Adderall - Are There Any Medical Reasons for Taking This Substance?

Are There Any Medical Reasons for Taking This Substance?

The FDA has approved the use of mixed amphetamine salts to treat ADHD and the sleep disorder narcolepsy. As of 2005, the main medical use for Adderall was as a treatment for ADHD. In Internal Medicine Alert, William T. Elliott and James Chan stated that mixed amphetamine salts like Adderall are as effective as Ritalin and other methylphenidates in the treatment of ADHD in children, adolescents, and adults. (An entry on Ritalin and other methylphenidates is also available in this encyclopedia.)

Amphetamines are successful in the treatment of ADHD because they help improve the user's ability to concentrate. Drugs like Adderall and Adderall XR have been shown to increase performance accuracy, improve short-term memory, speed up reaction time, aid in solving mathematical problems, and even increase problem-solving abilities in games. In November of 2004, the Washington Neuropsychological Institute released the results of a series of tests involving simulated driving experiences in nineteen- to twenty-five-year-old ADHD patients. Asia Africa Intelligence Wire reported that Adderall XR was shown to improve driver safety for up to twelve hours in the young adults who took it before participating in the driving experiment.

What's the Difference between ADD and ADHD?

According to the Attention Deficit Disorder Association's Fact Sheet on ADHD, "the difference is mainly one of terminology, which can be confusing at times.… Many people use the term ADD as a generic term for all types of ADHD.… Whether we call it ADD or ADHD, however, we are all basically referring to the same thing."

In 2003, Jessi Castro, a high school student in Miami, wrote a letter to Time magazine about her experience with ADHD and Adderall. She credited her straight-A success in school to Adderall. "I may be naturally smart," she wrote, "but I never could have applied myself as much without it [Adderall]."

The pressure to do well on college entrance exams, such as the SAT, has prompted some students to use prescription drugs like Adderall illegally. Such students claim the drug helps them focus and concentrate better. Photo by John Nordell/The Ch
The pressure to do well on college entrance exams, such as the SAT, has prompted some students to use prescription drugs like Adderall illegally. Such students claim the drug helps them focus and concentrate better. Photo by John Nordell/The Christian Science Monitor via Getty Images.

Adderall and Narcolepsy

Adderall has also relieved the symptoms of narcolepsy, an unusual condition that causes people to fall asleep quickly and unexpectedly. A narcoleptic's sleep is often brief but quite deep and usually unplanned. The possibility of falling into an uncontrollable sleep at any time makes everyday life very difficult. Thus, ordinary activities such as driving can be very dangerous for people with narcolepsy.

Like all amphetamines, Adderall speeds up bodily functions. In fact, one of the most common side effects reported among Adderall users is an inability to sleep. Although this side effect can be troublesome for patients taking Adderall to treat the symptoms of ADHD, it produces a much-desired feeling of alertness in people with narcolepsy. By decreasing the frequency and severity of narcoleptic sleeping episodes, Adderall allows people with this condition more freedom to engage in the activities of normal daily life.

Adderall and Weight Loss

Adderall was originally manufactured and prescribed as a weight loss drug called Obetrol. Amphetamines tend to decrease feelings of hunger in people who take them, making them an often-abused drug among dieters. Amphetamine use for weight loss can be very dangerous. Most doctors agree that the best way to regulate weight is through moderate exercise and a healthy diet. Drugs like Adderall are only available with a doctor's prescription and are rarely used legally for weight control.

ADHD: Not Just Kids' Stuff

According to a 2004 Pharma Business Week article, "Up to 65 percent of children with ADHD may still exhibit symptoms into adulthood and an estimated 4.4 percent of the U.S. adult population is affected by ADHD." Based on U.S. Census Bureau information released on January 7, 2005, 4.4 percent of the adult population adds up to more than 8.8 million people over the age of eighteen.

In September of 2004, Adderall XR was approved for use by adults with ADHD. Results of a U.S. survey cited by Pharma Business Week revealed that "adults with ADHD are twice as likely to be divorced or separated and have had almost twice as many jobs… compared to adults without ADHD. Importantly, 43 percent of adults with ADHD report that they lost or left one or more jobs due in some part to their ADHD symptoms." In addition, survey takers found that adults with ADHD run a greater risk of depression, antisocial behavior, and low educational achievement.