The study drug

Westminster students face Adderall addiction

By: Anne Howell and Krista Smith

Posted: 4/28/09

This article is based on interviews of students within the Westminster community. Some names have been changed to protect privacy.

Students, stress and the study drug.
Sixty-one percent of Westminster students have considered using a study drug, like Adderall, according to an informal survey on-campus. "I use Adderall when everything piles on," says SarahBaker, arts administration major. "It's those days where there are two projects, papers and a test due."

Adderall
According to the National Survey of Drug Use and Health,in 2008 full-time college students ages 18 to 22 were twice as likely to misuse Adderallcompared to those who had not been in college at all or were part-time students.

Adderall is a prescription drug often used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).According to webmd.com,Adderall is a combination of stimulants (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine). Physicians believe Adderall and similar drugs work by restoring the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain.

"It helps me focus"
Adderall is reported to increase the ability to stay focused, pay attention and control behavior. "I don't think it makes my ability any better, but it makes me more motivated," saysBaker, who is not prescribed Adderall.

Chad Labdon, communication major, agrees with Baker,Adderall helps him stay focused. "I've only used it when I procrastinated for too long and needed to get something done," says Labdon to explain why he's used Adderall without a prescription.

Labdon says the drug doesn't make much of a difference. "It's not like it makes me smarter," he says. "When I'm in a crunch, it helps me focus."

Labdon says he uses Adderall as a last resort when he's pressured for time. "I'll plan four hours to write a paper," says Labdon. "But I need an extra two hours to wander-I need to cut the random wanderings."
Using Adderall, Labdon says, keeps him motivated and focused. "When you're on it and you have a task in mind it's the best thing in the world," saysLabdon, who first tried Adderall his freshman year.

"It's a little boost when everything's coming together," says Adam Williams to explain why he has misused Adderall.
"It keeps me focused and motivated to do what I need to do," says Tony Umpierre, undeclared major, who is prescribed Daytrana, a drug similar to Adderall.

According to Robert Johnson, economics major, the reason its okay for students to misuse Adderall is because they are adults and know the dangers of it. He believes users often don't consider Adderall an illicit drug. Johnson says, "Since it's a pill, people are more willing to take it."
Mitchell Vernon, aviation major, believes people's motivations for taking drugs like Adderall are a reaction to the stresses of college life. "People completely put stuff off than pop a couple pills," says Vernon, who has been prescribed Adderall.

Vernon, midshipman first class of the Navy ROTC, agrees the drugs help students focus, but he thinks it isn't worth the change in behavior. "You're just like a zombie," says Vernon. "You don't think about anything except the work you have to do."

"Sometimes I need some help"
"I'd rather study alone, but sometimes I need some help," saysBaker. She has used Adderallat Westminster in the last year.
In an informal on-campus survey, 30 percent of Westminster students said they have used drugs like Adderall, Ritalin, Xanax or other prescription drugs to help with school.

Labdon has used Adderallwithout a prescription in the past. "I used it once for midterms, once for finals and once for a big project that was due towards the end of the semester," says Labdon about his experience.

Williams has also used Adderall while attending Westminster. "I've only taken it 10 or 15 times," says Williams. "Make it 16 on Sunday. I'm going to need it for my Micro Theory final."

"I'm just a space case"
Johnson was diagnosed with ADD as a child. "I don't have the energy of a person with ADD," says Johnson. "I'm just a space case."

To describe ADD, Johnson says, "It's like watching the TV when you have no remote and the channel keeps changing."

Umpierre, a freshman was diagnosed with ADD in sixth grade and was originally prescribed Adderall. He is now taking Daytrana.

Daytrana is a newer drug used to treat ADD. The medication is dispersed through a patch on the skin and directly into the bloodstream. The effects are similar to Adderall.

Umpierre says Daytrana is effective. "It works for me because it slows me down," he says.

Umpierre uses Daytrana to treat his ADD. "I use it on a weekend with a lot of homework," says Umpierre. "I'll stick a 20 milligram patch on for nine hours." Umpierre also says he uses a half dose, or ten milligrams, for a regular day of class.

Vernonwas also prescribed Adderall as a child, but had to stop taking his medication when he joined the Navy ROTC. "Since first grade until my senior year of high school, I've been prescribed medication," says Vernon.

Vernon was on Adderall during middle and high school. "It had enormous benefits for me," says Vernon. "But I hated it. When you take those drugs, you're like a zombie."

"Everything would be color coded"
Vernon says he doesn't understand why people would recreationally use Adderall. "It makes you feel really bizarre, introverted," says Vernon."Time passes more slowly-it's tedious and boring."

The side effects of Adderall often leave users feeling full and focused. "It makes you not want to eat," said Umpierre, who was often asked if he was anorexic while on Adderall in middle school. Baker agrees, "The only side effect I think I've ever really had is you're not hungry at all."

Adderall was originally marketed in the 1960s as a diet pill. "I did a paper on the dangers of using Adderall-when I was on Adderall," says Baker. "I think I'm smarter than the average Adderall user."

Baker points out Adderall is an amphetamine belonging to the same family of drugs as speed and meth. She also recognizes the risksof using Adderall. "I know I shouldn't drink caffeine or exercise when I'm on Adderall," says Baker, "or my heart might explode." A side effect of an amphetamine is increased heart rate.

Another side effect that Baker notices when she uses Adderall is how much more she accomplishes in a shorter period of time.
Once when using Adderall, Baker finished all of her homework and couldn't turn the affects off. "I did four loads of laundry, and everything would be color coded."

Baker says that people who know her well definitely see a difference in her behavior when she's on Adderall.

"That's what's sick about it," said Baker. "Because you get so much done and you feel good about it."
"It's all means to an end," says Johnson. "Should it be called a performance enhancing drug?" Johnson says Adderall and drugs like it are very well-made meth. In high school, Johnson sold Adderall to people who wanted to detox and lose weight. "Some people call it a problem, some people call it a solution," says Johnson.

Vernon believes Adderall is a problem. "People use it as a crutch," says Vernon.
During her freshman year, Baker said she spent two days on Adderall and was genuinely upset when she couldn't get any the next time she needed the drug. "It's easy to become dependent on it if you're not careful," says Baker.

Johnson agrees with Baker."I think recreational abuse can be more legit than dependency," says Johnson. "If you think you need it, its worse."

Johnson was originally prescribed Providencial in 2004. "It's not as profitable for abuse," says Johnson. He was on Adderall from sixth to eighth grade. In sixth grade, he says he experienced no emotion or appetite. "It can hurt your development," says Johnson.

As a sophomore in high school, Johnson would sellAdderall to his friends. One of his friends overdosed. "Her arms and legs went numb," says Johnson. "She would cry on and off."

Johnson believes medication is an equalizing substance. "The side effects are the same for people who abuse it or use it," says Johnson. "Medication doesn't discriminate."
"If you can pay, you can get it"

"This shit is so easy to come by," says Johnson. "It's cleaner than the stuff on the streets and it's better made."

Baker didn't start using Adderall until her freshman year of college at Arizona State University (ASU). Since moving to Utah, Baker has obtained Adderall from friends with prescriptions, but ASU was a different story.

According to Baker, at ASU students get Adderall like any other drug-from dealers. "Facebook is a good way to communicate with your drug dealer," saysBaker. She lived in a 15-story building with 1,000 students and an Adderall dealer. "If you can pay for it [Adderall], you can get it," Baker says.

Now in Utah, Bakeris less able to get Adderall. "The past couple of times I've wanted to use Adderall, I couldn't get it," said Baker. She explains the difficulty of finding people who are prescribed the drug and willing to share. One of Baker's friends often can't give her Adderall. Baker says, "Her parents and her brother use her prescription-so I have to compete."

Students on campus have asked once or twice for Daytrana from Umpierre. "But always jokingly," Umpierre says.
Labdon says it's easy to get prescription drugs. He says, "I have a friend with ADD so I can just say, 'Hey man, can I get one?'"
Labdonhas been asked by students where he gets Adderall, but he doesn't give people his friend's name. "I'm not really interested in having people attacking him 24-seven," says Labdon.

According to Jennifer Rogers, director of Student Health Services,Adderal costs $70 for 20 pills without insurance.
"I don't see much of a problem here"
Michelle Call, a counselor at Westminster, believes students turn to drugs to alleviate stress. Call says, "About mid- to late-March people become more distressed." She says during finals students feel more pressure to get work done.

Call says students may abuse Adderall and similar drugs because of perfectionism. "There are a lot of pressures in the internal and external world we live in," says Call.
According to Call, students view drug use differently now than when she was in college. "People talk about marijuana like drinking a cup of coffee," says Call. She believes drug use may not come up in counseling because students don't consider it an issue.

Jennifer Rogers, director of Student Health Services says, "A small proportion of students turn to illicit drugs." She believes most students turn to other vices like alcohol, tobacco and caffeine to handle stress.

Call doesn't talk to many students who admit to misusing prescription drugs. "Anecdotally there are students where it comes up in sessions," says Call. "But it's not why they come to counseling."

Rogers agrees with Call. "I don't see much of a problem here," says Rogers who currently prescribes about seven students drugs like Adderall to treat ADD and ADHD.

Alternatives
"There are people who need the drug," says Vernon. As a member of the Navy, Vernon says he uses self-discipline instead of drugs to control his ADD.

In the past, Vernon has taken 19 credit hours in a semester and completed his military duties without medication. Something he never thought he would be able to accomplish. "I feel like I can get more done as a result of being older," says Vernon. "I have better studying habits now."

Rogers prescribes about seven students on campus drugs like Adderall. She says that for the most effective use people with ADD or ADHD should take their prescription each day. "But the majority don't," said Rogers. "A lot of it depends on how much it [the drug] interferes with their life."
Although Baker admits she thinks occasional drug use is fine, she discourages anyone from ever taking Adderall. "If you've never tried it, don't," says Baker. "I don't have an addictive personality, but its one thing I can see how people get in trouble with."

As a healthier alternative Rogers says students should eat healthy and get plenty of rest. "It's about creating wellness within yourself," says Rogers. She also encourages students to manage their time well and plan ahead.

If students are feeling overwhelmed, Rogers suggests they go to the Counseling Center or her office. Both are located on the lower level of Shaw. She also suggests students go to an emergency room or clinic if they are off-campus. "Even if it seems like something that shouldn't be handled by a health care provider," says Rogers. "It can be handled there as well."

Call encourages students who may be feeling pressured to choose a different alternative to prescription medications. "Take the whole person approach," says Call. "Engage spiritually, socially, mentally, emotionally and physically." Like Rogers, Call encourages students to eat nutritiously, sleep well and talk to someone.

"If someone can talk it alleviates the stress of the situation," says Call. If students are thinking about taking Adderall or another drug, "Have a conversation about the fear of failing that class," says Call. "Coming to counseling would be my first recommendation."

Counseling Center
Shaw L7
Walk-in or by appointment

Lisa Jones, PhD
Director of the Counseling Center
801-832-2237
ljones@westminstercollege.edu

Michelle Call, LCSW
Counselor
801-832-2246
mcall@westminstercollege.edu

Student Health Services
Shaw L1
Monday through Thursday
10 a.m to 2 p.m.
Walk-in or by appointment