Overused and unprescribed: adderall

Finals week is coming up, and that means there will be an abundance of tests, papers and studying, not to mention sleep deprivation.

All across this great nation of ours, thousands of college students are preparing for the hardest, most exhausting and mind-challenging weeks of the semester.

Finals week is the time where it seems professors unleash pent-up anger towards their class with assignments. With all this stress, students across the country are turning to this magical pill called Adderall.

Adderall is a drug which is widely reported to increase alertness, concentration and overall cognitive performance while decreasing user fatigue. It is mostly prescribed to patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Many studies have been conducted as to why students use Adderall. The "drug and alcohol scene" website dedicated to a drug-free America says it is "used to sharpen focus, aid studying and enhance concentration."

While it may seem like a great idea, some fellow students here at MUC offered their views as to why they feel the complete opposite.

Dan Crites, freshman, said, "I don't think it is right to use it, because even if you don't need it, after using it so many times your body is going to think it needs it and you'll go through withdrawal."

Courtney Gazda, sophomore, agrees. She said, "It is dangerous. You are putting a drug in your body, and like any drug, you don't know how your body is going to react to it. People have had heart attacks because they are so worked up. Using [it] for finals is only temporary, it just hypes you up so it doesn't affect how you study, just how long you stay up."

Withdrawal? Heart attacks? Exhaustion the next day? Does this sound like the way to start out a well-deserved winter break? While the idea of taking a pill that claims to "increase alertness and concentration" sounds like a good idea, the eventual consequences and costs are enough to push the thought of using it away from many minds.

During finals week, though you may be stressed, just remember: It is just a week and once it's done, winter break can begin.

Be smart about your choices.

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