
Annual prevalence of Adderall use within grades 8, 10, and 12 in the U.S. 2009-2022
Adderall
Adderall is a stimulant drug used in the treatment of Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. ADHD is a common neurological disorder that usually affects children. It affects attention, movement, and judgement. Adderall is shown to be addictive and is often referred to as a “study drug”. “Study drugs” are prescription ADHD medications used recreationally by high school and college students to enhance their focus to study more. In 2016, Adderall was one of the most abused prescription drugs in the United States.
ADHD in the U.S.
In the U.S. ADHD diagnoses had been on the rise since 2003 but have recently started to decline. Nearly 1 in 10 children suffer from ADHD in the United States. From 2016 to 2019, the age group with the highest rate of ADHD diagnoses was those aged 12 to 17 years. In recent studies, it was shown that almost three percent of children in grades 8, 10, and 12 had used Adderall within the previous year.