There are all types of medication that help patients manage their conditions and continue with their everyday lives. One of the most popular medicines is Adderall. The United States brand was curated for those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD and similar conditions who need to calm down.
Although Adderall is known as a medication that helps regulate and stabilize one’s brain and nervous system, it’s also considered quite a potent stimulant. The effects of it can often lead to abuse and eventual drug addiction. Keep reading to learn more information about Adderall addiction.
What Is Adderall Addiction?
Adderall addiction is considered a form of drug abuse. Many patients can be addicted to drugs for various reasons, but Adderall is essentially something that enhances one’s focus. As mentioned before, it helps with symptoms of ADHD and allows the user’s brain to pay attention to one thing at a time rather than having their focus scattered everywhere.
Adderall isn’t just administered or taken by these patients. Many of the people linked to Adderall consumption are pressured students and junior professionals who are hoping to become more productive and form a better work ethic. It can be rather hard to spot youth who have begun starting to abuse Adderall, but there are signs of Adderall addiction to keep an eye out for.
What Are the Signs of Addiction to Adderall?
There are many ways of telling that someone is addicted to Adderall. The most general one is the dose that they have been taking. Prescriptions are generally needed in order to acquire Adderall, but it can be rather easy to fake the necessary symptoms to get it. Most addicted users who use Adderall even go beyond what’s prescribed when consuming it.
Aside from those telltale signs, there are also the actual indicators that can be seen in the physique and behavior of a person using Adderall. Continuous abuse of Adderall can make the following signs quite evident:
- Physical Indicators of Adderall Addiction
Most people addicted to Adderall will find that they’re starting to lose an excessive amount of weight and general appetite loss. They may be overworking themselves due to the boost in productivity that Adderall can provide. Overworking then leads to vomiting and periods of dealing with dry mouth.
- Mental Indicators of Adderall Addiction
One common worry of someone addicted to Adderall is that, when unable to take their pills, it can lead to aggression and disorientation. If a person was able to consistently take their Adderall, they might find themselves in a line between being socially withdrawn or being all too excited about something.
- Other Indicators of Adderall Addiction
Other indicators of Adderall addiction include financial instability. As they strive to take and sustain their addiction, they may run into trouble for paying for it while trying to attain their usual dosage. This can lead to more impulsive decision-making and feeling troubled. Adderall addiction can also show through problems in one’s personal and professional relationships.
How Does One Develop an Addiction to Adderall?
Adderall addiction can occur differently from person to person. Not every patient who takes it has intentions of abusing it. Doctors do their best not to prescribe more than what’s needed either. Adderall addiction may likely begin though when a patient decides to take more than recommended, without considering what their doctor will say.
If you feel the need to increase your Adderall dosage as you no longer feel the effects of the current amount, don’t hesitate to discuss it with your doctor. Having a medical professional is much better rather than hiding away and self-medicating as you may be getting an unhealthy dose of Adderall without you even knowing it.
Is Adderall Abuse Dependence or Recreational?
It’s a recurring debate over whether or not most drug addictions are of dependent use or recreational use. There may be a more straightforward answer for different kinds of medications, but Adderall can be much harder to figure out. As it is prescribed to such a wide range of patients, abuse can occur in various ways.
- Dependent Abuse of Adderall
Adderall dependence is something that may come more naturally to patients. As they feel like they’re unable to function without this certain drug, they may develop an inclination to take what’s prescribed and seek out more. The intention of using Adderall here is not for an added high or better focus but just to get the general effects it should offer.
- Recreational Abuse of Adderall
Recreational Adderall addiction refers more so to the stereotypical intents aligned with drug abuse. Users of this kind may have an even more enhanced inclination towards Adderall and regularly seek it to feel that high. A certain obsession with this particular substance and its effects often stems from this nature of abuse.
What Are the Side Effects?
It’s often a misconception that Adderall won’t have any side effects as it’s prescribed to the youth, but it’s important to look deeper into it. Adderall addiction has its own set of aftereffects, which can occur due to overconsumption or your body just being unable to handle the dosage being taken. Side effects can even start to show up prior to a patient going through withdrawal.
Most of these side effects can be rather deadly, with the most extreme side effect leading to an overdose and potential cardiac arrest. Such ultimatums occur when a user goes through lengths in taking Adderall, such as injecting it straight into their bloodstream. Here are some of the side effects of Adderall addiction:
- Physical Side Effects
Adderall addiction can start to cause a series of headaches and seizures, which can result in physical convulsions. Those addicted may continue to lose the weight and appetite as they showcased in the past. Some also report feeling pain or a certain numbness in their lower back and sides. Organ damage can occur as a result of Adderall abuse too.
- Mental Side Effects
Long-term Adderall addiction can lead to a lot of hallucinations and paranoia, especially when the person addicted cannot find any Adderall to sustain their addiction. There’s also an immense surge in one’s depression and anxiety while addicted to Adderall, alongside more frequent mood swings and bouts of mania.
- Other Side Effects of Adderall Addiction
Adderall addiction can result in a person being in financial debt from trying to sustain their habits and dosages. Many of those who have gone under Adderall addiction also found themselves experiencing sexual problems. Generally, there will be a shift in one’s sexual drive, and some men may even have erectile dysfunction disorder.
What Are the Solutions?
If you or someone you love is has an addiction, it’s important to know that treatment options and recovery are available. It’s better to stop medication go through withdrawal rather than facing the long-term consequences of this drug to your physical, mental, and overall well-being. It’s never too late to get better.
Conclusion
To sum it up, Adderall addiction can be very useful for a variety of reasons. However, it can be detrimental to your well-being, though. If you find yourself or a loved one undergoing drug abuse, understand that there are still ways of getting through the addiction. No matter the reason or way one has developed their addiction, it’s possible to change.
Source: https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-stimulants