Adderall is a popular prescription stimulant used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children. When used correctly by the intended recipients, Adderall can give patients the ability to focus and complete tasks efficiently. However it is often illegally used by college students and professionals seeking to gain an unfair advantage over their peers or to increase their ability to stay awake for long periods of time. It is illegal to obtain Adderall without a valid prescription from a doctor, and it is illegal to give or sell Adderall to someone who doesn’t have a prescription. Despite the problems associated with Adderall abuse the media often reduces or overlooks the negative effects associated with misusing this drug.
Adderall Use in Popular Culture
Adderall use has appeared in two popular comedies. In the film Juno the lead character nonchalantly offers to sell some of her Adderall to a classmate so that she can focus on her schoolwork. The two characters describe an embarrassing episode that the main character Juno had while on the medication that involved her stripping off her clothes and diving into a public fountain. The popular television show Community involves discussions about a character’s past addiction to Adderall and her resulting nervous breakdown. Neither movie nor show fully explore the effects of Adderall and often write off these effects as humorous or of no lasting consequence.
Online articles are also guilty of downplaying the seriousness of Adderall abuse in colleges. While some writers agree that Adderall abuse is bad, they argue that there are bigger threats to college students. Adderall may be frequently mentioned in pop culture, but it is rarely portrayed as anything other than a harmless or humorous study aid. While it is difficult to see how exactly the media’s portrayal of Adderall use affects actual users, it is easy to see how such subtle messages could subtly encourage college students and non-students alike to illegally try Adderall. The truth behind Adderall’s harmless image is that it is a prescription-strength stimulant that can lead to fatalities among users.
The Truth about Adderall Abuse and Addiction
If you have any questions about Adderall, call our toll-free helpline. We can answer any questions that you have about the risks of stimulant abuse and can shed light on the realities of Adderall addiction. Our recovery counselors are here for you 24 hours a day, and we can help you or a loved one learn more about options for ending Adderall use.
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