Adderall Addiction
Adderall is considered one of the strongest ADHD medications on the market, but is it safe to use even with a prescription? Overall, yes—but due to its effectiveness, many people try to use Adderall to study, be productive, lose weight, or even get high. Here’s what you should know about this prescription stimulant, including what to do if you or a loved one thinks they might have developed an Adderall addiction.
Battling addiction and ready for treatment?
What Is Adderall?
Adderall is the brand name for the prescription medication known as amphetamine/dextroamphetamine salts.
As a prescription stimulant, Adderall is most commonly used for treating attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) but can also be used for treating narcolepsy.
Other common prescription stimulants include:
How Does Adderall Work?
Adderall increases your body’s dopamine and norepinephrine levels, improving your focus and concentration.
Although Adderall and other stimulant medications can be very effective in treating ADHD symptoms (like hyperactivity and impulse control), they also carry the risk of becoming addictive—especially if the user does not have ADHD to begin with.
Adderall Abuse and Addiction
Adderall is commonly abused by young adults as a “study drug” for test-taking, making it popular on high school and college campuses. Adderall is also abused by business professionals and athletes to enhance performance and by others for weight loss.
Over time, abuse of Adderall can create a physical dependence, which often leads to the development of a substance use disorder (aka addiction).
Knowing the signs of Adderall abuse can help you identify a potential issue with Adderall in yourself or a loved one before things get out of control.
Signs of Adderall abuse may include:
- Taking more than the prescribed dosage or for longer than recommended
- Taking Adderall in a way other than prescribed (i.e., snorting it by crushing pills)
- Taking another person’s prescribed medicine
- Taking Adderall to get high
What Are the Signs of Adderall Addiction?
For most people with an Adderall addiction, the initial drug use didn’t start with a desire to get high.
Instead, Adderall misuse often starts with the intention of functioning well and performing better at work or in school. But as the person becomes physically and mentally dependent on Adderall, the dependence can quickly turn into an addiction.
Some signs of an Adderall addiction can include:
- Having to increase your Adderall dosage to feel the same effect (i.e., tolerance)
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you don’t use Adderall
- Continuing to use Adderall despite dealing with negative consequences
- Not being able to stop using Adderall
- Neglecting other activities (e.g., work, school, family, hobbies) to use Adderall
- Difficulty concentrating without using Adderall
If you’ve read through this list and suspect you may be at risk for Adderall addiction, talk to your doctor or similar healthcare provider about your options for reducing your dose or getting addiction treatment.
Side Effects of Adderall Abuse
Adderall is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant, so even proper Adderall use can cause side effects like dizziness, faster heart rate, anxiety, and headaches.
For someone abusing the drug, Adderall’s effects can lead to much more intense problems, including cardiovascular issues like heart attack or stroke.
When abused, the short-term effects of Adderall can include:
- Insomnia
- Mood swings
- Headaches
- Drowsiness
- Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea
- Anxiety
- Mania
- High blood pressure
Besides the immediate risks of Adderall abuse, abusing this prescription stimulant long-term can also lead to a host of additional health problems.
These long-term Adderall side effects can include:
- Stomach cramps
- Chronic insomnia (and other sleep disorders)
- Weight loss
- Malnutrition
- Headaches
- Fast breathing
- High blood pressure
- Weakening of heart muscle (i.e., cardiomyopathy)
- Irregular heartbeat (i.e., arrhythmia)
- Numbness or tingling sensations in the limbs
- Irritability, mood swings
- Memory problems
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Psychosis
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Sudden death
Adderall Withdrawal
Adderall withdrawal symptoms occur when you stop taking the drug or significantly lower your dosage. This is because your body has to go through the process of readjusting to functioning without it. Usually, these symptoms appear within the first few days of stopping the drug.
Withdrawal symptoms from Adderall will vary from person to person depending on several factors, including how long you took Adderall, your dosage, and whether you have a history of psychiatric treatment.
Here are some of the most common Adderall withdrawal symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Sweating
- Insomnia
- Abdominal discomfort
- Cravings for the drug
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Irritability
- Depression
With the high of Adderall comes a deep low. People who take higher doses are more likely to experience suicidal thoughts when they quit taking Adderall. A major crash may leave you feeling extremely depressed and lethargic.
You can seek help from a substance abuse treatment center or a certified addiction specialist to reduce the risk of these more serious side effects.
While inpatient rehab is certainly an option, Adderall withdrawals can also be effectively treated in an outpatient capacity.
Adderall Overdose
An Adderall overdose occurs when there is too much Adderall in a person’s system, and their body can no longer process it.
Adderall overdose can happen by taking too much at once, but it can also happen if someone takes too much Adderall over a shorter period, and it builds up toxicity in the body.
In some cases, someone can experience an Adderall overdose if they are combining it with other drugs, particularly other stimulants.
Signs of an Adderall overdose can include:
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea/vomiting
- Tremors
- Increased heart rate
- Chest pain
- High body temperature
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Sudden aggression
- Dilated pupils
- Convulsions
- Unconsciousness
If you suspect an overdose of Adderall:
- Immediately call 911 to report the overdose.
- If possible, find out whether the person took Adderall with other drugs.
- Check for responsiveness.
- Stay with the person until emergency services arrive.
Adderall Addiction Treatment
The right type of treatment for Adderall addiction will vary for each person, but you can usually anticipate needing some kind of supervised detoxification and some level of rehab.
Additionally, behavioral health services can make a huge impact on a person’s recovery journey, both during the initial recovery stage and after their addiction treatment.
Adderall Detoxification
In cases where a person’s body has become dependent, suddenly quitting can lead to withdrawal symptoms.
While many of these withdrawal symptoms themselves aren’t life-threatening, they can lead to intense discomfort and encourage relapse. Other symptoms, like sudden depression and anxiety, can cause suicidal thoughts or attempts.
In severe cases, you may need to find a medical detox treatment center so you can receive 24-hour care and monitoring. However, many people will do just fine with an outpatient level of medical detox.
In outpatient Adderall detox, you can usually expect some kind of medical check-ins to ensure your safety as your body rebalances its natural chemistry.
Adderall Rehab Programs
For any kind of substance abuse treatment, rehab is a huge key to long-term recovery. Most people find success through outpatient rehab programs, though more severe cases may require residential treatment or even inpatient hospitalization services.
The type of treatment facility that’s right for you might depend on factors like:
- How long you have been addicted to or abusing Adderall
- Whether you are recovering from any additional drug use (i.e., polysubstance abuse)
- Having a dual diagnosis of mental health issues
- Any current commitments, such as work, childcare, or schooling
- Cost or insurance coverage
- Transportation available to and from the center
- Current living situation and support system
You can talk to your doctor or similar healthcare professional to discuss your treatment options and see what they recommend, but you can also check with your insurance provider to find out what coverage options you might have.
Overall, any type of rehab program is better than none at all, and most people find that outpatient services (such as Intensive Outpatient and Partial Hospitalization programs) help them successfully quit their addiction to Adderall.
Therapy and Addiction Counseling
Drug addiction of any kind doesn’t just affect a person’s physical health—it can take a major toll on a person’s mental health and well-being. While recovering from an Adderall addiction, you or your loved one will very likely benefit from some form of therapy or counseling.
The most common types of therapy for managing Adderall addiction recovery include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Contingency management (CM)
- Motivational interviewing (MI)
- Family therapy
Adderall Statistics
Statistics about Adderall abuse and addiction are commonly included with data about all prescription stimulant or general stimulant drug use (including both prescription and illicit stimulants).
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that in 2020, about 577,000 Americans (aged 12+) received treatment for stimulant use disorders.
Similarly, the National Institute on Drug Abuse found the following in 2022:
- 3 million Americans (age 12+) misused prescription stimulants.
- 8 million Americans (age 12+) had a stimulant use disorder.
- Adults aged 18 – 25 made up the largest group misusing prescription stimulants at 1.3 million people.
- By ethnicity, the highest percentage of people misusing prescription stimulants were self-reported as Multiracial (2.3%) and White (1.7%).
Other studies indicate that between 4% and nearly 11% of college students have used a prescription stimulant without having a legitimate prescription.
Get Help for an Adderall Problem
If you or a loved one is struggling with Adderall abuse or even addiction, you can start your recovery journey just by visiting SAMHSA’s online treatment locator.
SAMHSA offers these confidential services 24/7 to provide referrals and information about addiction treatment programs throughout the United States.
Adderall Addiction FAQs
Can you get addicted to Adderall?
Yes, Adderall is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance due to its potential for causing dependence and addiction.
If you take Adderall as directed by your doctor, you have a lower likelihood of developing an addiction to this drug. However, if you suspect you might have become dependent or even addicted, talk to your doctor first before decreasing your dosage or discontinuing your medication.
If you or someone you care about does NOT have an Adderall prescription, the risks of developing an addiction are higher. You may not be taking the correct dosage or may not have ADHD, and therefore, Adderall will impact you differently.
What is the difference between Adderall and meth?
Chemically, both Adderall and meth are similar. However, meth is MUCH more potent. Additionally, meth has much more dangerous side effects than Adderall.
Meth can also cause long-term psychosis for up to a year after quitting drug use. It is illegally made and distributed and bears a more substantial likelihood of causing addiction.
What can happen if you take Adderall every day?
Daily Adderall use is safe if taken with a doctor’s guidance to ensure the dosage is not too high. Some side effects can include dry mouth, loss of appetite, and weight loss.
For someone taking high doses of Adderall or abusing the drug, daily Adderall use is much more likely to cause dependence and addiction. Daily Adderall abuse can also lead to serious cardiovascular health problems, like rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, or irregular heartbeat, to name a few.
What does Adderall feel like without ADHD?
Someone with ADHD may take Adderall as prescribed to help them focus. While normally, their brain struggles with managing brain chemicals like dopamine, Adderall helps to manage these chemicals, allowing their brain to “settle down.”
Adderall is a stimulant, so if someone without ADHD takes Adderall, it may give them a rush of energy or a sense of focus (somewhat like caffeine). It also creates a rush of dopamine; for someone with a neurotypical brain, Adderall can cause a rush of euphoria, but it can also intensify possible side effects.
Why does Adderall make you motivated?
Adderall increases brain chemicals responsible for your reward system, which in turn boosts feelings of motivation. These chemicals are called dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine levels, and they regulate the brain’s motivation and reward pathways.
Is Adderall considered a controlled substance?
Yes, since Adderall has the potential to create both physical and psychological dependence, it falls under the category of Schedule II substances in the U.S.
