Adderall uses a combination of dextroamphetamines and amphetamine to stimulate the brain and nervous system. People with ADHD take the medication to be able to concentrate better and improve their impulse control. Individuals with narcolepsy take the medication to help them stay awake during the day. The drug is also used for a variety of other medical uses.
Adderall is also misused for various reasons. One of the primary reasons for using the drug that is not recommended by doctors is to be more productive. When taking Adderall, people’s minds and bodies work faster, and they also stay awake longer. The drug increases a person’s ability to focus on individuals with ADHD, and it also helps people without the disorder to focus, too. So some people use the drug either with or without a prescription to get more done. Students sometimes use Adderall to help them get more homework done. This action remains a dangerous practice for several reasons.
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Addiction To Adderall
Amphetamines need to be closely monitored by medical personnel because taking them leads to easy Adderall addiction. Also, if the person receiving the drug has certain medical conditions, taking the medication can lead to extreme health conditions such as:
- Heart problems and a heart attack
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease and heart defects
- Increased psychosis in people with specific mental health issues
- Worsening symptoms in people with depression, bipolar disorder, and other mental illness conditions
- Compounding circulatory problems that cause pain and may discolor the fingers and toes
- Increased anxiety in individuals with anxiety
The incidence of Adderall prescriptions and use has increased dramatically in the last few years. This increased availability makes the drug more available for use by many people with and without a prescription. Adderall has become a “smart drug” for many university students who are trying to get ahead and stay ahead of the educational curve in school.
Another reason people use Adderall in an off-label way is by using the drug to lose weight. Adderall reduces a person’s appetite, so individuals sometimes take it to help them reduce the amount of food they eat. Using the drug for an extended period provides such physical and mental effects as:
- Insomnia
- Heart disease
- Pain in the abdominal region
- Unwanted weight loss
- Cottonmouth
- Heart palpitations
- Shaking and tremors
- Constipation
- Hyperactivity
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- A feeling of being on the edge or jitteriness
The Dangers Of Adderall
Adderall, like many amphetamines, remains very a very addictive substance. If someone takes it when they don’t need it, they have a more significant chance of becoming addicted. Unfortunately, some choose to use Adderall recreationally to get high. During these uses, Adderall sometimes gets mixed with other drugs or alcohol to make a potentially deadly combination of chemicals.
Damage To The Body From Adderall Use
Using Adderall recreationally can develop both a physical and mental addiction to the drug. Adderall damages the brain, internal organs, and other internal systems. The drug increases neurotransmitter activity in many ways, but it mainly affects dopamine levels. A person who uses amphetamines will, over time, be unable to experience feelings of pleasure without the drug. Also, a person using the drug recreationally finds that they develop a tolerance to the drug. So, after time, this individual may require an increasing amount of the drug to feel the same high they felt when they first started using it.
Adderall Withdrawal Symptoms
If an Adderall user doesn’t get their dosage on time or if an Adderall user quits using the drug abruptly, they experience several physical and mental symptoms, including:
- Mood changes like depression
- Trouble sleeping
- Fatigue
- Upset stomach
- Stomach cramps
- A feeling of being hungover
One of the ways to reduce Adderall withdrawal symptoms is to reduce the amount taken over time gradually. Withdrawal symptoms last for a few days to up to several weeks. The person’s body individually determines each withdrawal period length. Because withdrawal from Adderall remains severe and uncomfortable, it is best for each person to follow their doctor’s instructions on going off this drug. A physician may also be able to provide the person withdrawing with antidepressants that can make Adderall withdrawal easier to bear.
To learn more about Adderall addiction, visit https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/adderall-addiction/.
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