Warnings Signs You May Be Addicted To Adderall
The initial side effects of using Adderall feel positive. Your mood improves and you have more energy. You dont feel hungry and end up losing weight without trying.
But eventually, it starts not being all rainbows and unicorns.
You feel crabby and start snapping at your friends. You start spending more time alone. You have a need to get your hands on more stimulants.
In case you develop an addiction, your body could sustain some serious damage. Lets look at some of the warning signs that you may be addicted to Adderall.
If you think these apply to you, we urge you to seek help immediately.
How Can I Tell If Adderall Is Working
Its unlikely Adderall will make every symptom of ADHD go away, but youll know its working when some symptoms improve like the ability to stay focused on a task and complete it. Adderall may be working if a person with ADHD says they are doing better at work or school.
Adderall helps reduce symptoms of ADHD in about 80 percent of my pediatric patients, Dr. Chatigny says. Children with ADHD experience whats called a paradoxical reaction to the medication. It calms them and most often improves their ability to focus.
In people who dont have ADHD, because Adderall produces an excess amount of dopamine, users may experience feelings of euphoria and increased energy levels, as well as possible dangerous physical and emotional side effects.
Finding Adderall Addiction Treatment Centers
If you, a loved one, or someone you know is struggling with Adderall abuse or another addiction disorder, dont hesitate to reach out for help as soon as possible. It is never too soon nor too late to seek help. Addiction treatment centers like Thrive Treatment can assist you in detoxing from Adderall or other drugs, find therapy options that best suit you, and develop skills to maintain long-term sobriety. Thrive Treatment has many options available for addiction treatment, such as partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, outpatient, and sober living home options. Our variety of options allows for us to help you build a personalized treatment plan based on your needs. Contact us today to schedule an assessment and start treatment today.
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Undiagnosed Adhd Leading To Abuse
Stimulant abuse may be linked to undiagnosed ADHD. Dr. Timothy Wilens from Mass General Hospital for Children researched cases of stimulant abuse and found that those using the substances were twice as likely to have diagnosed or undiagnosed ADHD.
Dr. Wilens study evaluated symptoms of ADHD in the participants and found that stimulant users scored high on trouble with working memory, planning and organizing, initiation, and inhibition. Dr. Wilens concluded that these students might be self-medicating the undiagnosed condition.
If a teen is misusing stimulants, parents should ask a doctor to evaluate for ADHD, as well as a potential substance use disorder.
Who Is At Risk
The people most at risk to develop an Adderall addiction are often in different social circles, but they can overlap, including the following:
- Ambitious, competitive individuals who tend to push the limits of what they can accomplish
- Individuals who suffer from depression and/or are overweight
Stimulant abuse Adderall and Ritalin and others is so prevalent on college campuses because of its desired effects to focus harder, accomplish more and sleep less. All of these are strong temptations in the higher education atmosphere. Although anyone may develop a problem with Adderall, competition among college students to maintain high grades seems to be one of the biggest factors in the impulse to start experimenting with the drug.
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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.
You Are Crushing Snorting Or Injecting The Drug
To speed up the effect of the drug, you may resort to other ways of drug administration like crushing the drug, snorting, or mixing it with water and injecting it. This dramatically increases the risk of overdose. According to American Addiction Centers, the signs of overdose include confusion, tremors, hallucinations, and cardiovascular problems. âA fatal overdose for Adderall has been considered as little as 1.5 mg/kg of mass,â Aniko Dunn, PsyD, Psychologist at EZCare Clinic, tells WebMD Connect to Care.
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Signs Of Adderall Misuse Or Abuse
These terms generally mean that that youâre using a medication for something other than its original purpose. Many people who donât have ADHD mistakenly think that taking Adderall and similar medication such as Concerta, Dexedrine, Modafinil, and Ritalin is no more dangerous than drinking a lot of coffee or caffeinated beverages.
- Abusing or misusing a drug harms you or your loved ones. You are misusing Adderall if you:
- Take someone elseâs prescription
- Use a higher dose than prescribed
- Inject, snort, or smoke the pills
- Mix the pills with other drugs or alcohol
- Use them to get high or to keep up with school studies
Some older Americans may take Adderall to ward off memory loss. But doing so without a doctorâs OK can lead to physical and mental problems.
How To Approach An Addicted Loved One
An Adderall addict may be struggling with racing thoughts, insomnia, and extreme moods from elation to depression, so approaching them can be a delicate challenge. Adderall abuse can have all kinds of different catalysts, and coming to your addicted loved one with an understanding mindset can make all the difference when it comes to getting them the help that they need.
Quitting it can be a particularly difficult challenge. In some cases, you may find that help from a professional therapist will better prepare you for confronting your addicted loved one. Community Reinforcement and Family Training is a training course led by a therapist that prepares friends and family members of addicts for discussing treatment with the substance abuser how to bring up the subject, the most productive type of language to use, and how to cope with the stress that can accompany having an addict in your life that you care deeply about .
The most important thing that you can do is express support for their sobriety. Remind them of hobbies and activities that they used to really enjoy before they began abusing Adderall, and explain how you feel your relationship has changed due to their drug abuse. Be sure to listen to what they have to say about it listening is half of having a conversation!
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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.
How The Mind Functions
As the most important organ, the brain controls and coordinates actions and reactions, allows us to think and feel, and enables us to have memories and feelings.
The mind deploys various tasks at any given moment, one being referred to as the executive function. According to Very Well Mind, executive function is a set of cognitive skills needed for managing behaviors. The basic areas of executive function include:
- Attentional control ability to focus attention and concentrate on something specific
- Cognitive flexibility also referred to as mental flexibility that allows someone to switch from one mental task to another or to multitask
- Cognitive inhibition ability to tune out irrelevant information
- Inhibitory control ability to inhibit impulses or desire to engage in more appropriate or beneficial behavior
- Working memory ability to solve problems or perform tasks while holding several facts or thoughts in mind
These functions allow individuals to do things such as follow directions, focus, control emotions, and attain goals.
Learn more about the dangers of abusing Adderall and how this disruption in brain chemicals can cause long-term side effects, especially in those using the medication other than prescribed. If youre asking, am I addicted to Adderall, take our quiz here:
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Adderalls Rise To Popularity
According to a study published at John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, prescriptions for stimulant Adderall are mostly unchanged, but nonmedical use and emergency room visits among adults increased.
Adderall was introduced in 1996 by Richwood Pharmaceutical. In 2006, popular slow-release capsules called Adderall XR became available as an alternative to the original quick-release tablet. A survey by the Partnership for a Drug-Free Kids in 2014 reported that 20% of college students said they abused prescription stimulants.
Wondering, am I addicted to Adderall? Find drug rehab resources in your area.
As a study drug, Adderall is widely appealing to both students and individuals in the workforce because they claim the drug is used for legitimate reasons like academic success and not getting high. Partnership for Drug-Free Kids reported that 56% of college students considered study drugs easy to obtain through friends and extended social networks.
However, the view that psychostimulants are harmless and even beneficial tools for academic and work performance leads to a greater potential for abuse and dependency. Although wakefulness, memory skills, and concentration can be increased with medications like Adderall, the benefits are often outweighed by the adverse effects such as:
- Anxiety
Chronic Adderall abuse can also cause paranoia and other mental disturbances in some users.
Individual And Group Therapy
A trained mental health professional can help you get to the root of your substance use disorder, as well as give you coping skills to help prevent using Adderall again in the future.
You may find it helpful to use Psych Centrals search tools to find a therapist you resonate with.
A local support group, especially with others in a similar position, may help you feel supported on your journey. Some options include:
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What Is Adderall Withdrawal
Adderall dependence can happen to anyone who has been using the drug for an extended period. Dependence can also occur in those who take it as directed.
When you become physically dependent on Adderall, you will experience withdrawal symptoms after stopping use.
Adderall addiction is a complex disease. It makes the withdrawal experience even more challenging.
Adderall misuse is most common among people ages 18 to 25.2 Many Adderall users take the drug because they believe it will make them more intelligent or efficient at studying.
Some people take Adderall to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder as prescribed by a doctor. Others obtain Adderall illicitly or intentionally misuse it.3
Unlike other withdrawal syndromes, Adderall withdrawal is not linked to any dangerous medical problems. The main risk is that your depressed mood can develop into suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
Physical And Psychological Symptoms Of Adderall Abuse
Physical side effects of Adderall can emerge shortly after use. Adderall triggers the release of dopamine and other neurotransmitters in the brain. Prescribed users get a therapeutic benefit from it while recreational users who abuse this stimulant can get a high. The following are some of the effects that may be experienced right after Adderall abuse:
These symptoms would be perceptible to someone in the immediate environment of the person who is abusing Adderall. However, the people who are most likely to be concerned about the Adderall abuse may not be around when its going on. For this reason, it can be helpful to know the short-term effects of Adderall, which can linger long enough to be perceived by family, friends, work colleagues, and classmates. Some of the more commonly reported side effects of Adderall abuse are:
In addition, a person may experience mental health side effects. Some of these symptoms are hallucinations and believing things that arent true. Serious side effects may be less common, but they can happen and its best to know whats possible. The following are some of the most severe side effects associated with Adderall abuse:
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Signs Of Drug Use And Paraphernalia
A person who is abusing Adderall will likely show signs of drug use. If they have a prescription for Adderall, they will probably run out of pills sooner than they should. If they have multiple prescriptions, they may be doctor shoppingvisiting several doctors in order to get more drugs than normally prescribed. Some people feign ADHD symptoms in order to get a prescription.
Another indicator may be the way the medication is stored. If someone keeps the pills in baggies or wrapped in plastic, chances are they were not prescribed to that person. Even if a person has a prescription, this type of storage likely indicates that they are taking more than recommended by their doctor.
While Adderall is generally taken orally, some people crush the pills to snort them. Snorting a substance takes it into the bloodstream faster, which can produce a more intense effect. Drug paraphernalia such as razor blades, straws, hollow pens, or rolled paper may be found among someones things if they have been snorting Adderall. Though less common, Adderall can also be injected. Needles, spoons, and lighters may indicate injection drug use.
Physical Signs Of Adderall Dependence
Addiction to Adderall may manifest in several physical ways, with some being more apparent than others.
Drastic weight loss due to appetite suppression or severe fatigue due to insomnia could be a sign that somethings wrong. Chronic addiction may raise the risk of Adderall side effects.
Potential Adderall abuse side effects may include:
- Seizures
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Am I Addicted To Adderall
Adderall is a stimulant medication that doctors often prescribe to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder . Stimulants are known to lessen ADHD symptoms in 70% to 80% of people taking them.. However, Adderall is increasingly misused as a study aid among teenagers and college students. In the workforce, the potential for Adderall abuse is exceedingly high as more jobs demand rigorous schedules. The drugs ongoing misuse leads many to ask the question: am I addicted to Adderall? Below, youll find vital information on this well-known psychostimulant, its uses, and the potential for abuse, plus signs of addiction. Were also covering ways to prevent abuse and treatment programs that help address substance use disorders.
Adderall is a prescription medication that only slightly differs from methamphetamines. If used differently than prescribed or obtained illicitly, Adderall has a high risk of addiction. For more information on possible side effects, withdrawal, or treatment options, contact us 24/7 directly at .
How Long Does Adderall Withdrawal Last
Adderall withdrawal symptoms are typically not experienced until a few days after stopping Adderall use.
Symptoms of Adderall withdrawal usually last up to one week. This depends on how long the individual was abusing the drug.
Someone may take Adderall for an extended period and stop using it suddenly. In this case, they may experience long-term withdrawal symptoms.
These symptoms can be experienced for a few weeks to a month or longer. Many people experience lingering psychological symptoms and Adderall cravings.
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How Is An Adderall Addiction Treated
There are no approved medications to help treat an Adderall addiction.
Instead, treatment is focused on supervising a person as they go through a detoxification process. Withdrawal from stimulants like Adderall can be extremely uncomfortable and stressful for the body. Your doctor will refer you to an inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation center or detox facility.
During rehab, doctors will help you through the withdrawal process and make it easier to manage any withdrawal symptoms. Its not recommended that you quit Adderall cold turkey. Instead, your doctor will slowly lower the dosage under medical supervision. This is called tapering.
In general, the steps for treating an Adderall addiction include the following steps:
Doctors and therapists at the rehab center will help you understand how to live your life without the drug. They can help you find new, healthy coping skills to live your best life.
Warning Signs Of Adderall Addiction
The federal government classifies Adderall as a Schedule II drug, the same as cocaine. That means the potential for abuse is high.
Adderall activates your brainâs ârewardâ center by boosting the chemicals norepinephrine and dopamine. That can make you euphoric, a feeling of pleasure and happiness. If you misuse Adderall, taking it for a long time may lead to tolerance or dependency. That means you need to use more and more Adderall to get the same effect. Or if you stop or cut back suddenly, you may get withdrawal symptoms such as trouble sleeping, extreme tiredness, or depression.
You can cross from misusing Adderall to being addicted to it without realizing it. Addiction means you canât control your urge to take it. Another name for addiction is severe substance use disorder.
Signs of addiction may include:
- Intense craving for the drug
- You canât quit using even though it hurts your relationships, job, or money.
- You take dangerous risks to get or use the drug.
- Feeling agitated, anxious, or paranoid
- Lack of appetite
You can die of an Adderall overdose.
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