Finals week is a stressful time and many students search for the perfect method of studying. Sometimes, students resort to medications that can improve focus, attention span and the ability to retain information.

Prescription medication, such as Adderall, Ritalin, Strattera and Concerta, are often prescribed for Attention Deficit Disorder, but abuse of these pills has become a growing trend on college campuses because they are known to improve the user’s ability to focus, work and learn.

This trend has caused the American College Health Association to advise college health providers to be aware of the prevalence of prescription stimulus abuse among U.S. students.

The ACHA says these stimulants are controlled by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and according to a ACHA Professional Development program’s report, ‘should be used only under the care of a physician.’ The report also adds misuse of the drugs ‘can result in serious physical damage and could potentially be fatal.’

Samantha, a Binghamton University student who asked that her last name be omitted for fear of legal reprisals, admitted that she has taken Adderall, Ritalin and Concerta that were not prescribed to her in order to improve her studying.

‘I only started taking them about two or three months ago,’ Samantha said. ‘I wasn’t subjected to it earlier.’

Samantha said that she only takes these drugs once or twice a month, not regularly.

‘They’re just a supplement,’ Samantha continued. ‘It makes it easier to focus and stay awake. The only bad thing is that if you are on it for a while, the next day you get kind of tired and you have no appetite. If you know enough about the drug you are taking, you can work around it.’

Samantha is far from alone in her usage of academic performance-enhancing drugs. According to a 2004 study conducted by University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 14 percent of all students have abused some form of ADHD medication, including Adderall.

Bridget McCane, associate director for health education at BU, stressed that other extreme methods of studying, such as taking excessive caffeine and performing all-nighters, are unhealthy and often counter-productive.

‘Some of the students I’ve worked with pulled all-nighters and did not wake up for the exam ‘ they fell asleep at 5 a.m. and never woke up,’ McCane said.

According to McCane, many students feel compelled to push themselves to study for not only personal reasons, but also competitive ones such as acceptance to prestigious schools, programs and higher positions in workplaces.

She was also critical of the popular emphasis on multitasking.

‘They [students] are trying to do so many things at once,’ McCane said. ‘Our country talks about multitasking, but we can’t multitask that well ‘ our brain goes back and forth, like a ping-pong ball.’

Any students who use study enhancers, such as Adderall, and feel that it is a problem are encouraged to seek assistance with Health Services and the University Counseling Center, McCane said.