Adderall Addiction: Signs, Symptoms, Risks, And Treatment Resources

Adderall is safe when taken as prescribed, but it can cause toxicity if you take more than your body can handle. Amphetamine overdose is often seen with recreational use and misuse.

Signs and Symptoms of Adderall Overdose

The symptoms of an Adderall overdose may include:

• Restlessness
• Tremors
• Rapid breathing
• Overactive reflexes
• Confusion
• Hallucinations
• Panic
• Fatigue
• Agitation
• Depression
• Convulsions
• High or low blood pressure
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Death

What to do if you suspect someone is overdosing on Adderall:

An Adderall overdose is a medical emergency. Call 911 immediately if you think someone is overdosing. Quick medical intervention may be able to reverse the overdose. If possible, wait with the person until help arrives.

When prescribed and monitored by a doctor, Adderall is safe and effective. Misuse or abuse of Adderall carries significant risks, however, especially at high doses or for long periods. Some of the dangers of long-term Adderall use include:

• Seizures
• Psychosis
• Stroke
• Abnormal heart rhythms
• Nerve damage

Adderall drug interactions can be dangerous. Mixing Adderall with other stimulants like meth or cocaine can increase the risk of overdose or dangerous complications like brain injury, liver damage, stroke, or heart attack. Taking Adderall with depressants like alcohol or opioids can amplify the effects of both substances, leading to unpredictable effects.

Adderall carries a high risk of dependence and addiction. This can occur with prescribed use, but it’s more likely to cause an addiction with prolonged misuse or abuse.

As a Schedule II controlled substance, Adderall has a high addictive potential, especially when it’s taken for longer periods or in higher amounts than prescribed.

Adderall addiction can have different signs for everyone, but they may include:

• Extreme mood swings
• Financial problems
• Social isolation
• Spending time with new friends
• Sleep disturbances
• Paranoia and hallucinations
• Failing responsibilities
• Deceptive behaviors, such as lying or stealing

Adderall rehab is highly individualized and tailored to your needs. Each level of care offers the intensity of support and therapy that you may need to promote recovery.

• Medical detox: Adderall withdrawal can be intense and uncomfortable. Medically supervised detox is often the first step to help you clear the drug from your system while reducing the risk of withdrawal symptoms and complications.
• Inpatient treatment: Inpatient or residential treatment is intended for people who need more structured support and intensive therapy to overcome addiction. It involves 24/7 care and supervision in a live-in environment.
• Outpatient treatment: Outpatient treatment offers more flexibility for people who need to balance their recovery with life’s responsibilities. With this treatment environment, you attend treatment sessions, but you’re permitted to live at home during that time.
• Aftercare: Once the treatment program has concluded, aftercare programs offer different support options to help you transition into everyday life and sustain your recovery.

Regardless of the level of care, there are several types of therapies used in Adderall addiction treatment:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
• Nutritional counseling
• Brainspotting
• Group therapy
• Somatic experiencing
• Outdoor recreation

Substance use disorders like stimulant use disorder often co-occur with mental health conditions, which is known as co-occurring disorders. Instead of treating each condition separately, integrated treatment is necessary to address both conditions and the ways they influence each other. Adderall and other stimulant addictions often co-occur with mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and ADHD.