Prescription drug abuse has become so prominent in culture that it is depicted in the lyrics of musical artists such as Shwayze, whose song, "Get U Home" goes, "she tastes like cigarettes and alcohol, up all night on Adderall…" Popping ADHD medications illegally for a quick energy fix has become a trend in high schools and colleges throughout the United States. Used for reasons ranging from all-night studying marathons to simple weight loss, Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse and other pills have become popular, but their negative side effects are often ignored.
The National Institute of Mental Health defines attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as "one of the most common childhood disorders." A person diagnosed with ADHD has difficulty paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior and hyperactivity. Treatment usually consists of medication, but psychotherapy and behavioral programs are also available. The drugs prescribed are all amphetamines, which stimulate brain activity and the central nervous system periodically, causing patients with ADHD to get a calming effect. Adderall is most prescribed, but there are others such as Ritalin, Vyvanse, Concerta and Strattera. Common side effects include weight loss, dry mouth, insomnia, anxiety and addiction. Overdose side effects include seizures, panic states, vomiting, kidney damage and even death. "The crash makes you feel very tired and sometimes you grind your teeth until your jaw is sore," says an anonymous junior, who uses her friend’s Adderall prescription. Despite the dangers from abusing ADHD medications, increasing numbers of teens still use them improperly to get that extra boost of energy.
"The main reasons I take ADHD medications are to make me feel productive and keep me awake. They also make me feel happy," says an anonymous senior. She enjoys occasionally taking Adderall up to three times a month. Students will use the drugs mostly for school-related reasons since they say it will keep them incredibly focused for long periods of time.
It is relatively easy for teenagers to find the pills in the medicine cabinets of friends or family members. In the illegal drug market, the prices for each pill usually range from $2-$10, depending on the brand and the milligram amount. Another anonymous student explains, "I have friends prescribed so they usually give me some for free. But if not, it’s not too expensive." Stealing written prescriptions or the drugs themselves are also ways people may get their hands on them. Internet pharmacies may seem like an option to some pill-poppers, but they’re usually not regulated. Therefore, the pills could be fake or unsafe.
Although ADHD pills are mostly cheap and easily accessible, they are dangerous. Distribution of prescription pills is against federal law, and is punishable by jail time. Driving under the influence of medications not prescribed to that person is a high-end misdemeanor or felony, depending on the circumstances. Law enforcement and drug precaution groups have taken notice of the rise in illegal prescription drug abuse. According to the National Survey of Drug Use and Health, 2.1 million teens abused prescription drugs in 2005. Only five years later, and the statistics are continuously increasing.