Adderall is a prescription stimulant that's commonly misused. Between 2020 and 2021, approximately 3.2 million Americans (1.1% of the population) aged 12 or older reported misusing Adderall and other prescription amphetamines.

You can learn more on this page about Adderall and its side effects.

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What is Adderall?

Adderall, a prescription stimulant drug that contains dextroamphetamine as well as amphetamine, is available in an extended-release form (XR), with generic versions of the immediate-release version.

Adderall: What is it used for?

Adderall is FDA-approved to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.2,4

Adderall, commonly abused as a study drug, is used by students to stay focused and alert while studying, taking tests, or writing essays. 5,6

2

Adderall is also sometimes abused to 7

• Lose weight.
• Other drugs can be used to increase or reduce the effects.
• Get high.

Is Adderall addictive?

Adderall is addictive.

2,4 Dopamine is a brain chemical that can reinforce and motivate behaviors. This brain chemical can also drive drug-taking and addiction behaviors. 2 5

Some people are more prone to addiction. The environment, genetics, trauma, and substance abuse at an early stage can all have a significant impact.

Adderall Side Effects

Adderall, whether used for therapeutic purposes or abuse, can have various short-term effects.

• A bad taste in the mouth
• Headache.
• Dizziness.
• Nervousness.
• Sleeping problems.
• Reduced appetite or lack of appetite

Have you lost control? 

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Adderall misuse can be harmful to someone's physical and mental health. Adderall abuse can also cause the following side effects: 2

• High blood pressure
• Sweating.
• Heart rate and breathing rate increased
• Stomach pains
• Appetite loss.
• Psychosis.
• Fatal overdose.

Adderall overdose symptoms include: 2

• Restlessness.
• Tremors.
• Rapid breathing
• Confusion.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Panic.
• Hallucinations.

Adderall is a severe medical emergency that needs immediate medical attention.

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Adderall Addiction and Misuse: Signs

Adderall abuse includes:

• 2
• Take Adderall prescribed by someone else. 2
• Take Adderall at higher doses or more often than prescribed.
• 2,5

Adderall addiction is not the same as Adderall abuse. Addiction--clinically known as stimulant use disorder--is a mental health condition characterized by the compulsive use of drugs or alcohol despite severe negative impacts on one's life.10

It is essential to know the signs and symptoms of stimulant use disorder. A diagnosis of stimulant abuse disorder will be given if you exhibit 2 or more symptoms in the past 12 months: 10

1. Use of higher doses or longer duration of stimulants than planned.
2. If you have tried and failed to quit or reduce stimuli, or if this is something you want to do.
3. Spending lots of time on stimulants, whether to get them, use them, or recover from them.
4. Strong urges to use stimulants.
5. Continue to use stimulants, despite difficulties with essential tasks at work, school, or home.
6. Continue to use stimulants, even if they have caused or contributed to problems in social relations.
7. Using stimuli can cause you to stop doing things that you find enjoyable or essential.
8. When stimulants could be dangerous (such as when driving), they should not be used.
9. Even if you know that stimulants have caused or worsened a physical or mental problem, you should not stop using them.
10. Tolerance is a need for higher doses to achieve desired effects or feeling no effect despite taking the same stimulant. This does not apply if someone has been prescribed Adderall and handles it according to directions.
11. When stimulant use is reduced or even stopped, this criteria does not apply to Adderall users taking the drug as prescribed.

Adderall Withdrawal

After a long period of abuse, someone will experience withdrawal symptoms. 6 Chronic Adderall usage can lead to dependence. 5 The body adapts by becoming accustomed to the drug.

6

Adderall Withdrawal symptoms

Adderall withdrawal symptoms include: 6

• Fatigue.
• Vivid and unpleasant dreams
• Increased appetite
• Sleeping problems (either sleeping too much or too little)
• The slowdown in mental and physical activity
• Restlessness or an inability to remain still.
• Depression

Receive the care and support you need

Rediscover your joy during your stay at Laguna Treatment Hospital in Orange County. We offer the help you need to stay clean and sober.

What We Offer

Adderall Addiction Treatment

There are many treatment options available for Adderall abuse. Laguna Treatment Hospital, an Orange County rehab, offers comprehensive treatment, including medical detox and inpatient care.

The clinicians will then perform a comprehensive assessment to determine the patient's: 12,

• Substance Use History
• Medical and mental history
• Living Situation

The information collected will determine a patient's level of care and create a plan to meet their specific needs.

There are currently no FDA-approved medications for Adderall withdrawal and addiction.