Both Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee bring thousands of fresh faces to the Milwaukee area every year. Many college students are living on their own for the first time in their lives; some are experimenting with new things, and others are looking for ways to cope with new responsibilities, both of which can lead to substance abuse — or more specifically, our focus here: Milwaukee Adderall abuse.
In this piece, we’ll explore what Adderall is, how it affects college students in particular, and what our addiction rehab programming at Roots Recovery can do to help.
What Is Adderall,
and Why Is It Abused?
Adderall is a stimulant drug in the amphetamine class of substances that’s used to treat conditions including ADHD and narcolepsy. In measured, prescribed doses, Adderall can help a person focus and stay at attention. Unfortunately, Adderall is commonly abused recreationally to help students stay awake to study or keep them up to party longer.
Adderall and Milwaukee College Students
On top of schoolwork, students are managing more meetings, meals, bills, relationships, and other responsibilities than ever before. These can combine to put extreme stress on an unprepared college student, who may seek a quick fix or a shortcut for performance in school.
A drug like Adderall, sometimes billed as a pill that can help you focus, might seem like a quick and easy solution for the overburdened student, but it can quickly lead to dependence. For example, a person might start using Adderall to cram for one test, and before they know it, they feel like they have to use it any time they study or they don’t retain any information.
It’s also abused as a stimulant party drug, in which it’s often taken or snorted in quantities that can quickly lead to negative health consequences. It’s also often combined with alcohol, which is notoriously a depressant, and can cause potentially life-threatening drug interactions.
This is especially true if Adderall is normalized among a group of students. If everyone in a study group or social circle is using and sharing Adderall, a single stressed-out student is much more likely to try it.
