"In Their Own Words: ‘Study Drugs’ "

[NemesisNyx]

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On a personal level regarding your dx, you may find that in a rigorous college environment you may find the depth of material more challenging and have more trouble keeping up despite strong hs performance. But I understand your reticence about taking adderall. My suggestion would be to get a full, adult neuropsych evaluation that includes IQ and processing speed testing to identify whether there are gaps in your performance, and then see whether or not you’re inclined to do a drug trial with the rx.

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<p>That’s exactly why I decided to pursue a diagnosis - worry that I would do worse in college as the material gets harder and I’m less able to just fake it or get A’s on tests without studying. I had an IQ test done when I was younger, and it’s genius-level, which is part of the reason why I feel that my performance has not been reaching my full potential. I just don’t see why a genius with ADHD, who’s already doing well but can perform better on Adderall is more deserving of it than someone of normal IQ without ADHD who can also perform better, all illegality aside.</p>

[kmcmom13]

<p>Nemesis, that was precisely my son’s attitude about it until his freshman year in college. His exceptionally high IQ “compensated” for his processing speed gaps (which at that time we had attributed to CAPD, not realizing there was a broader impact.) At the same time, as he discovered, his LDs did in fact interfere with his capability to work at his full potential.</p>

<p>Illegality aside, adderall does not have the same effect on a dopamine-irregulated brain as it does on a dopamine-regulated brain, the same way that a drug like Coumadin (a blood thinner) does not have the same effect on someone with abnormally high blood viscosity versus someone with normal blood viscosity. Coumadin can save a life, or can cause a death. </p>

<p>In the brain of someone with inattentive type ADD, the adderall improves executive function (which recent evidence suggests lies in the same part of the brain that’s affected by the uptake issues) and has a normalizing effect. In the case of ADHD, (with the ‘hyper’ inclusion) – which is disregulation in a different part of the brain – adderall and drugs of its ilk also normalize production, meaning it “slows down” the activity in this case.</p>

<p>In a brain with no pathological uptake/regulation issues, adderrall causes a flood of chemistry that includes euphoria, increased processing speed, wakefulness, etc. just like “illegal” stimulant drugs in its class such as cocaine.</p>

<p>In both cases, it is addictive, and like any other drug, carries a variety of possible negative side effects and unintended long term consequences, including faults in working memory and cognitive deterioration. So without the illegality in the mix, it’s a risk-reward question. </p>

<p>However, for someone who truly needs it, the stabilization of brain chemistry can mean the difference between holding a job, maintaining a relationship, completing a degree and otherwise functioning inside a productive life. There’s a rich resource of valid, well-researched books that show how the traits of people with bonafide ADHD and I type ADD do interfere with function in these life areas, especially since maturation of executive function is delayed. For example, only 5 percent of those with inattentive-type ADD graduate from college. </p>

<p>In your case, with presumably an IQ higher than 140, you may well be one who can indeed graduate without needing the compensation that is adderrall. That IQ puts you in roughly the 98th percentile. </p>

<p>However, since there is <em>some</em> correlation between SAT and IQ, if you’re at a school where the majority of students are also in the 98th percentile and if the rigor level and pace is calibrated to the capabilities of students in the 98th percentile, you <em>could</em> find that the pace requires a level of organization that is difficult to maintain. Again, there are multiple strategies, and adderrall should always be a last resort, but I wouldn’t expect a blind person to walk the streets without a cane, or expect a paraplegic to run a marathon without a chair.</p>

<p>I did not encourage my son to do the drug trial and ultimately use adderrall, but I also did not discourage him. He researched it himself and determined that in his case, it made him better able to manage in his current environment. Today, nothing infuriates him more than the common ignorance around its recreational use as a drug or the sense from others that it somehow is “the same” as it is for someone who doesn’t have a concrete physical condition that’s improved by the drug.</p>

<p>It is not the same, and he’d give anything not to need it. Like any type of medication, there are side effects, but they are manageable with careful dosage, good sleep and proper nutrition. It is also not a panacea…lots of other organizational strategies are required to work efficiently. In effect, it simply enhances his CAPABILITY to organize his work.</p>

<p>I hope this helps you in beginning to grapple with your options. Best wishes for a great college experience!</p>

<p>Ps You will find at some top schools you will need a full neuropsych evaluation at age 18 to qualify for services from the LD office. It is helpful to gain a thorough and proper diagnosis as an “adult” before considering this medication, IMHO.</p>

[NemesisNyx]

<p>

Illegality aside, adderall does not have the same effect on a dopamine-irregulated brain as it does on a dopamine-regulated brain, the same way that a drug like Coumadin (a blood thinner) does not have the same effect on someone with abnormally high blood viscosity versus someone with normal blood viscosity. Coumadin can save a life, or can cause a death.

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<p>Yes, I understand the differences in the way Adderall works, but in the end, it improves focus for both those with ADHD and those without. My point is, we all have natural strengths and weaknesses. I’m naturally very intelligent, with poor focus. Someone else might be naturally less intelligent, with better focus. Why do I deserve something to correct my natural deficiencies and they don’t? Of course, I do understand the side effects and risks of Adderall, and I’m not suggesting that anyone take it, particularly if they don’t have ADHD. I understand your son’s decision and his frustration, but I can’t say I see using Adderall as “cheating” for non-ADHDers.</p>

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In your case, with presumably an IQ higher than 140, you may well be one who can indeed graduate without needing the compensation that is adderrall. That IQ puts you in roughly the 98th percentile.</p>

<p>However, since there is <em>some</em> correlation between SAT and IQ, if you’re at a school where the majority of students are also in the 98th percentile and if the rigor level and pace is calibrated to the capabilities of students in the 98th percentile, you <em>could</em> find that the pace requires a level of organization that is difficult to maintain. Again, there are multiple strategies, and adderrall should always be a last resort, but I wouldn’t expect a blind person to walk the streets without a cane, or expect a paraplegic to run a marathon without a chair.

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<p>As I said, that’s exactly why I decided to pursue and evaluation and treatment now, so that it hopefully won’t become an issue in college. It’s already getting harder to keep up with reading for class, as I’m taking many college-level classes this year.</p>

<p>I don’t know exactly what my IQ is; when I was tested as a child it was ~144, but I got a huge nosebleed in the middle of the test (I was severely anemic at the time) and they stopped it early, and at that point I had already ceilinged out some portions of the test. Without a nosebleed and on a test with a higher ceiling, I might have done better; I don’t know. My twin brother got a 145, nosebleed-free. I was very jealous at the time. =P I do think my natural intelligence is what has helped me succeed so far, but I’m worried it might not carry me so far with harder material that I actually need to study.</p>

[Impero]

<p>In my major, education IS a competition. Just look at the curving system. You’re graded relative to your classmates. Be on the top of the heap and you get an A, and so forth. Good grades > better chance at jobs. I seriously don’t understand anyone who says otherwise. To me, abusing adderall IS cheating- I ACTUALLY have ADHD and have a legal prescription and I don’t even use it. There might be people unwilling to use or unable to afford the drugs. Allowing Adderall to be abused is to reward those who have the money to pay for Adderall, or are willing to drug themselves for an easy A.</p>

[Philovitist]

<p>The system is the problem, then, not the enhancement. :/</p>

<p>Education should not be a competition. Period. That some systems artificially turn it into one has no bearing on the ethical status of cognitive enchancement. </p>

<p>(And you could use that same argument about allowing people to drink coffee.)</p>

[NemesisNyx]

<p>I agree with Philovitist. Some people can’t focus or get A’s without coffee; does that mean it’s cheating for them to drink coffee?</p>