Can you Become Addicted to Adderall?
Adderall is a misunderstood prescription stimulant. The myth surrounding this drug can cloud people’s understanding of what it is and how it works.
Some claim Adderall will increase your academic endeavors, grant you hyper-focus during intense exams, and even make you smarter. Some people believe there are no negative side effects of this drug, and that taking it outside of a prescription isn’t dangerous.
But is all that true? In this article, we’ll discuss what Adderall is, how it works, and if it’s addicting.
What is Adderall?
Adderall is a prescription stimulant, meaning it speeds up messages sent between the brain and the body. The two core ingredients of Adderall are amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Amphetamine releases dopamine and serotonin. Dextroamphetamine releases dopamine and norepinephrine.
How Does Adderall Affect the Brain?
Adderall works by sending dopamine and norepinephrine to the brain. These two hormones are naturally produced throughout the day, and together, help us with energy and motivation to complete all of our tasks.
Dopamine is known as the pleasure hormone. It makes us feel happy and reinforces behaviors the brain finds positive.
Norepinephrine increases energy levels by increasing heart rate, blood flow, and blood pressure.
However, some conditions make the production of these hormones difficult.
When is Adderall Prescribed?
Adderall is most commonly prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. These are the two FDA-approved applications for Adderall.
People with ADHD are known to have brains with low dopamine function. This makes it difficult to:
- Stay on task
- Concentrate
- Listen
- Sit still
Adderall is prescribed for people with ADHD so their dopamine can reach baseline levels which increase focus.
Adderall Can be Addictive
While Adderall is a very helpful drug, it is considered highly addictive. This has been confirmed by the DEA who classified it as a Schedule II controlled substance. That means Adderall has a high potential for abuse and it is in the same category as oxycodone, fentanyl, and methadone.
For people with ADHD who take Adderall as a prescription drug, it’s helpful and the risk of developing an addiction is low. But for people abusing Adderall, it will likely cause them to develop a substance use disorder.
How Adderall Addiction Develops
Our brains typically produce the amount of dopamine we need to properly function. Drugs like Adderall increase the amount of dopamine in the brain. If you already produce the right amount of dopamine, adding more will overwhelm the brain.
When you take Adderall regularly, the brain becomes rewired to account for the extra dopamine that it creates. This increased tolerance means your brain will produce less dopamine on its own, and therefore you’ll have to increase dosage to compensate for that deficiency.
Your brain can no longer produce the proper amount of dopamine on its own and will rely on Adderall to get what it needs.
Signs of Adderall Addiction
Signs of Adderall dependency are similar to signs of addiction to other substances:
- Taking higher doses to achieve the same effect
- Continuously think about when you’ll use next
- Neglecting responsibilities to yourself or others
- Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
- An inability to stop even though you want to
While those with ADHD or narcolepsy experience therapeutic relief when taking Adderall, those who use it for recreational purposes often feel several negative physical and mental symptoms.
Adderall Abuse Symptoms
The symptoms of Adderall abuse can be severe. When used recreationally, Adderall can cause:
- Headaches
- Sleeping difficulties
- Uncontrollable shaking
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Exhaustion
- Cardiac arrest
- Seizures
- Poor judgment
The physical and mental symptoms of Adderall addiction can be severe. If you or a loved one are experiencing Adderall addiction, seek help. Prescription drug abuse is a serious issue that may require medical attention.
Sequoia Behavioral Health offers individualized, evidence-based addiction treatment. Find the help you deserve and the attention you need by reaching out.
Risk Factors
Risk factors of Adderall addiction follow the model of prescription drug abuse risk factors. However, college students are more likely to abuse it regularly due to the myth of academic success.
It’s much more common for Adderall addiction to develop when taken outside of doctor’s orders or through an illegal means of acquiring it. Only take it as prescribed and don’t take Adderall if it hasn’t been prescribed to you.
Adderall Addiction and College Students
Nonmedical use of Adderall is at an all-time high, and it’s affecting college students the most. Some students use stimulants as a party drug, but Adderall is mostly known as a study drug.
The main reasons college students abuse Adderall are:
- Promised increased focus during exams
- To help stay up for late-night study sessions
- Feel comfortable in social situations
- Increase academic success
Adderall abuse will not live up to its reputation. In fact, it can decrease test-taking abilities that require recalling information. The stories about Adderall are not true, and the risks of abusing it are much worse than people let on.
Addiction Recovery
Finding your way out of addiction is better done with medical attention and care of health professionals. Sequoia Behavioral Health provides counseling that helps you move beyond addiction and toward a controlled and fulfilling life. Our inpatient and outpatient programs are personalized, and proven to help people with different levels of prescription drug abuse.