Recognizing the signs of Adderall addiction is crucial for safeguarding your overall well-being. This blog aims to aid in identifying these signals and offers essential guidance for prevention and recovery.
Relying excessively on any medication poses risks to both physical and mental health. According to statistics from the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, Adderall ranks among the most commonly prescribed drugs in the United States and is frequently misused. Thus, whether prescribed or not, it’s vital to exercise caution to avoid addiction. Every medication carries a potential for dependency, and intervening before it becomes severe is key to mitigating its harmful effects.
This blog delves into the topic of Adderall, exploring strategies to prevent misuse. Additionally, it provides insights into recognizing symptoms of addiction and outlines available medical interventions for a safe withdrawal process.
What is Adderall?
The Drug Enforcement Agency categorizes Adderall as a Schedule Two controlled substance, an FDA-approved drug prescribed during medical conditions, like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. It’s a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, a strong stimulant that boosts up certain brain chemicals like dopamine and norepinephrine.
These chemicals provide instant pleasure to the brain which improves focus, concentration, and alertness. Amphetamine is also used by some athletes for its psychological and athletic performance-enhancing effects, such as increased endurance and alertness. However, it does have tolerance for dependency and misuse which can affect a person negatively. The intense euphoric rush that one gets by using Adderall creates an addiction to it and makes it harder to resist its use even after withdrawal. This dependency can be identified through Adderall addiction symptoms which are discussed below.
Adderall Addiction Symptoms
Exceeding the recommended dosage of Adderall can pose health risks and withdrawal can be challenging. Identifying signs of addiction early can aid in initiating the withdrawal process before the situation escalates. Here are the physical and psychological indicators of Adderall addiction in individuals.
Physical Symptoms
- Dryness in mouth
- Frequent body tremors and sweating
- Uncontrollable Anxiety and panic attacks
- Body aches
Psychological Symptoms
- Inability to function without Adderall use
- Short-term memory loss
- Inability to control drug cravings
- Delusions and suicidal thoughts
Social Symptoms
- Trouble in relationships due to drug use
- Lying about drug usage
- Trouble at work due to drug usage
- Borrowing or stealing Adderall and lying about its use
Navigating The Stages Of Adderall Addiction
Stage 1- Recreational Use
During the initial phase, individuals begin using Adderall on a regular basis. Typically, Adderall is sought after for cognitive enhancement or to alleviate anxiety. Initially, there are no immediate adverse effects linked with Adderall usage. Normally, it’s prescribed by a healthcare professional for legitimate reasons like ADHD. The individual consumes Adderall without concern about developing an addiction.
Stage 2- Regular Use
At this stage, the addict takes Adderall regularly for its psychoactive effects. Adderall is usually taken in large doses, more than the prescribed dose. Overuse of Adderall leads to the development of adverse side effects such as anxiety, insomnia, and loss of appetite.
Stage 3- Dependence
At this stage, the addict is fully addicted to the drug, they can’t perform any function normally without consuming it. Withdrawal symptoms occur upon stopping or reducing dosage, prompting continued use despite negative consequences. The addict is unable to develop tolerance against the drug and continuously craves it even after knowing its harmful effects.
Stage 4- Recovery
At this stage, the addict is unable to manage his Adderall addiction symptoms and seeks outside help for recovery. This stage requires medical guidance and support from professionals who can help with an easy relapse. Adderall addiction symptoms are usually managed with therapy, cognitive therapy, etc.
Side-effects Of Adderall Addiction
Though Adderall is often prescribed by medical experts for recovering from certain disorders, this substance can sometimes have some side effects even after being medically prescribed.
As per the American Addiction Centre, mixing Adderall with other drugs or alcohol further increases the risks for potentially hazardous side effects. It’s necessary to consult your doctor or stop its usage if you spot these signs of side effects in your behavior.
General Effects
- Hallucination in mind
- Trouble falling sleeping and restlessness
- Irregular and increased heart rate
- Dizziness and constipation
- Frequent panic attacks
- Uncontrollable aggression
- Change in sexual interest
- Weight loss or malnutrition
- Muscle pain and body tremors
- Body shaking uncontrollably in some areas such as legs
Short term Effects
- A rapid increase in attention, focus, and alertness
- Temporary elevation of mood
- Decrease in appetite which further results in weight loss
- Increases heartbeat and blood pressure and boosts energy
Abuse statistics by Recovery Village show that misuse of Adderall is fairly common in young adults. It’s mostly due to this short-term boost in productivity that young adults chase in their everyday lives.
Long term effects
- Developing higher tolerance to Adderall
- Increased dependence and addiction to drug
- Higher cardiovascular problems such as that of heart rate and blood pressure
- psychiatric effects such as anxiety, paranoia, and mood disturbances.
- Sleep disturbances and irregular sleep patterns
- Disturbance in relationships and at work
A Roadmap to recovery from Adderall addiction
Adderall addiction symptoms can be treated with the right support and required action. Following is a step-by-step plan on how to recover from Adderall addiction.
Acceptance & Support
The first step to getting rid of your Adderall addiction is to acknowledge your condition and effectively communicate it with your doctors to get their help. You don’t have to hide your symptoms and wait for them to get worse. Early acceptance and treatment will help you get better quickly.
Medical Assessment
Before you start any treatment, make sure to check your health first. This will help you determine the extent of your dependency. Doctors may perform physical exams, blood tests, and mental health assessments to gain insight into your condition.
Early Detoxification
Detoxification is the process of eliminating the use of any substance such as Adderall from the body and reducing its dependency. This task requires careful handling under medical supervision or at a detoxification center, as specific withdrawal symptoms may arise later on.
Medications Treatment
Certain medications are prescribed to help manage the Adderall addiction symptoms and to control its cravings. Remember, it’s important to take these medications with guidance from a medical expert, as they can have potential side effects.
Therapy
Adderall addiction symptoms create a disbalance in the mental well-being of a healthy person. To start a helpful treatment, we should tackle these emotional changes all at once. Research by the National Institute of Health shows that third-wave cognitive interventions such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) show promising results for addressing psychosocial aspects of addiction. Acceptance and commitment therapy are effective in cases that focus on improving and regulating negative thoughts and replacing them with positivity.
Relapse Prevention
Relapse prevention stops the substance from re-entering into the life of an addict. It provides resources and coping skills that will help you break the addiction cycle. A relapse prevention plan in such cases proves to be effective in speeding up the recovery
Lifestyle Changes
Introduce some positive changes in your lifestyle that will make you mentally stronger and healthier. Incorporating exercises such as meditation and yoga into your routine can replace negative thoughts with positive motivation. This motivation will encourage you to keep progressing towards a meaningful and purposeful life.
Empowering Journey Of Adderall Addicts
Whether you’re a college student juggling your studies or an office worker tired of the daily grind, Adderall addiction can impact anyone. Below are some stories of people from different areas of life who were once in the trap of Adderall addiction symptoms, sharing their stories of their fight against addiction.
“A working father of two daughters and an entrepreneur shares about his Adderall addiction journey in the Employee Benefit News. He talks about how he was tired from managing his work and how it affected his productivity. He was looking for a way to cope with this when he came across the energy-giving pill “Adderall”. He was aware of its benefits, so he scheduled an appointment with a doctor who let him take it on prescription. The first dose of Adderall made him feel like everything was perfect and his energy, productivity, and performance were skyrocketing. Consuming it also made him feel more attractive in his personal life and allowed him to spend more time with his family. This made him hooked on Adderall due to its rewarding benefits. This was the time when he became fully dependent on this magical pill for the smooth functioning of his life. He became weaker than before when he didn’t consume it and that’s when he realized he was in a big problem. As his drug dependency increased, he became affected by its side effects. It took him 10 years to get out of this vicious cycle of addiction. He shares how meditation, exercises, and other lifestyle changes have played a major role in speeding up his recovery.
Joel Trish’s husband shares her journey of Adderall addiction symptoms. He speaks of how he has witnessed her wife transform into a person he knew was not who she was. She started taking it to help with her focus and her ability to study for long periods, and it worked. Days passed and it was harder for them to have conversations like before. She grew to be irritable and short-tempered, was barely sleeping, and started having panic attacks. It started affecting her studies to the extent that she had to drop out of her medical program. It was then he knew she needed a rehab program or it would be too late for recovery. This highlights the role family and friends can play in recovery. Along with the treatment and medications, it’s the love and support of dear ones that an addict needs and should get to come out of the addiction trap faster.“
FAQs: Adderall Addiction Symptoms
1. What symptoms does Adderall cause?
Adderall causes several changes in the behavior of the person. These changes are visible both in the physical and psychological state of an individual. General signs of Adderall addiction symptoms include anxiety, high blood pressure, tremors, body aches, depression, and paranoia.
2. What are the side effects of Adderall?
The side-effects of Adderall can be evident in changing the physical, and psychological behavior of an individual. These changes can be in the form of intense anger, delusions, hallucinations, constipation, sweating, etc.
3. Who should avoid Adderall?
While Adderall is effective for some people, it may be fatal for others. This isn’t recommended for pregnant women, kids under 6, individuals with a history of substance use, or those with heart problems.
4. Can Adderall cause personality changes?
Adderall addiction symptoms directly don’t affect personality but they can influence behavior and mood, which brings a change in one’s personality. For example- Adderall can amplify focus and motivation, leading to a sense of accomplishment and enhanced productivity. This can boost confidence and build a more proactive personality.
5. What are the positive effects of Adderall?
Adderall gives an illusion of temporary pleasure which becomes attractive to the body and mind. It enhances focus and productivity, mood, and creates alertness and wakefulness which makes it harder to resist its use.
Conclusion
The journey to conquer addiction is about reclaiming your power. As you confront your challenges with strength and determination, you’ll develop patience and enhance your self-discipline. This journey belongs to you; it’s about earning the healthy life you deserve by refusing to rely too heavily on substances or abuse them to the detriment of your health. In addition to detoxing, embracing presence in your daily life and seeking emotional support from loved ones can accelerate your path to recovery.
Avisa Recovery is committed to supporting New Jersey’s adult population as they work toward recovery. We are a top provider of Adderall addiction treatment, improving the lives of many people in the Fort Myers area and beyond with an emphasis on long-term success and holistic well-being. Avisa provides mental health and drug addiction treatment in Fort Myers. Get in touch with us right now to find out more about our renowned Fort Myers rehab facility.
