Adderall Addiction & Long-Term Effects of Adderall Misuse

Adderall Abuse & Dependence 
Long-Term Consequences of Adderall Abuse

Adderall is a frequently prescribed and commonly abused medication, which is often used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in adolescents and young adults. This specific medication is widely abused by college students and other individuals looking to stay awake for long hours and increase alertness and productivity. Unfortunately, because Adderall is initially prescribed by licensed medical professionals, many people mistakenly believe it is safe to use even when it was not prescribed to them directly. In reality, using any prescription drug other than as intended can lead to serious and long-term effects. If you or someone you love has been misusing Adderall for any length of time, Princeton Detox & Recovery Center is available to help. We offer professional medical detox services to those in need, helping our clients undergo a safe and comfortable prescription stimulant withdrawal before transitioning into the next appropriate level of treatment. Withdrawal is only one of the long-term effects of Adderall misuse and dependence. Continue reading or contact us to learn more about the risks involved in long-term Adderall misuse and to learn more about our effective and highly individualized program of addiction recovery.

Adderall Addiction Facts & Statistics

Adderall is made from a combination of two chemical substances — dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. Like the majority of other prescription stimulants, Adderall most commonly comes in a tablet form and is taken orally. When taken as prescribed, Adderall can successfully combat the symptoms associated with ADHD and help people remain focused and alert throughout the day. However, Adderall happens to be one of the most commonly misused prescription drugs in the country. What constitutes prescription stimulant misuse? If you use Adderall in any of the following ways you are technically engaging in prescription drug misuse:

• Taking a higher dose of Adderall than was prescribed by your doctor.
• Taking Adderall more frequently than intended.
• Taking Adderall that was not prescribed to you.
• Purchasing Adderall from a friend or acquaintance.
• Taking Adderall for its effects — to get high.

According to John Hopkins University, Adderall misuse is on the rise among young adults between the ages of 18 and 25. In most cases the prescription stimulant is obtained from a friend or a family member without the recommendation of a medical professional. According to the recent study, “John Hopkins researchers found that 60 percent of non-medical Adderall use for ages 12 and up was happening among 18- to 25-year-olds. In the study’s focus period from 2006 to 2011, researchers saw that non-prescribed use of Adderall by young adults went up by 67 percent and associated emergency room visits rose by 156 percent. Over the same period, regular treatment visits involving Adderall remained unchanged for this age group. The problem appears to be less severe with younger adolescents. For this age group, the study saw that treatment visits for Adderall declined during the six-year period, non-medical use remained stable, and emergency room visits declined by 54 percent.”

There are numerous long-term consequences of prescription stimulant misuse. If you or someone you love has been using Adderall or any other prescription medication other than as prescribed, reaching out for professional help is a good idea.

How Does Adderall Addiction Develop?

To better understand Adderall addiction and how it typically develops, it’s best to first understand what Adderall is and how it works. Primarily, this prescription medication is a stimulant drug belonging to the amphetamine class, containing four amphetamine salts in a proprietary ratio. This combination is used to provide the steadiest and longest effect possible for improved ADHD symptom control. Amphetamines all work in a similar way to each other, whether the concerned substance is Adderall, Dexedrine or even methamphetamine (also known as crystal meth). Each of these substances temporarily increases levels of chemicals known as neurotransmitters in the brain, including dopamine. Normally, the brain keeps dopamine stored up and only uses the reservoir as needed. With amphetamines present all the stored dopamine is released much faster, leading to an intense rush of pleasure and euphoria. This feeling can be highly addictive in and of itself.

Additionally, and as is the case with any chemical substance, the brain and the central nervous system adjust to the presence of Adderall over time and with repetitive use. A physical tolerance builds, meaning a higher dose of Adderall is required in order for the desired effects to be produced. At this point a person often begins increasing the dose on their own, without doctor approval. When they attempt to cut back on the amount being taken or quit entirely, the physical body goes into shock, and withdrawal symptoms begin to develop. Tolerance and withdrawal are two telltale signs of Adderall addiction.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I often use more Adderall than intended for longer periods of time than intended?
• Have I attempted to cut back on my Adderall use but found myself unable to do so?
• Has my Adderall use started to result in negative consequences in my day-to-day life?
• Have my interpersonal relationships been impacted by my Adderall use?
• Have I been neglecting hobbies and activities I previously enjoyed?
• Has my performance at work or school been suffering as a direct result of my Adderall use?
• Do I continue to use Adderall despite related consequences?
• Do I spend a great deal of time obtaining, using and recovering from the effects of Adderall?
• Have I been engaging in a greater amount of risk-taking activities?
• Have I developed a physical tolerance to Adderall, meaning a higher dose is now required in order for the desired effects to be produced?
• Do I experience withdrawal symptoms when I attempt to quit Adderall or cut back on the amount I’m taking?

If you answered “yes” to two or more of the questions listed above, there is a good chance treatment has become necessary. Contact us today to learn more about Princeton Detox & Recovery Center and our program of medical stimulant detox.

Long-Term Consequences of Adderall Addiction

There are short and long-term consequences associated with Adderall use.

The short-term effects of Adderall abuse include:

• Increased blood pressure.
• Increased heart rate.
• Increased energy levels and hyperactivity.
• Anxiety and panic attacks.
• Racing and intrusive thoughts.
• A spike in body temperature.
• Appetite loss.
• Mood changes, often marked by agitation and irritability.
• Restlessness and an inability to sit still.
• Persistent headaches.
• Dry mouth.

When it comes to long-term Adderall use, related consequences can be severe.

The most common long-term effects of Adderall misuse include:

• Persistent sleep issues, including insomnia and exhaustion.
• Significant weight loss due to harshly reduced appetite.
• Lasting changes to mood, which might include irritability, aggression and agitation, recurring anxiety or depression.
• Newly developing psychiatric issues.
• Heart disease and increased risk of heart attack.
• High blood pressure.
• The development of a serious and potentially life-threatening stimulant use disorder.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Repeated misuse of prescription stimulants, even within a short period, can cause psychosis, anger, or paranoia. If the drug is injected, it is important to note that sharing drug injection equipment and having impaired judgment from drug misuse can increase the risk of contracting infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis. An SUD develops when continued use of the drug causes issues, such as health problems and failure to meet responsibilities at work, school, or home.”

It is important to remember that you cannot seek help for a prescription stimulant use disorder too early on or too late. Nipping problem use in the bud before it develops into an addiction is always a good idea, and even those with severe cases of Adderall addiction can recover with the right treatment program in place. At Princeton Detox & Recovery Center we have developed a program of medically monitored stimulant detox geared towards helping clients undergo a comfortable withdrawal while preparing them for the remainder of their personal recovery journeys. To learn more, contact us today.