Adderall use has grown in popularity among many students in recent years. In fact, a study from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health says that college students between the ages of 18-22 are twice as likely to misuse Adderall as those who are not in college. ¹ This rise in Adderall misuse is concerning due to its propensity to lead to addiction, overdose, and death.

Adderall misuse can cause serious harm, and lead users down a road of addiction that they struggle to break free from. Learning about the dangers of Adderall addiction can help you prevent or avoid falling victim to this addictive prescription.

What Is Adderall?

Most people recognize Adderall as a prescription drug that is used to treat ADHD, narcolepsy, and even obesity. It is made from a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, both of which stimulate your central nervous system. ² Adderall works by activating your brain’s ‘reward system’ and produces additional amounts of norepinephrine and dopamine which can give you feelings of euphoria. ²

Why Is Adderall Commonly Misused?

It is commonly used by college students so that they can focus better on their studies. Research, however, does not indicate that it is helpful if you do not have ADHD. It does activate the part of your brain that is responsible for executive function, so it can make you feel like studying longer. Since it is a stimulant, it also helps you stay awake longer. Once you begin using Adderall frequently, you can develop a dependence on it very quickly. This means you’ll start going through withdrawals if you don’t keep taking it— just like any other habit-forming substance. Many students find that they are surprised by how quickly they become dependent on Adderall, oftentimes without even realizing it.

Continued after infographic:

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Adderall Addiction?

Since Adderall affects the reward center of your brain, it is highly addictive and considered a Schedule II drug. When you take Adderall, you may experience a feeling of euphoria or extreme happiness. When the Adderall begins to wear off, you begin to feel worse than before. It can leave you feeling tired and irritable. When this happens, you may begin to continue taking it or take more and more of it to ward off those feelings. This is how Adderall addiction slowly begins. Below are more signs and symptoms that you are misusing or are addicted to Adderall:

Using someone else’s prescription
Taking more than you are prescribed
Smoking, snorting, or injecting the drug
Taking it to try and improve your mood or keep up with your studies
Using it to avoid feeling sick
You have intense cravings for it
You feel like you can’t quit taking it, even if you want to
If you are low or out of the drug, you feel panicked and anxious
You spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to get more of it

What Are the Dangers of Adderall Addiction?

Stimulant drugs are known to sometimes increase your blood pressure and heart rate, even when taken as directed. So, if not taken under the care of your physician, Adderall can cause you to experience an increased resting heart rate and blood pressure as well as other dangerous symptoms, including: ³

Muscle pain and weakness
Restlessness
Tremors
Vomiting
Seizures
Chest Pain
Heart Attack
Intense feelings of anger or aggression
Hallucinations and/or psychosis
Coma
Death

Since Adderall is a controlled substance, you should only take it under the care of a medical professional. The lethal dosage of Adderall varies widely from person to person, so what may be fine for your friend could be enough to cause you serious harm and even death. ⁴

Furthermore, Adderall also reacts negatively with a number of commonly used prescriptions and over the counter drugs. Medications like Paxil, Prozac, and Wellbutrin are known to react negatively with Adderall.

Treatment for Adderall Addiction

Fortunately, if you are suffering from an addiction to Adderall, you have options. First, a safe medical detox is required so that you can comfortably rid your body of the drug. After you’ve undergone detox, you should begin an inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation program to help you understand how to avoid falling back into your addiction. A rehabilitation program will also teach you healthier coping strategies so that you no longer feel as though you need Adderall to feel happy or content with your life.

Overcome Addiction at Ocean Hills Recovery

At Ocean Hills Recovery, we understand the pain and suffering you’ve been experiencing throughout your addiction. Our detox centers and rehabilitation programs are designed to help you feel safe and healthy while you relearn who you are and how to navigate through life without drugs. If you have questions or are ready to get started, please contact us today.

Sources:

[1] https://drugfree.org/drug-and-alcohol-news/college-students-more-likely-to-misuse-Adderall-study-finds/

[2] https://www.webmd.com/drug-medication/qa/is-Adderall-addictive

[3] https://www.webmd.com/drug-medication/Adderall-abuse-addiction-signs#2

[4] https://www.healthline.com/health/can-you-overdose-on-adderall#prescribed-dosage

About the author:

ocean hills

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does drug and alcohol rehab last?

The length of your stay at drug and alcohol rehab will vary for each person attending rehab and from treatment center to treatment center. Most inpatient programs are at least 30 days long; however, some programs may incorporate a shorter inpatient stay with a more extended outpatient stay. The best rehab centers will provide a more custom treatment plan for each person that takes into account the individual’s needs before determining the length of treatment. Ocean Hills Recovery offers a variety of options for addiction treatment. A typical stay at our inpatient drug and alcohol rehab programs last between 30 to 45 days.

Do I need inpatient or outpatient treatment?

Outpatient is an excellent option for people who are unable to take time away from work or their families while receiving addiction treatment. Inpatient treatment is an excellent option for people who can be away from their work or families for at least several weeks for treatment. We recommend that you contact a reliable treatment center, like Ocean Hills Recovery, for a complete assessment before you decide whether inpatient or outpatient treatment for addiction is best for you.

Should I get addiction treatment locally or away?

The answer to whether you should go away or stay local for addiction treatment is very individual. Many people need to get away from their everyday life for them to fully submerge themselves in their addiction recovery process. For these individuals, going to an out of state treatment center is the best option to be able to commit fully and concentrate on their recovery. For others, this is not an option because of work or family obligations.

What do I do if I don’t have insurance for drug rehab?

There are options for drug rehab, even if you don’t have insurance. When you decide to get help, the best thing to do is to find a treatment philosophy that you believe may help and contact them for assistance. Rehab professionals can help you determine if you have insurance coverage for addiction treatment, and what options are best for you. Many drug rehabs accept insurance but also have private pay, or financing options available. Contact our rehab admissions specialist today, and we can help you navigate insurance questions, payment options, and treatment plans.

How to find a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center?

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website is a great place to start when you are looking for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. We recommend that you make a list of a few different centers to contact and speak with them to get a feel for their programs, therapies, and staff and find the center that you feel most comfortable with. Have a list of questions that you can ask each center to help you through the process. One of the most important questions to ask is if the rehab holds accreditation by CARF. Having a state license is no longer enough to ensure that a rehab center is reputable. If the rehab holds CARF accreditation, they have had to meet a more strict set of guidelines and procedures.

Do I need detox before addiction treatment?

Many people require detox to help manage withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs. There are several factors that we take into consideration to determine if you will need detox before addiction treatment. Our admissions professionals work with each person to obtain a thorough history of substance use and other medical conditions to help make the appropriate recommendations for care. You must give accurate information so that we can keep you as comfortable as possible if you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. However, detox is only the first step in addiction recovery. For long-lasting addiction recovery, a person must deal with the underlying issues that lead to substance use in the first place. Contact us today for a confidential assessment.

Understanding Adderall Addiction