Adderall

If you're legitimately concerned that your OTC/prescription medication will make you fail a test, don't worry; they can tell the difference. Just let the tester know what you're actually taking.

If you were hoping to disguise your use of illegal drugs by claiming to take some OTC/prescription medication, worry a lot. They can tell the difference. Unless you're actually taking prescription amphetamines, in which case, just produce the prescription.

Yes. All Adderall is, is a stimulant. However, coffee or Red Bull will do the exact same AND they are legal and cheaper. People with ADD need this stimulant effect all the time and more consistently, which is why Adderall, among other drugs, is prescribed.

It has the same effect whether or not you have ADHD. Yes, you will be able to study and focus longer. However, consuming a high dosage can have hyperactivity effects.

A VERY DIFFERENT ANSWER

Unlike coffee and "energy drinks," amphetamines are designed to directly effect brain chemistry. "Energy drinks," if you read the ingredients, are essentially caffeine - at doses comparable to coffee - and sugar - at doses comparable to simple syrup, also known as super-saturated sugar water - with some other less well-known additions). I am not a doctor, but I have experienced ADD meds as both a middle-aged recently-diagnosed adult ADD patient and as a parent of a mid-teen patient.

The effect of amphetamines on ADD patients is NOT the same as overdosing on caffeine and sugar for non-ADD people. ADD patients take the meds and, if they are on the right meds, the meds calm the brain activity, allowing more patience, focus and learning, with less need for movement, less inappropriate talking and more ability to tune out distractions. Non-ADD people who OD on caffeine, or who take amphetamines at all but the lowest doses, get wired up and move in the opposite direction. Amphetamines ain't called Speed for nothing. Amphetamines "ramp up" non-ADD people, making them more jumpy, less focused, less able to listen and understand and less able to patiently work through difficult tasks. I suppose a very low dose could act like a cup or two of coffee, or a couple or 4 cans of cola, and provide some sense of energy, or at least an ability to not sleep. But my family's and my friends' experiences with high doses of caffeine and/or sugar is definitely not an increase in focus.

My observations of college students was that late night high doses of caffeine prolonged their study hours, but did not improve the quality of the studying. Their focus dropped, though it was really only noticeable when they drank the coffee or the cola, or took "Np-Doze" (caffeine in a pill) at times when they were not sleepy and worn out - then, the effect of the consumption was clear, and it was not advisable for productive studying. Late night caffeine kept them awake, allowing some studying when they otherwise would sleep; coffee at any time was not good for their focus, with very limited exceptions, including early mornings, when they were not-yet-awake, and the alternative was to sleep or at least tune out and shut down. But that is the opposite of the effect of amphetamines on ADD patients. ADD patients ramp up until medicated.

Recent studies I have read about concluded that adult ADD patients sleep better with late doses of meds. That is NOT the effect of Red Bull, coffee, or Adderal on people whose brain chemistry was in balance before the consumption of the caffeine or the speed. (I am on Adderal and another med, and my average hours of sleep per night has gone from 4.5 or so to 7+, just in the 3 months of meds. And except when highly motivated, the sleep comes involuntarily, when previously, I had been able to simply keep going until late-late night, like 3 AM, when I get up at 6 AM. Now, I fall asleep in my chair, at my computer, or at the table, between 10 and 1130, except when exceptionally motivated.)

If you aren't suppose to have any in your system, then yes, it will test postive. But if you are taking it and have a prescription, there shouldn't be a problem.

First of all, what do you mean by "bad"?

If you're using it as prescribed by a physician to treat a condition, then "No".

If you're using it 'recreationally", then "Quite possibly". Anyone doing so should at least research and understand amphetamine addiction, and also learn to be 100% honest with themselves. Denial is a powerful

For those with a prescription for Adderall, what you're asking about is an everyday event. Adderall wears off after about 6-8 hours (maybe more, maybe less), and if you have ADD/ADHA (Attention Deficit Disorder), and your medication is wearing off, you often start to realize that you're "spacing out" or are unfocused, and thus need to take another dose. As long as it's not too late in the day, that is. Taking any amphetamine in the late afternoon will likely result in sleeplessness.

The standard 20 mg Adderall "pills" are scored for easy splitting and dosage adjustments. PDR Prescription guidelines dictate anywhere from 10 to 80 or more mg per day for ADD and Narcolepsy, depending on the individual.

I can say from experience that staying up all night and into the next day (basically "getting high") from Adderall just doesn't work that well. Yes, you'll be awake the next day ... but you'll feel edgy, spacy, and bad (Crystal Methamphetamine - NOT "Crank"- works MUCH better!). I suppose it's fine for emergency situations, like a cross-country drive, but it's just not that fun, so "partying with Adderall" is unlikely.

But most of all, it can dampen your appetite so much you may forget to eat and drink. This is BAD because your BRAIN is the first to suffer when your blood sugar drops from missed meals, and dehydration is BAD. And when your brain's not working right, all your decisions will be affected ... and sadly, you're often the last one to realize it ... so eat & drink!

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