What About Adderall

[Little30]

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Any of you pre-meds out there try it/ use it regularly.... I'm trying to get a prescription tomorrow... I've done it before and damn is it amazing.... I can sit for 8 hours and study nonstop... I plan on using it for the MCATS too... but I'm cautious b\c taking it now can make it harder in med school when school is 100x's harder.... anybody know anything about it???????

 

[drhouse]

I have used it quite a bit to study so I'll give you my take.

I think to some degree it makes you feel smarter than you actually are. I have thought I aced a test on adderall only to get a B. I didn't take it once when studying for the MCATs, because it worsens my retention when I cram on adderall. What adderall is good for is memorizing a large amount of information in one session right before a test.

It has a pretty big downside too, and that's that you can't sleep on it, sometimes up to two days after taking it. It throws your daily route off for quite a while in some cases. That's my two sense.

 

[Will Ferrell]

WTF? are you all serious? adderall = speed = illegal w/o a perscription. You shouldn't mess with it. If you want an edge, get 8+ hours of sleep before an exam.

 

[Vitriol]

my mom's opinion " aderall works by allowing you to concentrate for the short time. you will not be able to retain all that information for a long period of time. so if you have to use it, use it when your cramming for an exam for the next day, but unless you have the physiological need for it, it will not help you in the long run"

btw, she is a psychiatrist

 

[drhouse]

Ya. Ok. Will Farrell.

 

[Will Ferrell]

Ya. Ok. Will Farrell.

If you don't have a prescription, you should stay away from it. The last thing you need is to be busted with it. You'll get a criminal record.

 

[Rafa]

WTF? are you all serious? adderall = speed = illegal w/o a perscription. You shouldn't mess with it. If you want an edge, get 8+ hours of sleep before an exam.

👍

I don't get this whole "which foreign agents can I put in my body to make me better than my peers" vibe. Get good rest. Eat good food. Take long walks. Play good music. Stay off the drugs.

 

[drhouse]

If you don't have a perscription, you should stay away from it. The last thing you need is to be busted with it. You'll get a criminal record.

You've got to be kidding me. You're a dork, and I'm done with this thread.

 

[SlippingSloth]

It seems quite ironic that premeds seriously take these things to get an advantage while trying to get into a profession that battles everyday to fight addiction of similar substances.

 

[Depakote]

👍

I don't get this whole "which foreign agents can I put in my body to make me better than my peers" vibe. Get good rest. Eat good food. Take long walks. Play good music. Stay off the drugs.

Amen.

 

[jebus]

dr house, look it up, adderall is just the name of dextroamphetamine. it's a schedule ii controlled substance. just because you have "a dealer" doesn't mean it's not speed. Other schedule ii controlled substances are:
opium, morphine, codeine, hydromorphone (Dilaudid), methadone, Pantopon, meperidine (Demerol), cocaine, Oxycodone (Percodan), and Ooxymorphone (Numorphan), amphetamine (Dexedrine/Adderall), methamphetamine (Desoxyn), Phemnetrazine (Preludin), methylphenidate (Ritalin), Amobarbital, Pentobarbital, Secobarbital, Fentanyl (Sublimaze), Sufentanil, Etorphine Hydrochloride, Phenylacetone, dronabinol and nabilone.
What do they all have in common? they are all fun.
Also, little30, don't be a *****. if you're gonna start, stay on it for the long run: 10-15 years at least. don't stop for medical school. don't stop for residencies (it will help you stay up when you're on call at night), and it will help you be a better parent, spouse, and lover.

 

[tulane06]

The problem is that your memory is often state-dependent. If you only study while on that stuff, then take the test "sober," your recall will be ****ty. State-dependent memory is also why you play pool better when you're drunk - you probably learned how to play when you were drunk.

 

[Bluntman]

LOL...some of you guys need to chiiiilll...lemme guess...didn't drink till you were 21 either? right.

Anyway, I agree (from my experience) that the time to use it is in situations when you need to stay up all night right before a test to memorize a bunch of stuff. If that's what you're up against, and normal staying-up/coffee won't cut it, it can be a lifesaver. Definitely not for longer than a night though, or you're gonna crash.

 

[Bluntman]

State-dependent memory is also why you play pool better when you're drunk - you probably learned how to play when you were drunk.

Amen to that!

 

[anon-y-mouse]

The problem with adderall is that the vast majority of people who take it in the first place tends to be idiots. (i.e. of the people w/o prescriptions or lax doctors). Idiots, how so? They don't know how to study in the first place, i.e. studying to learn and comprehend. They think that adderall is a panacea, when in fact if they don't know how to learn, they're going to get nowhere, no matter what.

In my non-professional, non-medical opinion, adderall is most efficiently (ab)used by those people who know how to study and do well, but are just too lazy to crack the books open, find 87424 excuses not to study, and get easily distracted otherwise... that is, by the students who would normally get an A, but are just unmotivated / "all over the place". I've seen way too many B students who take adderall to "help study for orgo", but end up failing the test because they're not actively learning, they're just focused on the page, staring at the symbols, focusing on minutiae, going really slowly, etc. etc. Oh, and forget about taking speed *during* an actual test -- that's just a recipe for disaster for anyone, regardless of how intelligent.

For the right person, adderall is like extra time, like Hermione's "time-turner" in Harry Potter. It confers "more attention" and vigilance (thanks to locus coeruleus effects), but if you have no idea what to do with that extra attention, then it's pointless.

To correct jebus, adderall is actually *mixed salts* amphetamine... that is, dextroamphetamine sulfate is just one of the salts. but right, it is schedule II.

 

[Depakote]

The problem with adderall is that the vast majority of people who take it in the first place tends to be idiots. (i.e. of the people w/o prescriptions or lax doctors). Idiots, how so? They don't know how to study in the first place, i.e. studying to learn and comprehend. They think that adderall is a panacea, when in fact if they don't know how to learn, they're going to get nowhere, no matter what.

In my non-professional, non-medical opinion, adderall is most efficiently (ab)used by those people who know how to study and do well, but are just too lazy to crack the books open, find 87424 excuses not to study, and get easily distracted otherwise... that is, by the students who would normally get an A, but are just unmotivated / "all over the place". I've seen way too many B students who take adderall to "help study for orgo", but end up failing the test because they're not actively learning, they're just focused on the page, staring at the symbols, focusing on minutiae, going really slowly, etc. etc. Oh, and forget about taking speed *during* an actual test -- that's just a recipe for disaster for anyone, regardless of how intelligent.

For the right person, adderall is like extra time, like Hermione's "time-turner" in Harry Potter. It confers "more attention" and vigilance (thanks to locus coeruleus effects), but if you have no idea what to do with that extra attention, then it's pointless.

To correct jebus, adderall is actually *mixed salts* amphetamine... that is, dextroamphetamine sulfate is just one of the salts. but right, it is schedule II.

10 points for the Harry Potter reference!

 

[OHare]

I know I'm playing the good guy, but if you want adderall, get tested. Go through the proper steps and proper documentation. Maybe you'll get it or maybe your doc will suggest something else.

 

[Labslave]

I'll lay down the law: You're only allowed to take adderall and still become a doctor if you also smoke 2 packs of cigarettes a day and eat McDonald's and Burger King relentlessly. This way, you won't be half-assing your hypocrisy.

 

[Oculus Sinistra]

It seems quite ironic that premeds seriously take these things to get an advantage while trying to get into a profession that battles everyday to fight addiction of similar substances.

good call.

 

[gottalovemilk]

i use ritalin. very nicely obtainable from any neurologist that you complain to about not being able to concentrate and only costs $10 for 60 tablets (10mg/tab).

by using controlled substances (cs), you must have great responsiblity with it. You can still obtain sleep through regular night hours, retain memory of what you studied etc., but it requires a schedule that through the course of taking the cs you have come to realize when the effects are high for great efficiency and when you will crash.

 

[gottalovemilk]

It seems quite ironic that premeds seriously take these things to get an advantage while trying to get into a profession that battles everyday to fight addiction of similar substances.

i thought the point of becoming a doctor is to make money?


on the other note, we are just helping those that are too irresponsible with properly maintaining their drug intake. :-] it is a nice perk that we will have easier access to drugs than the public as docs.

 

[Dr. Little]

It really makes me mad to see all the *****'s on SDN saying "Oh my god!, take a drug that isn't prescribed by a doctor? It is a scheduled substance!!!" Seriously grow some, i thought after reading the "how much do pre-med's drink" post that there wasn't so many goody goody mama boy premeds out there but I guess thats the majority

 

[Will Ferrell]

It really makes me mad to see all the *****'s on SDN saying "Oh my god!, take a drug that isn't prescribed by a doctor? It is a scheduled substance!!!" Seriously grow some, i thought after reading the "how much do pre-med's drink" post that there wasn't so many goody goody mama boy premeds out there but I guess thats the majority

there's a big difference between drinking underage and taking illegal drugs. the latter will complicate the rest of your life if you're caught w/ it on you.

 

[witt105]

It sort of disturbs me that some of my future colleagues had to take non-prescribed drugs in order to do well on a test.

 

[nightowl]

Why use it as a crutch? Even if it does help you ace a test, what happens when it's no longer available? If you become emotionally depedent on it to do well, you're going to really hurt yourself in the long run. The great thing about making drug-free good grades and mcat score is that you can be confident in your own natural ability to learn. I mean, do you want to be prepping for a surgery, thinking "I can't do this without my Adderall?"

 

[Dov]

Coffee and Red Bull... I haven't taken adderall once.

I have a good friend who does. He developed a nose bleeding problem.

Besides... what will you have left to abuse when you have to step it up in med school 🙂 (KIDDING!!!!!!!).

 

[Dominion]

So what about people who obtain it through the proper means. Getting tests, perscription and not just to cram for that big test, but actually need it to not zone out during every day stuff. Is that still abusing a substance or does it play into the realm of a needed device.

 

[jebus]

It really makes me mad to see all the *****'s on SDN saying "Oh my god!, take a drug that isn't prescribed by a doctor? It is a scheduled substance!!!" Seriously grow some, i thought after reading the "how much do pre-med's drink" post that there wasn't so many goody goody mama boy premeds out there but I guess thats the majority

I like how you made ***** a possessive.
Also, drugs are fun. That's why people use them. Eventually you grow out of them. My resting blood pressure was 170/130 after a few years of using speed. Fück all this talk about crutches or what's legal or who's a ***** or whatever stupid ad hominem you come up with. Do you honestly think that's healthy? Yeah, amphetamines are addictive and they are a lot of fun. Addictive + Fun = trouble. Stop all this "I'm not a *****, I can handle my drugs" tough guy bullsh¡t for a minute. Why subject yourself to this unless you're some immature little sh¡t who doesn't understand long-term consequences in your search for some cheap and easy fix (isn't that what you want, good results without the hard work?) to help you stay out late at night.
And since we're on to ad hominems now, grow up, pencil dick.

 

[infiniti]

Given the fact that I am not a doc yet, I can't say when or when one should take the drug being discussed.

Having said that, I would advise that people actually stay off meds (unless it has been recommended by your doctor). If you think orgo is hard or school is tough, wait till you get to medical school. Even medical students are in for a treat once they graduate. What would you do then? Start popping your patients meds? LOL

I think discipline is important. Not having the motivation is not a good reason for failing a class. You simply have to learn how to sit your a** down and do your thing. I suggest studying more often for shorter period of time (this means you have to keep up with your class work), managing your time wisely and rewarding yourself for sticking to your schedule. I also found that I perform best when I am happy (whatever makes you happy).

 

[Dr. Little]

I like how you made ***** a possessive.
Also, drugs are fun. That's why people use them. Eventually you grow out of them. My resting blood pressure was 170/130 after a few years of using speed. Fück all this talk about crutches or what's legal or who's a ***** or whatever stupid ad hominem you come up with. Do you honestly think that's healthy? Yeah, amphetamines are addictive and they are a lot of fun. Addictive + Fun = trouble. Stop all this "I'm not a *****, I can handle my drugs" tough guy bullsh¡t for a minute. Why subject yourself to this unless you're some immature little sh¡t who doesn't understand long-term consequences in your search for some cheap and easy fix (isn't that what you want, good results without the hard work?) to help you stay out late at night.
And since we're on to ad hominems now, grow up, pencil dick.

Ok I never said I was cool for doing it, and I never said that I was tough for doing it either. I was simply bringing up the point of anal pre-meds that don't get out. Yes, it is amphetamine, but it is also the most prescribed ADD medication for people over 16. It is not used in the same quantitiy as a street high. I would never take it to recreationally get high, only to study. Oh yeah and to be gramaitically correct, it would be ******** and you are exactly the type of anal pre-med which I was refering to (wait i forgot your resting BP was 170/130 b\c you did so much amphetamine). Why don't you go look up some more of your latin phrases ("ad hominems") and try to impress some more SDNers!!

 

[astrife]

Ok I never said I was cool for doing it, and I never said that I was tough for doing it either. I was simply bringing up the point of anal pre-meds that don't get out. Yes, it is amphetamine, but it is also the most prescribed ADD medication for people over 16. It is not used in the same quantitiy as a street high. I would never take it to recreationally get high, only to study. Oh yeah and to be gramaitically correct, it would be ******** and you are exactly the type of anal pre-med which I was refering to (wait i forgot your resting BP was 170/130 b\c you did so much amphetamine). Why don't you go look up some more of your latin phrases ("ad hominems") and try to impress some more SDNers!!

lol... correcting gramar is pretty lame...

 

[Chris127]

Theres this amazing thing called time management. Since my first semester, I have never had to put myself in a situation where I have to retain large amounts of info the night before an exam.

 

[LabMonster]

Theres this amazing thing called time management. Since my first semester, I have never had to put myself in a situation where I have to retain large amounts of info the night before an exam.

I'd agree with this and just plain hard work. The simplest solution usually involves the most damn work. 😎

 

[ANNIE8]

you could crush up the pills and snort them that would make the high better...

I'm kidding, hard work sounds about right.

 

[ncalcate]

I find it ironic and somewhat scary to think that in about 4.5 years, some of the people posting on this thread will be given the power/privilege to prescribe drugs, including medications such as oxycontin. How could a pre-med who takes a prescription drug WITHOUT a prescription be trusted with such a responsibilty? How could you look a patient with severe back pain straight in the eye and tell them to not abuse oxycontin when you were taking unprescribed amphetamines just a couple of years earlier?

I doubt my views are in the minority here. I suspect most medical school disciplinary committees feel the same way. They wouldn't want to graduate a student who seems to feel that he/she is above the law when it comes to taking amphetamines without a prescription.

 

[Depakote]

I actually gave up caffeine for the MCAT. I weaned off it over the course of a few months and I'm doing great a year and a half later. I didn't feel dependant on it and I wasn't crashing durring the test. It's a lot easier to get up in the morning too.

Of course we'll see if it holds in med school.

 

[Bluntman]

I like how you made ***** a possessive.
Also, drugs are fun. That's why people use them. Eventually you grow out of them. My resting blood pressure was 170/130 after a few years of using speed. Fück all this talk about crutches or what's legal or who's a ***** or whatever stupid ad hominem you come up with. Do you honestly think that's healthy? Yeah, amphetamines are addictive and they are a lot of fun. Addictive + Fun = trouble. Stop all this "I'm not a *****, I can handle my drugs" tough guy bullsh¡t for a minute. Why subject yourself to this unless you're some immature little sh¡t who doesn't understand long-term consequences in your search for some cheap and easy fix (isn't that what you want, good results without the hard work?) to help you stay out late at night.
And since we're on to ad hominems now, grow up, pencil dick.

omg this guy is cracking me up. more material please, this stuff is priceless!

 

[drhouse]

Jesus christ. You people are ridiculous with all this "I can't believe my future colleagues would do this sort of stuff." These are the same people who never broke into abandoned buildings at night when they were little kids, never drank in high school, have never smoked pot, etc. And I don't smoke pot, and I don't take adderall often, but I'm glad I've at least tried both. Neither are going to kill me, and having experienced them I feel like I understand the world a little better. I wouldn't mind if my physician had tried drugs. In fact I wouldn't trust him if he hadn't. Like I would never vote for a president who HADN'T smoked pot, because that is, in my opinion, a naive, naive person. Now go ahead... let the lambasting begin.

 

[tulane06]

Jesus christ. You people are ridiculous with all this "I can't believe my future colleagues would do this sort of stuff." These are the same people who never broke into abandoned buildings at night when they were little kids, never drank in high school, have never smoked pot, etc. And I don't smoke pot, and I don't take adderall often, but I'm glad I've at least tried both. Neither are going to kill me, and having experienced them I feel like I understand the world a little better. I wouldn't mind if my physician had tried drugs. In fact I wouldn't trust him if he hadn't. Like I would never vote for a president who HADN'T smoked pot, because that is, in my opinion, a naive, naive person. Now go ahead... let the lambasting begin.

amen

 

[Bluntman]

Jesus christ. You people are ridiculous with all this "I can't believe my future colleagues would do this sort of stuff." These are the same people who never broke into abandoned buildings at night when they were little kids, never drank in high school, have never smoked pot, etc. And I don't smoke pot, and I don't take adderall often, but I'm glad I've at least tried both. Neither are going to kill me, and having experienced them I feel like I understand the world a little better. I wouldn't mind if my physician had tried drugs. In fact I wouldn't trust him if he hadn't. Like I would never vote for a president who HADN'T smoked pot, because that is, in my opinion, a naive, naive person. Now go ahead... let the lambasting begin.

👍 👍 👍

 

[Depakote]

Jesus christ. You people are ridiculous with all this "I can't believe my future colleagues would do this sort of stuff." These are the same people who never broke into abandoned buildings at night when they were little kids, never drank in high school, have never smoked pot, etc. And I don't smoke pot, and I don't take adderall often, but I'm glad I've at least tried both. Neither are going to kill me, and having experienced them I feel like I understand the world a little better. I wouldn't mind if my physician had tried drugs. In fact I wouldn't trust him if he hadn't. Like I would never vote for a president who HADN'T smoked pot, because that is, in my opinion, a naive, naive person. Now go ahead... let the lambasting begin.

mmmmm lamb-basting. *droooool*

 

[Uvault05]

Jesus christ. You people are ridiculous with all this "I can't believe my future colleagues would do this sort of stuff." These are the same people who never broke into abandoned buildings at night when they were little kids, never drank in high school, have never smoked pot, etc. And I don't smoke pot, and I don't take adderall often, but I'm glad I've at least tried both. Neither are going to kill me, and having experienced them I feel like I understand the world a little better. I wouldn't mind if my physician had tried drugs. In fact I wouldn't trust him if he hadn't. Like I would never vote for a president who HADN'T smoked pot, because that is, in my opinion, a naive, naive person. Now go ahead... let the lambasting begin.

Wow--there's a new one. Actually stereotyping people for NOT doing drugs Personally, I wouldn't be able to support a president who's never broken into abandoned buildings at night.

I agree, though, that trying this stuff is not the worst thing in the world. Does anybody seriously think that 5 straight cups of coffee & a red bull is somehow morally "better" when compared with swallowing 10mg of Ritalin? (I'm thinking that you'd feel WAAAAY higher off the former cocktail) Procuring the Ritalin/adderall is the only shady part in my opinion. But you CANNOT judge someone who takes these as a study tool if you're hopped-up all night on caffeine & candy.

 

[ND2005]

Another issue to consider:

a friend told me adderall shrunk his penis!

Not worth it!!

 

[Vox Animo]

I don't think that using adderal ai few times to help with a test is going to affect you in the long run. I also don't think it is that big of a deal ethically, who cares. But understand this, if the only way you can compete and recieve high grades in undergrad is with adderall, there is a very good chance that you will have to do the same thing throughout medical school. You will have to rely on it, or your are going to change how you study. It very rare that students who study often cannot do well on tests. Most of the people I know who use adderall are students who mess around and never study and just do it to cram last minute as the lazy way. If u choose to do this, thats fine, but your will have to rely on adderall.

On a side note, adderall is an ampetimene and it is ridiculously overprescribed. Some kindergarten classes have one third of their students taking it regularly. Too many parents/teachers use it as the easy way out of controlling their kids. I have been working at a BD/ADHD camp for 7 summers and know that some kids need it, but most do not. Most of the people in college I know that are prescribed it do not need, but still fill prescription so that can sell it. But that really doesn't have much to do with the OP

 

[Depakote]

Jesus christ. You people are ridiculous with all this "I can't believe my future colleagues would do this sort of stuff." These are the same people who never broke into abandoned buildings at night when they were little kids, never drank in high school, have never smoked pot, etc. And I don't smoke pot, and I don't take adderall often, but I'm glad I've at least tried both. Neither are going to kill me, and having experienced them I feel like I understand the world a little better. I wouldn't mind if my physician had tried drugs. In fact I wouldn't trust him if he hadn't. Like I would never vote for a president who HADN'T smoked pot, because that is, in my opinion, a naive, naive person. Now go ahead... let the lambasting begin.

Now I'm not saying I would take particular issue if my doctor smoke pot recreationally on his own or did whatever prior to going into medicine. But I might be a little concerned if he needed aderall just to concentrate enough to make a diagnosis or remember what he was doing.

It's a clear delineation between use and abuse there.

 

[Uvault05]

Now I'm not saying I would take particular issue if my doctor smoke pot recreationally on his own or did <i>whatever</i> prior to going into medicine. But I might be a little concerned if he needed aderall just to concentrate enough to make a diagnosis or remember what he was doing.

It's a clear delineation between use and abuse there.

Definitely agree with you and Vox. A habitual adderall user in M1 & M2 years is gonna have a hard time performing on the wards without using the drug as a crutch. I wouldn't be too concerned about those who take a pill every so often before a final, but it's definitely a point worth considering for students who use it more often.

 

[drhouse]

Now I'm not saying I would take particular issue if my doctor smoke pot recreationally on his own or did <i>whatever</i> prior to going into medicine. But I might be a little concerned if he needed aderall just to concentrate enough to make a diagnosis or remember what he was doing.

It's a clear delineation between use and abuse there.

What about a doctor who borrowed a few adderall from his roommate when he procrastinated a few times during undergrad, and once or twice during med school. Is that a doctor you wouldn't trust to make a diagnosis? Or how about a doctor that actually had ADD, but was a great physician? What about a fantastic surgeon who is an alcoholic, but never while working (there are plenty of them)? How about doctors who drink at all? These are just people. They have habits, problems, tendencies, and pleasures just like any other professional.

 

[Depakote]

What about a doctor who borrowed a few adderall from his roommate when he procrastinated a few times during undergrad, and once or twice during med school. Is that a doctor you wouldn't trust to make a diagnosis? Or how about a doctor that actually had ADD, but was a great physician? What about a fantastic surgeon who is an alcoholic, but never while working (there are plenty of them)? How about doctors who drink at all? These are just people. They have habits, problems, tendencies, and pleasures just like any other professional.

Most of those deserve to be decided case by case, but I'm not going to get drawn into a different argument. I'm just saying that someone abusing adderall as a physician (with no other medically defined need for the drug) shouldn't be treating patients while under the influence.

 

[Bluntman]

Most of those deserve to be decided case by case, but I'm not going to get drawn into a different argument. I'm just saying that someone abusing adderall as a physician (with no other medically defined need for the drug) shouldn't be treating patients while under the influence.

Totally agree...and if there is some medical need then he should just go see a doc himself so that whatever drugs are necessary can be prescribed in a responsible and controlled manner.

 

[anon-y-mouse]

Most of those deserve to be decided case by case, but I'm not going to get drawn into a different argument. I'm just saying that someone abusing adderall as a physician (with no other medically defined need for the drug) shouldn't be treating patients while under the influence.

I think you're confusing a medical/pharmacological issue with an ethical issue. Are you saying it is unethical to treat while taking addys? or are you saying it's "unsafe" to treat, as in it's "unsafe to operate heavy machinery"?

If we're talking about ethics... well, that issue is relative. If you're talking about physiological "impairment", then I don't think your issue is relevant. Consider a scenario where a doctor is prescribed adderall by his medical school chum (a pushover psychiatrist, say). There are two possibilities: a) there is therapeutic value in administering the drug -- the physician performs better, gets all his charts done, etc. etc.; and b) the drug has no therapeutic value (the doc gets really jittery when he takes it, and doesn't feel productive, but scatterbrained and unnerved)... the doctor would stop using it here.

So, the only case where the doctor WOULD actually use the drug is if it were useful to him and he saw some benefit out of it.

how do physicians decide who gets the drug or not? handy dandy DSM-IV criteria for ADD/ADHD, which are pretty nebulous. kind of like the criteria they use to grade the writing sample on the MCAT. anyway.

http://www.aafp.org/afp/20001101/2077.html <- right there, if you want.

most 'normal' people have many of those symptoms. I mean come on, which one of us has not ever been easily distracted in some situations?

the question is now "is the patient ADHD *enough* to receive the drug?" -- this is yet another grey area. there is no level of substrate one can measure in a blood test to arrive at an objective "threshold", etc.

most of the productive "abuse" is happening at the low end of this nebulous DSM-IV threshold. physicians who successfully self-medicate w/ adderall most likely have very "slight" non-acute ADD. now enter the question of ethics. and how ADD do people have to be to medicate them?

anyway, the point is, people will only continue to "abuse" if there is some legitimate therapeutic value associated with the treatment. furthermore, adderall isn't like a sugar pill: serious headaches and "crashes" are associated w/ the drug -- people seriously wouldn't be taking it if they didn't feel the benefits outweighed the annoying side effects. if people take it and AREN'T benefiting from the drug, then they're just idiots who need a prayer. unfortunately, this last category is where most college students (i've seen) who take adderall fit in.

Also, this is hardly related to your argument, but I think it's quite ironic the nature of your posts here given that your username is the trade name for VALPROIC ACID. Any physician under the influence of that (anecdotally) is more impaired judgment-wise than someone taking amphetamines. 🙂