Adderall Addiction

Adderall Addiction

At Healthy Life Recovery, we know developing an Adderall addiction is not an uncommon condition. Students, professionals, athletes, and people struggling with eating disorders are known to abuse this drug. The longer a person has abused the drug, the harder it becomes to quit. The withdrawal symptoms of Adderall may make it hard for someone to stop taking it on their own.

Our rehab center offers individualized treatment for Adderall addiction in San Diego, CA. We are staffed with trained professionals that only want the best for your physical and mental health. A substance use disorder (SUD) can be impossible to defeat without the proper treatment options. At Healthy Life Recovery, our addiction treatment center can help you take back control of your life.

Adderall Addiction

Adderall is a drug used to treat ADHD and is prescribed by medical professionals. This drug is an amphetamine that affects the central nervous system, similar to cocaine. It is a potent stimulant, a Schedule II controlled drug, and comes in 5-30 milligram tablets. Children, teens, and adults are able to concentrate better and remain calm throughout the day. Doctors also prescribe the drug to people who suffer from narcolepsy or excessive daytime sleepiness.

How Adderall Works

Adderall is a stimulant, which means it increases dopamine levels in the brain. The chemical dopamine is in control of attention, movement, and pleasure. It differs from cocaine in the sense that it causes a slow and steady increase in dopamine. The brain similarly naturally produces the chemical and releases it this way.

How Does Adderall Addiction Develop?

It is a common misconception that people think that Adderall is safe because it is a prescription drug. Especially because it is frequently prescribed to children. There are long-term consequences when an individual abuses this drug. Prolonged Adderall use will lead to a tolerance and an addiction to the drug.

In order to abuse taking Adderall, an individual would need to take more than the dosage the doctor prescribed. Taking the drug without a prescription, and not administering it orally, are also forms substance abuse. For instance, individuals may crush up the pill to snort the powder to get an instant high. Others may even dilute the powder and inject it, which is very dangerous.

Adderall Health Effects

Adderall can affect the body in many severe and potentially deadly ways. If an individual takes the drug in high doses, they can suffer heart problems such as an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and a heart attack. People may experience malnutrition, paranoia, and feelings of hostility and depression when abusing this substance. In some cases, abusing Adderall can lead to suicidal thoughts or even a stroke.

The body eventually creates a tolerance to the drug when it is being abused. The dosage will have to be increased in order to feel the same effects as before. A lethal overdose can become a serious health concern once an extreme addiction has developed.

The most dangerous side effect of Adderall abuse is overdosing. Taking Adderall with alcohol or other substances will increase the risk of a death-related overdose. In 2005, the Canadian government banned sales of Adderall XR (the time-released version of the drug) due to 20 deaths associated with the drug.

Amphetamines, including Adderall, have been banned by the International Olympic Committee since 1968. Athletes taking Adderall have died because their increased blood pressure leads to heatstroke and cardiac arrest.

Signs of Adderall Abuse

Common signs of an Adderall addiction include:

• Wanting an increase in doses to feel the drug’s effects
• Wanting to cut down on use but not being able to
• Taking the drug despite knowledge of the drugs harmful effects
• Not being able to finish work without the drug
• Spending a lot of time and money on the drug
• Being unable to feel alert without taking the drug
• Neglecting other normal or important activities in favor of using Adderall
• Suffering withdrawal symptoms when not using the drug

Who Abuses Adderall?

It can be challenging to recognize when someone is abusing Adderall. Oftentimes, people abuse the drug in order to focus better and enhance productivity. A person abusing this substance does not look like a typical drug user and instead is perceived as a motivated individual. It is common for young people to value the feeling of motivation and drive. This is why students and young professionals are most often likely to abuse Adderall. 

Students And Professionals

College students in particular, make up a significant population of Adderall abuse. The drug’s ability to help one focus and stay awake for longer than normal makes it attractive to students and working professionals. This population is constantly facing ever-increasing demands at school and work.

Athletes

Athletes may abuse this drug to fight exhaustion and enhance performance during practice and in competition. In 2012, Adderall abuse contributed to a record-breaking year of drug-related suspensions in the National Football League.

People With Eating Disorders

People who struggle with an eating disorder may abuse this drug because it suppresses appetite. If someone with an eating disorder becomes addicted, they will often need treatment that cares for both issues simultaneously.

Common Drug Combinations

People tend to combine Adderall with other drugs for numerous reasons. Some individuals may do this in an attempt to enhance its effects. Others may even take a drug to counter Adderall if it is preventing them from falling asleep. No matter the reason, mixing this drug with other substances increases the risks of overdosing. Some common drugs that are combined with Adderall include:

• Alcohol
• Cocaine
• Marijuana

Treatment & Prognosis

The first step to treat the abuse of this prescription drug is to wean off of it slowly. This requires the individual to continue taking the drug, but gradually in lower doses. This will help reduce any withdrawal symptoms as well as increase the chance of success. 

The individual will then need to go through a detoxification process. Depending on the dosage level and length of the substance abuse, it will determine if a person needs medically supervised detoxification. Some people may choose to do this process at home. Others who abused the drug at higher levels will go through detox in a medically supervised setting. 

Currently, there is no medication-assisted treatment to treat this addiction. Following detox, the most effective treatment options for Adderall addiction are behavioral health therapies. Behavioral treatment may include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Contingency Management Interventions/Motivational Incentives
• The Matrix Model
• 12-Step Groups
• Family Behavior Therapy

Trying to overcome your Adderall addiction alone can be extremely challenging. Get the help you need and deserve today in the beautiful city of San Diego. Our Healthy Life Recovery Addiction Center can provide the care you need to live a healthy life again. Contact us to find out the treatment options that best suit your needs.