The number of students who say they turn to Adderall as a study-aid is disturbing. As a rule of thumb, combining substance abuse and work should be avoided, but the issue brings up more problems than that.
Adderall is prescribed to people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. It is a central nervous system stimulant that affects chemicals in the brain and nerves allowing the user to control his impulses. Taking pills for a disorder you don't have is playing Russian roulette with your brain, which is why taking it without a prescription is illegal.
A lot of the people who get these prescriptions are quite young, so it may seem like a safe move. However, the biggest problem with approaching Adderall as a brain-booster might not even be the health issue.
When it comes down to it, you can put your faith in a pill, or put your faith in your own ability.
It may seem like something that helps, but taking "smart pills" can actually hold somebody back. Focus, study skills, willpower — these should be goals for self-improvement, and grounds for medical treatment after that.
People who believe the pills help them accomplish things they couldn't do otherwise are dangerously close to saying they need the pills to perform well. It is similar to athletes using performance-enhancing drugs. If you need pills to be successful at school are you being judged on your academic ability or how well you perform while under the influence?
Feeling like you need something is the definition of dependency, and drug dependencies should be avoided whenever possible.
People with a legitimate need for Adderall can get a doctor to back them up on that and give them a prescription. This not only clears up the legal aspect, it also brings in that all-important expert opinion that makes it a treatment, and not a drug habit that could potentially get out of hand.
If you don't need the drugs, there is no reason to take them. If you do need the drugs, a doctor can confirm your symptoms and provide a prescription.
It's not good to adopt a "whatever it takes" or "whatever helps" attitude toward schoolwork. A bad grade on a research paper is less damaging than a criminal record for illegal drug use. If the benefits don't outweigh the risks, then it's just not worth it.
There are plenty of safer ways to sharpen your mind for studying. Caffeine can be helpful as well as harmful, but it doesn't carry the same risks as Adderall.
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