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Adderall® is an effective prescription medication for people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) but is also widely misused. At Magnolia Medical Group’s offices in Denver and Wheat Ridge, Colorado, a team of addiction experts provides comprehensive care to help you free yourself from Adderall addiction. Call your nearest Magnolia Medical Group office for information on quitting Adderall successfully, or request an appointment online today.
What is Adderall addiction?
Adderall contains the stimulants amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. It can help people with ADHD to manage their condition more successfully.
Adderall reduces brain overstimulation (a common problem with ADHD) by adjusting dopamine levels. It affects the area in your brain responsible for impulse control and hyperactivity and improves inattention and indecision. Adderall can also help people with the sleep disorder narcolepsy, which causes excessive daytime sleepiness.
It’s often invaluable to patients with a genuine clinical need, but people take Adderall without an ADHD or narcolepsy diagnosis. The drug affects them differently, so instead of helping them feel normal, they experience euphoria, increased energy levels, and potentially dangerous emotional or physical side effects. They’re also more vulnerable to addiction.
Can I overdose on Adderall?
Overdosing on Adderall is unlikely but possible. A typical prescription dose ranges from 5-60 milligrams (mg) daily. A lethal dose would be 20-25 mg per kilogram of body weight, or roughly 25 times higher than the recommended dose.
However, if you mix Adderall with other recreational or prescription drugs, you could overdose on less. The drug can adversely interact with many common medications, including:
- Blood pressure pills
- Cold and allergy medicines
- Antacids (indigestion medicines)
- Antidepressants
Some people mix Adderall with alcohol, resulting in alcohol poisoning or a life-threatening overdose.
What symptoms can Adderall addiction cause?
Adderall addiction can cause various problems, such as:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Dehydration
- Irregular heartbeat
- Headaches
- Reduced circulation
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Cardiomyopathy (enlarged heart)
- High blood pressure
- Blurred vision
- Hair loss (often coming out in clumps)
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Sexual health problems
- Depression or anxiety
- Suicidal thoughts
- Panic attacks
- Seizures
- Brain and kidney damage
- Cardiac arrest
Students often take Adderall to help them stay awake when studying for tests or writing long papers. Around 75% of prescription stimulant misuse happens in high schools and colleges. Still, research proves students don’t do better if they take Adderall.
How do I overcome Adderall addiction?
Magnolia Medical Group designs a treatment program that helps you detox safely and makes it easier to manage the withdrawal process.
You shouldn’t suddenly stop taking Adderall as it could make you sick. Instead, your provider gradually reduces your intake. They offer supportive psychotherapy and behavioral therapy interventions to help you overcome cravings and learn better, healthier coping skills.
Call Magnolia Medical Group today or book an appointment online for expert help with Adderall addiction.