Adderall is everywhere in schools and on college campuses across the country. It’s prescribed and when taken as directed it’s safe and effective for ADHD. Unfortunately the prevalence of the drug and the fact that it’s a “study drug” for those without ADHD can lead to addiction. Let’s understand the physical effects of Adderall and the warning signs of addiction. Let’s also understand how hard it is for an Adderall user to ask for help and what that help looks like once they do. Adderall addiction is more prevalent in teens and young adults than older adults so parents and family members often play a bigger role in the recovery process.
Adderall is the brand name for the medication that is a combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. It’s a stimulant to the central nervous system and makes the brain release dopamine (like cocaine) and norepinephrine. For people with ADHD the release of these chemicals in the brain increases focus and concentration. With the right dosage Adderall can calm and focus people with ADHD.
For people without ADHD Adderall stimulates the central nervous system and the user gets a “high”. It’s used by college students to stay up longer to study.
When the high wears off with Adderall the user is returned to their “normal” mental state and often with increased depression. Many Adderall users are trying to escape reality or take a shortcut to success. That rapid change in mental state from euphoria to reality is jarring and the user craves that feeling.
Even if the user’s current reality isn’t unpleasant it can’t compete with the manic happiness of the high. The ability to escape reality to a world without pain, anxiety or fear is very attractive. It’s easy to see why users want to spend more and more time in the high state and avoid their reality as much as possible.
Since many Adderall abusers are kids or young adults they don’t think about the long term effects of Adderall on their body and brain. The reality is Adderall addiction can have severe mental and physical effects on the user. Adderall increases heart rate so it’s been linked to heart failure. Snorting Adderall damages the lining of the nose and can cause nosebleeds, loss of smell and even destruction of the nasal cartilage. Injecting Adderall puts the user at risk for HIV or hepatitis from shared and unsanitary needles.
Adderall has a profound effect on the user’s mind. For people without ADHD the chemicals in Adderall produce hyper energy and focus on a manic level. The high can cause rapid thoughts and talkativeness, feelings of fearlessness or invincibility and the ability to go without sleep for long periods. Long term Adderall use can cause paranoia, insomnia and even hallucinations.
As with all drugs when Adderall wears off the user “crashes” and experiences severe fatigue and depression over time. The human brain is very adaptable so the more Adderall a user takes the more the brain adapts to the increased dopamine and norepinephrine. This adaptation requires the user to take more Adderall over time to get the same high which can lead to addiction.
Addicted youth will try to keep their addiction a secret. They may know they are powerless to stop using Adderall on their own but fear getting in trouble at home or at school and won’t speak up. For those around the user there are signs to look for that should tip them off that something is off with the user. A user of Adderall will become more secretive and less social or outgoing.
They may also have bursts of manic energy or activity and go all night without sleep.
On the other hand they may also show signs of depression or anxiety when they are not using Adderall. Physical signs to look for are dilated pupils, loss of appetite and a fast or irregular heartbeat. If the Adderall addict is under 18 their parents or other responsible adults should step in and get help for them.
With many addictions the individual can get treatment on their own. With Adderall addiction it’s often family members who get treatment for their loved one. The biggest barrier to getting Adderall rehab is the belief that it can’t be cured but that’s not true. Those in recovery from addiction will be in recovery for the rest of their lives. It’s more accurate to say addiction can be managed and the person can live a stable healthy and productive life.
Getting Adderall rehab can be even harder if the user has been to treatment before and not been successful and relapsed. If that’s the case it’s easy to feel like treatment doesn’t work for you. Relapse doesn’t mean you failed. It means the treatment approach didn’t work. A person with cancer doesn’t give up because one treatment failed. They try another approach. Addiction is complex and treatment for addiction must be individualized to that person. It’s not uncommon for a relapse to happen and several different approaches to be tried before finding the right treatment for that person.
If the individual has a severe addiction it may get to the point where their friends and family have to help them see they need help to manage their addiction. While Adderall rehab is more effective when the individual walks in voluntarily, in the case of a severe addiction getting them treatment is the most important thing regardless of how they get there. But if you can get them to walk in voluntarily Adderall rehab will be more effective long term.
A big hesitation to get treatment is fear of the withdrawal process. Withdrawal can be uncomfortable for many but will look different for each person that goes through it. While each person’s recovery is different so is each person’s withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms and the person’s individual detox will depend on many factors including the severity of the addiction, the person’s state of mind and the person’s tolerance for discomfort. And remember although the detox process can be uncomfortable withdrawal is temporary.
Detox and withdrawal is the body getting rid of the chemical substances. When an individual is addicted to substances or chemicals the body adapts to the presence of the chemical in their body. When the substance is taken away the body experiences withdrawal. A common example is caffeine. If a daily coffee drinker suddenly stops drinking coffee they may feel fatigue, tiredness and headaches. The body adapted to the daily dose of caffeine. The absence creates signals in the brain to restore what it considers to be balance. This uncomfortable feeling and process of getting back to normal is withdrawal.
In the case of Adderall use withdrawal symptoms can include fatigue, panic attacks, insomnia and depression. dizziness and even seizures. Just like with cocaine the brain of the Adderall user has become adapted to the regular dose of dopamine. Once that regular dopamine “fix” is removed the brain will start sending the body signals to restore that balance. The detoxification process is the process of teaching the body to recognize a new healthier balance without dependence on external chemicals.
During the withdrawal process another common experience is feeling mental, physical and emotional symptoms. Oftentimes the hardest symptom to manage is the Adderall craving. The body will crave Adderall to minimize withdrawal symptoms but it will also crave the “high” it brought. Adderall affects the heart rate so those going through withdrawal may experience an irregular heart beat as the heart is working without the artificial influence of amphetamines. Withdrawal from Adderall can also change your mood. With the decrease of dopamine in the brain depression is a common withdrawal symptom. This depression can be severe enough to lead to suicidal thoughts.
Duration of withdrawal can vary from a few days to a few weeks. Even if the body has completed the process of getting rid of the substance from the body and brain the individual will still need further treatment to learn how to get rid of maladaptive coping mechanisms and learn new skills and strategies to live sober. The first step to recovery from Adderall addiction is the withdrawal and detox process.
Those with mild Adderall dependence can wean themselves off the drug without residential treatment. But even those who detox at home should do so under the care and supervision of a doctor. Whoever is monitoring the individual should be aware of the warning signs that may require medical attention. Those with severe Adderall addiction may want to consider going to the hospital or a residential treatment center. Here the process can be monitored by doctors and medical professionals to ensure detox is smooth.
An inpatient or residential treatment can offer many benefits for those detoxing. The facility is staffed with professionals who will monitor the process. There is no medication to treat Adderall addiction but sometimes there are medication that can be given to alleviate severe withdrawal symptoms like anxiety or depression.
A big factor in the detox process is not only physical support but also psychological support. Therapists and counselors on staff can help facilitate healing and start to show the individual how to live without Adderall. Typically counselors or therapists will talk the individual through withdrawal symptoms, emotions around detox and start to process those emotions.
Once detox is done and the individual is no longer having extreme physical withdrawal symptoms it’s recommended that they start working with therapists, counselors or transition to residential treatment. While detox rids the brain of the need to have a dependence on Adderall a residential treatment program helps the individual process emotions and function in daily life without the drug. Mental health counseling can help those who used Adderall to cope find new skills and coping mechanisms. Counselors and therapists can also help them navigate guilt or shame they may feel about their addiction and repair relationships.
Adderall rehab centers can also offer various modalities to guide those in recovery. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT is a common tool used to challenge thoughts, beliefs, attitudes and actions that may have led to drug addiction. CBT helps identify the problem and is solution focused to help come up with strategies to deal with issues. Another common approach is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy or DBT. DBT uses techniques combined with mindfulness to increase distress tolerance skills that may be useful during an emotional reaction that could lead to relapse.
Another reason residential treatment is so valuable is that being able to relate and connect with others is key. Group therapy can help the individual start to hear inspiring stories from others and realize they are not alone. Group therapy also gives a sense of purpose and the opportunity to support others who have walked the same path.
One other type of group therapy is 12-step programming like Alcoholics Anonymous. Along with counseling and individual therapy 12-step programming and being able to connect with other Adderall addicts can give a new perspective and insight into what life in recovery looks like.
There are also residential treatment centers that offer alternative or holistic therapies. These can take many forms but may be viewed by some clients as extra-curricular activities. While these can be fun they are also therapeutic. One example is art therapy. During art therapy an individual can express emotions they don’t feel safe to verbalize. An art therapist can then work with the individual to process the feelings behind the art.
Another form of holistic or alternative therapy is equine therapy. Animals are seen as non-judgmental and horses can mirror emotions and attitudes of those who care for them. If a person is scared or frustrated the horse can reflect that frustration. Equine therapy helps the individual stay calm and relaxed while caring for the animal.
After treatment there comes a time when the individual needs to re-integrate into daily living and put their new skills into practice. During residential programming the treatment team or continuing care coordinator helps prepare for this critical transition. Relapse prevention plans are created to help prepare for potential slip ups, triggers and downfalls. Work, home life and social obligations are discussed. Aftercare is also coordinated. While treatment may end recovery doesn’t. Finding structure and continuing to go to therapy or outpatient programming is key to continued recovery.
Adderall users often use the drug to cope with external pressures to succeed, get good grades or professionally. For those in recovery from Adderall addiction it’s important to learn to minimize those pressures moving forward. If they experience the same level of pressure that led to their addiction they may relapse. Remember just because someone relapses doesn’t mean they failed. It means they may need to try a different approach to recovery. Some relapse warning signs are not keeping regular sessions with their counselor, spending time with friends who use drugs, isolating themselves and romanticizing past drug use.
Adderall addiction is prevalent among high school and college students. Individuals with valid ADHD prescriptions sell the pills to their classmates which makes it seem more legit. Cocaine deals in a back alley are obviously wrong but buying a $5 pill in the locker room after gym class can easily be justified by the individual. But Adderall is an amphetamine and is classified by the government the same as cocaine.
Adderall addiction carries the same risks as drugs we know are dangerous. If you or someone you love is addicted to Adderall contact a drug treatment center. Our trained staff will walk you through the admissions process and answer all of your questions. The first and often hardest step is admitting you need treatment. Once you take that first step there will be a team on your side to help you be successful in your new life. For more information learn about Asana Recovery here or call us today 949-763-3440.
MEDICALLY REVIEWED BY: Kelli Whitmire
WRITTEN BY: Mark Shandrow
ARTICLE UPDATED: 06/29/2021
NUMBER OF REFERENCES: 1 Source
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