Tag Archives: attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

Increasing numbers of college students abusing Ritalin and Adderall

Illegally buying and using prescription medications to help them study, students prefer drugs-of-choice Adderall and Ritalin, which are typically used to treat people who suffer from attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Dr. Brian McDonough, medical editor for Philadelphia radio station KYW 1060, said this trend is growing.

ADHD drug abuse by 13-19 year olds rose 76% from 1998 to 2005

The researchers looked for cases of intentional abuse or misuse of ADHD medications in youths 13 to 19 years old from 1998 through 2005.

They found that over the eight-year study period, the number of calls to poison control centers regarding ADHD medication use went up 76 percent, from 330 calls during the first year to 581 calls the last year.