Prescription drug abuse has been on the rise in the US for the last few decades. One of the common myths many people believe is that if something comes from a doctor then it must be safe. Oxycontin, Xanax, Fentanyl, Methadone, and Adderall all can come from doctors and they can all kill people. Not even a hundred years ago doctors could prescribe cocaine to pregnant women. They did this for decades until they realized it was a problem.
This seems to happen in cycles. Drugs are touted as the best new medicine and then the dangers and effects start to come out and society catches on. The problem is by the time the truth comes out millions of people are already reliant on the drugs. This happened with Quaaludes and Oxycontin now it’s happening with Xanax and Adderall.
I have been prescribed Adderall by 2 doctors at different points in my life, I have taken Adderall thousands of times. Once a person is accustomed to the energy boost of Adderall, it’s very hard to function without it.
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.
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)
Other Stimulant Prescription Drugs In The Same Category As Adderall Include:
All of the prescriptions on this list are stimulant medications prescribed for ADD, ADHD, and Narcolepsy. The chemical makeup of these medicines varies from Adderall but they all have some form of Amphetamine in them.
Ritalin, Vyvanse, Concerta, and Dexedrine are the most commonly prescribed stimulants after Adderall.
Just like with anti-depressants, patients may need to try a few of these medications until they find the right one for them. This is something that the patient has to work with their doctor on.
I took Adderall for a year and it helped, but it made me very jittery. The doctor switched me to Concerta which didn’t help at all. Finally, we tried Vyvanse and it helped a lot and didn’t give me the jittery effect. Even though the Vyvanse and Adderall helped me focus after my concussions, I could see myself developing a tolerance to them. It got to the point of needing my Adderall to accomplish anything.
Side Effects of Adderall
Psychological effects:
Alertness, Concentration, Paranoia, Psychosis, Self-confidence (grandiosity), Mood swings, Elevated mood, Depressed mood when it runs out, Wakefulness, Insomnia, lack of fatigue, Anxiety, Irritability, Change in libido, Repetitive or obsessive behaviors, and Restlessness
Long Term Effects and Dangers:
Hypertension, Men- Erectile dysfunction, Heart attack, Seizure Change in libido, Mood Swings, permanent change in mood, Damage to the brain’s dopamine pathways (reward system) Significant Weight Loss, Rashes, Hives, Blistering, Manic Episodes, Paranoia, Psychosis Depression, Hallucinations, Vision Trouble
**Adderall is a stimulant like cocaine and Meth. If a person is a tobacco user they will typically use excessive amounts of tobacco while on Adderall or other stimulants. This is common for uppers. Cocaine and meth users will smoke double the amount of cigarettes when they’re on those substances. For a complete list of all drugs in the category of Uppers, click here.
Adderall Detox/Withdrawal
A person who has been abusing Adderall for an extended period of time will have a substantial psychological withdrawal effect. According to ABC News “The emotional aspect of withdrawal may be the most noticeable side effect. Natural production of dopamine is reduced, causing low moods and trouble feeling pleasure without the drug”.(Source)
The timeline for withdrawal from Adderall will vary from person to person. Typically it will last between 5-21 days. Typically the symptoms last about a week for most people. The withdrawal symptoms and detox timeline will depend on the amount used and the duration of use.
Even if you weren’t getting your Adderall legally from a doctor, go speak with a doctor about getting off the drug. They will help you figure out a plan to wean off the drug.
Adderall Uses In Society
Adderall and other stimulants have been used in society as athletic performance enhancers, cognitive performance enhancers, weight loss aid, or just for people who want to stay awake. Recreationally it is used to increase energy, focus, study, get things done, increase mood, and many people use it while partying because it masks the effects of other drugs like alcohol.
Adderall has been the topic of conversation in many areas regarding its use as a performance enhancer. NFL, NBA, MLB, Olympics, and every professional sport have had some type of Adderall situation in the past decade. Players who are prescribed Adderall use it to get energy boosts and train for longer periods. Some question if this is giving them an added unfair advantage.
Adderall and Alcohol
Many college students take Adderall before going out drinking because they believe it allows them to drink more and stay awake longer. In reality, all Adderall is doing is masking some of the effects of alcohol for a while. The alcohol is still going into the body, doing damage, and affecting the person, but the person may not feel as drunk as they really are.
Click Here For An Article All About Speedballs (mixing uppers and downers)
When mixing with drugs like alcohol people think they’re not as drunk as they are because Adderall is masking the effects of the other drugs. This can be very dangerous for people who think they are sober enough to drive. The Adderall gives them a false sense of confidence and sobriety.
Adderall Recovery
Getting off Adderall or any other stimulant is not easy. Talk with your doctor or a professional medical addiction counselor. The best way to get off a strong prescription stimulant is to gradually wean off the drug. Work with your doctor to set up a plan of cutting your dose gradually over time.
This will allow your body to get accustomed to lower and lower doses and finally none at all. Following this approach should mitigate the full effects of the withdrawal and detox symptoms.
Remember every day that goes by without the drug, your body and brain will repair themselves. Each day of abstinence from drugs you will grow stronger and slowly get back to a normal state of function.