Being a college student involves having the ability to handle multiple assignments at a time, requiring students to have high levels of concentration and the ability to focus.

For those students diagnosed with attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, medications may be prescribed in order to help them pay attention better.

However, some students rely on giving themselves their own diagnosis by taking ADD medications without having a prescription in an effort to help them study better.

"Students who don't have the disorder turn to ADD medications because they are assigned a lot of work and little time to complete it. Taking ADD drugs allows them to stay awake longer and focus better so they are able to have time and energy to complete their work," said a senior who prefers to remain anonymous.

So which medications are students turning to in times of intense stress and pressure? Adderall, Concerta, and Ritalin are three main prescriptions for patients diagnosed with ADD or ADHD.

Each of these medications are stimulants and when prescribed properly, help the patient maintain a high level of concentration and awareness.

According to WebMD.com, "Stimulants may be the most effective treatment for the symptoms of ADHD: inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. These medicines can suddenly and dramatically improve behavior."

It seems as though some students who do not have a physician's prescription for these medications don't look at the situation as potentially harming themselves, but actually as enhancing their studying skills.

"I personally have taken ADHD meds without a prescription and they have certainly aided me in my study habits for exams such as midterms and finals. They make me feel like I can study everything and anything in a reasonable amount of time," said a junior who prefers to keep their name anonymous.

Although some students may not realize they are actually harming their bodies by consuming these medications, Janice Kessler, Sacred Heart University's alcohol and drug counselor, believes differently.

"Everyone's brain is unique and different," said Kessler, "If a student takes an ADHD stimulant without having the disorder, it will react differently to their body than someone who is actually prescribed the medication."

Although students who use ADHD medications claim they feel more energized and focused when using the drug, these medications also present negative effects as well.

"Sometimes I feel like they give me anxiety at the end of the day when they wear off. They also make me have trouble falling asleep, along with sometimes making my heart race," said a senior who prefers to keep their name anonymous.

Kessler advises students that the effects of misusing these medications without a prescription are harmful and can cause a list of different side effects depending upon the person consuming them.

"A stimulant will act as a stimulant. Students who take these medications do not benefit from them in the same way as students who are actually prescribed these medications," said Kessler.

During her experience as an alcohol and drug counselor, Kessler states students have reported a common list of side effects from recreational use of these medications.

"Students have reported having panic attacks, feeling jittery, anxious, being unable to fall asleep, loss of appetite, and having heart palpitations," said Kessler, "Ultimately, these stimulants can cause heart attacks."

With proper diagnosis, the chance of experiencing these side effects is lower for patients with a prescription than for those who do not have a prescription.

But how is it students manage to get a hold of these stimulants without a doctor's consultation?

"Students can get them from other students who actually have these prescriptions. Word travels about who has them and people can make profit off of them," said another junior who asked to remain anonymous.

With what appears to be easy access to attain these medications, the risk of addiction is higher for students who rely on the medications, results too much.

According to WebMD.com, "There have been reports of people using ADD stimulant drugs that weren't prescribed for them. Studies show that abusing Ritalin can lead to dependence on the drug. When taken as prescribed, though, Ritalin is not addictive in children or adults."

Kessler also said addiction is a more common result for those who consume it without a prescription.

"For students who are taking these medications as prescribed and using it as prescribed I don't see them getting addicted to it. However, students who aren't prescribed it can get addicted to stimulants in just the same way as they can get addicted to the stimulant cocaine," said Kessler.

Whether or not ADD medications can become addictive over time to the consumer, some students say that there are other types of stimulants abused on Sacred Heart's campus that may be more widespread.

"Although ADHD medication is abused in college, I don't think it's the worst thing college students are doing. There are a lot worse and more concerning drugs out there that people should really be worrying about," said a senior who prefers to remain anonymous.

Other drugs reportedley abused on campus include alcohol and marijuana.

"The number one reported drug abuse on campus is alcohol, however most students drink moderately or not at all. The second reported drug abuse is marijuana, that's with less than half of the student body using it," said Kessler, "These are problems, but not everyone has them."

Some students also rely on energy drinks and highly caffeinated drinks such as Red Bull to help keep them awake and feeling energized, leading to abuse similar to ADD and ADHD medication.

"Another stimulant being abused among college students is caffeine. It's a stimulant that I wouldn't recommend but when used in moderation and responsibly it doesn't cause much of a problem," said Kessler.