The opioid epidemic gets a lot of media attention. However, it’s not the only drug that causes addiction. Many people don’t know that other prescription drugs like Adderall are also addictive. At Ashley Addiction Treatment, we effectively educate and treat clients suffering from Adderall addiction.
What Is Adderall?
Adderall is a prescription drug medical professionals use to treat ADHD. What most people don’t realize is that Adderall is a strong stimulant and Schedule II controlled substance. Similar to cocaine, this amphetamine affects the central nervous system.
Adderall comes in tablets that range from 5–30 milligrams. Children, teens, and adults with ADHD take it daily to help with concentration and remaining calm. Known to reduce fatigue, doctors also prescribe the drug to treat narcolepsy or excessive daytime sleepiness.
How Adderall Works
Because Adderall is a stimulant, it increases dopamine levels in the brain. This chemical controls attention, movement, and feelings of pleasure. Unlike cocaine, however, it causes a slow and steady rise in dopamine. The effect is similar to when the brain naturally produces the chemical.
How Does Adderall Addiction Develop?
A lot of people think that Adderall is safe because doctors prescribe it. However, when abused, individuals may suffer long-term effects. Prolonging Adderall use will lead to addiction.
Abusing Adderall involves taking more than the dose your doctor prescribes, or without a prescription at all. It also includes not taking the drug orally. For example, some people crush pills and snort powder to get high. Others may dilute the powder and inject the drug intravenously, which can be extremely dangerous.
Adderall suppresses appetite, boosts concentration, and improves wakefulness. Users may abuse Adderall to lose weight, boost their grades, or stay awake to study.
Adderall Health Effects
Adderall increases body temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate. When abusing the drug, many people experience malnutrition, paranoia, and feelings of hostility. If users take the drug in high doses, they can suffer serious heart problems. Adderall abuse can even lead to stroke.
If you continue abusing Adderall, your body will eventually develop a tolerance. This means you’ll have to increase your usual dose to get the same effects. You’ll end up spending a lot of money increasing dosage despite the harmful effects.
Once you develop a full-blown Adderall addiction, lethal overdose becomes a serious health concern. Overdose symptoms include chest pain, fainting, fast breathing, fever, nausea, shaking, and vomiting. If you notice these signs in yourself or others, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Adderall Withdrawal
If you stop taking Adderall, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. You may feel tired and depressed within six to 36 hours after your last dose. After this period, withdrawal intensifies.
Symptoms typically peak within the first three to five days. When going through withdrawal, you may feel irritable and experience nightmares or headaches. These symptoms make it difficult to stay abstinent.
Within the first five to seven days without Adderall, symptoms will start to fade. However, you may feel moody. It may be difficult for you to function normally around others. Mild depression continues as well.
It could take three to four weeks to detox. This duration is most common when abusing high doses of Adderall for more than a year.
Overcome Drug Addiction
The safest way to recover from Adderall addiction is by seeking help at Ashley Addiction Treatment. We provide medically managed detox to help you through withdrawal symptoms.
Our goal is to ensure your comfort during your journey to sobriety. After detox, we continue to provide rehabilitation treatment programs, including:
Our addiction recovery approach integrates holistic techniques, which include acupuncture, massage, and yoga. We also have a dietary team that will help you get the nutrition you need.
Don’t let Adderall addiction control your life. Experience the light of recovery at our addiction treatment facility in Havre de Grace, Maryland. Dial 866-313-6310 now to take your first step.