Adderall, a prescription stimulant, has legitimate medical uses, especially for people with conditions like attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or narcolepsy. For others, taking Adderall regularly can quickly spiral into addiction.
The signs of Adderall addiction vary from person to person. However, they often involve physical, psychological, and behavioral symptoms. These changes range from sudden weight loss to paranoia to excessive talking.
If you’re concerned that a loved one may be taking Adderall without a prescription, you’re not alone. Data from the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health indicates that as many as 5.1 million Americans aged 12 or older misused a prescription stimulant in 2020.
At Pacific Sands, we understand the complexities behind substance use disorders (SUDs). We’re here to help your loved one, and your entire family, navigate the journey of recovery.
Key Takeaways:
- Adderall increases the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain; in someone with ADHD, this improves focus, but in a neurotypical brain, the naturally occurring dopamine no longer feels sufficient, leading to a substance use disorder.
- Adderall use disorder will cause your loved one to develop a variety of physical, psychological, and behavioral symptoms.
- Stimulants like Adderall cause physical symptoms, including loss of appetite, weight loss, constipation, and even seizures.
- Adderall triggers psychological symptoms like anxiety, memory loss, and mania, which can develop into more severe psychotic features in the case of an overdose.
- Behavioral signs of Adderall use disorder include continuing to take the medication after trying to stop, taking it despite negative consequences, and altering their priorities to spend more time taking the substance.
- To help a loved one living with an Adderall use disorder, you should pick an appropriate time and place to discuss their condition, avoid sounding accusatory, approach the conversation with curiosity, set clear boundaries, and collaborate with them about treatment options.
Understanding Adderall Addiction: How Does Adderall Use Disorder Happen?
Adderall is a prescription amphetamine, meaning that it is a central nervous system stimulant. Its two active ingredients are amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. The medication is primarily used to treat ADHD by reducing inattentive or hyperactive symptoms.
Other prescription stimulants used to treat ADHD include:
- Adzenys XR-ODT
- Dyanavel XR
- Mydayis
- ProCentra
- Vyvanse
Stimulants like Adderall work by increasing the amount of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Specifically, Adderall causes the brain to produce higher levels of dopamine, which activates the brain’s reward system, and norepinephrine, which plays a role in the body’s fight-or-flight response.
Dopamine plays a complex role in ADHD. Generally, increasing dopamine levels empowers individuals with the condition to focus, since they’re no longer seeking out the chemical through constant stimulation.
However, if your loved one has consistent, sufficient amounts of dopamine in their system, Adderall can quickly lead to a substance use disorder. Dopamine is naturally produced when your loved one does something they enjoy, like eating their favorite meal or spending time with friends.
High levels of dopamine create a sense of euphoria. Because the chemical activates the brain’s reward system, your loved one will want to repeat the behavior. Eventually, the naturally occurring amounts of dopamine will no longer feel sufficient. Over time, this leads to a psychological and physical dependence on the substance, otherwise known as an Adderall use disorder.
Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Adderall Addiction
Similar to categorically illegal amphetamines, like meth, Adderall is known to cause a variety of physical, psychological, and behavioral changes when it’s used recreationally. These symptoms will be most notable when your loved one is “high” directly after taking the medication.
However, less obvious side effects of taking Adderall will also impact their day-to-day life, even if they aren’t at times when they’re sober. If your loved one is living with SUD, they will reorganize their daily priorities to maximize the amount of time they spend on Adderall.
Everyone’s relationship with Adderall use disorder is different. For some people, the symptoms may come on suddenly. For others, the symptoms build up over time before becoming noticeable to people in their lives. Your loved one may not exhibit every possible symptom. Still, a consistent pattern is cause for concern.
Identifying the Physical Signs of Adderall Addiction
Like all amphetamines, Adderall is a central nervous system stimulant. This means that, in the short term, it speeds up the body’s physical processes. Adderall has a major impact on important organs, including the heart, lungs, and brain, which can result in fast heart rate, fast breathing, and rapid thoughts.
Chronic Adderall consumption causes physical symptoms including:
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Tremors
- Constipation
- Irregular heartbeat
In more extreme cases, such as an overdose, Adderall can cause severe physical symptoms such as:
- Seizures
- Convulsions
- Loss of coordination
Overdoses are typically accompanied by intense psychological symptoms. If you’re concerned that someone is overdosing on Adderall, call 911 immediately.
Notable Psychological Symptoms of Adderall Addiction
The dopamine rush that’s associated with Adderall consumption triggers intense feelings of euphoria. Because the brain and the rest of the central nervous system are so intensely wound up, stimulants also trigger other psychological side effects.
Notable psychological symptoms of Adderall consumption include:
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Racing thoughts
- Mania
- Irritability
- Short-term memory loss
- Disorientation and confusion
In more severe cases, including overdose, Adderall can cause symptoms of psychosis. This could present as:
- Extreme or erratic behavior
- Hallucinations (seeing, feeling, hearing, tasting, or smelling something that isn’t there)
- Paranoia (believing something or someone is out to get them)
- Delusions (strongly held beliefs that aren’t based in reality)
Common Behavioral Signs of Adderall Addiction
The reference book used by mental health professionals to make a formal diagnosis is called The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). To receive a diagnosis of SUD involving Adderall, or Adderall use disorder, your loved one must exhibit 2 to 6 behavioral symptoms over the course of a year.
Behavioral symptoms of Adderall use disorder listed in the DSM-5 include:
- Taking more Adderall than intended or taking it for longer than intended
- Attempting to quit taking Adderall without success
- Consuming Adderall even though they’re aware of its dangers
- Continuing to use Adderall even when it’s causing psychological or physical problems
- Spending a large amount of the day taking Adderall
- Experiencing strong urges and cravings for Adderall
- Continuing to take Adderall in spite of negative consequences
- No longer taking part in hobbies, activities, friends, etc.
- Difficulty managing day-to-day responsibilities due to Adderall consumption
Because Adderall is a stimulant, it may cause some other, specific behavioral changes, such as extreme talkativeness, aggression, or unusual excitability.
What to Do If Your Loved One Is Addicted to Adderall
If someone you care about is living with Adderall use disorder, it’s only natural that you want to support them in whatever way you can.
Here are 5 steps you should take if your loved one is living with an Adderall addiction:
- Pick an appropriate time and place to start the conversation: Talking about substance use is emotionally intense. When you start the conversation, make sure it’s in a place where both of you feel safe, at a time when you both have the opportunity to fully commit to the conversation.
- Avoid sounding accusatory: It’s normal to feel uncomfortable, or even a little bit betrayed, but try to approach the conversation from a place of love. Let them know you’ve been doing research and you’ve noticed some concerning signs.
- Begin from a place of curiosity: Try prompting the conversation with open-ended questions, like “How does your relationship with Adderall make you feel?” and give them the space to talk. Let your loved one express themself, and save your follow-up questions for the end.
- Be gentle but firm when setting boundaries: Let them know that you care about them and want to support them through their journey with recovery. At the same time, don’t be afraid to set boundaries about what that support can and can’t look like.
- Discuss treatment options: After you’ve had a conversation about their substance use, it’s appropriate to explore treatment options. Discuss the extent of their relationship with Adderall and work together to determine what type of treatment will best fit your loved one’s needs.
Get Treatment For Adderall Addiction at Pacific Sands in Santa Ana, CA
Realizing that your loved one is experiencing Adderall use disorder can be overwhelming. It’s completely normal to be worried about their well-being and what this means for their future, but this isn’t the time to give up hope.
With the right inpatient addiction treatment program, your loved one will find the effective, compassionate support they need to end their Adderall use. A strong treatment program will address any co-occurring mental health conditions, incorporate evidence-based therapies, and encourage skill development strategies.
At Pacific Sands, we only take on 6 clients at a time so that we can make sure that your loved one gets the in-depth, individualized attention that they need throughout their recovery from Adderall use disorder. To get started today, give us a call at 949-426-7962.
Pacific Sands: The First Step Towards a New Life
