Understanding Adderall Addiction

Learn About Adderall Addiction & Abuse

Adderall is a central nervous stimulant that is comprised of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. This prescription medication is widely used to treat narcolepsy and the symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). While this drug can serve to alleviate distressing symptoms for individuals who suffer from these two conditions, it can also create a recreational high for individuals who do not possess a medical need for the substance.

The stimulant chemical composition of Adderall provides recreational users of the drug with an increased sense of wakefulness and alertness, while also enhancing their ability to focus and accomplish tasks at a quicker pace. In addition, Adderall can provide some users with mild feelings of euphoria in addition to increasing their sense of self-confidence. Furthermore, Adderall is known to suppress appetite, making it extremely appealing to individuals who wish to lose weight.

When people work in highly stressful environments where much is demanded of them, or when students are struggling to complete all of their schoolwork within a set deadline, the abuse of Adderall can seem like a perfect solution. It can help these individuals to feel awake, alert, and ready to complete all of the tasks at hand. However, this same appeal can also lead individuals down the dangerous path to an Adderall addiction. Once an addiction to Adderall has developed, it can be increasingly difficult to overcome without professional intervention. Fortunately, such interventions are readily available.

Statistics

Adderall Abuse Statistics

While statistics for the prevalence of Adderall abuse in particular are somewhat lacking, there have been some estimates provided that demonstrate the increasing severity of this substance abuse problem. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported that nearly 6.4% of college students, aged 18 to 22, use Adderall for nonmedical purposes. Another population that is cited as frequently abusing Adderall are women between the ages of 20 and 44. In the last ten years alone, the number of women in this age range who use Adderall for recreational purposes has increased by an astonishing 264%. Additionally, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) reports that between 5% and 9% of children through high school age have abused prescribed stimulants, including Adderall.

Causes and Risk Factors

Causes and Risk Factors for Adderall Abuse

The causes and risk factors that can contribute to the onset of Adderall use disorder are described briefly in the following:

Environmental: The APA notes that the environment that surrounds an individual can play a significant role in affecting his or her susceptibility to beginning to use and abuse stimulants like Adderall. Being surrounded by other individuals who abuse illicit drugs or prescription medications can increase a person’s risk for engaging in the same type of behaviors. Additionally, living in an unstable home environment and/or being exposed to community violence during one’s childhood can also increase an individual’s susceptibility to developing an addiction to stimulants like Adderall.

Risk Factors:

Suffering from comorbid antisocial personality disorder, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder
Suffering from childhood conduct disorder
Being a college student
Being a female between the ages of 20 and 44
Exposure to violence during childhood
Being highly impulsive or having other similar personality traits
Growing up in an unstable home environment
Abusing other types of substances
Ease of access with which one can obtain Adderall
Being surrounded by others who abuse Adderall or other types of substances
Working in a highly stressful environment or feeling under immense pressure to succeed academically

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and Symptoms of Adderall Abuse

The signs and symptoms that may displayed by someone who is abusing Adderall can vary from person to person, but may include some or all of the following:

Behavioral symptoms:

Alterations in one’s performance at work or school
Hypervigilance
No longer adhering to obligations at home
Engaging in repetitive movements
No longer participating in activities that were previously enjoyed
Change in social interactions
Rapid speech

Physical symptoms:

Appetite reduction
Weight loss
Nausea
Vomiting
Muscle weakness
Dilated pupils
Elevated or lowered blood pressure
Seizures
Insomnia
Increase in bodily temperature
Rapid heartbeat

Cognitive symptoms:

Cravings for more Adderall
Confusion
Impaired judgment
Experiencing the ability to hyperfocus or, alternatively, struggling to focus at all

Psychosocial symptoms:

Loss of emotional reactivity
Psychological distress
Anger
Anxiety
Agitation

Effects

Effects of Adderall Abuse

Abusing Adderall can produce a number of negative effects in various areas of an individual’s life. Examples of such effects may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Changes in temperament, resulting in a deterioration of close relationships
Familial or marital discord as a result of no longer taking care of daily responsibilities
Taking part in dangerous and/or illegal activities in order to illegally obtain Adderall, resulting in possible injury and/or interaction with law enforcement
Increase in blood pressure
Malnutrition
Irregular heartbeat
Seizures
Cardiac arrest

Co-Occurring Disorders

Adderall Abuse & Co-Occurring Disorders

When people are struggling with Adderall use disorder or another type of stimulant use disorder, it is not uncommon for them to simultaneously suffer from co-occurring mental health conditions as well. Examples of such conditions may include the following:

Bipolar disorder
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Antisocial personality disorder
Schizophrenia
Gambling disorder

Withdrawal and Overdose

Effects of Adderall Withdrawal and Overdose

Effects of Adderall withdrawal: If someone has been taking Adderall consistently but then suddenly ceases his or her use, it is likely that a period of withdrawal will ensue. Symptoms and effects of Adderall withdrawal can include the following:

Occupational impairment
Social impairment
Other functional impairments
Psychomotor agitation
Dysphoric mood
Increased appetite
Vivid, often unpleasant dreams
Fatigue

Effects of Adderall overdose: If someone takes so much Adderall that his or her body is incapable of metabolizing it, he or she will likely experience an overdose. Should this occur, it is imperative that medical treatment be sought immediately in order to prevent a devastating outcome. Signs that someone may have overdosed on Adderall can include: