Adderall abuse: a growing risk for young adults

You know a prescription drug is widely abused when it becomes the main character in recent movies! “A is for Adderall” is a documentary in production about the off-prescription use of that popular ADHD (attention deficient hyperactivity disorder) medication. The producers filmed the teaser at the University of Wisconsin Madison (“It’s so available; it’s everywhere,” says one student). And it’s the star of the 2015 James Franco film, “The Adderall Diaries,” about a burned-out, drugged-up writer.

Adderall, or dextroamphetamine-amphetamine, often is used to help those with ADHD become calmer and more focused, as is methylphenidate (brand names: Ritalin, Daytrana and Concerta). But from 2006 to 2011, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins, nonmedical use of these meds among adults (especially ages 18-25) went up by 67 percent and emergency-room-related visits increased almost 156 percent.

What’s the allure? They make it easier to study all night, plus they boost feel-good brain chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine. But abusers risk irritability, trouble sleeping, dangerous cardiac issues and ultimately a decrease in the ability to concentrate. These meds also mask the effects of alcohol, making it all-too-easy to suffer alcohol poisoning.

Unfortunately, young adults seem unaware of the risks or the tough time they’re going to have getting off the drugs. We agree with experts who are calling for the same aggressive oversight of these prescription meds that’s proposed for opioids/pain relievers. And anyone using them without a prescription needs to reach out to abuse-treatment experts for help getting off them; it’s hard to do it by yourself.

Whole grains learn new tricks

Corey Brown and Lily “Tigerlily” Hinton came in first and second at the Bluegrass Nationals BMX competition in Louisville, Kentucky, in the 6-year-olds’ category. Now if they can just do as well in the BX contest. That’s a nutritional challenge that Danish scientists have revealed: They’ve found that whole grains deliver more than vitamins, minerals, protein and fiber. They also contain powerful immune-system boosters called BX (benzoxazinoids) that kids (and adults) need to have in good supply.

So in addition to helping kids avoid excess weight gain, Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure (up to 30 percent of obese girls and boys have HBP), eating three servings of whole grains a day — that’s 1/2 cup cooked brown rice and 1 cup of steel-cut oatmeal — fights infections. So here are tabletop tricks (that’s also a cool BMX trick) for three unusual grains:

▪ Millet: Lightly toast 1/2 cup in a small pan until fragrant. Stir in 1 1/2 cups water or orange juice; simmer for 15 minutes.

▪ Kamut (Egyptian wheat): Soak 1/2 cup overnight in 1 cup water. Drain, rinse and put in a small pot with an inch of water. Bring to boil; then reduce to simmer until water is absorbed and grain is tender.

▪ Polenta (corn mush): Stir 1/2 cup polenta and 1/4 teaspoon salt into 2 cups boiling water. Then cook at a simmer, stirring often, for 30 minutes. Add more water as needed.

Now just deck them out with spices, herbs and steamed veggies. Yum!

When you don’t snooze, you lose

When Al Pacino lands in the town of Nightmute (seriously!), Alaska, in the 2002 thriller “Insomnia,” he’s bone weary even before the never-setting summer sun wreaks havoc on his ability to rest. And the less he sleeps, the more mistakes the off-the-rails detective makes.

For 73 million Americans, that spiral of sleep deprivation, stress, irritability, bewildering missteps and insomnia is far too familiar. According to a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, fully 30 percent of U.S. adults don’t get seven to nine hours of sleep nightly, putting themselves at risk for everything from depression to weight gain, diabetes and memory problems. That’s why it’s so important to know the ABCs of getting restful Z’s.

First, discover what keeps you awake.

Stress and worries? Try keeping a worry diary; write in it every morning to purge anxiety (don’t do it at bedtime). We also recommend walking 10,000 steps a day and getting in two to three strength-building workouts a week — great stress-busters, and they make you physically tired.

Chronic pain? See a doc to get diagnosis and treatment.

Obesity? Excess weight can fuel inflammation and pain. Losing weight promotes better sleep and eases sleep-busting sleep apnea for some.

Then adopt a good sleep routine. Stick to a regular bedtime — seven days a week. Keep the room at 68-70 degrees, no warmer. Don’t eat within three hours of bedtime. Turn off all lights (no digital devices or TVs in the bedroom), except for red nightlights.

Mehmet Oz, M.D., is host of “The Dr. Oz Show,” and Mike Roizen, M.D., is chairman of the Wellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic.

This story was originally published March 11, 2016 at 4:55 PM with the headline "Adderall abuse: a growing risk for young adults."