Adderall
Addicting and easily accessible, Adderall is a pharmaceutical psycho stimulant used to treat severe and abnormal depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and narcolepsy. Structured from a blend of amphetamine salts, Adderall is available as either an immediate-release tablet or as “XR”, an extended-release tablet. The standard dosages are five, ten, fifteen, twenty, or thirty milligrams, however the instant-release tablet is offered in a 7.5 and 12.5-milligram pill, and the extended-release tablet as a 25-milligram pill.
The typical side effects of Adderall that children may experience are:
- Dry mouth
- Sleep difficulty
- Stomach aches
- Diminished appetite.
Side effects in adults are as follows:
- Weight loss
- Dry mouth
- Trouble falling asleep
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Decreased appetite.
While studies show the success rate of Adderall to be quite high when dosed correctly, Adderall is also known as a frequently abused stimulant. Like any other amphetamine, Adderall amplifies alertness, focus, and energy and causes the individual’s blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing to elevate. Adderall is abused orally (swallowed), intravenously (injected), smoked, or snorted through the nostril.
Many individuals believe Adderal is a “safe prescription drug” and therefore less harmful to snort or inject than street drugs. Adderall, however, is not sterile and injecting or snorting the potent stimulant directly into the blood stream could result in infection or a fatal overdose.
Adderall addiction is incredibly dangerous and could potentially lead to cardiovascular failure. Other consequences include:
- Irregular heartbeat
- Life-threateningly high body temperature
- Feelings of paranoia and hostility
An overdose demands instant medical attention and the symptoms are:
- Seizures
- Confusion
- Uncontrollable twitching/shakiness
- High blood pressure
- Rapid breathing
- Delusions and hallucinations
- Perspiration
- Swelling and numbing of the hands/feet/ankles/fingertips
- Nausea and vomiting
- Acute dehydration
- Muscle soreness
- Lower abdominal cramps.
Individuals seeking to lose weight often abuse Adderall because of its appetite suppressing and energy enhancing qualities.
Adderall is also widely known as the “study drug”. A 2004 study conducted at the University of Wisconsin determined 14% of the campus had misused Adderall, or a similar ADHD medication. Since Adderall is an amphetamine that aids an individual with greater concentration, energy, and the ability to stay awake, accounts of college students studying for exams or writing papers for fourteen hours straight are common. Consequently, the next 24 hours may be rife with painful side effects such as temporary vision loss, involuntary muscle spasms, mental confusion, vomiting, and over fifteen hours of unconsciousness, if Adderall is taken to prevent sleep.
Behavioral therapists and healthcare providers agree Adderall addiction should be treated similarly to cocaine and methamphetamine addiction. Both have been treated effectively in rehabilitation centers, support groups, and through intense psychotherapy. Although there are no established medications for the treatment of Adderall addiction presently obtainable, anti-depressants can help alleviate the symptoms of depression during early withdrawal. Tapering, or a slow decrease off of the drug, is also recommended. Adderall withdrawal symptoms consist of: excessive tiredness, hopelessness/depression, alterations in heart rhythm, and shakiness. The withdrawal is not lethal, but may be enormously uncomfortable depending on the length of Adderall use and abuse.