Adderall is a Schedule II controlled substance. It is a stimulant drug frequently prescribed to treat narcolepsy, a sleep disorder, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Abuse of Adderall is common among high school and college students. It has the reputation of enhancing academic performance and aiding weight loss. Adderall does not work in these regards, but misuse can get young people in trouble in several different ways.
1. Sharing Adderall
According to the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, approximately 9% of children ages 9 to 17 experience disabling symptoms of ADHD. Most young people probably have friends who take Adderall and may pressure them to share. This could get both parties in trouble. The one without a prescription could face possession charges while the one who provided the drug could face charges of distribution or trafficking.
2. Stealing Adderall
A young person wishing to misuse Adderall may find a way to divert it without the knowledge of the individual with the prescription, by stealing the medication from the individual’s home or dorm room. Both the possession and theft of the drug can have legal consequences.
3. Overdosing
It is rare to overdose on Adderall, but it is possible. An overdose can produce symptoms of a high fever, stomach pain and vomiting, headache and rapid breathing. Overdosing on Adderall can induce a heart attack and may prove fatal.
4. Addiction
When taken recreationally, Adderall can change the brain’s chemistry to develop a tolerance for the drug. This means that a person has to take larger doses to achieve the same effects. Addiction can lead to problems at home, work or school as well as chronic health problems.
Treatment is available for young people who have become addicted to Adderall.
