Adderall ADDICTION Treatment, Effects & SympToms
A stimulant best known for treating ADHD or for its illicit use as a “study drug”. It’s cognative enhancing effects have made this a target for students and professionals.
Introduction to Adderall
Adderall is a stimulant and prescription drug used to treat those with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is able to increase focus and attentiveness, assist with impulse control, and improve organizational and listening ability. One of the key components of how Adderall works help promote daytime wakefulness, which also makes this medication effective for treating narcolepsy. These cognitive-enhancing properties of Adderall have made it highly sought after by students and professionals, and has resulted in significant rates of abuse.
When Adderall is used by someone who doesn’t have ADHD or narcolepsy, its effects are similar to that of cocaine. The brain is flooded with dopamine, a neurotransmitter responsible for pleasurable feelings, and can lead to feelings of euphoria. This creates a reward response in the brain which sets a dangerous stage for the development of addiction. Being addicted to a stimulant is dangerous as it puts quite a strain on the body which can result in long-term health problems.
The generic name for Adderall is amphetamine/dextroamphetamine. It is classified as a schedule II controlled substance in the U.S. indicating its significant potential to become addictive.
Adderall Side Effects
When someone uses Adderall, it is speeding up their central nervous system. If someone is diagnosed with ADHD and they take the drug, it tends to help improve their ability to focus and concentrate. It can have the same effect on someone without ADHD, but using it recreationally can be dangerous and can lead to severe side effects.
Adderall is commonly used by college students and young people as a way to help them study and stay awake for longer. It causes increases in energy as well as improve academic performance or performance in other areas. If someone abuses Adderall outside of how it’s prescribed, without a prescription or without having ADHD they may feel intense focus and concentration. They are also likely to feel euphoria, a false sense of well-being, very confident, and talkative. The side effects of Adderall use include:
- Nervousness
- Agitation or restlessness
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Changes in vision
- Rapid heartbeat or changes in blood pressure
- Loss of appetite
Less common side effects include tenderness and unexplained muscle pain, as well as muscular tics/twitches. In worse cases, patients can also experience convulsions. Those who take Adderall may also find that their urine is darker in color. Some users may experience changes in their field of vision, and may even suffer hallucinations. Others might experience chest pain, and may have trouble breathing. This may occur to the extent that they feel at risk of passing out. Some patients exhibit behavioral issues such as hostility or paranoia. Other less common symptoms include skin color changes to fingers and toes, pain, numbness, unexplained wounds and a feeling of cold.
When used in large doses it can cause mental health problems, resulting in new or worsening symptoms of depression and anxiety , as well as hallucinations and paranoia. The more someone uses Adderall, and the longer they take it, the more likely severe or deadly effects are to occur such as a heart attack, stroke, or seizure.
Those who abuse Adderall with alcohol or other drugs increase the likelihood of the more severe symptoms, as well as the risk of coma or sudden death. If you are taking Adderall without a prescription and are experiencing these symptoms, then you should halt your use right now.
Signs of Adderall Addiction
The behavioral signs of an Adderall addiction will mirror those of anyone with a substance abuse problem:
- Continuing to use Adderall even when there are negative health effects—as an example, dangerous weight loss or ongoing insomnia
- Feeling like it’s difficult to function or perform properly without the use of Adderall
- The use of Adderall becomes a top priority, as does the need to obtain more
- There is a significant focus on maintaining a “stash” of Adderall
- Other responsibilities and interests take a backseat
- Putting oneself in danger while high on Adderall, or to get more
One potential sign of Adderall addiction has already been suggested above. If you take this drug for reasons other than narcolepsy or ADHD, you might have a problem. The same holds true for anyone who must acquire their pills through illegal channels because their doctor will not write them a prescription. Anyone who believes they have a good reason to take Adderall should consult their physician on the matter.
If people who abuse this stimulant find themselves breaking the bank to get it, or jeopardizing important responsibilities in order to use, then they likely suffer from addiction. When Adderall use begins interfering with work, school or relationships, be on the lookout for addictive tendencies. And if you find that you can’t seem to function without a fix, then addiction is almost definitely at play. Never shrug off these warning signs. Recognize them early on, and you’ll find it much easier to turn things around.
The Dangers of Adderall Addiction
Complications with Existing Medical Conditions
Those who ignore their medical history when taking Adderall should also be wary of abusing Adderall. Anyone with glaucoma, heart disease, high blood pressure or an overactive thyroid puts themselves at risk when taking this medication. If people ignore these conditions for the sole purpose of abusing a drug, it is likely that they suffer from addiction. The same is true of those who ignore warnings not to take Adderall within two weeks of taking any MAO inhibitor. This combination often proves highly dangerous, and those who ignore such warnings prove to be quite reckless with their use. Recklessness tends to go hand in hand with addiction.
Other conditions that prevent patients from using stimulants include depression, anxiety, severe agitation, Tourette’s syndrome, epilepsy, bipolar disorder, and most major mental illnesses. First of all, those who take Adderall despite these conditions may put themselves at risk of sudden death. Secondly, many of these issues—such as anxiety and depression—happen to be common co-occurring disorders of drug addiction. Not only is it reckless to take stimulants when suffering these issues, but those with mental conditions listed above may actually be at greater risk of developing chronic substance abuse problems.
Overdose
It is possible to overdose on Adderall. In these cases, the user might experience several various symptoms. These include hallucinations, confusion, aggression, panic, muscle pain, muscular twitches, restlessness, weakness, tremors, and dark urine. Note that many of these are among the side effects of general use. Overdose symptoms less commonly associated with general use include seizures, stomach pain, and a feeling of light-headedness. Users who overdose may also experience nausea and vomiting, uneven heartbeats and fainting. Some may even wind up in a coma. In the worst cases, sudden death may occur. Those who survive their overdose without succumbing to death or coma may experience weariness and depression when all is said and done.
Adderall Addiction Treatment Options
- Adderall Rehab: If someone recognizes they are abusing Adderall or could be addicted to it, there are treatment options available. Someone with an Adderall addiction might opt for inpatient or outpatient rehab, or perhaps a combination of both.
- Adderall Detox: Along with being psychologically addictive, Adderall can lead to a physical dependence as well. Some people may require a supervised detox from the drug, particularly if they’re heavy or long-term users.
- Adderall Residential: Residential treatment for addiction requires patients check into a facility where they stay for a period of time. Residential treatment offers a safe, supportive environment and also removes stresses and triggers that could increase the likelihood of a relapse.
- Adderall Inpatient: Inpatient Adderall rehab is a residential form of treatment. There are short and long-term inpatient rehab programs. Most inpatient addiction treatment programs begin with an onsite medical detox and go from there.
- Adderall PHP (Partial Hospitalization Program): An Adderall PHP can be a form of addiction treatment that someone begins with, or that they move into once they’ve completed inpatient rehab. A PHP is also called day treatment and is the highest level of care outside of a medical detox and inpatient rehab.
- Adderall Outpatient: Outpatient rehab for Adderall doesn’t require the participant to live in a treatment facility. Adderall outpatient rehab offers flexibility, but it might not be the right option for every person struggling with addiction.
- Adderall Treatment Options: Treatment programs for Adderall addiction usually include a combination of individual and group therapy and counseling. Adderall treatment options may also include dual diagnosis care for co-occurring mental health disorders and holistic treatment.
- Types of Adderall Facilities: Adderall facilities include private rehab, government-funded rehab, and non-profit treatment facilities.
Why Choose Amethyst For Adderall Addiction Recovery?
Most people tend to seek help when they hit rock bottom. But when “rock bottom” might easily mean death, how long should you actually wait? Well, if you’ve identified any of your own behaviors in the section above, the time is now. Why wait until addiction destroys your health, your career, and your relationships? The consequences may have been mild up to now, but that doesn’t mean they won’t get worse over time. It’s best to seek solutions as soon as possible.
Anyone who wishes to enter treatment at Amethyst Recovery will be given access to our free verification and referral program. First, we assess potential clients to ensure that their concerns are justified. If they indeed struggle with addiction, we then talk about insurance. Amethyst accepts numerous major insurance providers, so most patients should be alright. But if for some reason they are unable to attend Amethyst, we can find other options. Our referral program ensures that patients unable to attend our programs might still find help elsewhere. At the end of the day, recovery is what matters most to us, no matter where it is achieved.
Those who enter our programs will receive everything they need to learn the joys of sobriety. First, they’ll enter detox to overcome their physical cravings. Then, they’ll receive counseling from our well-trained and experienced staff. Through counseling, our patients learn to see how addiction hurts them. They also learn to form a relapse prevention plan, for those times when life throws us a curve ball in sobriety. Aside from behavioral therapy, they’ll be given the chance to socialize with other patients and go on monthly adventures. This teaches them that sobriety can be enjoyable. We suffered enough in addiction. There’s no need to suffer now that we’ve finally begun seeking a solution.
Anyone with more specific questions regarding Adderall addiction and treatment should contact us today. Many think of Adderall as a harmless or even useful drug. But just like any other controlled substance, abuse of this drug can ruin lives in a heartbeat. There’s no need to let it happen to you. Help is available. All you need to do is seek it out. It might not be easy to make that decision, but it’s definitely easier than living with addiction. You owe it to yourself to stop abusing Adderall and give yourself another chance at life.
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