What Does Adderall Do
This drug is a central nervous system stimulant. It increases the production of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. I will let neuroscientist Dr. Ryan Davison explain it: People with ADHD tend to have lower levels of dopamine, a key chemical in the brains reward center. This lack of dopamine means people with ADHD are constantly seeking stimulation. Amphetamines stimulate the release of dopamine and other neurotransmitters in the brain so those minor distractions dont cause you to lose focus. If you want a more in-depth explanation of how Adderall affects the brain, watch this video:
Whos At Risk For An Adderall Addiction
Teens and young adults are most affected by Adderall addiction. But anyone taking Adderall is at risk of developing an addiction.
Most people who misuse Adderall are looking for stimulation, sustained wakefulness, better concentration, more energy, or to lose weight. The following types of people are more likely to develop an addiction to Adderall:
- people with an eating disorder, like anorexia, or people trying to lose weight
- people with stressful jobs
- people with a history of drug use
Adderall can interact with a number of other medications. Youre at a higher risk of developing an addiction to Adderall if you also take any of the following medications:
How Do You Recognize An Adderall Addiction
When your son or daughter goes off to college or university, they may place a lot of pressure on themselves to perform well academically. Adderall like other stimulant drugs are used by college students to help them study and stay focused. However, the potential for addiction is high because of the effects the drug has on the brain. There are some strong indicators to look for if you feel your loved one is addicted to Adderall. For example, they may become overly talkative, have a loss of appetite, excitable, social withdrawal, aggression, and feeling exhausted. Financial troubles are always a good indicator there is a problem. Most Adderall users struggle with rapid weight loss, mania, and impulsive behaviors. When you contact Newman Interventions we can help you determine if there is an addiction, and what you can do to help them.
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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.
Establish A Sleep Routine
Adderall withdrawal causes users to experience insomnia and extreme sleepiness interchangeably. Lack of sleep can lead to increased stress, and worsen and increase your risk for other health problems. On the other hand, sleeping too much can interfere with your daily responsibilities.
Make sleep a top priority while recovering from Adderall withdrawal. Reset your sleep schedule by going to bed at the same time every night and waking up at the same time every morning. Do relaxing activities for one to two hours before bed, and avoid watching television or spending time on your smartphone both of which can interfere with healthy sleep patterns.
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Drug Rehab For Adderall Addiction
If you are severely addicted to Adderall, you may also benefit from long-term drug rehab, which will provide continued medical and clinical care, life skills development, and behavioral therapy to address addictive behaviors. Drug rehab will also work to address the underlying causes of your Adderall addiction and help you cope without it.
Depending on the severity of your addiction and your circumstances, a treatment provider may recommend a residential drug rehab program or an intensive outpatient program for the best chance at a full recovery.
If youre ready to end your Adderall addiction and move forward with your life, call 605-2955 to speak with a Nova Recovery Center admissions representative about your treatment options. We provide comprehensive addiction treatment services and accept most insurance for drug rehab.
References:
Adderall Use In College Students
Between 2008 and 2013, abuse of amphetamine drugs such as Adderall nearly doubled. Adderall may be commonly abused as a study drug on college campuses, being used in an effort to get and stay ahead with schoolwork and classmates. The Monitoring the Future Survey of 2013 published by the National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that nearly 11 percent of college students reported Adderall abuse. The New York Times publishes that prescription stimulants are some of the most commonly misused substances on college campuses.
According to the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health , there were over 1.5 million people abusing stimulant drugs. Per a study published by Johns Hopkins University, between 2006 and 2011, nonmedical use of Adderall increased 67 percent for individuals between the ages of 18 and 25, and emergency department visits related to the drugs misuse spiked 156 percent during that same time period.
Its never too late to reach out for help. If you or someone you love is struggling with the devastating side effects of addiction and are unsure of where to turn, call us today at . Oxford Treatment Center, American Addiction Centers drug addiction treatment center in Mississippi, is ready to help you get the treatment you need today.
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Adderall Addiction Treatment & Recovery
Adderall is a prexcription drug used across the United States, Cananda and Mexico for the treatment of ADD and ADHD, particularly in children and adolescents where it appears to be most effective. But Adderall is also one of the most widely abused stimulant drugs in North America, and a growing number of people around the world are using the drug without a prescription or medical supervision. The problem has become so widespread that there is potentially now just as many people using Adderall recreationally, for purposes of cognitive and mood enhancement, as there are people using it to treat ADHD.
It should come as no surprise that Adderall addiction is a very real phenomenon. The drug itself is a collection of amphetamine salts, each used due to its particular structure which changes how quickly it is absorbed in the body. Amphetamines are typically highly addictive drugs. They quickly increase alertness, focus and mental energy, but they also rapidly improve mood, reduce anxiety, and they may even produce euphoria in some users.
In this article, were going to look at the signs and symptoms of Adderall addiction, so you can quickly identify when a friend or family member may have become addicted to the drug. We will also outline ways in which you can get help for someone struggling with Adderall addiction, whether it is a friend, family member, or yourself. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with our team if you need any assistance or have any questions whatsoever.
The Process Of Treating An Adderall Addiction
The National Institute on Drug Abuse provides extensive information on substance use recovery services. The two main approaches include medication-assisted treatment and psychotherapy.
Whether inpatient or outpatient, MAT and psychotherapy can be provided in the same treatment program as part of a comprehensive recovery plan. MAT is typically reserved to treat opioid use disorder as the FDA has yet to approve a drug that explicitly targets Adderall addiction. Detox might also occur on-site at a treatment center or in a separate facility or hospitalization program.
Early treatment can help prevent the social, physical and mental harm caused by long-term Adderall misuse. While it may be a long process for some, receiving the best care possible at a treatment center brings a stronger chance for successful recovery.
Before entering a treatment program to address addiction, medical professionals will determine whether an inpatient or outpatient program would benefit the client. The goal of both programs is to ultimately help you reach sobriety, avoid relapse and improve your quality of life.
The process to treat Adderall addiction typically involves:
The following is a more thorough breakdown of methods employed at addiction treatment centers:
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How To Help Someone With An Adderall Addiction
If youve noticed a friend, relative, or close loved one exhibiting signs of an addiction to Adderall or to any other type of stimulant medication, they need your help.
The first step to helping them overcome their addiction is seeking professional treatment for their condition. Its most important for you to continue to support them throughout the treatment and recovery process.
You can join them in attending support group meetings for people addicted to Adderall or help them work through their treatment plans.
An Adderall addiction can be particularly challenging on the loved ones of the person with the addiction. So, seeking help from a therapist to navigate the difficult emotions that could arise is advisable.
In case of a relapse, its important to remember not to give up hope and guide your friend or loved one through the treatment process again.
Get Adderall Addiction Treatment At Healing Springs Ranch
Therapy and a strong support network can help people with Adderall addiction overcome the mental disease. They can get this treatment at Healing Springs Ranch in Tioga, Texas. We offer a range of services, which we customize according to each person’s needs. However, we let our clients lead their own treatments and progress at their own pace.
Healing Springs Ranch offers 30-day, short-term and 90-day, long-term residential programs. During their stay, clients have access to a nine-hole golf course, fishing, kayaking, and an outdoor swimming pool. Some of the traditional and holistic therapies that we use include:
- Anger management
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How Long Adderall Stays In Your System
In most cases, Adderall effectively clears a persons system in a few days. Adderalls half-life is between 9 and 14 hours, which means that after a full day, half the drug is still in your system. It continues to make its way out of your body as time passes, although youll feel the effects of an Adderall comedown much sooner.
Many fators can cause Adderall to stay in your system for longer or shorter amounts of time. Your body composition, when and how much you eat, the pH levels in your digestive and urinary tracts, how well your organs function, the dosage, and how long youve used Adderall all play a role.
Additionally, even if Adderall has cleared your system, that doesnt mean that certain drug tests cant detect it.
Addressing The Underlying Addiction
Once you have gone through the worst of the withdrawal process, you will transition from a detox program to a treatment program. Detox programs are intended to cleanse the body and clear the mind of the effects of the drug so that an individual can more readily engage with the treatment program itself.
Treatment programs combine counseling and therapy sessions to address the underlying causes of addiction. In this way, Adderall treatment programs are a powerful tool used to address addictions that are otherwise difficult to overcome.
Inpatient treatment programs usually last from 1-3 months. During this time, most patients will take part in individual and group therapy sessions. Individual sessions can help them dive deep into the underlying roots of their addiction, while group therapy sessions can provide an important avenue to learn to communicate about their addiction and learn from the experiences of others.
CBT is an excellent example of one way that talk therapy can make a tangible difference in the life of the patient. With a treatment program, individuals are taught a variety of different skills that can allow them to better navigate stressful or difficult situations once treatment has finished. These sessions can also help individuals identify and deal with underlying trauma or damage caused by their addiction, helping them move past their addiction and begin moving towards a life of sobriety.
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How To Taper Off Adderall
Quitting Adderall cold turkey can result in extremely severe withdrawal symptoms, relapse, or dangerous suicidal behaviors. Not only is it dangerous, but its also very uncomfortable. Instead, medical professionals recommend a slow and gradual taper that will wean you off the drug. This should always be completed under the guidance and supervision of a doctor.
If you choose to ignore this advice and taper yourself off of Adderall on your own at home, its wisest to only do so when you are accompanied by a trusted friend or family member who can monitor you throughout the process and get medical help if necessary.
Certain things can help you cope with the discomfort of withdrawal and successfully detox without using Adderall, such as:
- Eating healthy foods and drinking lots of water
- Practicing calming activities like yoga or meditation
- Giving yourself time to rest and recuperate
- Surrounding yourself with things that bring you joy to combat depression
- Staying busy to distract yourself from cravings, symptoms, and thoughts about using
- Exercising regularly to boost the natural release of neurotransmitters
- Using over-the-counter medications to relieve some withdrawal symptoms6
What Is Adderall Addiction
Adderall addiction happens when someone forms habits around this prescription drug. An Adderall use might have a compulsive physiological or psychological need for the substance and take a higher dose than recommended. Or take it for longer than suggested.When someone experiences Adderall addiction, they become dependent on the drug and typically experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking it.
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Coping With The Crash
If you do have symptoms of withdrawal from Adderall, see your doctor. Theres a high risk of returning to drug use in the first days after stopping the medication. Your doctor will likely want to watch you as you stop taking the drug. They will look for signs of depression and thoughts of suicide. If you have severe depression, your doctor may give you antidepressants.
A 2009 study review found that there are no drugs that can effectively treat withdrawal from amphetamine, one of the components of Adderall. That means you need to work through the symptoms of the crash. How long the withdrawal symptoms last depends on your dosage and how long youve been taking the drug. Symptoms may last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.
Eating nutritious foods and getting regular exercise may help ease withdrawal symptoms. If you have trouble sleeping, try to stick to a regular sleep schedule. Go to bed at the same time each night, and get up at the same time each morning. Doing something calming in the hour before bedtime can help you fall asleep. Make sure your bedroom is a comfortable temperature, and turn off all electronics when its time to sleep.
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Tips For Quitting Adderall
- Get professional help. Those who dont know how to wean off Adderall safely are putting themselves at risk. The relapse rate for stopping the use of Adderall is high, and many with Adderall dependencies use other substances as wellparticularly sedatives to deal with unpleasant side effects.4 The co-occurrence of other drug use complicates the process of quitting and increases the risk of complications. People with Adderall addictions may also need treatment for ADHD, PTSD, and antisocial personality disorder.4
- Address the root cause of the addiction. Stopping the use of Adderall is important. But why did you become addicted in the first place? Were you or your loved one using Adderall to increase academic performance, push yourself to work too many hours or control your weight?
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Visit An Addiction Treatment Center
Drug detox and drug rehab centers offer treatments that can safely and comfortably help you get through Adderall withdrawal. Many times, physicians will suggest gradually reducing your Adderall dose over time to help you avoid withdrawal symptoms completely. Other treatment centers may prescribe one or more medications that treat specific Adderall withdrawal symptoms, such as insomnia and depression.
If youre coping with Adderall withdrawal symptoms after quitting, understand you dont have to overcome dependency on your own without help. Call our 24/7 confidential helpline at to learn more about nearby addiction treatment centers that can safely help you quit Adderall.
Learn Ways To Cope In The Face Of Temptation
One of the best things you can do to overcome addiction is to identify your triggers to usage and find ways to cope when they are present. CBT naturally incorporates this process, but youll benefit from continuing to name triggers and calming strategies outside the office.
When a person uses Adderall, they are typically looking for a way to enhance some skill or feel calm. Think of ways you can cope that naturally allow you to achieve that end. Consider finding peaceful workspaces or meditating before athletic training.
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What Happens To Your Body During Drug Withdrawal
Jul 16, 2021 | Blog
Drug withdrawal is a term that describes a set of symptoms your body experiences after you suddenly stop or reduce chronic use of drugs or alcohol. Withdrawal symptoms can vary in type and severity level based on the substance being used, and on the lifespan of drug use.
Some symptoms can be dangerous and life threatening for those who attempt to withdraw from drugs on their own after becoming dependent and addicted. But drug rehab can help you experience a safe, comfortable withdrawal using treatments like medical detox and medication-assisted treatment.
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