In: Root » Health » Nutrition
Drugs prescribed for ADHD such as methylphenidate and amphetamines are being abused by teenagers both as a way to get high but also as a way to enhance their academic or athletic performance. According to the 2009 Monitoring the Future (MTF) report by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), prescription drug abuse among teens is on the rise in the United States. One of the fastest areas of growth in our nation's high schools has been the use of drugs intended for the treatment of ADHD as recreational stimulants. While less high school students are taking the previously popular drug Ritalin, the MTF report did show an increase in students taking Adderall as a recreational drug. The survey found that six percent of all tenth grade students surveyed had reported taking Adderall for non-medical uses in their lifetime. While students might think that Adderall is harmless, it is just as damaging as any drug or alcohol addiction. More than 1.1 million people abused Adderall in 2006, with many of these people needing treatment in a drug rehab facility in order to kick their habit. Getting clean from Adderall is not easy. The first step is detoxification, which should be done at a qualified drug rehab center because of the sometimes severe withdrawal process. Withdrawal symptoms include fatigue, depression, and disturbance of sleep patterns. Another reason that a person with a problem should consider an addiction treatment program is the potentially serious consequences that Adderall abuse has on a person's physical health. When abused, the NIDA says that prescription stimulants can "increase blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, and decrease sleep and appetite, which can lead to malnutrition and its consequences." It can also lead to cardiovascular problems and increased risk of strokes and heart attacks. Treatment of Adderall in an addiction program also needs to take into consideration the mental health effects of abuse. People who abuse Adderall can feel overly hostile and paranoid, conditions that can linger even after a person stops using. - Annabeth Morrison is a freelance writer living in Port Royal, Pennsylvania. She has written for major magazines, newspapers and online news sites.
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