Did your doctor prescribe Adderall for your ADHD when you were young? Did it help you focus? Are you using more than prescribed or illegally? Are you unsure if it’s a side effect or addiction?
Adderall is a highly addictive substance that can impact your brain and body function. Let’s examine what it is, why it’s addictive, and the best way to go about quitting Adderall.
What Is Adderall?
Adderall is a federally controlled substance, often prescribed for ADHD and narcolepsy. It is a highly addictive stimulant that may improve focus and decrease impulsiveness and hyperactivity.
While this might seem like a savior for individuals struggling with ADHD and narcolepsy, there are many possible negative side effects. Doctors will not prescribe Adderall to individuals with a history of heart, thyroid, and liver problems or people who have a history of seizures. Misuse of Adderall can lead to stroke and even death. More common side effects of Adderall include dizziness, nervousness, decreased appetite, trouble sleeping, headache, weight loss, and stomachache.
Stimulants like Adderall also have a higher correlation with aggression and family members are warned to watch children for possible increased aggressive behaviors.
Why Is Adderall Addictive?
Adderall is a combination of two drugs, dextroamphetamine, and amphetamine. These two drugs stimulate the chemicals, dopamine and norepinephrine, in the brain. These chemicals are responsible for rewarding behavior and controlling the blood vessels, blood sugar, and breathing. This drug may help individuals to focus and decrease hyperactivity.
If you are concerned about your or a loved one’s Adderall use, Findlay Recovery Center can help.
What Does Adderall Addiction Look Like?
According to the CDC, Adderall is the second most common drug abused by high school seniors and is misused by 11.1% of college students in 2018.
Adderall impacts the brains of healthy people the same way it helps others. However, while narcoleptics need the stimulant to stay awake and those with ADHD need it to increase focus and decrease hyperactivity, in a healthy person, Adderall over-stimulates the brain causing multiple health issues.
Addiction and overdose can look as severe as seizures, hallucinations, feelings of panic, irregular heartbeat, and depression. According to the FDA Adderall data sheet, “Manifestations of chronic intoxication with amphetamines include severe dermatoses, marked insomnia, irritability, hyperactivity, and personality changes. The most severe manifestation of chronic intoxication is psychosis, often clinically indistinguishable from schizophrenia.”
The Best Way to Go About Quitting Adderall
Quitting Adderall without medical supervision can be dangerous. The dosage of this highly addictive prescription medication needs to be reduced gradually to prevent shocking the system.
Withdrawal symptoms of Adderall include depression, weight gain, poor sleep, irritability, and cravings. Because Adderall is a stimulant, when withdrawing there is an initial “crash” phase where symptoms of withdrawal are more extreme. This can last anywhere from 1-3 weeks depending on the body’s dependency and co-morbidity of other mental health issues. Severe depression and suicidal thoughts are a concern during this time.
Medical supervision by a doctor or through the correct rehab facility can make this process safer.
Is the Findlay Recovery Center Right for You?
Findlay Recovery Center is the premier prescription addiction treatment center for you. Our experienced clinicians are ready to support you through medically supervised detox and inpatient therapy programs with same-day admissions.
With over 100 years of combined experience, our compassionate and caring staff develop individualized treatment programs for holistic healing by combining traditional evidence-based therapy with alternative therapies in a modern, relaxing environment.
Findlay Recovery Center, in Findlay Ohio, takes the time to get to know you and your needs. Our affordable addiction treatment center treats prescription drug and alcohol addiction by addressing the fundamental cause of the client’s addiction.
