San Diego Addiction Treatment Center
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 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.
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.
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.
Adderall dependence is natural and an expected physiological response when taking the drug. There is a physical dependence due to the change of chemicals in the body. However, there is no psychological dependence which is what happens when it is being abused. An individual may need help from their doctor to get off the medication because of these chemical changes. The individual does not crave or obsess over the drug.
An addiction occurs when an individual is both physically and psychologically dependent on the substance. These people often run out of their prescriptions early due to taking more than prescribed. They then experience Adderall withdrawal, which results in going to any length to obtain more of the drug. These obsessive thoughts and cravings about Adderall are indicators of addictive behavior.
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.
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 may abuse this drug to fight exhaustion and enhance performance during practice and in competition. In 2012, Adderall’s abuse contributed to a record-breaking year of drug-related suspensions in the National Football League.
People who struggle with an eating disorder may abuse this drug because it suppresses their appetite. If someone with an eating disorder becomes addicted, they will often need treatment that cares for both issues simultaneously.
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 risk of overdosing.
Some common drugs that are combined with Adderall include:
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, 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:
Healthy Life Recovery’s Adderall addiction treatment program offers an inpatient alternative. Inpatient facilities provide all the support and resources the patient might need for an efficient recovery. The inpatient treatment offers individual therapy, group therapy, and medication management when needed.
Residential treatment consists of 24/7 care while staying in the facility. The duration of this program usually lasts about 30 days and further assistance can be provided at an outpatient rehab center.
Healthy Life Recovery understands the needs of certain individuals. That is why we offer inpatient and outpatient treatment programs. Our outpatient rehab in San Diego is designed to assist patients with maintaining their commitments while receiving the necessary care to remain sober. Each outpatient service provides the ongoing structure and support for people to transition back into society.
Healthy Life Recovery understands the needs of certain individuals. That is why we offer inpatient and outpatient treatment programs. Our outpatient rehab in San Diego is designed to assist patients with maintaining their commitments while receiving the necessary care to remain sober. Each outpatient service provides the ongoing structure and support for people to transition back into society.
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.
Sean Leonard is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner. He received his master’s degree in adult geriatric primary care nurse practitioner from Walden University and a second postmaster specialty in psychiatry mental health nurse practitioner from Rocky Mountain University. Sean has experience working in various diverse settings, including an outpatient clinic, inpatient detox and rehab, psychiatric emergency, and dual diagnosis programs. His specialty areas include substance abuse, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, PTSD, ADHD, and OCD.
Dr. John Allen, MD is a psychiatrist in El Cajon, CA and has over 45 years of experience in the medical field. Dr. Allen has extensive experience in Addiction & Substance Abuse and Psychotic Disorders. He graduated from Baylor University in 1976.
