The Long-term Effects of Adderall Addiction: Harm Reduction Tips

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Adderall can be prescribed by doctors in the United States so often that many people are unaware that it’s extremely addictive and has long-lasting consequences on your body and mind. As ADHD diagnoses rise, so do the prescriptions for Adderall. This increases the likelihood of misuse. Statistics show that Adderall was among the most commonly used drugs across the U.S. in 2016. In case you or someone you know is using Adderall, you must be aware of longer-term effects and harm reduction associated with Adderall addiction.

Table of Contents

  • What is Adderall?
  • How Does Adderall Affect the Body?
  • Short-Term Side Effects of Adderall
  • Is Adderall Addictive?
  • Adderall Effects Long-Term
  • What is Toxic Psychosis?
  • Adderall Withdrawal Symptoms
  • How to Treat Adderall Addiction

What is Adderall?

Adderall is a prescription medication which contains a mix of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. The drug is classified as a central nerve system stimulant, which can affect the brain and nerves. It is typically prescribed for treating attention to a deficit in hyperactivity (ADHD). Certain doctors prescribe it for narcolepsy as well as depression. In 2018, there were more than 25 million buy adderall online prescriptions, making it the number 24 most-prescribed medication in the United States. The drug is available in immediate-release (IR) tablets and extended-release (XR) tablets. Extended-release tablets that last for 12 hours are known as Adderall XR. There is a second, longer, extended-release version, Mydayis, designed to run for around 16 hours. Both the instant and XR variants of Adderall are accessible as generic drugs throughout the United States. The difference is that Mydayis can only be purchased as a brand-name drug in the States. While Adderall is meant to treat attention disorders, many users use it for different reasons. Many people take it to boost their performance in sports. Some use it to enhance the ability to think, control appetite, combat fatigue, reduce weight, and improve memory. Adderall can also be used for recreational purposes due to its ability to induce the feeling of euphoria in certain individuals. Adderall is known as ‘the study drug’ as many students take it to aid their academics. It can aid in focusing on the task, attention, organization, and efficiency. Since it is a stimulant, it can also help users avoid falling asleep. A nationwide study found that as high as 25% of college students took an unprescribed stimulant that a doctor did not prescribe during the last year1.

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How Does Adderall Affect the Body?

The components found in Adderall interact with systems and chemical substances in the body and the brain. Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine are stimulants to the nervous system of the central nerve. They also boost the activities of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, which causes the brain to create more of these chemical compounds. People with ADHD are often affected by impairments to their norepinephrine and dopamine neurotransmitter mechanisms; this is one reason Adderall may be beneficial. For people with these disorders, Adderall can help manage the symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. Research has shown that stimulants modify brain structure and reduce brain abnormalities in those with ADHD2. Like the majority of stimulants, buying adderall online could affect respiratory and cardiovascular systems. It may cause the heart to beat faster and elevate your blood pressure. It may cause the blood vessels to contract, which causes numbness in your feet. It may also make you breathe faster and deeper than you normally do. This is one reason that experts don’t recommend using Adderall in the event of heart disease. Because Adderall reacts with chemicals within the brain, it can cause several cognitive effects it may cause. This includes alertness, wakefulness, and a higher level of concentration. Many report that Adderall can help improve concentration, memory, and reaction time. They can also boost the speed of reaction, endurance, and strength of your muscles.

Short-Term Side Effects of Adderall

Every drug comes with the possibility of negative consequences. For the majority of people who use doses that are therapeutic for Adderall, according to their physician’s prescription, negative side effects aren’t too severe. However, for recreational Adderall users and those taking greater doses, the likelihood of experiencing adverse negative effects is extremely significant. Here are a few of the known negative side effects of Adderall:

  • Dry mouth
  • Restlessness
  • Insomnia
  • Appetite loss
  • Nausea
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Vision blurred
  • Sweating
  • Tics
  • Anxiety
  • Changes in the level of libido
  • Irritability
  • Breathlessness
  • Extremities are numb
  • Heart palpitations

Is Adderall Addictive?

People who take Adderall for recreational purposes are extremely likely to develop an amphetamine addiction. This is because when taking doses of Adderall frequently, the drug over-stimulates your dopamine pathways. Dopamine is a “feel-good” chemical that triggers the brain’s reward center. Adderall may change how the dopamine neurotransmitter operates; consequently, after prolonged Adderall usage, you might not feel satisfied even if you are no longer using your medication. The body also develops a tolerance to amphetamine medications like Adderall. You might require more of the drug to get similar effects as time passes. The high doses of Adderall can trigger the body to produce high levels of an amino acid called DFosB within the body. This protein is known as the “master switch” for addiction. When activated, it may enhance the severity of your addiction and lead to the use of additional drugs. It’s important to remember that those taking prescribed doses of Adderall to treat problems with attention might not be prone to developing addiction. This is because therapeutic doses don’t send the dopamine neurotransmitter into overdrive. Many people with ADHD use Adderall throughout their lives and do not show any signs of Adderall dependence. Indeed, a recent study has shown that among the Adderall effects over time is a decreased chance of developing alcoholism or drug use disorders.

Adderall Effects Long-Term

The long-term and repeated usage of Adderall at high doses may result in various health issues, and some can even cause death. These are just a few of the possible long-term consequences of Adderall usage:

  • Insomnia
  • Loss of weight and malnutrition
  • Seizures
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Trouble breathing
  • Changes in mood
  • Depression
  • Aggression
  • Headaches
  • Panic Attacks
  • Toxic Psychosis

What is Toxic Psychosis?

Toxic psychosis occurs when someone experiences an episode of psychosis caused by a substance. If this occurs, the person using substances may lose contact with reality and their ability to connect with other people. Psychotic breakdowns can result in hallucinations, paranoia, and thoughts of delusions. Certain chemicals trigger psychosis toxicity, including stimulants such as Adderall.

Adderall Withdrawal Symptoms

Most recreational adderall online users feel withdrawal symptoms within the first 24 hours after taking the last dose. These symptoms can last for several weeks and can be extremely painful to endure. Some of the symptoms of withdrawal from Adderall are:

  • Adderall cravings
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Changes in sleep patterns
  • An increase in appetite
  • Fatigue
  • Insufficiency of motivation
  • Lucid dreams

How to Treat Adderall Addiction

Addiction to Adderall can be a challenge to overcome, but it’s possible with the proper support system. A substance and alcohol addiction treatment center such as Windward Way Recovery can help you stop taking Adderall and control the addiction to help you live a happy, fulfilling life without relying on amphetamines. A successful addiction recovery program will contain various elements to help you recover.

Detox

Cleansing the body of Adderall can be the very first stage towards breaking the addiction. It is a process of abstaining from the substance until it is no longer present within the body. Detox programs are usually conducted in secure settings with medical personnel present to provide medical attention and support. There is a chance that you will feel withdrawal symptoms when you detox. Medical staff might be able to provide you with medicines to help ease these symptoms.

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