What Drugs Interact With Adderall
Tell your doctor about all of the medicines that you or your child take including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Adderall and some medicines may interact with each other and cause serious side effects. Sometimes the doses of other medicines will need to be adjusted while taking Adderall.
Your doctor will decide whether Adderall can be taken with other medicines.
Especially tell your doctor if you or your child take:
- anti-depression medicines including MAOIs
- blood pressure medicines
- cold or allergy medicines that contain decongestants
- stomach acid medicines
Know the medicines that you or your child take. Keep a list of your medicines with you to show your doctor and pharmacist.
Do not start any new medicine while taking Adderall without talking to your doctor first.
How To Help Your Child Avoid Adhd Medication Risks
Misuse, sharing and abuse of ADHD medication are serious problems. But there are steps you can take to minimize the risks.
Explore other things tweens and teens need to understand about ADHD medication. If your child is younger, learn about topics to raise with grade-schoolers. This could help them be responsible about medications as they get older.
If you suspect that your child may be misusing, sharing or abusing stimulant medication, talk to his doctor. Share your concerns and discuss ways to help your child.
Its important to know about potential risks so you can help your child avoid them. But it also helps to remember that most kids dont have these issues with ADHD medications.
Understood is not affiliated with any pharmaceutical company.
Getting Help For Adhd And Drug Use
When addiction and ADHD co-occur, it is vital for treatment programs to address both disorders at the same time in an integrated fashion. Trained professionals with experience managing co-occurring disorders will work together to implement a plan for treatment and recovery.
ADHD can interfere with and complicate treatment for drug use and addiction, and the reverse is also true. A specialized program that caters to co-occurring ADHD and addiction can be beneficial over standard rehab, as the complications of the mental health disorder can influence treatment needs for addiction.
For example, ADHD medications are commonly misused and have a high potential for abuse and addiction. They are tightly controlled substances. When used correctly by someone with ADHD, they can be very effective.
Due to their high risk of misuse, they will need to be closely monitored in someone with a history of substance abuse and addiction.
Medications are often used to treat addiction too.
Medical and mental health professionals and substance abuse treatment providers will need to work together to find the right pharmacological balance.
Treatment needs can change over time too, so regular assessments are beneficial.
You May Like: Why Are Opioids So Addictive
Are Stimulant Drugs For Adhd Addictive
Parents sometimes worry whether the stimulant drugs their children are taking to treat ADHD are themselves addictive. Stimulant medications work by raising levels of a chemical messenger called dopamine in the brain, which helps improve focus and attention — skills that people with ADHD often find difficult to master.
Dopamine also affects emotion and the feeling of pleasure, creating a “high” that makes people want more. Because cocaine and other street drugs also raise dopamine levels, there has been concern that ADHD stimulants might be similarly addictive. Ritalin’s ability to increase energy and focus has even led some people to refer to it as the “poor man’s cocaine.”
There have been reports of people using ADHD stimulants that weren’t prescribed for them. People have crushed and snorted Ritalin tablets or dissolved the drug in water and taken it intravenously. Studies show that abusing Ritalin can lead to dependence on the drug. When carefully taken as prescribed, though, Ritalin is less likely to be addictive in children or adults.
Facts And Statistics On Adhd
- ADHD is the most common mental health disorder that is diagnosed in children.
- An estimated 5 percent of adults in the US have ADHD, which represents 11 million individuals.
- When a person has been diagnosed with ADHD, the condition typically lasts a lifetime. There is no cure for ADHD.
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of 2011, an estimated 11 percent of children in the 4-17 age group are living with a diagnosis of ADHD. The rates were 7.8 percent in 2003 and 9.5 percent in 2007.
- On average, children who have symptoms of ADHD will receive a diagnosis at 7 years of age.
- Surveys show that more men and boys get an ADHD diagnosis than women and girls. However, this may owe more to underreporting of females with ADHD than the true reality of the numbers.
Read Also: Why Do People Get Addicted To Opioids
Addiction Issues With Adhd Medications
The dramatic positive impact that medication can have on the lives of individuals with ADHD cannot be overstated. Individuals with ADHD who take medication usually experience consistency across their days, something that they may never have experienced before. Most patients learn to manage their medication and have little need to increase the dose once an effective level has been reached. Neither tolerance nor withdrawal appears to be an issue for individuals with ADHD. Some adults may actually find that they respond to lower doses of medication and reduce their dosages over time. In addition, stimulant medication may actually provide a protective effect for some individuals with ADHD and decrease the likelihood of needing to use other substances to control their symptoms.
High profile articles about people who are abusing stimulant medications frequently appear in the media. Unfortunately, the media often presents inaccurate information regarding these cases. While it is true that these medications can be abused and that a young person can become addicted, the use of stimulant medication to treat ADHD does not automatically lead to drug addiction. Adolescents and adults who are not being treated for ADHD make up the bulk of these media cases. Adderall and Dexedrine are popular because they produce a high similar to speed in people who do not have ADHD. Ritalin is typically used as a last resort because it does not produce the euphoria that is so desirable to drug abusers.
How To Identify Abuse
Significant changes in appearance, attitude, or behavior are often the first clues that someone may be abusing drugs, including ADHD medications. A thorough medical history should be the next step in assessing a particular patient for medication abuse. Communication between provider and patients is key to spotting potential drug-taking behaviors and detecting recent changes in behavior or physical presentation.
Do not be afraid to ask questions. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration recommends using the CAGE screening tool at each visit with teenaged patients:
- Have you ever felt the need to Cut down on your use of prescription drugs?
- Have you ever felt Annoyed by remarks your friends or loved ones make about your use of prescription drugs?
- Have you ever felt Guilty or remorseful about your use of prescription drugs?
- Have you Ever used prescription drugs as a way to get going or study better?
Take a direct and nonjudgmental approach. This is especially important for children known to be at risk, including those with drug-abuse issues in the home or other major life stressors. Take note if the patient becomes defensive when the topic of substance abuse is discussed.
Some of the major symptoms of stimulant substance abuse include:
Teens and young adults who abuse ADHD medications may also develop a smoking habit, regular alcohol use, and/or illegal-drug abuse. They may show new interest in clothing, music, and other items that highlight drug use.
Don’t Miss: Can You Be Addicted To Adderall
How Long Does It Take To Get Addicted To Adderall
Adderall is a medication that is prescribed to individuals diagnosed with attention-deficit disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder . It is designed to help promote focus and curb hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. When Adderall is taken as prescribed for this purpose, it can make a world of difference in the lives of those with this behavioral disorder. Unfortunately, Adderall can be habit-forming when it is abused, making it highly appealing for those looking to get a stimulant high.
In the United States, approximately 2.5 million people are prescribed prescription stimulants like Adderall for the treatment of ADD/ADHD. A good portion of those who are prescribed this medication are children, teenagers, and young adults, primarily because the symptoms associated with this behavioral disorder become exasperated in school settings. That is why it is most common to see the abuse of Adderall in teenagers and young adults, as they have access to it and often utilize it as a study drug.
If You Have Questions About Admissions Call 1
Adderall is a highly addictive prescription stimulant with effects similar to meth. Although not everyone who uses Adderall* will develop an addiction, people regularly taking Adderall at prescribed or unprescribed doses are at a high risk of becoming addicted. Over time, those habitually using Adderall develop a tolerance to the drug and are unable to function normally without it.
*Atteral, Atterol, Aderol, Aderall and Aderal are common misspellings for this stimulant prescription medicine.
You May Like: What Are The Two Types Of Addiction
How Adhd Medications Work
ADHD medications are usually stimulants, but if youre feeling hyperactive and easily distractible, a stimulant may seem counterproductive. However, to understand the effectiveness of stimulants, its important to understand how ADHD works in the brain.
ADHD causes a chemical imbalance, particularly around the chemical messenger called dopamine. Dopamine is an important chemical thats tied to reward and motivation. Its also called the happy chemical because of the way it lifts your mood when its released.
We dont know exactly how ADHD affects dopamine and other parts of the human brain, but one theory is that ADHD causes a chronically under-aroused brain. In other words, people with ADHD experience less activity in certain parts of the brain that make them feel less motivated and rewarded by typical tasks.
So when someone with ADHD is doing something like math homework, their brain isnt producing enough dopamine to keep them motivated toward the task. Their brains are constantly seeking a better source of dopamine release. So, when something like an interesting bird lands on the window sill, its almost irresistible to pay attention to it.
Stimulants work by increasing the amount of dopamine thats released, decreasing the amount of dopamine thats removed, or both. ADHD medications are intended to increase the overall level of dopamine in your brain to help keep you feeling motivated through tasks in everyday life.
Dont Wait Get Help Now
The longer you have been abusing Adderall, the stronger your addiction can become. The withdrawal symptoms that start shortly after quitting can make it hard to stop on your own. There are many options available for treating this addiction, such as therapy and outpatient rehab. Contact a dedicated treatment provider to find help in overcoming an Adderall addiction today.
Theresa Parisi
- About
All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.
Also Check: How To Get Rid Of Sugar Addiction
Adderall Dependence Vs Addiction
An Adderall dependence is a natural, expected physiological response to the drug. The individual has a physical dependence due to the interaction of the chemicals in the body but not a psychological dependence where they are abusing the medication to reach a high. They may require assistance from their doctor to get off the medication due to the way the chemicals affect the brain however they are not mentally obsessing or craving Adderall.
An Adderall addiction refers to a persons physical and/or psychological reliance on Adderall along with a specific set of behaviors. These individuals are usually unable to cope when they stop taking Adderall and will go to any length to obtain more of the medication. Use of the drug becomes the main priority of the individual. They often run out of their prescription early due to taking more than prescribed, leaving them in withdrawal from the substance, which results in going to any length to obtain more of the substance. Obsessive thoughts about Adderall and cravings are also an indicator of addictive behavior.
Does Childhood Treatment Of Adhd With Stimulant Medication Affect Substance Abuse In Adulthood
Am J Psychiatry
One of the most controversial issues in childhood psychiatry is whether the wide-spread use of stimulant medications to treat children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder increases the risk of substance abuse in adulthood. Part of the rationale for this concern is that stimulant medications share with drugs of abuse the ability to increase dopamine concentration in the nucleus accumbens, which is the neural mechanism considered crucial for their reinforcing effects . Indeed, methylphenidate and amphetamine are sometimes abused in some settings . This misuse can produce dependence. Another reason for concern is the timing of exposure. Human epidemiological studies have shown that the earlier an individual is exposed to substances with abuse potential, such as alcohol and nicotine, the greater the risk of drug abuse and dependence in adulthood . However, the opposite perspective has also been proposedthat stimulant treatment of children and adolescents with ADHD may reduce the risk of later substance abuse . Considering that individuals with ADHD are at higher-than-normal risk for substance abuse , it is urgent that these two perspectives be addressed properly, yet relatively few clinical studies have done so.
Both conclude that…stimulant medication to treat young children with ADHD does not affectneither increasing nor decreasingthe risk for substance abuse in adulthood.
You May Like: How To Kick Drug Addiction
How Can I Know If Im Addicted To My Medication
Not all psychiatric medications are addictive indeed, most psychiatric medications used to treat state of mind issues, uneasiness issues or insane conditions dont have a high maltreatment potential. On the off chance that you take a psychotherapeutic medication for a specific timeframe, you may encounter undesirable or perilous results if you quit taking the medication out of nowhere. After some time, you may require higher portions of the psychiatric medication to deal with your manifestations. In any case, this doesnt imply that youre dependent.
Enslavement is portrayed by an enthusiastic, fanatical need to look for and utilize a psychiatric medication, although its stinging you or your friends and family. Indiana University recognizes the accompanying practices as signs of enslavement:
- The psychiatric medication turns into the focal point of your contemplations and exercises
- You continue to take the medication notwithstanding its destructive consequences for your actual wellbeing, enthusiastic prosperity, or your connections
- You let completely go over when, where, and the amount of the medication you use
- You conceal your utilization from others and feel regretful or repentant when you use
- You confine yourself from friends and family who dont utilize the medication
The Importance Of Adhering To Prescribed Use
If taken according to the prescribed dosage, Ritalin is generally not considered to be addictive. As there is no set dose of Ritalin and the dosage usually starts low and is increased until ADHD symptoms are controlled, the prevalence of addiction to Ritalin is not known. A survey of 12th graders, however, indicated that more than 3% admitted taking Ritalin without a prescription in the past year. Some concerns include:
- Ritalin can be a gateway drug for some people, who go on to take other drugs.
- Taking Ritalin can also create early experiences of drug dealing for some students.
- And if the drug is taken in higher doses, or through routes that intensify the effects such as snorting the drug through the nose or injecting it the risk of addiction increases.
If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.
Recommended Reading: What Is In Alcohol That Makes It Addictive
Signs And Symptoms Of Adhd Medication Abuse And Addiction
If you or someone you know is using ADHD medication in ways other than prescribed, there are some signs and symptoms that you can look for to determine if the abuse has crossed the line to addiction.
Physical Signs of ADHD Medication Addiction
- Vision problems
- Damaged interpersonal relationships with family and friends
- Problems at school or work
Whos Destined To Get Dependent
Every individuals body and mind are unique. Individuals likewise respond distinctively to psychiatric medications. Some adoration the believing the first occasion when they attempt it and need more. Others disdain it and never attempt again. Not every person who uses psychiatric medications gets dependent. However, it can happen to anybody and at whatever stage in life.
You May Like: How To Stop Junk Food Addiction
Signs Of Advil Addiction
Here at FHE Health, we take the view that an addiction isnt just about getting high its a complex combination of behaviors, obsessive thoughts, physical dependencies, and compulsions that can develop in relation to a wide range of substances and situations.
We know that the overuse of any OTC medication, including Advil and other drugs containing ibuprofen, can indeed lead to an addiction that can manifest in similar behavioral signs and symptoms as an addiction, such as:
- Feeling like you cant get through the day without taking Advil
- Always feeling the need to have a stash of Advil nearby
- Taking ever-increasing doses of Advil in an attempt to achieve relief from your aches and pains
- Trouble sleeping if you dont take Advil
- Purchasing large quantities of Advil at a time
- Becoming angry, anxious, or depressed when you dont have access to Advil
- Experiencing negative changes in your diet and bathroom habits as a result of your Advil use
- Experimenting with different ways to take ibuprofen, such as crushing and snorting the tablets, in an effort to increase the effects they have on you
- Trying out different drug combinations with Advil, such as drinking alcohol while taking Advil, popping caffeine pills in conjunction with ibuprofen, or mixing Advil with other OTC painkillers
Experiencing any number of these symptoms can be a sign that youre addicted to Advil.
