5 Signs Of Adderall Abuse

Adderall is the brand name for the combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. It’s a prescription stimulant used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. It can increase the ability to pay attention, focus, and control behaviors.

However, the drug is also widely abused, including by high school and college students. As a Schedule II controlled substance, Adderall has a high potential for abuse and can lead to a substance use disorder.

If you’re questioning whether you or a loved one is struggling with Adderall abuse, there are signs you can look out for. Adderall can change your behavior, your overall health, and how you live your life from day to day.

1. Behavioral Changes

Changes in the person’s behavior might be the first indication that something is different. Since Adderall changes how the brain works by increasing the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine, it can cause you to behave in ways you typically wouldn’t.

Some of the behavioral changes you can look out for include:

• frequent drug-seeking
• impulsivity
• sleeping more or less than normal
• irritability or aggression
• talkativeness
• secretive behavior
• lapse in personal hygiene
• evidence of crushing and snorting Adderall
• using multiple substances at once

2. Physical Signs

There are also physical signs of Adderall abuse. These may not be noticeable to your friends and family, but they will likely be apparent to you. The physical signs of Adderall misuse can include:

• irregular heartbeat
• stomach or chest pain
• high body temperature
• high blood pressure
• vision problems
• weight loss
• excessive fatigue
• dry mouth
• constipation
• diarrhea
• difficulty sleeping
• heart attack

3. Mental Health Issues

Abrupt mental health issues can also signal Adderall abuse. Because the drug is a central nervous system stimulant, it can cause psychological side effects including:

• anxiety
• depression
• suicidal thoughts
• delusions
• paranoia
• psychosis
• heightened self-image

4. Lifestyle Changes

Adderall abuse can also lead to a number of lifestyle changes. While the drug may increase focus and energy, the cravings alone can lead you to do things you likely wouldn’t normally do.

Once you become addicted to the prescription drug, it can become your top priority and everything else may fall to the wayside.

Noticeable changes to lifestyle may include:

• missing deadlines
• skipping school or work
• losing interest in school, work, and friends
• hanging out with different people
• social withdrawal
• financial problems
• legal problems
• becoming secretive

5. Adderall Withdrawal Symptoms

Quitting Adderall can also tell you whether you’ve been abusing it or not. If you’ve built up a dependence on Adderall and stopped using it, withdrawal symptoms are likely to occur.

Once you’ve built up a dependency, your body will likely struggle to work properly without the drug. This leads to withdrawal symptoms that can be just as unpleasant as the adverse side effects of Adderall.

Adderall withdrawal symptoms may include:

• fatigue
• cramping
• difficulty sleeping
• nausea/vomiting
• vivid or unpleasant dreams
• increased appetite
• problems thinking or concentration
• slowed movements
• slow heart rate
• headaches
• Adderall cravings

Because of the severity of these symptoms, it’s important to go through a detox program with the help of a healthcare professional. Detoxing alone can be very difficult and, if you relapse, can lead to an Adderall overdose.

Treatment For Adderall Abuse

If you or a loved one lives with Adderall addiction or another form of substance abuse, Northeast Addiction Treatment Center is here to help.

We offer a variety of outpatient services including medication-assisted treatment, intensive outpatient programs, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

For more information on all our treatment options, please call our helpline today.