Is Adderall Addictive?
Adderall is a brand name for the combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. It’s a prescription drug used principally for narcolepsy (daytime sleepiness) and ADHD treatment. The medication adjusts certain naturally occurring chemicals in your brain by enhancing the effects of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine. However, the combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine can be habit-forming and may cause Adderall addiction.
Dextroamphetamine/amphetamine belongs to a class of drugs known as central nervous system stimulants. The Drug Enforcement Administration/Food and Drug Administration classifies these medications as schedule II drugs with high potential for abuse in the United States.
Immediate-release and sustained-release amphetamine medications are FDA-approved to treat ADHD and narcolepsy in both adult and pediatric populations. Non-FDA-approved clinical uses for dextroamphetamine/amphetamine include cerebrovascular accidents. [1] Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is the medical term for a stroke.
Adderall Side Effects
When prescribed and taken as advised, Adderall’s effects on the central nervous system can positively impact. For instance, you may be more attentive during the day and become more focused and calm.
Potential Side Effects
- Nervousness
- Restlessness
- Headaches
- Problems getting to sleep or staying asleep
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Hoarseness
- Slowed speech
- Changes in vision
Severe side effects include fever and weakness or numbness of the limbs. In addition, an allergic reaction to Adderall may cause swelling of the tongue, throat, or face. This is a medical emergency and should be treated immediately.
Other Serious Side Effects
- Uncontrollable shaking, tics, or seizures
- Hallucinations, paranoia, and other thought problems
- Worsening mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor immediately.
Adderall Addiction Symptoms
How Do People Misuse Prescription Stimulants Like Adderall?
Most prescription stimulants come in tablet, capsule, or liquid form, which a person takes by mouth. Misuse of a prescription stimulant means:
- Taking medication in a way or dose other than prescribed
- Taking someone else’s medication
- Taking medication only for effect it causes—to get high
When misusing a prescription stimulant, people can consume the drug in its standard form. Alternatively, they can crush tablets or open the capsules, dissolve the powder in water, and inject the liquid into a vein. Other forms of consumption can be snorting Adderall, or smoking the drug to achieve a pure and potent high.
The brain of an addicted person is dependent on Adderall to stimulate alertness and productivity. Without Adderall, addicted people often feel tired and mentally foggy. These are symptoms of Adderall withdrawal, a vital sign of an Adderall addiction. [3]
Overdose Symptoms Of Adderall Addiction And Misuse
In case of overdose, if the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can’t be awakened, immediately call emergency services. [4] Yes, a person can overdose on prescription stimulants such as Adderall. An overdose happens when the person uses enough of the drug to produce a life-threatening reaction or death.
Symptoms Of Overdose Include:
- Restlessness
- Confusion
- Aggressive behavior
- Feelings of panic
- Hallucination (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)
- Fast breathing
- Uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
- Fever
- Dark red or cola-colored urine
- Muscle weakness or aching
- Tiredness or weakness
- Depression
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Fainting
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Upset stomach
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Seizures
- Coma (loss of consciousness for some time)
Adderall and Alcohol
Adderall is a stimulant and alcohol is a depressant. This does not mean that the two substances cancel each other out. Instead, they compete with each other in your body. This effect can cause serious problems. [5]
Adderall can dull the symptoms of being drunk. So people who use Adderall and alcohol together are often not aware of how much alcohol they’ve consumed. This can lead to over-drinking and related consequences such as alcohol poisoning and risky behavior.
Adderall and other stimulant drugs carry some risk of heart problems. This risk is higher if you take a higher dosage than what’s prescribed to you. The risk is also greater when you take the drug with alcohol. When used together, Adderall and alcohol may:
- Raise your body temperature
- Increase your heart rate
- Increase your blood pressure
- Cause an irregular heart rate
Adderall Withdrawal
Adderall withdrawal is different for everyone. Your withdrawal experience will depend on a number of factors, including the nature of your Adderall use. If you have a stimulant use disorder (Adderall addiction), then there will be additional issues to contend with in the weeks following your last dose.
The initial withdrawal syndrome can be severe. Withdrawal may affect your ability to function normally and fulfill your responsibilities at home, school, and work.
Adderall increases the activity of two neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) in your brain: norepinephrine and dopamine.
Dopamine is responsible for activating your brain’s reward system. Norepinephrine is responsible for boosting your alertness, focus, and cognitive functions. Both play a role in mood regulation.
During long-term Adderall use, your brain gets used to the increased activity of these neurotransmitters. Withdrawal symptoms occur because your brain is experiencing what it believes to be low levels of dopamine and norepinephrine.
It’s no wonder that the hallmark of Adderall withdrawal is depression. Depression from Adderall withdrawal is temporary, typically continuing for about one week after your last dose. In some people, however, depression can linger for weeks or months.
Severe depression is a lot different than just feeling sad. You may experience any of the following:
- Feelings of emptiness or hopelessness
- Loss of interest in activities that normally bring you pleasure, such as sex or exercise
- Extreme irritability or frustration
- A complete lack of energy or excessive tiredness
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Feelings of anxiety
- Feeling like you’re moving, thinking, or talking slower than usual
- Intense self-criticism or a sense of worthlessness
- Feelings of guilt and regret
- Eating too much or too little
- Problems thinking, focusing, or making plans
- Unusual aches and pains
- Thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts
Adderall Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms
Adderall addiction or overusing the drug, then stopping abruptly can cause symptoms of withdrawal, such as:
- Feeling uneasy
- Sleep problems, whether insomnia (trouble falling or staying asleep) or sleeping too much
- Hunger
- Anxiety and irritability
- Fatigue or lack of energy
- Depression
- Phobias
- Suicidal thoughts
- Panic Attacks
Adderall Withdrawal Timeline
If you take large, nontherapeutic doses of Adderall or go on Adderall binges (consecutive days of large doses), then you have probably experienced an Adderall crash before.
The Adderall crash is like an intense mini-withdrawal. It typically begins within several hours of your last dose and can continue for one or two days. Most people experience physical and mental exhaustion along with a markedly depressed mood.
After an Adderall binge, you are likely to be sleep-deprived and starving. You may eat and sleep a lot while you recuperate.
When you quit Adderall for good, your symptoms will resemble those of an Adderall crash in the beginning, but they will become less intense over time.
If you are not coming off an Adderall binge or you take your Adderall on a regular, daily schedule, then withdrawal symptoms can appear more slowly. You may not notice any symptoms until a couple of days go by.
Adderall withdrawal typically lasts from three days to several weeks, but you may have lingering psychological symptoms and cravings.
Unlike other withdrawal syndromes, Adderall withdrawal is not associated with any dangerous medical problems. The primary risk is that your depressed mood will escalate to suicidal thoughts or behaviors. [6]
Adderall Addiction Infographics
The infographic below illustrates the positive impacts of Adderall on the central nervous system when used as prescribed. For instance, individuals may experience increased attentiveness throughout the day and enhanced focus and calmness.
Embed the above “Serious Side Effects of Adderall” Infographic to your Website. This infographic is provided by the We Level Up Addiction Treatment Center team. To use the above infographics, you agree to link back and attribute its source and owner at https://weleveluptx.com/adderall-addiction/
Serious Side Effects of Adderall image link: https://weleveluptx.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Serious-Side-Effects-of-Adderall-Adderall-Addiction-Adderall-Side-Effects-Adderall-Withdrawal-1024×1024.jpg
Embed the above “Potential Side Effects of Adderall” Infographic to your Website. This infographic is provided by the We Level Up Addiction Treatment Center team. To use the above infographics, you agree to link back and attribute its source and owner at https://weleveluptx.com/adderall-addiction/
Potential Side Effects of Adderall image link: https://weleveluptx.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Potential-Side-Effects-of-Adderall-Adderall-Addiction-Adderall-Side-Effects-Adderall-Withdrawal-1024×1024.jpg
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Embed the above “Adderall Overdose Symptoms” Infographic to your Website. This infographic is provided by the We Level Up Addiction Treatment Center team. To use the above infographics, you agree to link back and attribute its source and owner at https://weleveluptx.com/adderall-addiction/
Adderall Overdose Symptoms image link: https://weleveluptx.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Adderall-Overdose-Symptoms-Adderall-Addiction-Adderall-Side-Effects-Adderall-Withdrawal-1024×1024.jpg
Embed the above “Adderall & Alcohol” Infographic to your Website. This infographic is provided by the We Level Up Addiction Treatment Center team. To use the above infographics, you agree to link back and attribute its source and owner at https://weleveluptx.com/adderall-addiction/
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Embed the above “Adderall Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms” Infographic to your Website. This infographic is provided by the We Level Up Addiction Treatment Center team. To use the above infographics, you agree to link back and attribute its source and owner at https://weleveluptx.com/adderall-addiction/
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Adderall Addiction Treatment
Adderall addiction is a complex issue that requires long-term treatment – not a quick fix. Therefore, the first step in overcoming Adderall addiction is to seek help from your medical provider or a trained professional.
Clearing prescription drugs from the body and overcoming withdrawal symptoms is the goal of detox, which is the first step of treatment for Adderall addiction.
For anyone who suffers from Adderall addiction, just the thought of having to stop using can cause severe mental distress. Given that, the medical detox process is managed with the help of a medical detox center. In addition, a comprehensive team prescribing medications can alleviate your withdrawal pains while monitoring your health 24 hours. Thus, assuring both your safety and comfort. [7]
At We Level Up TX, our thorough approach to rehabilitation supports several levels of care to ensure the best possible outcome for every client who enters our doors.
Our Adderall addiction treatment tailors the program to the individual and the individual to the recovery program. We begin by assessing our client’s history of mental health, drugs, and alcohol-related past. The needs of each client are specific and personalized, as we aim to provide comprehensive support for mental health, addiction, and dual diagnosis treatment.
Clients in our residential therapy programs will live comfortably within the facility during this crucial and fragile time. This supportive environment is designed to give patients 24-hour care for sobriety, removing temptations for relapse and applying an air of recovery into every component of the treatment timeline. At We Level Up TX treatment center, we find that when clients are living in a supportive community, especially during their early recovery process, they can truly focus on what matters most: their recovery.
Make this your opportunity to reclaim your life. Call today to speak with one of our treatment specialists. We will help you explore Adderall addiction treatment options. Your call is private and confidential, and there is never any obligation.
Sources:
[1] Dextroamphetamine-Amphetamine – National Center for Biotechnology Information
[2] Prescription Stimulants DrugFacts – National Institute on Drug Abuse
[3,7] Adderall Addiction – We Level Up, Adderall Addiction – We Level Up FL
[4] Dextroamphetamine and Amphetamine – The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists / U.S. National Library of Medicine
[5] Dangers of Mixing Adderall and Alcohol – https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/adderall-and-alcohol
[6] https://www.verywellmind.com/adderall-withdrawal-symptoms-timeline-and-treatment-4177486