Workers Seeking Productivity in a Pill Are Abusing A.D.H.D. Drugs
DESCRIPTION
The article discusses what appears to be an epidemic of high functioning professionals as well as college students who push their physicians and psychiatrists for amphetamine based medications. “Researchers in the field are quick to caution that, despite stimulants’ reputation as “smart pills,” few studies suggest that they improve a person’s ability to learn or understand. But they often improve attention and motivation, particularly for tedious tasks, which can increase productivity — or at least the appearance of it.” The article points out that drugs such as Adderall, Concerta, and Vyvanse — all stimulants — are used because the individuals, under pressure, feel that they become more productive. Many who cannot get prescriptions make contact with illegal sources for the drugs. “Most users who were interviewed said they got pills by feigning symptoms of A.D.H.D., a disorder marked by severe impulsivity and inattention, to physicians who casually write prescriptions without proper evaluations. Others got them from friends or dealers.” The article presents a number of anecdotal situations wherein the individuals eventually experienced serious negative side effects and addictions.
SOURCE
New York Times, April 18, 2015, Post by Alan Schwarz
LINK TO RESOURCE
(shortened URL) http://tinyurl.com/jwksuxd
CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
•What are stimulant drugs? What is the neural mechanism by which they work?
•What are the so called “positive” and “negative side” effects?
•Under what conditions are they considered licit? illicit?
•What are the pressures that both students and professionals feel that they must use the drugs?
•When discussing anecdotes, make it clear that the students should only talk about cases involving others and not to mention their own experiences — for confidentiality reasons. Ask the class what they have “heard” about individuals who use these types of drugs.
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