I am also ADHA and I can tell you as far as I am concerned, the academic world requires me to be on medication...the right medication. I was diagnosed with ADD when I was about 7yo. I have battled with this my whole life. I just started dental school in july and decided that I would try concerta instead of adderall. For me that was a no go. I almost failed my first biochem exam. I studied like a freak for it also (~2 weeks). After a reality check, I returned to taking Adderall XR and I had the 2nd highest grade on te last exam (100%). I should also add that I only studied about 2 days for that one. I only say all this because some of my classmates have said that it is a preformance enhancer and it is unfair that people be prescribed drugs like adderall...CRAZY TALK. Their mind works in such a way that they can make stellar grades with or with out meds. I on the other hand can show 20-30% increase in my grades with meds. I can't say if it helps everyone concentrate, but I honestly cannot function IN THE ACADEMIC environment without it. Outside of school I can usually manage ok without it, but I am much more efficient with it still.
-rg