Can You Get Addicted To Adderall

You Are Losing Interest In School Work And Friends

Another sign of Adderall addiction is if your life revolves around the drug. âAdderall use impairs the ability to fulfill work, school, or social obligations and you continue using it despite having knowledge that it is causing you physical or psychosocial problems,â Sore says. Ignoring friends and family and being secretive is also an important sign of substance abuse.

Health Effects Of Adderall Addiction

Stimulates like Adderall can increase blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing. Adderall misuse can result in heart failure, seizures, and other health conditions. In some situations, death is a health effect of stimulant use disorder. Additionally, if a person is coming down from using Adderall, they could struggle with insomnia, anxiety, and restlessness. Paranoia, organ damage, and anxiety are all effects of chronic stimulant misuse. If a person is abusing Adderall, they are also at an increased risk of suicide.8

How Is Adderall Abused

People may take Adderall without a prescription, or they may take more than the dose prescribed by their doctor. Some even crush the pills and snort them to get a quicker effect. These are all forms of abuse.

Unlike illicit drugs, Adderall is fairly easy to obtain. Most people abusing the substance either steal or buy pills from someone with a legitimate prescription. In one study, 79% of college students abusing the drug obtained it from a friend.

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Effects Of Adderall Addiction

The effects of Adderall addiction can be very damaging, especially long-term, without treatment. In addition, a person abusing this medication could potentially develop serious health problems and, in some cases, might even suffer from an overdose.

People who have been addicted to Adderall for a long time might experience some of the following effects:

• Anxiety
• Migraines
• Difficulty breathing

In severe cases, Adderall abuse could cause symptoms like delusions and damage to the heart. Trying to quit an Adderall addiction on your own could also trigger withdrawal symptoms which often mirror the effects of abusing the drug.

Amphetamine addiction has also been shown to have adverse effects in pregnancy, with children being negatively affected well into childhood.

This is why its advisable to seek immediate treatment if you suspect you or someone has an addiction to Adderall.

Finding Help For Adderall Addiction

The best way to find lasting sobriety in the aftermath of an Adderall addiction is through a professional rehabilitation program. If you or someone you care about has a problem with Adderall, we want to help.

We want to be that help for you. We have experienced admissions coordinators standing by 24 hours a day to help you take the first step of the journey to recovery. We can assist you in finding the most effective evidence-based Adderall addiction treatment for your individual needs.

We want to help you find a fulfilling life without addiction to stimulants. Please call our toll-free helpline, to start your recovery journey now.

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Studying Energy Weight Loss And Athletic Enhancement

Apart from its medical uses, people abuse Adderall in an effort to increase work productivity, for weight loss, for better athletic performance, and to increase energy and focus. It should be noted, each of these uses increases the risk of dependence and addiction.

An interesting fact about Adderall is that it has the opposite effect on people who use it for ADHD and people who use it for non-medical reasons. For people with ADHD, it helps to calm down the brain and allows focus, whereas, for other people, it acts as a stimulant and an energizer.

What Is Toxic Psychosis

Toxic psychosis is when a person has a psychotic episode that is brought on by substance use. When this happens, the substance user may lose touch with reality and their ability to communicate with other people. A psychotic break can include hallucinations, paranoia, and delusions. Certain substances are known to cause toxic psychosis including stimulants like Adderall.

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What Makes Adderall Addictive

âAdderall is addictive largely because of its stimulant qualities,â Jenna Liphart Rhoads, PhD and nurse educator, tells WebMD Connect to Care. People often take Adderall for help with focus and academic performance. It is also used to elevate mood and decrease appetite.

âThe medication works by increasing dopamineâa âfeel-goodâ hormoneâand norepinephrine levels in the central nervous systemâthe brain,â Rhoads says. People can get used to these high levels of dopamine and norepinephrine over time and feel dependent on the drug.

âWith increasing pressures to perform and availability of stimulant medications,â Lauren Madden, licensed clinical professional counselor and clinical supervisor of the Gateway Foundation, tells WebMD Connect to Care, âAdderall provides an opportunity for substance abuse due to its popularity and perceived minimal risk among those withâor withoutâa formal diagnosis.â

• Taking more than the recommended dose
• Mixing the drug with other substances, like alcohol
• Injecting the drug

Madden says the potential side effects of Adderall abuse include:

• Headaches

What Is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

There are a lot of fancy medical definitions of ADHD. I dont want to explain in great detail how this mental disorder affects higher executive brain function. I wont go all nerdy on you. I just want to share my personal take on it.

ADHD greatly affects a persons ability to focus, concentrate, and be still in their own body. It produces a need to be in constant motion. Its kind of like being driven by a motor that never shuts off.

ADHD makes everything external to the mind seem like a very inviting distraction. It makes it difficult to pay attention for extended periods of time. When you have this disorder, functioning mentally can feel like an impossible task.

The American Psychiatric Association reports that about five percent of all children and 2.5 percent of all adults have ADHD. However, many people go undiagnosed their whole lives so this may not be an accurate statistic.

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Dangers Of Adderall Abuse

An obvious danger of abusing any drug is the development of a formal SUD. Individuals who develop SUDs are also at risk to be diagnosed with some other mental health disorder.

Research studies, such as one published in the American Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, note that the abuse of drugs like Adderall can lead to some other serious potential consequences. These include:

• The development of cardiovascular issues due to prolonged increased blood pressure and accelerated heart rate, leading to damage that can increase the risk for heart attack or stroke
• Complications with physical health as a result of dehydration, damage to nasal passages due to snorting the drug, poor judgment as a result of stimulant intoxication, and issues with appetite and sleep
• Significant alterations in the central nervous system that may increase the risk for the development of neurological issues, such as seizures or other potential issues
• An increased probability to develop issues with psychological functioning, such as hallucinations, delusions, depression , apathy, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, etc.
• An increased potential to engage in risky behaviors that can be detrimental to health as a result of stimulant intoxication
• Risk for potential overdose with escalating abuse

The development of a substance use disorder as a result of Adderall abuse is a serious issue. Treatment for these disorders should only be delivered by licensed, trained, mental health clinicians.

Understanding Adderall Abuse And Addiction

The stimulant Adderall is commonly abused for the reasons mentioned above. It provides users with increased energy and feelings of confidence and concentration. Using the medication for reasons other than prescribed indicates abuse, and abuse can quickly lead to addiction.

Over time, using Adderall can lead to a physical dependence. Often times, with Adderall and other addictive drugs, users will develop a tolerance to the medication. What that means is that the users body becomes accustomed to having the medication and need to take more of the drug to produce the same effects they had previously. Abusing Adderall by taking more than prescribed is a slippery slope that can lead to addiction, which can result in serious physical and emotional problems.

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Dangers And Side Effects Of Adderall

Many people who abuse Adderall wrongly assume the drug is safe because it comes from a doctor. Adderall is prescribed to people, including children, with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder . This leads some people to think the drug is safe because children take it.

In reality, Adderall is a strong stimulant that can lead to serious and potentially deadly side effects. Overdose is one of the worst side effects of Adderall abuse, which can lead to heart attack, stroke and liver failure. Taking Adderall with other substances, such as alcohol, heighten the risk of a fatal overdose.

What Are The Symptoms Of An Adderall Addiction

People who misuse Adderall may feel euphoria after they take it. Eventually they feel the need to take higher doses in order to feel good again. As the Adderall wears off, they can begin to feel anxious and irritable. They may feel depressed.

People who misuse Adderall will likely begin to display drug-seeking behaviors. These can include:

• spending a significant amount of time and money to get the drug
• avoiding lifes responsibilities
• becoming socially withdrawn or secretive
• doctor shopping, or going to several different pharmacies to try to fill Adderall prescriptions
• manipulating, crushing, or snorting Adderall to increase or hasten its effects
• noticeably lowering their level of self-care or grooming

Once their Adderall dose wears off, theyll likely start to experience physical symptoms of withdrawal or an Adderall crash.

Adderall withdrawal symptoms can include:

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You Are Taking Adderall More Than Your Prescribed Dose

âWarning signs that your use of Adderall might be problematic include taking the medication in higher amounts than prescribed and persistent unsuccessful attempts at cutting down the use,â Michael Sore, MD, Medical Director at Riverside Recovery, tells WebMD Connect to Care. There can be a problem if you are taking Adderall only to feel âhigh or energeticâ and not for the treatment of a disorder.

Adderall Use Psychological Risks And Dangers

When a person chronically uses amphetamine drugs like Adderall, they may develop hostility and violent and unpredictable behaviors that could endanger themselves or others. Even short-term Adderall use could cause these states in some people.

Psychosis that resembles schizophrenia may also develop. This state may be accompanied by paranoia and auditory and visual hallucinations. Some individuals may begin to pick at their skin because they feel as if bugs are crawling beneath it. This is another form of hallucination.

Chronic use or high doses of Adderall may also lead to:

• anger
• mental illnesses

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The Dangers Of Mixing Adderall With Alcohol

Another risk of overdose associated with Adderall is when the substance is mixed with other substances like alcohol. Adderall has the ability to mask certain indicators of intoxication that people would otherwise use to slow or stop their consumption. If these signs go unnoticed, the user is at risk of continued drinkingpotentially leading to alcohol poisoning, coma, or death.

Adderall Use Physical Risks And Dangers

Chronic use or large doses of this drug may lead to serious physical health problems. The physical risks and dangers of Adderall use include:

• chronic sleep problems
• vitamin deficiency
• weakness

People who frequently use Adderall may go long periods of time without sleeping. Because of this, a person may become physically exhausted after an Adderall binge.

Injecting Adderall can expose a person to serious infectious diseases, such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.

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Common Signs Of Using Adderall

People who are on Adderall may experience physical symptoms including a headache, dry mouth, a hoarse voice, nausea, digestive problems and diarrhea or constipation. Its also known to reduce or eliminate the users appetite, and thats actually one of the reasons people use it. A big red flag that someone is regularly using Adderall is rapid weight loss.

Since Adderall is a stimulant, it also disturbs sleep schedules, so the person taking it may be staying awake for days at a time and then crashing and sleeping for prolonged periods.

When people are on Adderall and then come off the drug, the will often start to seem depressed and lethargic. They may not be interested in doing anything, and they tend to be detached from the people and events around them.

While many of the signs above are simply signs of using the drug, there are also common warning signs of someone being addicted to Adderall, instead of just using it recreationally. Addiction can include a psychological or physiological dependence on the drug.

When people become addicted to the feeling of being high on Adderall, they will start to feel as if they require it to feel productive and alert. When individuals who are addicted to this drug dont take it, it can lead them to feel fatigued, or foggy.

Other signs that someone is addicted to Adderall may include:

Adderall Dosage Makes A Difference

This medication comes in different dosages. There are also different forms of the medication. My doctor and I discussed all of the different options. These included:

• 10mg
• Generic
• XR

I was hoping the doc would put me on Adderall XR, because its extended-release. This means it lasts longer. However, he thought it was safer to start me on 20 mg. He said a lower dose was better. We could increase it or change it later if needed. He explained that if I started on too high or a dose, I could develop a tolerance. It wouldnt be as effective if I went down on the milligrams later.

He didnt explain to me what tolerance was and I didnt ask. I should have. I trusted him completely. I was just looking forward to getting some relief from my ADHD symptoms. I should have slowed down. I never even thought to ask if the stuff was addictive. And, sadly, he didnt volunteer that information.

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What Causes Adderall Addiction

Doctors typically prescribe Adderall at the lowest effective dose possible. When used as directed, it carries a low risk of dependency and addiction.

A prescription for Adderall typically ranges from 5 to 60 milligrams total per day. Adolescents will usually start at a dose of just 10 mg per day. Then, their doctor may slowly increase the dose until their ADHD or narcolepsy symptoms are managed.

Addiction to Adderall can occur when someone takes:

• more than their prescribed dose
• Adderall for longer periods of time than prescribed
• Adderall more frequently than prescribed

Some people purposefully misuse Adderall in order to experience its stimulant effects. They may use it to help them stay up all night to study or boost their mental performance. Adderall is prescribed in pill form. Some people snort it or inject it to increase its effects.

Due to its high risk of misuse, Adderall is listed as a federally controlled, Schedule II substance.

What Is Adderall Addiction

Since Adderall can result in feelings of energy, strength, and self-confidence, it is often subject to substance abuse. Particularly because it is a prescription stimulant that feels safer than other illicit drugs. However, as with many other drugs, it is only safe when used exactly as prescribed and for medical reasons. When used recreationally and in higher doses, it can provide very different effects and can lead to addiction.

People may feel that they can get more work done more effectively, managing to stay focused for a much longer time than normal. This makes it particularly popular amongst college students and professionals.

One of the ways that people abuse Adderall is by crushing the pills, snorting the powder, or dissolving the powder in liquid and injecting it to experience an immediate high. Some of the effects that you might experience if you have taken high doses of Adderall are:

• A desire to work/be productive
• Excitement/hyperactivity

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Adderall Addiction Signs And Symptoms

Although Adderall addiction is possible, not everyone who uses it for a long time is addicted. Physical dependence, or the increased tolerance to the drug, can occur in a patient who takes Adderall for more than four months or longer. While physical dependence is a potential sign of addiction, it doesnt guarantee the issue.

So, how can you tell if someone is addicted to Adderall? The key to recognizing Adderall addiction is catching certain behaviors. Someone whos addicted to Adderall will prioritize their use of the drug over most other things in their life.

Behavioral symptoms:

• Disorientation
• Mania

When someone is addicted to Adderall or another substance, they are physically and psychologically dependent on the drug to feel good and normal. The use of the drug eventually becomes the persons main priority, which can lead to a lot of physical damage and heartbreak along the way. If the addict doesnt get help, they will go to great lengths to get what they want.

A Lot Of People Struggle With Cravings For Adderall

People suffering from depression or low energy symptoms often get hooked faster. The early effects can seem highly pleasant, as the rush of reward chemicals causes feelings of happiness even in those who normally have trouble feeling happy. The appeal for depression sufferers is obvious.

The addiction to Adderall deepens as the user builds a tolerance. Tolerance is when a persons body changes how it responds to the drug. Higher tolerance will eventually result in a more subdued high.

People will often attempt to reach the intense high they once felt by taking a higher dose, which the body will eventually get used to, necessitating another dosage increase, and a cycle begins. Tolerance plays a major role in addiction and overdoses.

The dependency that occurs with taking Adderall is another common reason why someone may abuse it. Addiction and chemical dependency often come hand in hand with one another.

The drug provides psychological alterations. These changes in a persons psyche make them think they need the drug to stay alive. Many addicts can resist the cravings, but over time they get more and more intense.

Withdrawals are a common reason for misuse or even relapse. The symptoms of withdrawal are not pleasant. When they run up against these symptoms, many people will go back to using them to get rid of them.

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