Determining if you are struggling with an Adderall addiction requires an in-depth examination of priorities and habits. Do you require Adderall in order to complete even small tasks? Is your Adderall use supervised by the prescribing physician?
In order to determine if you are addicted to Adderall, you will need to be able to identify the common signs of this addiction, as well as understand the dangers of Adderall abuse if left untreated.
Signs of Being Addicted to Adderall
Universal signs of addiction include isolation, secretive use, and personality changes, among others. Although Adderall addicts display these signs, there are indicators specific to Adderall abuse that suggest addiction has developed. These indicators are listed below.
Anxiety
As a stimulant, Adderall abuse can generate restlessness, anger, and anxiety in individuals. This is especially true if the drug is taken without being prescribed. If Adderall is being taken without the intention of ADHD, you will likely be irritable and on edge.
Decreased Appetite and Weight Loss
Adderall is a stimulant and appetite suppressant. People who regularly take Adderall can go without food for an extended period of time. If you begin exhibiting extreme weight loss over a short period of time, it is likely that Adderall use has developed into an addiction.
Insomnia
Adderall increases energy, stamina, and focus.. People who are addicted to Adderall will find it hard to fall and stay asleep. Composed of four different amphetamine salts, Adderall is a stimulant that temporarily alters the brain’s chemical balance. Even if Adderall use is stopped, insomnia can remain a persistent issue in individuals who abuse this prescription drug.
Dangers of being Addicted to Adderall
Although a prescription medication, Adderall has the potential of becoming highly addictive. When ingested, the substance increases serotonin and dopamine activity in the brain, activating its reward center. After prolonged use, the brain becomes incapable of organically managing these neurotransmitters, resulting in chemical dependence and an increase in Adderall dosage for the same desired effects.
When Adderall is ingested in excess, the cardiovascular system is put under immense stress as the heart rate rapidly increases along with blood pressure. Overdose fatalities are rare when the prescription guidelines are followed and there is medical supervision from the prescribing physician; however, they are possible. As stated by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, overdose can cause seizures, coma, and death due to burst blood vessels in the brain, heart failure, or very high fever.
As a frequently prescribed stimulant, Adderall use exists among all demographics; however, a specific group of individuals is more vulnerable to Adderall misuse than others. According to the U.S. National Institutes National Library of Medicine, misuse of prescription stimulants is most prevalent among undergraduate college students. The nonprescription use of stimulants has increased in this population, to the extent that the misuse of prescription stimulants is second only to marijuana as the most common form of illicit drug use among college students.
Treatment for Adderall Addiction
Being addicted to Adderall is devastating and you do not have to fight it alone. The founders of Asheville Recovery Center, as well as many of our addiction therapists, have struggled with addiction and now enjoy life in recovery. They understand the struggles of addiction and how difficult it is to overcome on your own.
At Asheville Recovery Center, specialists have combined various therapies, treatments and 12-step approaches to develop an effective, hybrid model of treatment designed to fit every individual’s unique circumstances.
If you feel that you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, our specialists are on standby and ready to help. Call (828) 518-6996 and speak with an addiction expert today so you can take the first step towards a rewarding life of sobriety.
