Defining Adderall
Adderall is a prescription drug that doctors prescribe children, teenagers, and adults, who are overly hyper or who have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. The drug is a culmination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine and can be truly beneficial if taken as prescribed. The drug stimulates the central nervous system and helps those who are hyperactive calm down and gives those with ADHD the ability to focus. Chemicals in the brain are also released that cause an individual to feel good and puts them in a euphoric state.
The drug should be taken orally, but those who abuse it have been found to crush the pills up and inject them or snort them. Like most drugs, Adderall can be highly addictive, which is why it’s classified as a Schedule II controlled substance.
Teenagers and young adults often refer to Adderall as a study drug due to its ability to help them focus on studying and performing well academically. Often times, those who are not prescribed this drug believe that just because someone else got it from a doctor that it’s safe for them to take as well. However, the euphoric feeling that the drug produces typically only occurs for those who are not supposed to be taking it. Also, those who don’t have ADHD and who are not extremely hyper don’t benefit from the drug’s ability to improve cognitive function.
Risks of Adderall Use
When individuals take Adderall (or any prescription drug) that was prescribed for someone else, they put themselves at risk of suffering from health issues and/or possible addiction. Some of the short-term effects of taking the drug are nervousness, inability to sleep, dizziness, abnormal heart palpitations, headaches, elevated blood pressure, skin rashes, abdominal pain, digestive issues, psychotic episodes, drug dependence, depression, itching, weight loss, and withdrawal symptoms.
When Adderall is taken in high doses, individuals could suffer from loss of appetite, tremors, fevers, abnormal heartbeat, abnormal breathing, paranoia, hallucinations, anxiety, inability to sit still, and the sensation of insects crawling beneath their skin.
Signs of Adderall Addiction
Unfortunately, even individuals who follow their doctor’s instructions and take the drug exactly as prescribed are still at risk of Adderall addiction. When individuals start jeopardizing their lives by missing work or school, or by participating in illegal activities just to get the drug, they are suffering from addiction. Over time, the body requires higher doses of Adderall just to produce the same euphoric feelings.
Even when individuals decide to stop taking the drug, withdrawal symptoms can be so extreme that relapsing is the only way to eliminate the physical, mental, and emotional discomfort. Withdrawal symptoms include suicidal thoughts, inability to sleep, irritability, depression, panic attacks, mood swings, fatigue, and paranoia.
It’s important for individuals who suspect that their loved ones may be addicted to Adderall to seek help from a rehabilitation center or an alternative treatment center.
Alternative Treatment Center in Tennessee
Discovery Place is an alternative treatment center located in Burns, Tennessee, that offers various programs to assist individuals with their journeys to recovery. We offer a 30-Day Alternative Residential Addiction Recovery Program and a Long-Term Alternative Addiction Recovery Program depending on where individuals are in their journeys. If you would like more information about our services or would like to set up a free consultation, contact us now at (800) 725-0922.
