Contrary to popular belief, Adderall could be addictive. Despite its harmless image, people could be dependent on this drug. This is why people have to learn more about it today. After all, Adderall is an extremely accessible stimulant made up of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine).
The medicine is commonly used to treat ADHD symptoms in both children and adults. It is said that Adderall relieves a person from symptoms that include difficulty focusing, maintaining self-control, and remaining still.
The medicine is also used to treat narcolepsy in adults and children aged 12 and up. Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness as well as sudden sleepiness.
Because it affects the central nervous system (CNS), the dual combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine is effective. These CNS stimulants change the concentration of certain natural chemicals in the brain, resulting in physiological effects such as greater attention or alertness.
Read on to learn more about Adderall, its side effects, withdrawal symptoms, and how long it could stay in one’s body.
How Long Does Adderall Stay in Your System?
Adderall is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract. The chemical is subsequently broken down by the liver and eliminated through the urine.
In contrast, Adderall can be found in hair, blood, and saliva. A set of approximations for the detection windows of various test types:
- Urinalysis
This drug test can detect amphetamine or Adderall residues up to seven days after ingestion. Due to the fact that the drug is largely removed through the urine, a urine test may reflect a higher concentration of the drug.
- Hair Examinations
Because Adderall concentrations can remain in hair follicles for up to three months, this method is helpful.
- Blood Test
Blood testing can reveal Adderall when other drug screening methods fail.
- Saliva Test
Oral fluid tests can identify Adderall five to forty-eight hours after the last dose.
The Dangers of Adderall Addiction and Dependency
One of the reasons that a huge number of American teenagers and college students use Adderall is because of its benefits. Students who want to spend the entire night studying frequently use Adderall as a study aid. However, as we’ll see later, the long-term negative effects of drugs are unknown, and drug use can have major health repercussions.
Between 2006 and 2011, the most common age group for which Adderall was illegally consumed without a prescription was those aged 18 to 25.
The duration of effects of different medications differs. Adderall IR is administered twice or three times each day. Meanwhile, Adderall XR is a stimulant medication.
Initially, increased doses may not be utilized to measure response and progress. If used excessively, these stimulants have undesirable side effects, can cause physical dependence, and can result in withdrawal symptoms or overdose.
The Side Effects of Adderall
Some of the negative effects of Adderall include increased nervousness, sudden alterations in libido or sexual performance and appetite, cramps that occur during menstruation, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, suppressed appetite, unexplained weight loss, and insomnia
Additionally, seek medical attention if any of the following significant adverse effects occur:
- Slurred or unintelligible speech
- Dizziness
- Numbness in the arms or legs
- Seizures (most common in persons with a seizure history)
- Motor or verbal tics
- Blurred vision
- Hallucinations
- Despair
- Paranoia or a manic-depressive episode (frenzied or atypically excited mood)
- Loss of coordination
- Rapid heartbeat
- Breathing or swallowing difficulties
- Fainting or loss of consciousness
Because Adderall is a prescription stimulant, long-term use may result in physical tolerance and dependence (when higher doses are needed to have the same desired effects). Continuous use may lead to the emergence of a substance use disorder (SUD).
Moreover, sudden death, heart attacks, and strokes are all considerably increased if a person dependent on Adderall has pre-existing heart disease.
The Withdrawal Symptoms of Adderall Dependency
According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately one million Americans abused prescription stimulants in 2017. Thus, individuals considering discontinuing the medication should consult a doctor to avoid withdrawal symptoms and overdose.
The following are withdrawal symptoms:
- Depression
- Irritability
- Headaches
- Oversleeping and other sleep problems
- Stimulated appetite
- Fatigue
- Frights and panic attacks
- Nightmares
- Inability to concentrate or focus
- Anxiety
- Suicidal thoughts
Fidgeting and pacing are examples of involuntary movements caused by psychomotor agitation or retardation. Speech, mobility, and cognition are all affected by psychomotor retardation.
The Adderall Withdrawal Timeframe
Read on to discover the typical Adderall withdrawal timeframe:
- Day 1 to Day 3:
The initial withdrawal symptoms include sleep apnea, tiredness, and depression.
- Day 4 to Day 7:
In reaching a week without Adderall, one or more rounds of withdrawal symptoms may follow after the initial wave.
Then, Adderall users may experience irritability, anxiety, restlessness, concentration problems, and sleep issues.
- Week 2:
The majority of people’s sleep patterns will return to normal. It may, however, fluctuate during Adderall withdrawal. One may experience extreme exhaustion, mania or depression, and drug cravings.
- Week 3 and Beyond:
You should be rid of withdrawal symptoms by week three. Certain symptoms, on the other hand, may persist. This is especially true if you have a high tolerance for Adderall and have been on it for a long time.
Meanwhile, the long-term effects of Adderall usage and dependency include exhaustion and fatigue, mood swings, and the occasional drug cravings. Normal functioning usually returns one to three months after the last intake of Adderall.
Understanding Adderall’s Half-Life
The active ingredient in Adderall, dextroamphetamine, has a half-life of 9-13 hours. The body will have removed at least half of the chemical component after this time frame. The medicine reaches its peak concentration in the body three hours after delivery.
HavingFactors that Influence Adderall’s Detection Time
Several factors influence how long Adderall stays in your system, including the following:
- Frequency
Long-term Adderall users may have higher urine concentrations due to their frequency of use.
- Age and Metabolism
Younger people have a faster metabolism and healthier organs than elderly people. Inadequate liver or renal function may prevent medications from being properly metabolized, leading to prolonged drug exposure.
- Body Composition
Height, weight, body fat percentage, and muscle mass all influence how rapidly your body metabolizes Adderall.
- Body’s pH Level
The pH of urine influences how quickly Adderall is removed by the kidney.
- Amount of Dose
The amount of Adderall consumed has an effect on how long it remains in the body. Higher doses, in general, have a longer half-life in the body.
Addiction Treatment for Adderall Dependency
If you or a loved one is abusing Adderall, there are several treatment alternatives available. First, it is strongly advised that you get medical counsel before quitting. Doctor-prescribed stimulants, such as Adderall, can induce cravings and severe withdrawal symptoms. Thus, medical attention is needed.
A doctor may recommend an inpatient or outpatient rehab program to help you detox and recuperate. To avoid severe withdrawal symptoms, tapering (gradually decreasing the amount of medication) may be employed.
While no FDA-approved medication-assisted treatment is available for this class of medications, evidence-based behavioral therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychotherapy are.
Conclusion
Perhaps before you have come across this article, you have already heard of Adderall or even know somebody who takes this medication. Because of its popularity and its growing cases of addiction among teenagers and adults alike, it is also becoming more critical to discuss Adderall, its effects, and the dangers of one’s addiction to it. As we all become more aware of this medication, we can prevent ourselves and our loved ones from being dependent on it. At the same time, we are now more able to help those who need treatment and support.