Adderall addiction reports are often in the news. While many people take their prescriptions for Adderall as directed, abuse of the drug happens. Reports have showcased many alarming facts about the misuse and abuse of Adderall.
One study done involved talking to more than 10,000 college students in the U.S. who have prescriptions for Adderall or similar Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) drugs. More than half of the students stated that they had been asked by friends and school peers to sell them some of their Adderall.
A separate study involved students who do not have prescriptions for Adderall. Most of these students who abuse the medication admitted they get Adderall from friends and classmates. Facts like these make Adderall addiction a huge concern among the medical and psychological community.
What Is Adderall and What Conditions Does It Treat?
Adderall is a prescription medication amphetamine, which is classified as a stimulant. Prescriptions come in pill form to be taken orally. Adderall changes the amount of natural substances in the brain. When taken according to instructions, a person dealing with ADHD often experiences many benefits. The medication can help them keep their mind focused, aid them in paying attention and allow them to have better control over behavioral problems. It may also assist with being able to listen and focus on surrounding situations and people.
Adderall is commonly used to treat ADHD. For those with this condition, this medication can be a game-changer. Without prescription assistance, many people in this population find their inability to focus and pay attention for long periods of time disrupts their lives. It can cause challenges in schoolwork, careers, and relationships.
Adderall is also used to treat narcolepsy, which is a sleep disorder. Narcolepsy causes people to experience overwhelming bouts of feeling tired during the day. It sometimes causes them to fall asleep without being able to control it. Adderall helps people with narcolepsy stay awake.
The Potential for Adderall Abuse Affects Many Groups
Many people who use legitimate prescriptions for Adderall never develop an addiction to it. Addiction can happen while an individual takes the recommended dosage. For many others, the trouble begins when they increase their dosage without consulting with the doctor or psychiatrist who prescribed it.
Another population that risks developing an Adderall addiction includes those who use the drug recreationally. These people often take Adderall for one of two reasons. The first group sees it as a party drug. They take Adderall to experience euphoria, to stay awake for long hours when socializing, and to increase feelings of having a good time. They may combine it with binge drinking.
The second group tends toward using Adderall as what is referred to as a study drug. Students who are challenged by long hours of homework, writing papers, and studying for exams sometimes look for an artificial boost of energy. Adderall can contribute to them staying awake to pull an all-nighter to study.
If the students have other pressing needs that consume time in their lives, they may feel Adderall is the answer. They may not be able to juggle school, working, and having a social life without a medication-assisted boost to their energy levels.
In addition, some people use Adderall as a weight loss aid or to improve their athletic performance. Many believe that because Adderall falls under the category of a prescription drug, it provides a level of safety for them. Realistically, the abuse of drugs prescribed by physicians can cause as much damage as “street drugs”, such as cocaine, methamphetamines, and heroin.
Symptoms of Adderall Addiction
Symptoms of abuse of Adderall largely depend on the dosage amount and how often a person takes it. Side effects associated with Adderall addiction include:
- Increased heart rate
- High blood sugar
- High blood pressure
- Dry mouth
- Constipation and diarrhea
- Weak muscles and muscular pain
- Weight loss
- Blurred vision
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Mood changes
- Racing thoughts
- Difficulty concentrating
How to Tell if Adderall Addiction Has Taken Hold
If you suspect you may have developed an addiction to Adderall, here are some signs to look out for:
- Using a higher dosage than prescribed
- Taking Adderall more often than recommended
- Taking Adderall when you do not have a prescription for it
- “Doctor shopping” by visiting several doctors in an attempt to get multiple prescriptions
- Snorting, smoking or injecting it, instead of taking it in pill form
- Combining Adderall with other medications or alcohol
- Using it recreationally or as a study aid
- Wanting to cut back usage but unable to do so
- Difficulty feeling alert and awake without taking Adderall
- Withdrawal symptoms and cravings when unable to take it
- Attempting to forge a prescription
Adderall Addiction Treatment in California
If you find yourself trapped in the world of addiction to Adderall, Riviera Recovery can help. We treat young adults who struggle with substance use disorders, as well as co-occurring mental health illnesses. Our sober living facilities in beautiful Southern California offer gender-specific housing with staff members who provide round-the-clock support.
Reach out to us at Riviera Recovery right now. Let us help you ease out of Adderall addiction and into your new life.