“A lot of people with ADD sell their pills for money.”
– Curt Schoob, freshman

The pressure is on. It’s almost midnight and a paper is due in an 8 a.m. class.

For many students, this situation is familiar, and to cope, some University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee students turn to stimulant “study drugs” such as Adderall.

Study drugs include several medications typically prescribed to treat attention deficit disorder; Adderall, Cylert, Ritalin and Dexedrine are the most common.

These drugs are not easily available to students at UWM, said Stuart Tentoni, counseling director at Norris Health Center.

Tentoni said the Norris medical staff “seldom prescribes these medications, and students generally know that and don’t come to ask.”

Instead, students obtain the prescription medications from friends or acquaintances who share the drugs they are prescribed to legitimately treat their ADD.

“A lot of people with ADD sell their pills for money,” said freshman Curt Schoob.

Schoob said Adderall takes effect quicker and lasts longer, unlike caffeine, which students get from coffee or caffeine pills like NoDoz.

“Adderall is faster and works longer than coffee,” he said. “It’s cheaper too for the amount (of coffee) it would take you to get the same effect.”

Despite Adderall’s effectiveness, it wears the mind down, said freshman Nichole Mell.

“I have taken caffeine pills and Adderall to study before or for dance performances, and the next day your body doesn’t feel tired, but your mind is exhausted,” she said.

Tentoni said the drugs used to treat ADD are derived from amphetamines, which carry a laundry list of symptoms after excessive use, including headaches, dizziness, tremors, blurred vision, paranoia or possible hallucinations.

An overdose of this type of drug, Tentoni said, can cause seizures and elevated body temperature, and withdrawal symptoms include irritability, hunger, anxiety, restless sleep and nightmares.

Students should learn to pace themselves through a busy semester instead of turning to addictive study medications, said Peggy Brown, a health educator at Norris.

“You need to look at this semester as 15 weeks,” she said. “It’ll be hard, but you can do it. Establish a routine and stick to it. Try to work out three times a week, and meet with a friend every week to socialize over a meal.”

If pulling an all-night cramming session is inevitable, Brown said students should make responsible health choices to ensure the best possible results.

“If there is absolutely no way to avoid an all-nighter, have foods that are balanced with grains and protein,” she said. “Limit sugar and caffeine, which increase stress release. Also, take breaks for fresh air or healthy food, take a walk around or allow yourself a small nap.”

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