Adderall Controlled Substance
Contents
Adderall: A Powerful and Controversial Controlled Substance
Adderall is one of the most widely prescribed medications for ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). This stimulant medication helps improve focus, concentration, and impulse control in those with ADHD. However, Adderall is also classified as a Schedule II controlled substance by the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration). This means it has a high potential for abuse and addiction. Let’s take a closer look at why Adderall is controlled, the controversy surrounding it, and what defenses people have used when facing charges related to Adderall.
Why is Adderall Controlled?
The main reason Adderall is tightly controlled is its potential for abuse and addiction. See, Adderall works by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain – two chemicals that play a key role in attention, motivation, and impulse control. For people with ADHD who have low dopamine levels, Adderall can help normalize these brain chemicals.
However, in people without ADHD, Adderall gives a euphoric high by overly increasing dopamine. It also acts as a powerful cognitive enhancer – helping people focus intensely on tasks for hours on end. This makes it a popular study drug for college kids looking to ace exams or pull all-nighters writing papers. The military has even investigated Adderall as a potential “go pill” to increase alertness during missions.
So in short, Adderall gives people a mental edge and can be addictive. This high potential for abuse is why it’s tightly controlled. The DEA even states that Adderall has “limited therapeutic usefulness” compared to its high abuse liability.
Prescription Rates and Diversion
To give you a sense of usage – over 16 million Adderall prescriptions are written yearly in America. That’s a lot of this controlled substance floating around. And the rates of ADHD diagnoses and Adderall prescriptions have been rising rapidly since the 1990s.
Many experts think ADHD is overdiagnosed, particularly in young people. Some doctors may prescribe Adderall too freely to kids struggling in school, without ruling out other potential causes first. ADHD medication can certainly help those who truly have it. But there’s controversy around giving powerful stimulants to kids as a “quick fix” when they may not need it.
This overprescription of Adderall likely contributes to it making its way to the black market. Those without prescriptions buy diverted pills from others with scripts. Or students sell their own prescriptions to make some cash. This diversion from legal to illegal channels is a real problem with Adderall.
College Campuses and Study Drugs
The use of Adderall and other “study drugs” is widespread among college students today. Surveys suggest around 20% of students have misused prescription stimulants at least once while in college. Students take these drugs to help cram more productively, party longer, lose weight, and simply keep up with the intense academic pace.
While using Adderall for studying is often viewed casually, it’s important to remember it’s still illegal without a prescription. It’s also risky to take such a potent controlled substance without medical oversight. Side effects like anxiety, insomnia, headaches, and elevated heart rate are common even at prescribed doses. And in rare cases, Adderall can cause sudden death from stroke or heart attack – especially in those with underlying heart defects.
What are the Penalties for Illegal Use?
Okay, so the reasons why Adderall is controlled are clearer now. But what happens if you’re caught possessing or selling it illegally? Well, penalties vary widely based on the state and circumstances. But let’s review some of the possible sentences:
Possession without a prescription is often a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail. Fines up to $1000 are also common.
Possession with intent to distribute is almost always a felony. At minimum this carries 1-3 years prison time. Fines up to $250,000 are possible too.
Actually selling controlled substances like Adderall illegally brings steeper penalties. Jail time of 2-15 years is typical for trafficking charges. Fines up to $500,000 are possible under federal trafficking laws.
As you can see, the legal system takes Adderall crimes seriously due to its high abuse potential. Judges tend to punish illegal distribution harshly to deter drug diversion.
What are Some Viable Legal Defenses?
If you do face charges related to this controlled substance, several lines of defense may apply. Common Adderall defenses include:
1. Invalid Prescription
If pulled over with Adderall pills loose in your bag, you better have that pharmacy printout showing it’s prescribed to you! Make sure the prescription matches your name and is still valid. Expired or falsified scripts don’t hold up in court.
2. Misfill Defense
Let’s say you picked up your Adderall prescription from the pharmacy. But when you get home – you notice it’s the wrong medication or wrong dose. Here’s a good example from Avvo. If you took that misfilled prescription in public, a misfill defense may get those charges dismissed.
3. False Positive Drug Test
Drug tests aren’t as foolproof as we think. Substances like poppy seeds can cause false positives for opioids. And Adderall contains amphetamines – so it could trigger a positive test for meth. Your lawyer may dispute drug test evidence if there’s reason to doubt its accuracy.
4. Illegal Search and Seizure
How did those Adderall pills come into police possession in the first place? If obtained through an illegal search – that evidence can get thrown out. Like if cops searched your dorm without permission or probable cause. Any evidence found that way could get tossed by a good lawyer.
Is Adderall Truly Harmful?
With its highly addictive and abusable nature, the DEA takes a pretty hard stance on Adderall’s dangers. But some experts think the brain-boosting benefits of stimulants outweigh their risks when used correctly.
For instance, the non-profit Project Syndicate published this piece arguing wider access to “smart drugs” like Adderall could benefit society. It suggests these drugs are no more harmful than other legal substances, like alcohol, when used responsibly.
So perhaps in the future, controlled drugs like Adderall will be viewed more like medical tools than dangerous narcotics. But for now, the law still treats them as serious hazards outside of doctor supervision.
In Conclusion
Well, that covers the key points on why Adderall is tightly controlled and what penalties apply for illegal use. While it has legitimate medical value for those with ADHD, its high potential for abuse and diversion makes it risky business.
College campuses face particular challenges with the casual, uninformed use of “study drugs”. And legal penalties for possessing or selling controlled stimulants are stiff across the board.
However, viable defenses exist if facing charges related to Adderall. And some advocates think these brain-boosting drugs aren’t as dangerous as commonly believed. But US drug laws still take a hardline prohibition stance overall.
So if you find yourself charged with crimes involving this controlled substance, consult a criminal defense lawyer. They can advise if any defenses like illegal search, false positives, or prescription mixups apply in your case. Don’t just plead guilty without exploring your options first. And certainly think twice before casually using potent medications without an actual need. While Adderall offers mental super-charging, it comes at a risky cost. Use brainpower boosters responsibly!