One of the most common questions surrounding Adderall is how similar is it to meth (Methamphetamine). This observation is a fairly common one because both drugs have the word “Amphetamine” right in the name. How close are the two drugs and how similar are the effects of both these drugs?
When people ask doctors and other experts about the similarities of these two substances they often get a generic socially acceptable response. ADD and ADHD medications are big moneymakers for pharmaceutical companies and doctors’ offices. Because of this, they don’t want to publically admit how close the two substances really are. This is the same thing that happened and continues to happen with Oxycontin. Oxycontin is basically legal heroin. Just like Adderall is basically legal Methamphetamine. But you won’t hear many doctors of pharmaceutical companies admit that publically.
Adderall vs. Meth – What Are The Similarities And Differences
Adderall and meth have similar chemical structures and both are part of a class of drugs called Amphetamines (If you get generic Adderall, the name on the prescription bottle is amphetamine salts). Side effects of Methamphetamine and Adderall are almost exactly the same.
The main difference between the two drugs is their strength. Meth is more potent and causes a stronger and more intense high. Small changes in the chemicals structure of these two drugs affect the strength and duration of the effects of the drug. Therefore, one hit of meth may have a person high for 12-16 hours and that same person can take an Adderall and only have mild effects for 4-6 hours. Studies have found that neither rats nor humans could tell the difference between Methamphetamine (Meth) and Amphetamine (Adderall) when they consumed both. (source)
I have used both Adderall and Methamphetamine during my active addiction. I can personally attest that when someone uses an excessive amount of Adderall the effects are eerily similar to those of Meth. Especially if the person is using Adderall my means of snorting or injecting.
To better understand the similarities of the two drugs it’s best to explain exactly what both drugs are and their effects.
What Is Adderall?
Adderall is a medication prescribed for ADD (attention deficit disorder), ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), and narcolepsy. It’s a combination medication containing 4 salts of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Adderall is a central nervous system stimulant. It’s the most prescribed amphetamine.
Adderall works by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the central nervous system. Norepinephrine affects how the brain responds to outside events and the speed at which it pays attention to these. Dopamine is the body’s feel-good chemical. Adderall creates unnatural high levels of dopamine. Users may need to constantly increase their dosage to get the desired effects.
Street names for Adderall include daddy’s, beans, oranges, addy daddy, speed, legal speed, and salts (salts in many cases means bath salts but can also mean amphetamine salts (Adderall)).
According to the CDC and ABC News, an estimated 1 in 5 students has abused Adderall. They also report the sales of Adderall have soared more than 30-fold since 2001. Simultaneously, as Adderall sales have soared so has Adderall addiction and abuse. (source)
What is Methamphetamine (Meth)?
Meth also known as crystal meth, speed, blue, ice, clear, and glass is a white, light blue, or clear crystalline substance. Meth users typically smoke, snort, or inject the drug. Methamphetamine is a powerful central nervous system stimulant in a similar drug class as cocaine. Meth is levomethamphetamine and dextromethamphetamine in equal parts, in their pure amine forms. (Source)
Meth can be prescribed legally for obesity and ADHD, the medication name is Desoxyn. Due to the addictive nature of meth doctors are wary to prescribe this drug. Both the legal and illegal versions of meth are extremely addictive.
Meth has been around for a long time and was given to soldiers during world war II. Meth is typically made in superlabs by Cartels or other criminal organizations. Some users make meth themselves which is called “shake and bake”.
It’s very hard to confirm these numbers due to the inconsistency of active drug users, but some estimates say up to 90% of people become addicted to meth after their first hit.
Adderall and Meth – Similarities
As you can see the side effects of both drugs are the same. Both Adderall and meth speed up a person’s central nervous system and increased heart rate. Users of both drugs describe an alert and awake feeling.
When similar amounts are taken and by the same route of administration the effects of the 2 drugs seem to be identical. This was confirmed in studies done on both rats and humans. studies show that neither rats nor humans could tell the difference between meth and amphetamine (Adderall) when taken in similar doses. (source)
Directly comparing the effects of these drugs can be difficult because Adderall comes in pill form many of which are time release. the pills range from 5-30 mg. For a person who is taking Adderall as prescribed for ADD or narcolepsy the effects of the drug will most likely be mild. When a person starts abusing Adderall and is taking much larger doses, the effects start to mimic methamphetamine.
Meth is typically made illegally and many times by people with no chemistry background. The inconsistency of the people creating these drugs causes a wide variety of potency. One dealer may create a batch that has people high for 18 hours. While someone inexperienced may create a batch that is a dud and barley has effects on the user.
Conclusion
Adderall and meth are very similar drugs. Adderall can be beneficial to people struggling with narcolepsy or ADD, but it still has a high risk of abuse and addiction. Even though meth can be prescribed by a doctor it rarely is. This is due to the drugs’ high risk of abuse and addiction. Both drugs can be very addictive and have a high rate of abuse and addiction. 
Many people who started with a legal prescription for Adderall got hooked and started taking more and more. When they couldn’t get their doctor to up their prescription anymore they started seeking Adderall on the streets. Once a person’s tolerance to Adderall gets so great that they need 200+ milligrams a day to feel the effects, they may and often do turn to meth.
Many addicts have “favorites” or highs they seek. Some like the upper stimulant effects and others like the downer relaxing effect. For someone who likes and seeks the stimulant effects of Adderall, it’s almost guaranteed they will like and get addicted to meth if they ever try it.