You’ve probably heard about it: students “popping pills” to stay up later and perform better on tests, athletes taking medication to gain additional energy, and even professionals, like doctors, self-medicating to stay alert through long nights. Adderall is one of the medications most commonly taken in these instances.
Prescription rates of stimulants like Adderall have risen by 58% in the past ten years. Adderall prescriptions are abundant, but there’s nothing inherently wrong with that. Stimulant use disorders, which Adderall addiction falls under, don’t come out of nowhere.
Let’s revisit our examples. Those students don’t want to be dependent upon Adderall, and it’s likely due to academic or parental pressure or a fear of failure. They might be exhausted because of depression and feel like they need a boost that Adderall can provide them. Athletes who take Adderall may have a desperation to succeed because of the pressure that’s placed on them every day, and that takes a toll on mental health.
The doctors in our example might be at their wits’ end due to high-stress environments, or have a harmful work-life balance that makes it hard for them to do what they need to stay physically or mentally healthy.
All of these people could benefit from Adderall addiction treatment. That includes intensive therapy to get to the bottom of why they felt the need to use Adderall illicitly in the first place. By addressing that, they can fully heal and recover.
Do you relate to those stories? No story is the same, but they’re all important, and all deserve to end in lasting recovery. That includes yours. Everyone at Wolf Creek Recovery wants to help you get there.
What We Treat: Adderall Addiction
There’s nothing wrong with Adderall. Plenty of people take Adderall for ADHD as prescribed and it changes their lives for the better. In some cases, though, people take it more often than prescribed, longer than prescribed, or at higher doses than prescribed. Sometimes, they weren’t prescribed Adderall at all. This is dangerous territory and a sign that they may have an addiction to the medication.
Wolf Creek’s programs for Adderall recovery have empowered many to heal from Adderall use. We’re confident we can help you, too.
What to Expect From Adderall Addiction Treatment at Wolf Creek
The first step of treatment at Wolf Creek is an assessment. We’ll determine the kind of care that will help you most, and if you could benefit from mental health treatment alongside care for your Adderall addiction. We’ll develop your treatment plan together, and it’ll be customized to you and exactly what you need to recover. Like we said – no two stories are the same, so treatment should always be customized.
We provide housing while you’re in our treatment program, so you won’t have to worry about where to stay and can focus fully on your recovery. During the day, you’ll come to our facility and participate in intensive, evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), trauma therapy, group therapy, and more.
One of the highlights of Wolf Creek is our beautiful location, and we think enjoying it is an important part of the recovery process. We regularly camp, canoe, and play team sports as part of treatment. We want you to have fun, build new relationships, and potentially find new hobbies to carry with you for the rest of your life.
What Is Adderall? What Is It Prescribed For?
Adderall is a stimulant prescribed to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. It helps people with ADHD calm down and focus, but people without ADHD experience an increase in energy that can be really appealing. Unfortunately, long-term Adderall use that a medical professional doesn’t monitor can cause a stimulant use disorder, and have negative health consequences.
Understanding Adderall Addiction: What Causes It?
Scientists are still learning about how Adderall works, both in people with ADHD and people without it. What they know so far is that Adderall affects a “feel good” neurotransmitter in your brain called dopamine. Dopamine kicks in when you get a reward. That’s why rewards feel so good! The euphoria Adderall can cause is also what makes it an appealing medication to misuse for some people. It’s important to note, though, that Adderall itself doesn’t cause addiction. What really causes addiction is a desire for some kind of relief, often from mental health conditions or trauma. Sometimes, Adderall can seem like an easy solution. As we know, though, it only ends up causing more challenges in the long run.
Risk Factors for Adderall Addiction (Or Any Addiction, for That Matter)
It’s important to know that there’s no equation to determine who will and won’t develop an addiction to Adderall. People prescribed Adderall for ADHD are incredibly unlikely to develop an addiction. People with ADHD who are prescribed Adderall might actually be at lower risk of addiction, as long as they follow their doctor’s instructions and talk to them before making any dosage adjustments.
Having ADHD and being afraid you won’t function well without your medication isn’t the same as an addiction, either. So if you’re in this boat, you don’t need to worry. It never hurts to talk to your doctor about your concerns, though.
18-25-year-old students tend to be most likely to develop an Adderall addiction, but that’s mostly due to environmental factors, like stress related to school and the mental health conditions that often manifest at this age. Just being in this age bracket doesn’t mean you’re biologically disposed to developing an Adderall use disorder.
Adderall addiction is also more common in anyone with undiagnosed mental health conditions, trauma, high stress levels, and people with a family history of substance use disorders.
A Systemic Condition: Signs and Symptoms of Adderall Addiction
Some signs of an Adderall Addiction include:
- Weight loss
- Poor hygiene
- Hyperactivity
- Paranoia
- Aggression
- Extreme talkativeness
- Secretive behavior
- Withdrawing from loved ones and important activities
- Financial problems
- A fixation on always having Adderall available
The Long-Term Health Dangers of Adderall Addiction
Chronic Adderall use at high doses can have a negative effect on your health. It increases the risk of:
- Heart problems
- Psychosis
- Depression
- Withdrawal symptoms
- Adderall overdose
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to get in touch with a medical professional as soon as possible.
Diagnosing Adderall Addiction: Decoding the DSM-5
Adderall addiction needs to be diagnosed by a medical professional. They’ll use the stimulant use disorder criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition (DSM-5). It’s based on your Adderall habits in the past 12 months, with some criteria including taking more Adderall than intended, craving it, and Adderall taking up a lot of your time. 2-3 symptoms indicate a mild stimulant use disorder, while 4-5 is moderate and 6 or more is severe.
Finding Adderall Addiction Treatment in Prescott, AZ
Does all of this sound familiar? Adderall doesn’t need to have a grip on your life anymore. Adderall addiction treatment is available for you, and you can get started today.
Wolf Creek Recovery, located in beautiful Prescott, Arizona, is dedicated to delivering treatment rooted in honesty, integrity, respect, compassion, commitment, and courage. Most of our staff has been where you are and is in recovery too. We know just what it’s like, and we want you to join us in building a life you love on the other side of Adderall addiction. Call us at 833-732-8202 today.
FAQs
How can I help my loved one with an Adderall addiction?
The best thing you can do for your loved one is encourage them to seek treatment.
What should I expect from Adderall addiction treatment?
Treatment will vary depending on each recovery center, but most programs are rooted in group therapy and individual therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy.
