
Print. 19 Feb. 2014.
WORKS CITED (CONTINUED)
J, By Elaine. "Adderall: Uses, Abuses & Side Effects."
LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 06 Nov. 2013. Web. 17
Feb. 2014.
J.Hom, By Elaine. "Adderall: Uses, Abuses & Side Effects."
LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 6 Nov. 2013. Web. 23
Feb. 2014.
MedlinePlus- Health Information from the National Library of
Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine. U.S. National
Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 16 Mar. 2014.
Most Abused Prescription Drugs In the US. Drugsdb.com. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2014.
Southern California Drug and Alcohol Rehab | Executive
Treatment Center | Chapters. Southern California Drug and
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n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2014.