Comments on: Adderall on campus: Response from legit user at Tech

By: tech kid

tech kid — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:39:48 +0000

In the future, it would be nice to be notified before making my comments into their own blog entry. I understand that by writing anything online, it is basically public domain and I automatically give you rights to do whatever you wish, but it seems like a common courtesy to e-mail me first and give me the option to look over my writing and make it more concise.
on the original topic:
Adderall, as with most ADD/ADHD medications, is not without serious risks and side effects. Thankfully, I have a great doctor (I still go to my home doctor, tech’s health center will not prescribe Adderall because of abuse by students) who explained the risks, benefits, and other medication options to me and my parents, and continues to keep track of any side effects or signs I should change medication. I will fully admit that many people are not aware of the risks of adderall and other stimulant medications. Many do not understand the heart-related risks (I get regular EKG’s from my doctor and have been tested for any underlying heart defects) and think it’s just like drinking an extra cup of coffee. I’ve often overheard students talking casually about “well, my roommate has some adderall, so I can just stay up all night before the test and study”. Perhaps if it was more publicized that adderall and similar medications are essentially prescription speed or meth, people would understand that it’s not only dangerous but just as illegal as having street drugs. They almost always get the drugs from someone with a legal prescription, so evidently not all doctors are as good as mine with conveying the seriousness of stimulant medications.
About dependence and addiction: I do not feel at all “drugged up” on medication, I take a much lower dose than originally suggested, and I do not take it every day. While I would like to eventually be completely off any medication, it may or may not be practical. It is always in the back of my mind that in ten years, I could be the parent who forgets to pick up their kid from soccer practice or the co-worker who doesn’t listen to the boss during meetings. Most likely, my home will be littered with reminder notes, I will always have notes penned on my hand for things to do that day, and I will always set multiple alarms so I’m on time for events. But I am confident that, with small adjustments, I will live a relatively normal life and be a productive member of society. ADHD is not a curse, just another thing I need to work with. Short people may need a stool to reach the top cabinet, but they’re a lot more comfortable in compact cars. People with ADD/ADHD may not be able to sit and read a novel easily, but we are generally more creative and often willing to work harder to prove ourselves.

By: pat in MD

pat in MD — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:29:04 +0000

Maureen, thank you for your comments. We are considering this medication for my freshman son to address his attention issues. He has never been hyper just unable to focus. I am very concerned about the use of a medication that alters brain chemistry. But he has suffered with this throughout grade school and so if his doctor recommends it he will be giving it a try. It would be helpful to hear from other “legit” users.

By: Mother in Lawrenceville

Mother in Lawrenceville — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:19:53 +0000

Dear Tech Student,
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I have a child with ADHD who faces similiar struggles. I can’t wait to share your story with her so that she can see college is possible for someone with ADHD.

By: Shananeeeeee Fananeeeeeeee

Shananeeeeee Fananeeeeeeee — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 05:20:28 +0000

That’s not all they are using at Tech. Now they even have to watch their backs because the young men of Atlanta, okay the young Black men of Atlanta are robbing students at gun point by the day. One is trying to get an education, the other trying to get a quick buck that eventually is going to send them to Prison. I tell you what, if you sat some of these guys down and showed them the documentary I saw about one of our prisons here in Georgia, nobody would ever commit a crime again.

By: ScienceTeacher671

ScienceTeacher671 — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:15:48 +0000

I’ve found that posts longer than one sentence with “DOE” in them get eaten.

By: Maureen's accountability metric

Maureen's accountability metric — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:22:13 +0000

It took four hours for a post to finally make it online? Does the blog monster need a prescription for Adderall?

By: unanimous

unanimous — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:13:54 +0000

Nice if they can keep from developing an addiction from it. There is not much difference from adderall and methamphetimines. It can be a serious problem if not properly monitored. It’s not for everyone and should be researched before using. My former neighbor took adderall and spent most of the day in coloring books and twirling her hair around her finger. Aparently “geeked-up”. She was very neglectful of her children. Check with a doctor and realize its not a medication to be taken lightly and as a “cure-all”.

By: BlackGirl

BlackGirl — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 18:20:41 +0000

Thanks for posting this young ladies response. She sounds identical to my child. High IQ but problems in many other areas. The meds have really helped with many of the same issues that she mentioned. Most people don’t understand ADHD. I’m going to share this blog with my child today after school today. Georgia Tech student?! Awesome!

By: TW

TW — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 18:06:56 +0000

Have never really understood the need for people to have a problem with what other people do when it has nothing to do with them. If anything, if your not going to be happy with this girl for having her situation straightened out, shouldn’t you at least be happy she’s not a distraction to the others in class?

By: DeKalb Conservative

DeKalb Conservative — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:50:05 +0000

Kudos to this student for sharing. It is important to point out the positives of this medication and how it can impact a student’s quality of life.