Addictive ADHD Drugs Abused by Teens

More and more, drug treatment centers are noticing that our nation’s children, in pursuit of the American Dream, have taken to prescription drugs in their efforts to meet and exceed the standards set for them. The drugs, meant to quell the effects felt by those individuals suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), are now widely sought by teens at the high school level for their stimulant properties and their ability to – as claimed by said students – increase focus.

While heading into a testing center or in preparation for an infamous “all-nighter” (the remedy for which used to be a strong cup of coffee), many students have taken to insufflating (snorting) such ADHD medications as Adderrall, Vyvanese, and Ritalin so as to induce that jolt deemed necessary to properly approach a rigorous study session. This may speak to a larger societal issue, but at its most basic, the resulting drug abuse is a serious concern to parents everywhere and the issue requires immediate attention.

Intensely Addictive Substances

ADHD drugs, though prescribed by licensed physicians for legitimate medical issues, are classified by the Drug Enforcement Administration as Class 2 controlled substances because of their intensely addictive properties. To provide some perspective, other such Class 2 substances include cocaine and morphine. Cocaine and morphine!

Perhaps unknown to most are the stiff legal penalties associated with the abuse of such drugs. Because of their classification by the D.E.A., the dissemination of said drugs is considered a felony. Whether sold or merely given to a friend.

ADHD Drug Abuse and Treatment

Like other illicit substances, the abuse of such ADHD prescription drugs can lead to addiction, and the subsequent withdrawal has been associated with a bevy of negative side effects, among them depression, mood swings, heart irregularities, and psychosis. Some indicators of addiction to ADHD drugs include, but are not limited to, restlessness, fidgeting, hyperactivity, excessive nose wiping and overly dilated pupils. Said attributes cannot be controlled by the user and can prove fairly obvious to a worried parent or educator.

If addiction does become an issue, help, in any form, should be sought immediately. However, because of their addictive properties, long term use may necessitate a program that goes beyond a more traditional “cold turkey” approach. Drug treatment centers can prove invaluable in the struggle against habitual ADHD prescription drug abuse. An addiction recovery programmay be required in order to mitigate some of the adverse properties (such as the psychoses mentioned above) associated with long-term abuse.

The Road to Recovery

We all pay a price in our quests to succeed. We sometimes work too much, don’t spend enough time as we’d like with our families, and are often given to sedentary lifestyles. The fact is, however, that these consequences are easily remedied. Addiction, on the other hand, is a more treacherous road, and freeing oneself from its clutches is not as easy as working less or exercising more.

It is important that our children be informed of the dangers of these drugs. Stimulants, such as Adderrall and Vyvanese, should not seen as options for gaining advantage in the endless pursuit of accomplishment and recognition. Educating our youth is the first step. Communication, as always, is paramount. And if it is found that someone close to you is suffering from the effects of these drugs, it is important that the individual feel supported and that proper treatment for addiction is sought.