Millions of people use Adderall every day. For many, the medication allows them to live a more productive and satisfying life. But no prescription drug is risk-free. Before taking this medication, you should ask your doctor about side effects and other potential dangers. For example, can you get addicted to Adderall?
If you or a loved one are struggling with substance abuse, Serenity Grove offers personalized care and support. Call us today or visit our admissions page to start your path to recovery.
What Is Adderall?
Adderall is a prescription medication that contains amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, both of which are stimulants.
In the United States, Adderall is approved by the FDA to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.
Some people – primarily students and young professionals – illicitly use Adderall as a “study drug” for a cognitive boost when preparing for an exam or working long hours on a project.
How It Works
Experts believe that Adderall use leads to increased levels of several neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) in the central nervous system, including dopamine, serotonin, epinephrine, and norepinephrine.
For someone who already has appropriate, balanced levels of these neurotransmitters, Adderall can lead to overstimulation. But for people with ADHD, who have an insufficient amount of these chemicals, taking Adderall can have a calming effect and enhance their ability to focus and concentrate.
Statistics
Among high school students in the U.S., prescription Adderall use appears to have peaked in 2012, when 7.6% of seniors and 4.5% of sophomores were taking the drug. By 2023, the rate of prescription Adderall use had dropped to 1.7% among seniors and 2.1% among sophomores.
However, this doesn’t mean that Adderall is no longer popular in this country. According to an October 2022 report that was prepared for the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), U.S. pharmacies dispensed more than 73 million prescriptions for Adderall and other stimulants in 2021.
Can You Get Addicted to Adderall?
Can you get addicted to Adderall? Yes, you most certainly can.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has classified Adderall as a Schedule II controlled substance. Schedule II is for substances that have been determined to pose “a high potential for abuse, with use potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence.”
Adderall can be both safe and effective if you are taking it for a legitimate mental health concern and following the instructions of the doctor who prescribed it to you.
But if you deviate from your doctor’s guidance your risk of addiction can increase. Using Adderall that wasn’t prescribed to you can also increase the likelihood that you will develop an addiction.
Signs of Adderall Addiction
The clinical term for Adderall addiction is stimulant use disorder. As established in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the criteria for this condition include:
- Using Adderall more frequently or in greater amounts than intended
- Having powerful cravings for Adderall
- Spending considerable amounts of time acquiring, using, and recovering from the effects of Adderall
- Failing to meet your responsibilities at work, in school, or at home due to your Adderall use
- Continuing to use Adderall even after incurring some type of harm due to prior use of the drug
- Limiting or ending your participation in important social, recreational, or work-related activities because of your Adderall use
- Developing tolerance, which means you need to take greater amounts of Adderall to experience the effects that you used to achieve via smaller doses
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you abruptly end or reduce your Adderall use
- Wanting to stop using Adderall but being unable to do so
If you think that you may have developed an addiction to Adderall, you should consult with your primary physician or schedule an assessment with a trusted addiction treatment provider.
Addictions to Adderall and other prescription medications are treatable conditions. Being evaluated by a professional can be your first step toward a much healthier future.
Dangers of Adderall Addiction
Compulsive Adderall use can cause a range of problems, including:
- Elevated blood pressure
- Increased or otherwise abnormal heart rate
- High body temperature
- Muscle pain
- Muscle weakness
- Sexual dysfunction
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Constipation
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Seizure
- Heart attack
- Stroke
It is also possible to overdose on Adderall, which can be fatal if you don’t get immediate medical attention.
Adderall Withdrawal Symptoms
If you have become addicted to Adderall, then try to stop using it, your body may respond with a symptoms such as:
- Intense cravings
- Fatigue
- Disrupted sleep patterns
- Nausea
- Depression
- Dramatic mood swings
- Agitation and irritability
- Anxiety and panic
- Suicidal ideation
Adderall withdrawal symptoms typically start to occur within a day or two after you stop taking the drug. The most intense symptoms will usually begin to subside within a week, but you may experience lingering effects for several weeks or months.
Adderall withdrawal can be a significant barrier to recovery, especially if you try to get through it at home on your own. The distress of withdrawal, combined with the knowledge that you can eliminate this pain simply by using Adderall again, can undermine your effort to eliminate the drug from your body.
If the distress of withdrawal has kept you trapped in active Adderall abuse, you may benefit from beginning treatment in a detox program. While you’re in detox, you will be cared for by professionals who can provide both medical and therapeutic support to ease your discomfort and help you manage your symptoms.
Once you’ve completed the withdrawal process, you can transition into a residential or outpatient rehab, where you can start to build a foundation for long-term recovery.
Learn More About Adderall Addiction Treatment in Athens, Georgia
Serenity Grove is a place of hope and healing for adults who have become dependent on Adderall and other addictive substances.
Treatment options at our rehab center in Athens, Georgia, include residential care, a partial hospitalization program (PHP), an intensive outpatient program (IOP), and an outpatient program. We also offer gender-specific services for both men and women.
To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our admissions page or call us today.
