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Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta

Adderal, Ritalin, Concerta, and a few others, are prescription strength pharmaceutical amphetamines. Though their use can be appropriate under proper monitoring and procedures, these drugs can take a life-long toll on the young kids that tend to abuse them. For some, death can come instantaneously. These pills are most often found with their numeric imprint in tact. A quick search on an internet pill identifier will readily trace their identity. Kids abuse them because they produce a heightened sense of mental acuity. They allow high school and college students to stay up for long periods of time and retain large amounts of data. This allows them to party right up until a big test, and then cram a day or two prior.

Studies have found that the use of amphetamines, whether prescription or not, is linked to higher rates of other drug use. In a recent survey conducted by the National Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 90% of American college students who used Adderall for non-medical purposes also engaged in binge drinking. 80% of them used marijuana. These students are also eight times more likely to use cocaine and eight times more likely to abuse other prescription medicines, than those who do not use Adderall for non-medical purposes.(1)

• D.E.A. Classification: Schedule II
• Drug Category: Stimulant
• Availability: Highly Available
• Cost per dose: $10 per dose
• Frequency of Use: 6.4% of Full Time College Students Used in 2008(1)
• Geographic Predominance: Omnipresent
• Method of Ingestion: Taken as a pill
• D.A.W.N. Report: 31,534 Emergency Room Visits for Amphetamines in 2008
• Duration of High: 2 to 14 hours
• Detectable in Urine: 3 to 5 days depending on dose

Both Adderall and Ritalin are commonly prescribed for ADD and ADHD. A large number of high school and college kids receive the pills legitimately from their physician. Unfortunately, they can be easily abused, and are often used as a source of cash for students who are willing to sell their pills on the side. Pills go for about $10 each on the street. When taken recreationally, users tend to exceed the recommended dose by two to three times that considered safe by doctors. Studies show that these high doses can damage the brains of animals in laboratory settings.

There are also serious preexisting risk factors that have to be screened out before a patient is prescribed either of the drugs, as sudden cardiac arrest and stroke can occur for some people. A rash of young deaths associated with Adderall XR prompted Canadian authorities to pull it from the shelves in 2005. The U.S. FDA has labeled these drugs, and others in the same category, with their “Black Box” label (shown above, click to enlarge). Still many young people have a naively passive outlook on their use.

Some versions of these prescription medications are “time-release” doses, which spread the effects over twelve to fifteen hours. This greatly enhances the chance of complications due to the use of additional substances, such as high levels of caffeine, other medications, or illicit drugs. Without going to a doctor first, the street user is rarely aware of the precautions that should be taken.

Signs of Use: Like other stimulants, these medicines cause an increase in heart rate, respiration rate, temperature and blood pressure. The user’s pupils will often be dilated beyond the normal range. They may have a dry mouth and experience some degree of muscle rigidity. For parents, or those intimately familiar with the user, you may detect a change in mental alertness, concentration abilities and confidence.

Adderall Paraphernalia includes empty foil packets for pills or other objects commonly used to carry pills. Sometimes, pills are concealed inside the empty tube of pens, and carried in backpacks. Razors can also accompany Adderall abuse, as users sometimes chop pills into portions before using.

Preventing Adderall Abuse: Parents should discuss the potentially severe side effects of using Adderall without the proper screening, advice and monitoring of a physician. There have been several high profile, young, deaths associated with the abuse of these drugs when taken outside the advice of a doctor. The Preventing Drug Abuse pages also offer some great guidance on this subject.
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References

1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies. (April 7, 2009). The NSDUH Report: Nonmedical Use of Adderall® among Full-Time College Students. Rockville, MD.