Written by:

Lee Spinks

Last Updated:

December 2nd, 2024

Adderall Addiction

When it was first introduced, Adderall was hailed as a miracle drug for ADHD, narcolepsy, and other conditions. Despite its obvious benefits, Adderall is no longer available on prescription in the UK. This is partly due to the risk of Adderall addiction, a serious condition that can slowly but surely dismantle your life. As Adderall is still widely available through illicit means and people are still falling victim to Adderall addiction, it is critical to understand what addiction involves as well as the proven path to recovery.

What is Adderall?

Adderall is a prescription medicine that combines two stimulants: amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. It is mostly primarily used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.

Adderall is an effective medicine for these conditions because it targets the brain chemicals that affect attention and wakefulness. For people with ADHD, Adderall helps balance these chemicals, making it easier to focus and control impulses. For those with narcolepsy, it helps prevent sudden sleepiness and keeps them alert.

Adderall is not generally available in the UK due to concerns about the safety of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Both of these stimulants have a high potential for abuse and addiction, which can lead to serious health issues. Some of the known side effects of Adderall include:

• Increased heart rate and blood pressure
• Insomnia
• Loss of appetite
• Mood swings
• Adderall addiction

Due to these risks, the UK prefers to prescribe other medications like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse) for ADHD and narcolepsy, as they are considered safer options.

What is Adderall addiction?

Adderall addiction happens when you can’t stop taking the drug, even though it’s causing problems in your life. As with other types of stimulant addiction, it often starts with a legitimate prescription for ADHD or narcolepsy. However, some other people who become addicted may have started out misusing it to lose weight, as a study or performance aid, or to get high.

Stages of Adderall addiction

1. Initial use

You start taking Adderall as prescribed or misusing it for one of the reasons above.

2. Increased use due to tolerance

You have to start taking more Adderall pills or using it more frequently because smaller amounts aren’t effective anymore.

3. Physical dependency

Your body starts to rely on Adderall; you experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it and you feel like you need it to function normally.

4. Adderall addiction

You can’t stop using Adderall despite knowing it’s causing harm. At this point, you become emotionally and mentally dependent on it for everything from stress relief to managing relationships.

How to spot Adderall addiction signs

Spotting Adderall addiction can be tricky because it often starts with legitimate use. However, it’s important to keep an eye out for telltale signs so you can get professional help before the situation gets out of hand. Here are some key Adderall addiction signs to watch for:

• Constant cravings: If you or someone you know is always thinking about when to take the next Adderall dose, that’s a major red flag.
• Increasing dosage: Needing more Adderall to get the same effect because the usual amount isn’t working anymore.
• Neglecting responsibilities: This is when your Adderall use becomes so all-consuming that everyday tasks at home, work or school start to suffer.
• Withdrawal symptoms: Feeling irritable, tired, or unable to focus when not taking Adderall.
• Secretive behaviour: Hiding your Adderall use or lying to people around you about how much you are taking.
• Continuing Adderall use despite harm: Using Adderall even when it’s causing noticeable problems, like health issues or trouble in relationships.

Why do people get addicted to Adderall?

At its most basic level, taking Adderall can be addictive because it makes you feel good or provides some kind of benefit like an energy boost or improved mental focus. However, that is only part of the reason. Addiction experts now understand that there is usually a combination of other factors that increase the chances of Adderall addiction:

Genetics

Some people are just more likely to develop an addiction because of their genes. This increased risk can be passed down from parents to children in the same way as height and eye colour.

Environment

Being in a high-stress environment, like a demanding job or difficult academic programme can push people towards Adderall as a way to cope. Likewise, if you are surrounded by people who misuse Adderall, you might feel pressured to join in.

Mental health issues

Conditions like anxiety, depression or undiagnosed ADHD can lead people to use Adderall as a way to self-medicate. It might start off as a way to manage symptoms (and may even be effective at first), but over time, this unsupervised use can turn into Adderall addiction.

Early exposure

Being around drug use as a child or starting to use Adderall at a young age, can both increase the risk of developing substance use and addiction issues later on.

Accessibility

For some people, the fact that Adderall is a prescription drug might make it seem safer or more acceptable to use than illegal drugs. This misunderstanding about the dangers can lead to misuse and resulting Adderall addiction.

Adderall addiction side effects and dangers

Adderall addiction is a condition that can cause untold damage to your life. It can ruin your relationships, affect your work and education and even put you in trouble with the police for illegal drug use or supply.

As well as those personal issues, Adderall addiction side effects can also take a huge toll on your health. Some of the biggest health problems include:

• Heart problems: Adderall can increase your heart rate and blood pressure which can lead to heart attacks or strokes.
• Sleep disturbances: Adderall addiction can ruin healthy sleep patterns, causing insomnia and chronic fatigue.
• Mental health issues: Long-term Adderall use can worsen anxiety and depression, create new mental health conditions and lead to mood swings, paranoia and psychosis.
• Weight loss and malnutrition: Adderall use often suppresses appetite, causing significant weight loss and nutritional deficiencies.
• Gastrointestinal issues: Some people experience nausea, stomach pain and constipation, particularly with long-term Adderall use.
• Potential for Adderall overdose: Taking too much Adderall can lead to overdose, which can be fatal. Symptoms include chest pain, severe anxiety, tremors, confusion, hallucinations and seizures, and if you notice any of these, you should get medical help immediately.

How is Adderall addiction treated?

Adderall addiction treatment at Banbury Lodge has three key parts, all of which are necessary for an effective, lasting recovery:

1. Adderall detox

Detox is a medically-planned process where your body gets rid of all traces of Adderall. It can be challenging, as physical dependency causes withdrawal symptoms, but our medical team will help keep you as safe and comfortable as possible.

2. Adderall rehab treatment

Rehab treatment focuses on therapy and counselling and is all about breaking through physical dependency. It is a critical part of stimulant addiction treatment and will help you understand why you became reliant on Adderall and develop better ways of coping with life so you no longer need Adderall as a crutch.

3. Aftercare and relapse prevention

After leaving rehab, our aftercare programme provides free weekly group therapy to keep you on track. We will also help prevent relapses by devising a personalised plan involving lifestyle changes, support group building and other effective strategies.

Get help for Adderall addiction today

Adderall addiction may seem like an inescapable challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. Making the decision to get help is a huge step forward, and Banbury Lodge can guide you for the rest of the journey. Our recovery programmes have helped countless achieve their sobriety goals, and we can help you, too. Contact us today to get started on the road to recovery, and you will never need to look back again!

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