Adderall is normally prescribed to treat attention deficit attention disorder (ADHD) in children, but new reports suggest adults are abusing the drug to increase productivity in the workplace.
The medication is being delivered by black market drug dealers to workers trying to make deadlines, in an effort to function for longer hours, producing more work.
This amphetamine-based stimulant provides a mental and physical boost to users. This drug, a member of the phenethylamine class of stimulants, was first introduced to the commercial market by Richwood Pharmaceuticals in 1996. This pill is a compound of four stimulants — amphetamine aspartate monohydrate, amphetamine sulfate, dextroamphetamine saccharate and dextroamphetamine sulfate. The first generic version of the drug was introduced in 2002.
Some users of the drug obtain the medicine from their doctors by misrepresenting their physical condition. Many psychiatrists and physicians will prescribe the drugs after office visits as short as 10 minutes, before properly confirming a diagnosis of ADHD. A percentage of people who obtain more of the stimulant than they use sell the pills to other people without prescriptions for cash.
"I'm prescribed both 50 mg Vyvanse and 5 mg Amphetamine Salts (generic Adderall). I'm supposed to take each once a day, for 30 days. The Addies are instant release so they kick in quick, and make you feel, almost like ... I don't know. It feels like being very aware of what's going on around you. Since they were a bonus anyway, I started selling them for extra money," 'Steven,' (not his real name) a user of the prescription drug, said.
Other prescription drugs being abused by employees include Concerta and Vyvanse. Doctors are concerned about the use of Adderall and other stimulants in the workplace, partly because use of the chemical can lead to irregular heartbeat as well as other detrimental health effects. Although some workers are able to generate more work than others because of their use of the drug, the behavior can encourage other employees to start abusing stimulants.
"Friends of mine in finance, on Wall Street, were traders and had to start at 5 in the morning on top of their games — most of them were taking Adderall. You can't be the one who is the sluggish one," said Elizabeth, who is identified by her middle name.
Addiction and overdose are real dangers of improperly using Adderall and other drugs. Possessing or distributing these prescription drugs is also a crime under federal laws.
Some users believe they experience better concentration and understanding while under the influence of the drugs. However, most scientific studies done on the topic show only motivation and attention increased by the drugs, particularly for those workers performing repetitive tasks. Many adult users started taking the drug when they were children, and they continued taking the stimulants through college.
From 2010 to 2012, the percentage of people who reported stimulants as their primary mind-altering drug of choice when entering substance abuse centers rose 15 percent over the period of 2007 to 2009.
Photo: Quinn Dombrowski | Flickr
