Many people are familiar with Adderall and its benefits when used to help alleviate the symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Adderall has also shown positive effects in helping people manage symptoms of narcolepsy. Available by prescription only, Adderall is a combination drug containing amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Adderall is classified as a stimulant and is frequently misused for the effects the individual components of the drug produces. When abused, Adderall can have effects similar to those produced by methamphetamine, an illegally manufactured stimulant drug.
What is Adderall?
Adderall is a prescription medication commonly prescribed by mental health professionals to alleviate the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults and teens. Although the drug is highly effective when used as prescribed, it remains a controlled substance as it is frequently misused or obtained illegally and resold to individuals without prescriptions. Adderall helps manage ADHD symptoms by encouraging the brain to produce higher amounts of dopamine and norepinephrine. Dopamine, a naturally occurring chemical in the brain, is responsible for essential functions throughout the body, including regulating feelings of happiness and pleasure. Norepinephrine, another naturally occurring chemical in the central nervous system, is responsible for the rate at which the brain responds to stimuli from outside the body.
Can You Get Addicted to Adderall?
As with any other drugs that impact dopamine production, dependency on the feelings produced by Adderall can develop quickly. Even when used as directed, Adderall impacts how you react to external stimuli. Normal day-to-day events that used to produce feelings of joy and pleasure become insufficient to produce the same level of reaction achieved with Adderall. In time, tolerance to the effects of the drug develops and, shortly thereafter, addiction. When you are addicted to Adderall, you crave the effects of the drug and believe that you must use it to feel content and alert.
Additionally, because Adderall impacts the rate at which the brain produces norepinephrine, users who have developed a tolerance to Adderall believe they must take larger and more frequent doses to feel the same level of alertness and productivity they used to feel without Adderall or with smaller doses. When you try to reduce the amount you take or quit using Adderall entirely, users report brain fog or feelings of lethargy and confusion because their brain is not producing norepinephrine at the levels it was when they were taking Adderall.
It is important to note that Adderall addiction, like many other stimulant drugs, can produce a range of symptoms, especially when you try to stop using. These include anxiety, dizziness, difficulty sleeping, appetite changes, headaches, new or worsening mental health symptoms, hallucinations, heart problems, and various other potentially dangerous effects. Because of these, it is important to withdraw from Adderall under the support and care of trained professionals at an addiction rehab like Relevance Recovery.
How to Get Help with Adderall Addiction
Detoxing from Adderall can be dangerous. This is especially true if your addiction is severe and you struggle with intense, potentially life-threatening symptoms as you try to cleanse your system of the effects of the drug. For many, although they are ready to begin their journey toward sobriety, the process of getting and staying sober from Adderall addiction is not easy. If you or a loved one are prepared to put Adderall addiction in the past, it is important to choose a setting where skilled therapy providers can provide the support and guidance you need through the earliest and most difficult stages of detox and withdrawal.
At Relevance Recovery, our treatment team is here to guide you through each stage of detox, therapy, and comprehensive aftercare planning to ensure the most well-rounded, holistic recovery experience possible. To learn more about our programs and how we can help you overcome Adderall addiction, contact our admissions team today.
