New Disorders, New Drugs, and New Abuses

Article written by Çéllan

It’s unsurprising that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder would be a common diagnosis among young people given that many adults themselves feel overwhelmed by all that calls out for their attention — work, family, building up their brand online, staying healthy, and, somehow, pursuing their non-work related interests. But an ADHD diagnosis comes with medical backing and is something different from the unfocused vibe of a modern person’s everyday experience.

Kids diagnosed with ADHD are usually prescribed drugs like Ritalin and Adderall. Because of the prevalence of these drugs in young people’s social groups, it’s common to hear reports of abuse. Ritalin seems to be especially primed for abuse because its chemical makeup is very similar to that of cocaine, though it’s not similar enough to induce the euphoria effect of cocaine except in rare cases. However, the doses and method of consumption can be manipulated to create such an effect and, therefore, the risk of a dependency developing is big.

Harried students not diagnosed with ADHD have been known to depend on Ritalin to stay awake as they do their piling schoolwork late into the night; Ritalin is called “the study drug,” after all. To prevent drug abuse, parents must be vigilant of their kids’ behavior and their consumption of prescribed, and non-prescribed, medications.