Did you know that the most common source of stimulants for non-prescribed use is peers with prescriptions? Up to 24% of teens with stimulant prescriptions for ADHD have reported selling, sharing, or trading their medication with others.
Adderall can appeal to young people due to its ability to enhance focus and productivity, boost energy levels, suppress appetite, and create feelings of euphoria. However, when used off-label for these purposes, Adderall can cause a host of problems, including dependence and addiction.
Here in Arizona, 8.2% of residents have received an ADHD diagnosis, and more than half receive treatment, which means Adderall is in the hands of many people. It’s important that this medication is used appropriately to reduce the risks of dependence and overdose. If you are concerned that someone you know is showing signs of Adderall addiction, it may be time to take the next step. Programs like Wolf Creek Recovery have the therapeutic tools required to heal from substance use.
What Is Adderall?
Adderall is a prescription medication composed of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, both of which are stimulants. These substances affect the central nervous system, primarily by increasing levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. Adderall is prescribed for ADHD and narcolepsy, but it also has the potential to be misused due to its stimulant effects.
When a person takes Adderall, it stimulates the release of neurotransmitters, which in turn increases energy levels, enhances alertness and attention, and improves impulse control. While these effects make Adderall effective for managing ADHD symptoms, they also contribute to its potential for misuse.
How Is Adderall Used?
Adderall is primarily prescribed for ADHD and, in some cases, narcolepsy. It comes in two main forms: Immediate-Release (IR) and Extended-Release (XR). The effects of Adderall IR usually start within 30 minutes and last for 4-6 hours. It is taken multiple times a day to maintain symptom relief. Adderall XR, on the other hand, is designed for all-day effectiveness, with effects lasting up to 12 hours. Unlike Adderall IR, the XR formulation is only required once a day. Dosage depends on the person’s age, condition, and response to treatment.
Although Adderall is approved for specific medical conditions, it’s sometimes used off-label or misused for other purposes. For example, Adderall is often used to enhance concentration, memory, and productivity, especially during exams or high-pressure work periods. While it may provide short-term focus, this is not a safe practice and can lead to dependence.
Due to its appetite-suppressing properties, some people use Adderall off-label for weight loss. This, too, is not recommended, as it can lead to serious side effects, including cardiovascular issues. Additionally, some individuals misuse Adderall for its stimulating effects, which can lead to feelings of euphoria. This poses significant risks, potentially leading to heart problems, addiction, and other serious health complications.
Physical Signs of Adderall Use
Adderall stimulates the central nervous system, leading to a wide range of effects, such as:
- Drastic weight loss
- Extreme fatigue or exhaustion
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Dilated pupils
- Skin problems like skin picking
- Sleep disturbances
- Headaches and muscle tension
- Stomach pain, nausea, or diarrhea
- Tremors or shaking
Psychological Symptoms of Adderall Use
Adderall misuse can lead to increased anxiety, causing a person to experience persistent fear and worry, panic attacks or a sense of impending doom, or restlessness and irritability. Because the medication disrupts normal sleeping patterns, it can also lead to sleep problems that further impact emotional stability. Additional psychological symptoms of Adderall misuse are obsessive or paranoid thoughts, euphoria followed by emotional lows, and dependence on Adderall to feel “normal” or avoid unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
Behavioral Changes
It’s also normal to experience behavioral changes from Adderall misuse. These changes can affect personal relationships, professional life, and overall quality of life. Some noticeable behavioral changes include increased risk-taking behavior, social isolation, neglecting responsibilities, doctor shopping, and obsessive overachievement, which can create a false sense of productivity.
Social Signs of Adderall Use
If you are concerned about Adderall use in a loved one, it’s also important to be aware of social changes. Adderall misuse often leads to social withdrawal, strained relationships, and a change in social circles. Secretive behavior is also common, such as hiding Adderall or being vague about their whereabouts.
Making Adderall the Top Priority
As Adderall use becomes more commonplace in a person’s life, they eventually go on to make the substance their top priority. Changes are happening in the brain, as Adderall is artificially stimulating the brain’s reward system, releasing large amounts of dopamine to feel good. Over time, the brain becomes dependent on the substance to release dopamine, prioritizing Adderall use over natural rewards.
Not Taking Care of Important Responsibilities
Because Adderall starts taking over a person’s life, they slowly remove themselves from their everyday responsibilities. Individuals might make excuses for canceled plans or missed commitments, avoid discussions about noticeable changes, or blame others for their personal problems. Work or school performance may drop as well, so look for signs like missed deadlines, conflicts with teachers or colleagues, academic supervision, or job loss.
What to Do if Your Loved One Is Misusing Adderall
Discovering that someone you care about is misusing Adderall can be challenging and emotional. While you may want to help, it’s important to approach the situation thoughtfully. Ultimately, it’s up to your loved one to take the next steps to getting better. The good news is that your help can be instrumental in helping them start this journey.
Before you approach someone about their potential Adderall use, be sure to educate yourself. Learn about the signs of Adderall addiction, the short- and long-term risks, and the options available for treatment. Open the lines of communication by picking a time and place to have this conversation. Express concern, listen actively, and encourage professional help. Avoid enabling behaviors, which can unintentionally reinforce the substance use. It is possible to support your loved one’s recovery without supporting their Adderall misuse.
Intervention and Next Steps
If your loved one refuses help, consider planning an intervention. Enlist help from a professional interventionist who can lead the way and work with you to prepare a statement. Invite close friends and family members who are willing to support your loved one and express their concerns constructively. Have treatment resources ready so that there is no delay in care if your loved one does agree to seek help. This could be a residential program with on-site housing or an intensive outpatient program that offers specialized support while living at home.
Treatment for Adderall Misuse in Prescott, AZ
Detox is often the first stage of addiction treatment for Adderall. To decrease the intensity of withdrawal symptoms, most doctors recommend gradually reducing the dosage of Adderall. As you physically recover from Adderall use, you can start a recovery program. These programs offer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), individual counseling, and group therapy. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) can also aid recovery from Adderall use. The healing journey is ongoing, so it’s important to develop lasting behavioral and lifestyle changes to manage stress, build routines, and establish healthy hobbies. Recovery is attainable with the right support.
Wolf Creek Recovery is here to support you on your journey to wellness. Substance use often starts innocently, but can quickly grow into a problem that’s hard to control. Rest assured that no matter how active your substance use disorder is, it’s never too late to turn your life around. Most of our staff is in recovery, which means we’ve been where you are and found our ways out. You can, too. We are one family here, and we even spend time doing fun outdoor activities like camping and playing sports. Contact us today at 833-732-8202. Build a life you love.
FAQs About Signs of Adderall Use
What are the signs that someone may be misusing Adderall?
When someone is misusing Adderall, there will be significant behavioral, physical, and psychological signs, such as obsessive productivity, risky or impulsive behavior, appetite suppression, insomnia, mood swings, and changes in social circles.
Why do people take Adderall without a prescription?
People use Adderall off-label to increase focus and productivity, increase energy, lose weight, and induce euphoria. It’s most commonly misused by high school and college students looking to boost their academic or athletic abilities.
What can I do to help someone who is dependent on Adderall?
If you believe that someone you care about is misusing Adderall, approach the conversation with care. Encourage professional help and avoid enabling behaviors. Support the person in taking ownership of their actions.
