ADD ADHD Medication Abuse

Lately, a number of reports have come out concerning a new type of ADD ADHD medication abuse. We all know that children and teenagers abuse all types of over the counter and prescription drugs. This is a major problem in our schools. However, there is now a new type of ADD ADHD medication abuser; and this new brand of drug abuser doesn't use these drugs for recreation.

These new drug ADD ADHD medication abusers are students and professionals who get a hold of prescription medications, either legally or illegally, and use them as an aid to enhance their intellectual performance at school or at work.

In April, Wired magazine published an article on brain enhancing drugs. In this article they reported that one fourth of their readership claimed to use "drugs like Ritalin, Adderall and Provigil to help them work harder, longer, and better." What this indicates is that those people who are on the cutting edge of technology and science are using ADD ADHD drugs like "brain steroids" to give themselves an intellectual advantage.

And this is not just happening in the high tech industry. In April this year, Science Daily published a similar article that claimed that more than a third of university students and 10% of high school students get access to ADD ADHD prescription medications in order to get them through difficult periods during the school year.

We are well aware that ADD ADHD medications have powerful effects, and not just in patients with ADHD. These drugs can increase mental abilities, improve clarity, and enhance awareness in normal people as well. As a result, top performers in the academic and technology fields access these drugs, either through prescription or from friends, in order to get an extra competitive edge.

These white collar drug abusers have made a number of people worried and upset. ADHD adults who take these medications feel personally threatened. Many complain that there is a new stigma placed upon them by these professional drug abusers.

Some ADHD adults and teens who take these drugs for legitimate medical reasons feel they have to hide the fact that they use these medications so as not to be grouped with these "drug abusers." One ADHD high school student reported that she hides the fact that she has a prescription for ADHD medications so that her friends and peers won't badger her during finals.

ADHD drugs abuse by professionals is now a very popular topic online, particularly in blogs. Most of the comments say that these students and professionals are "stupid" or "short sighted" or "foolish." However, the individuals who enlist these medications to enhance their job performance don't feel this way. They view these drugs as a tool that helps them perform better in their research, in their work, and in their studies. These drugs improve both the quality of their work and the rate at which they produce. As a result, these ADD ADHD medications give them the type of edge that they are not so willing to give up.

Though there is very strong feeling on the matter, it is not immediately clear how the abuse of ADHD medications by professionals and students has anything to do with patients who have a legitimate need for the medications. Except for the one high school student who has a legitimate concern about being badgered as a drug source, there is no reason why how the misuse of these medications should have any effect on those who really need the drugs. Yet these patients are the ones who feel the most threatened.

Do you feel that it is morally wrong for students and professionals to use prescription medication to enhance their academic or job performance?

How do you feel that this type of ADD ADHD medication abuse affects children or adults with ADHD?

Does this type of medication abuse add to the stigma of using drugs for ADHD?

Are these new brand of drugs abusers are in the same category as those who use cocaine or heroin?

Do you think there is a chance that the wide spread ADHD medication abuse will result in a "crack down" and individuals with a genuine reason to take these drugs will no longer be able to access them?