Adderall Addiction: Abuse Signs, Effects & Treatment

Treatment Guide for Adderall Addiction

Addiction is a serious problem that can lead to more severe problems like heart attack, stroke, and even fatal damage. These are the risks that come with addiction to Adderall, so it is important for those who take this medication to be aware. Adderall is a drug that can increase nervous activity in the body and is often prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but it can be abused by those who are neither diagnosed with ADHD nor have any sort of medical need for this type of medication.

When Adderall is taken as prescribed, it is considered safe and effective. In fact, many people rely on the drug to help them stay focused at work or school. However, when Adderall is used recreationally or as a means to get high, it is not safe.

Adderall Treatment

Is Adderall Addictive?

Yes, Adderall is an addictive substance and can lead to a full-blown substance use disorder. Addiction to any substance of abuse is caused by changes in the brain that lead to compulsive behavior with repeated drug intake. Adderall activates certain receptors in your brain that then cause a release of dopamine and adrenaline. Dopamine triggers a craving for the drug, similar to what happens when you have opioids or other types of addictions.

Signs of Adderall Abuse

There are several specific signs that you should look out for if you believe that your loved one is abusing Adderall.

Frequent Use

If you believe that your loved one is abusing Adderall, pay close attention to how often they use the drug. Adderall is a very addictive substance, so frequent users are at an increased risk of becoming addicted.

Aggression and Mood Swings

You may notice that your loved one is more aggressive than they were before, but this aggression is often driven by paranoia. Adderall abusers are more likely to become paranoid and angry, which can make a bad situation worse. When Adderall is taken in large amounts, users tend to feel a large amount of anxiety and depression. Mood swings and irritability are also classic signs of Adderall abuse.

Sudden Change in Behavior

You may notice that your loved one is acting in a different way than they normally do. They may start to lie more often, become secretive, or spend more time doing things that are outside of the norm. These changes in behavior are often indicators that your loved one is abusing Adderall.

Mental Health Problems

When Adderall is used for long periods of time, it can cause major changes in mental health. Adderall users often become paranoid, have auditory hallucinations, and suffer from intense bouts of depression.

Physical Changes in Appearance

Users of this substance can experience changes in the way they look and feel. Their skin tone may become paler, and they may have cold sores, lesions, or rashes. They tend to have dilated pupils and inconsistent amounts of energy.

Weight Loss

Adderall users often suffer from eating disorders. They often lack appetite and may become dangerously thin as a result of their addiction. They may also suffer from depression and loss of appetite.

Signs of Adderall Addiction

The signs of an Adderall addiction can be observed by looking at the user’s behavior and symptoms. It is important to be aware that you may have a problem if your need for Adderall interferes with your day-to-day life.

Cravings

Most people who are addicted to Adderall will feel the need to continue taking it. They may even find themselves searching for the drug and having a hard time stopping once they begin.

Financial Issues

People who are addicted to Adderall may have a hard time budgeting because they are always purchasing more drugs. They may spend more than they make and may even borrow or steal money from family members to feed their addiction.

Withdrawal

Withdrawal symptoms are a big part of Adderall addiction. If you notice that your loved one begins to have symptoms of withdrawal when they do not have access to Adderall, it may mean that they are addicted. These symptoms of withdrawal include having the urge to take more of the drug, sweating, irritability, and even anxiety. When someone is addicted to Adderall, they may have trouble sleeping or even experience nightmares.

Health Issues

Adderall is a dangerous drug that can lead to serious health issues, including high blood pressure, heart problems, high stress levels, and even damage to the vascular or nervous system.

Adderall Addiction Treatment

There is no specific treatment that is meant and focused exclusively on Adderall abuse. In most cases, when an individual is addicted to Adderall, they may also be addicted to one or more other drugs. If you believe that you or someone in your life is abusing Adderall or other drugs and alcohol, treatment can help. Treatment includes a few different phases.

Drug detoxification

This is the most common first step in treatment used to address addictions. During drug detox, medical professionals help addicts overcome their dependence on drugs by weaning them off of the drugs or lowering their dose.

Inpatient treatment

Inpatient treatment is also called residential treatment. This is the most intense form of rehabilitation for drug addiction. During this type of rehabilitation, the individual lives on site at the rehab center for a specified period of time. This is more common for individuals who are severely addicted and may need a longer period of time to overcome their addiction or for people who need to be completely removed from their surroundings in order to get better.

Outpatient treatment

Outpatient rehab is the least intense form of rehabilitation. This is when the individual visits the rehab center for treatment but does not live at the treatment center. Outpatient rehab is typically used for mild addictions that do not require as much attention or care or for people who have already completed inpatient treatment and are ready to live off-site.

Therapy

Therapy is a vital component of any rehab program. Each rehab center provides various types of therapy so that the users have a variety of options to choose from.

Individual Therapy

This is one-on-one therapy with a therapist to discuss the individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The therapist may use various therapeutic techniques to help the client. Addressing the issues that caused someone to use drugs in the first place is the best way to prevent relapse.

Group Therapy

This is when a group of individuals with similar issues meets with one or more therapists to discuss their feelings and behavior. Group therapy is a popular form of rehab that helps build self-confidence and provides motivation to make positive changes. It shows the client that they are not alone in their fight against drugs, and it helps to provide them with a community that they can turn to in times when it’s difficult to stay clean.

Family Therapy

This type of therapy is for the client and their family members. In this session, the therapist helps the family members learn how to support and help their loved ones during recovery. It’s also a good time to begin repairing the damage that was done to the family unit during active addiction.

Art Therapy

This is a form of therapy that provides the user with mental, physical, and emotional relief through art. The person may then feel uplifted by how they express themselves.

Meditation

This type of therapy is used to keep the mind as clear and controlled as possible so that the person can be more aware and make wise decisions. Meditation can help a person to get their mind and body back on track. It can provide them with a new way of dealing with their Adderall addiction, and it can help them break any negative patterns that may be holding them back. In addition, meditation can help them overcome any psychological issues that led to Adderall use.

Cognitive-behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a common method used to treat Adderall addiction. CBT works by helping a person change how they think about their life, and it is also focused on behavior change. This type of therapy can help a person find new ways of dealing with their life, so they will be less likely to relapse.

Support Groups

Support groups are another way to get support from others who have been through similar experiences. It is a great way to find comfort in knowing you aren’t alone and that others have gone through the same type of experiences.

Intervention

An intervention is the most effective way to get treatment and support for a person who is going through Adderall abuse. There are two common types of interventions used to help a person get the treatment that they need.

Family-led intervention

This is the most effective way to get treatment for a person who is dealing with Adderall abuse. This type of intervention is led by a member of the person’s family or a very close friend or mentor. The family member or friend who is leading the intervention understands the person with Adderall addiction, and they will have a better understanding of how their loved one behaves.

Professional-led intervention

This type of intervention is common in cases where the person with Adderall abuse has a higher addiction rating and needs more support than an individual at risk for this type of addiction. This type of intervention is led by a professional counselor who has experience with addiction treatment. This person will have the training to help the person achieve their goals and make progress in recovery.

Adderall Abuse Treatment Process

With Adderall abuse treatment, the process can be broken down into several steps. These steps are designed to help the addict through the addiction, but they can also be used to help others who may be at risk of addiction.

Pre-treatment

The first step in Adderall abuse treatment is pre-treatment. This step involves preparing the addict for treatment and making sure that they are safe. This means that the addict may need to be put into a detox facility where they will be able to safely stop taking the drug without having any major side effects.

Treatment

Treatment for Adderall addiction involves counseling and learning coping and behavior modification techniques. It can involve one-on-one sessions, group therapy, 12-step meetings, and more. It could also include art, music, and equine therapy.

Recovery

After treatment, the addict is ready for recovery, which includes continued counseling and continued support from family or friends who have been involved in their treatment process. Recovery is often a long and difficult process, and treatment for Adderall abuse helps with the process of putting their lives back together after addiction.

Importance of Rehab Centers for Adderall Abuse

Rehab centers for substance use disorders play an important role in the treatment process. Most people cannot get off of drugs alone. Here are some reasons why rehab centers are effective for Adderall addiction treatment.

Conducive Environment

Rehab centers for Adderall addiction provide a conducive environment for the client. Since the clients are all receiving treatment for the same thing, they will be able to form relationships based on their struggles with addiction and can support one another as they work through withdrawal.

Trained Staff

Staff at rehab centers will often have experience with the addiction. They will know how to approach the client and deal with them consistently while they are receiving treatment, and they are passionate about helping those who are struggling with substance use disorders.

Treatment Plans

Treatment plans for rehab centers for Adderall abuse are specifically designed for the clients in their program. This means that they can tailor the treatment to the client’s needs and help them overcome their addiction.

Help Is Available

For those who have become dependent on Adderall, there are many ways to detox from their addiction and achieve sobriety. Adderall addiction rehab centers are an option for those looking for a safe and effective way to get clean. If you or your loved one is struggling with addiction, reach out to a rehab center today.

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Reviewed By:

Dr. John Elgin Wilkaitis

Dr. John Elgin Wilkaitis completed medical school at The University of Mississippi Medical Center and residency in general psychiatry in 2003. He completed a fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in 2005. Following this, he served as Chief Medical Officer for 10 years of Brentwood Behavioral Healthcare a private health system including a 105-bed hospital, residential treatment, and intensive outpatient services.

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