Adderall

The following information is news only and does not reflect the practice or opinions of the doctor.

Adderall is a medication that is used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. It is a stimulant for the central nervous system and it is made up of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. It should be noted however that it changes the brain chemistry. Adderall also helps neurotransmitters to send messages between nerve cells and the brain. It iis often used non-medically by college students because it primarily helps with focus.

 

Using Adderall without a prescription can lead to addiction and therefore is dangerous. Common side effects of Adderall abuse include: headache, dry mouth, nausea, digestive issues, anxiety, excessive fatigue, and shortness of breath. Continuous use of the drug can lead to more dangerous side effects such as changes in vision, aggressive behavior, paranoia, mania, and seizures. The risk of overdose increases dramatically when Adderall is mixed with other substances such as alcohol.

Adderall is a potent stimulant. Unfortunately, it can be hard to determine when someone is abusing the drug. It is often abused to enhance alertness and productivity. The types of individuals who typically abuse Adderall are usually motivated individuals that don’t look like a stereotypical drug user. Most often, they are students and young professionals.

 

signs of Adderall abuse may include:

• Being overly talkative
• Loss of appetite
• Unusual excitability
• Social withdrawal
• Financial troubles
• Aggression
• Sleeping for long periods of time
• Secretive behavior
• Exhaustion
• Excessive weight loss
• Memory loss
• Incomplete thoughts
• Relationship problems
• Decline in personal hygiene
• Frequently taking pills
• Financial difficulties
• Overworking or overconcentrating
• Running out of prescriptions early
• Disorientation
• Mania
• Impulsive behaviors

 

Side Effects and Dangers of Adderall (Prescription Amphetamines)

Unfortunately people who abuse Adderall assume it is safe because it comes from a doctor. Adderall is normally prescribed to people, including children, with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Some people mistakenly believe the drug is safe because children take it.

 

However, Adderall is a strong stimulant that can lead to serious — and even deadly — side effects. An overdose of Adderall can lead to heart attack, stroke and liver failure. Taking Adderall with other substances, such as alcohol, exacerbate the risk of a fatal overdose.

 

 

Adderall can also cause physical changes in the brain’s neurocircuitry. This can lead to altered behaviors and the development of mental disorders like depression. Some Adderall addicts become suicidal after taking the drug for a prolonged period of time.

 

Injecting Adderall

Some drug users have injected Adderall to get a better “high” by delivering the drug straight into the bloodstream. Injecting the drug will give a more intense high, but it is also heightens the possibility of a deadly overdose. Athletes taking Adderall have died because their increased blood pressure leads to heat stroke and cardiac arrest. Amphetamines, including Adderall, have been banned by the International Olympic Committee since 1968, partly because of the dangers of these drugs.

 

Snorting Adderall

Some users looking for immediate effects will also snort Adderall. They crush up their pills into a fine powder and sniff the drug into their sinus cavity. Similar to injecting, this will also give a more intense high, but snorting Adderall comes with its own side effects.

 

Snorting pills can destroy the nasal and sinus cavities. The longer Adderall is taken this way, the more damage that can be done. Snorting also amplifies other Adderall side effects such as irregular heartbeat. Those snorting Adderall also have a heightened risk of overdose.

 

Side effects of Adderall include:

• nervousness,
• restlessness,
• excitability,
• irritability,
• agitation,
• dizziness,
• headache,
• fear,
• anxiety,
• agitation,
• tremor,
• weakness,
• blurred vision,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• dry mouth or unpleasant taste in the mouth,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• stomach pain,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• fever,
• hair loss,
• loss of appetite,
• weight loss,
• loss of interest in sex,
• impotence,
• difficulty having an orgasm,
• increase blood pressure,
• increased heart rate, and
• heart palpitations.

 

For adderall help contact Psychiatry Concierge.