Hi, Nuvigil is Armodafinil and shares similar properties with psychostimulant group of drugs. This is also responsible for the wakefulness that one experiences on intake of this drug. It hence has potential for dependence. From what you describe, symptoms of compulsion to take it, increase in amount of the drug intake to get similar effects (tolerance) are signs of dependence on the drug. It would be advisable to visit a qualified psychiatrist in order to manage it. The reason you ve got for staying awake is understandable but there are many other ways of doing so, Exposure to bright/natural light by maybe stepping out of the house for a while, the body s circadian rhythm here causes awakening. Listening to music causes emotional arousal helping to stay up. Eating small meals through the day or chewing gum helps. Splashing cold water, a strong smell of coffee beans etc.. Hope this helps Dr Anjana Rao