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Dangers and Side Effects of Adderall

February 8, 2019
by Gavin Dixon

Adderall is an amphetamine prescribed to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder and Narcolepsy. Due to its stimulating effects, Adderall is a commonly abused drug especially among students and some results-driven professionals.

Adderall can be a highly addictive and dangerous drug to those who abuse it. It can easily result in psychological and physiological dependence. Once a user develops tolerance, the user will require higher doses to attain the same high.

Adderall has been classified as a schedule II controlled substance due to its increased potential for addiction.

Adderall is usually a cheaper option to cocaine and does not attract so much stigma compared to other illicit drugs.

Dangers and Side Effects of Adderall

Altered Personality and Behavior

Adderall can lead to extreme mood swings to the extent that a person may seem to have developed a bipolar disorder.

From manic to depressive episodes, an Adderall user can seem like they have become a different person.

Adderall Induced Psychosis

When someone who is not suffering from ADHD uses Adderall, they are going to experience elevated levels of dopamine. Adderall can cause physical changes in the brain; hence Adderall induced psychosis.

What are the Symptoms of Adderall Induced Psychosis?

Adderall induced psychosis presents auditory and visual hallucinations. A person may start hearing voices and seeing people and things that do not exist. Adderall abusers are likely to experience paranoia. Paranoid individuals exercise extreme caution, have a mistrusting and defensive attitude. Luckily, Adderall paranoia clears on its own within weeks after one stops using the drug.

Adderall and Depression

Amphetamine-induced depressive Disorder is listed in DSM as one of the amphetamine-related psychiatric disorders. Depression is likely to be a long-term effect of Adderall abuse.

Depression can cause suicidal thoughts.

Addiction

Adderall users are likely to develop a tolerance for the drug. Adderall use ceases to be something they do whenever they want to increase productivity; to something they need to function normally.

They will require higher doses of Adderall to attain the same high. They prioritize the drug above all else.

Adderall addicts develop physiological and psychological dependence. Attempts to quit lead to mental fogginess and lethargy.

An Adderall addict is unable to quit despite the adverse effects of Adderall use. They spend a lot of time using the drug or recovering from the drug.

Dangers of Snorting

Addicts who snort Adderall experience a more intense high but experience a unique set of side-effects. Long-term use is likely to destroy the user’s sinus and nasal cavity.

Snorting complicates other side effects like an irregular heartbeat.

Overdose

Injecting and snorting give a more potent high but increases the risk of Adderall overdose. Combining Adderall with substances like alcohol amplifies the risk of an overdose.

Risk of a Heart Attack or Stroke

The stimulating properties of Adderall predispose the user to high blood pressure. Hypertension compounds the risk of a heart attack, stroke, coma, and sudden death.

Conclusion

Many Adderall abusers wrongly assume that the drug is harmless since it is a prescription medicine and can be taken by children.

However, Adderall is a highly potent drug with the potential for addiction and death. Seek help if someone you or someone you know is abusing Adderall.

Adderall

Adderall and Meth: Similarities and Differences

February 7, 2019February 8, 2019
by Gavin Dixon

The abuse of Adderall has shot in the recent past. Adderall is famous for its ability to help one focus and remain awake for long hours.

This abuse has opened discussions that compare Adderall to Meth since the two have similar effects on the abuser.

The main area of concern is that while meth is illegal and easily features in debates on drug abuse and addiction, Adderall does not. Understanding the similarities and variances between Adderall and Meth may give way forward.

Legality of Meth and Adderall

While Adderall is a prescription medication for treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder and Narcolepsy, Meth is an illicit drug. The primary and sole use of meth is recreational.

Meth is not found in pharmacies but is a drug that is illegally manufactured and trafficked across the world.

Chemical Composition

Both Adderall and Meth act as central nervous system stimulants.

Amphetamines (Adderall), on the one hand, are referred to as methylated phenylethylamine while methamphetamine (Meth) is double methylated phenylethylamine.

The double methyl allows meth to cross the blood-brain barrier faster than Adderall. This faster uptake makes Meth more potent than Adderall.

Adderall is made of two main ingredients: amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Meth, on the other hand, contains a wide range of chemicals. This composition makes it neurotoxic and exposes the user to the risk of liver, kidney, brain, and lung damage.

Effects of Adderall and Meth

Since the two drugs are central nervous stimulants, they tend to have similar effects. These effects include the following.

Drug-induced Psychosis
Appetite suppression and weight loss
Aggressive, hostile, or hostile behavior
Insomnia
Depression
A deficit in thinking and motor skills
Disrupted thinking processes among others.

The effects of meth are experienced sooner and are more potent than Adderall. This may be attributed to the mode of administration and the fact that Meth crosses the blood-brain barrier more readily than Adderall.

Conclusion

Adderall and Meth are more similar than they are different.

We need to give more attention to Adderall abuse to curb the rising rates of addiction.

Symptoms

Signs and Symptoms of Adderall Abuse

February 5, 2019February 8, 2019
by Gavin Dixon

Though Adderall abuse is common, it requires a keen eye to identify behaviors that could point to illicit Adderall use.

Here are signs and symptoms of Adderall abuse.

Doctor Shopping

An Adderall addict requires high volumes to sustain the addiction. Since Adderall is a prescription medicine, an Adderall user is likely to go to various doctors to get prescriptions. The user will, in turn, visit multiple pharmacies to purchase his/her large orders without being detected.

Adderall addicts fake ADHD symptoms to receive the drug.

Adderall Abuse Related Paraphernalia

A drug addict is likely to be in possession of various items that support the addictive habit.

For an Adderall abuser uses injections, there will be syringes, heating devices or lighters that help convert the tablet into an injectable substance.

Those who snort Adderall will be in possession of straws, hollowed out-pens, or rolled up bills, mortar, and pestle, an espresso stopper or even a hammer.

There is a high possibility that the user will be in possession of many prescriptions and pill bottles.

Manipulating Adderall’s Format

Adderall is a pill that is meant to be swallowed whole. Abusers will crush the tablet to make it easier to snort or inject.

Sleeping Problems

An Adderall user is likely to have insomnia. They will take longer to fall asleep and have problems remaining asleep.

Secrecy and withdrawal from Family and Friends

An individual abusing Adderall is likely to keep off family and friends. Most of their time is spent seeking for the drug, using it or recovering from its use.

During the earlier stages of abuse, the user may also work hard to keep the habit from their family and friends.

Money Problems

An Adderall addict will spend all their money on the drug. They will incur unexplained expenses. Students who abuse Adderall are likely to spend their book and tuition money purchasing the drug.

Display Signs of Stimulant Use Disorder

An Adderall addict will take higher doses than prescribed or use more frequently than allowed. They will also display withdrawal symptoms when the levels of Adderall in the system dip.

An abuser will continue to use Adderall even when it is causing them undesirable physical and psychological problems.

An inability to stop even when one gets into debt loses a job, loses a family, or drops out of school because of Adderall use points to Adderall addiction.

Display signs of Psychosis

Long-term Adderall abuse can lead to Adderall induced psychosis. This is characterized by anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, confusion, agitation, among others.

A perfectly reasonable person may start displaying extreme caution, become argumentative or get suspicious that someone or something is after them

Getting New Friends

An Adderall user is likely to get a new set of friends. These friends are fellow abusers who do not judge the habit. The new group of friends is likely to display similar signs as the Adderall addict.

Conclusion

An Adderall addict will make efforts to keep the habit a secret. Even after those close to him/her discover the addiction, the abuser is likely to resist getting help.

As a concerned person, this may warrant you to stage an intervention, with the help of a mental health expert.

Take action. The addiction may not go away without treatment.

Dangers and Side Effects of Adderall

Altered Personality and Behavior

Adderall Induced Psychosis

Adderall and Depression

Addiction

Dangers of Snorting

Overdose

Risk of a Heart Attack or Stroke

Adderall and Meth: Similarities and Differences

Signs and Symptoms of Adderall Abuse

Doctor Shopping

Adderall Abuse Related Paraphernalia

Manipulating Adderall’s Format

Sleeping Problems

Secrecy and withdrawal from Family and Friends

Money Problems

Display Signs of Stimulant Use Disorder

Display signs of Psychosis

Getting New Friends