Adderall Addiction: Signs, Side Effects, and Treatment

What Is Adderall?

Adderall is the brand name for a prescription medication that combines dextroamphetamine and amphetamine and is prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).^1,3 It is classified as a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that helps treat distractibility, short attention span, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.^1,3 It can also be prescribed for narcolepsy in adults and children over 6 years old.³

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies Adderall as a Schedule II controlled substance, meaning it has a high potential for misuse and dependence.³

Adderall XR, an extended-release formulation of dextroamphetamine/amphetamine, is currently the only brand-name formulation available; however, the medication is also available as a generic drug in both extended-release and immediate-release formulations. Extended-release formulations reach their maximum effect at around 7 hours while immediate-release formulations reach their maximum effect around 3 hours.⁴

As mentioned before, prescription stimulants like Adderall are sometimes misused. Misuse is often high among high school and college students, as Adderall is known to increase energy, enhance memory and focus, and boost school or athletic performance.⁵ In 2018, among college-age students in the U.S., about 11.1% reported misusing the drug compared to 8.1% of non-college peers.⁶

How Does Adderall Work?

Prescription stimulants like amphetamines increase the activity of two neurotransmitters: dopamine, which is involved in the reinforcement of rewarding behaviors; and norepinephrine, which activates the sympathetic nervous system and affects things like blood pressure, pulse, and breathing.³

Studies have shown that prescription stimulants like Adderall can be effective at decreasing impulsivity and distractibility in children and adults with ADHD, while also increasing cognition, reaction time, and short-term memory.⁷

People who misuse Adderall for non-therapeutic reasons may experience different effects, such as:^2,5

• Feelings of joy and euphoria (i.e., a “high” or “rush”).
• Feelings of extreme clarity.
• Feeling more in control and self-confident.
• Feeling more sociable.
• Having increased energy and less need for sleep.

What Are the Side Effects of Adderall?

When Adderall is taken as prescribed and under the supervision of a physician for the treatment of ADHD, it can lead to a drastic reduction in symptoms such as distractibility and an inability to focus.⁷ Yet, amphetamines like Adderall also have the potential to produce adverse side effects, some of which can include:⁷

• Insomnia.
• Decreased appetite.
• Weight loss.
• Headaches.
• Dry mouth.
• Nervousness.

Some less common Adderall side effects, such as tics, seizures, and psychosis, can be more serious, leading people to discontinue using this medication as prescribed.⁷

Adderall and other amphetamines may cause increases in blood pressure and heart rate, although it is typically mild when used as directed by a doctor at therapeutic dosing levels. Misusing the medication at higher doses, however, puts a person at increased risk of experiencing both short- and long-term adverse health effects. These may include:^8,9

• Heart problems like a rapid or irregular heart rate (pulse), stroke, myocardial infarction (heart attack), and even sudden death (typically seen in people with pre-existing heart abnormalities).
• The worsening of undiagnosed psychiatric conditions.
• Long-term suppression of growth in children.
• Worsening of certain vascular conditions, like Raynaud’s syndrome.

Other harmful adverse health effects of chronic amphetamine use, especially if misused in high doses, include:²

• High body temperature and skin flushing.
• Memory loss, problems thinking clearly, and even strokes.
• Mood problems.
• Increased aggressiveness or violent behavior.
• Depression and suicidal thoughts.
• Psychosis and ongoing hallucinations.
• Tooth decay.

Signs of Adderall Addiction

Studies have indicated that individuals who use stimulant medications like Adderall as prescribed by a doctor are not at increased risk for developing a substance use disorder at a later time.¹⁰

Misusing Adderall may lead to addiction, also known as a substance use disorder (SUD). Misuse can include:⁵

• Taking Adderall at higher doses.
• Taking someone else’s Adderall.
• Using Adderall to get high.
• Attempting to take Adderall in a way other than directed, such as crushing and snorting it or dissolving it in water and injecting it into a vein.

Stimulants like Adderall have the potential to lead to significant tolerance and physiological dependence, especially when misused consistently at higher-than-recommended doses.

Tolerance occurs when the body has adapted to the presence of a drug, and it takes increasing amounts of the drug to feel the same effects.⁵ Dependence is characterized by the presence of withdrawal symptoms after a person stops or significantly reduces their intake of a drug.

Only a medical professional can diagnose a substance use disorder, however, it can be helpful to know the criteria used by professionals so that you can more easily recognize potential signs and symptoms of a SUD in yourself or a loved one.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5^th Edition, contains the diagnostic criteria for various SUDs. A person who has at least two of the following symptoms within a 12-month period could be diagnosed with a stimulant use disorder:¹¹

• Takes a stimulant drug in larger amounts or over longer periods of time than intended.
• Persistent desire or unsuccessful effort to cut down or control stimulant use.
• Spending more time in activities necessary to obtain, use, or recover from the effects of stimulants.
• Having Adderall cravings or a strong desire to use Adderall or other stimulant drugs.
• Failure to meet obligations due to recurrent use of stimulants.
• Continued use of stimulants despite negative effects on social or interpersonal relationships.
• Giving up important social, occupational, or recreational activities due to stimulant use.
• Continued use of stimulants in physically dangerous situations (such as driving a car or operating machinery).
• Using stimulants despite having persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problems.
• Developing tolerance to stimulants, meaning that increased amounts of a stimulant are required to feel the same effects.
• Physiological dependence, which is characterized by the development of withdrawal symptoms after stopping or significantly reducing stimulant use.

Symptoms of Adderall Withdrawal

Stimulants in the amphetamine class like Adderall are addictive, and misuse can lead to the development of stimulant use disorder.² Physiological dependence is one of the criteria for a stimulant use disorder. A person who has a physiological dependence on Adderall or other stimulants will experience adverse effects when trying to stop using or significantly reduce their use. These adverse effects are known as withdrawal symptoms.²

Symptoms of Adderall withdrawal and its severity can differ from person to person, but may include:²

• Strong cravings for Adderall.
• Mood swings that can range from feeling depressed, agitated, and anxious to even feelings or thoughts of suicide.
• Feeling fatigued.
• Inability to concentrate.
• Hallucinating or psychosis.
• Headaches, aches and pains, increased appetite, and not sleeping well.

Symptoms of an Adderall Overdose

When someone has overdosed on Adderall, the effects the develop will depend factors such as the amount taken and whether it was taken with any other medication or substances.¹² Regardless, if you believe you or a loved one is experiencing an overdose on Adderall or any medication, contact 911 immediately.

Some of the common signs and symptoms to look for when someone has overdosed on Adderall or other amphetamines can include:¹³

• Pupil dilation.
• A fast or irregular heartbeat that may lead to feeling lightheaded or dizzy or fainting.
• Restlessness and feelings of panic and agitation.
• Aggressive or combative behavior.
• Tremors.
• Overactive or over-responsive reflexes.
• Paranoia.
• Confusion or hallucinations.
• Seizures.

Adderall Addiction Treatment

If you’re struggling with Adderall misuse and are ready to quit Adderall for good, treatment can be a good option. For some, medical detox can be an important first step in recovering from a stimulant use disorder like Adderall addiction. This is often true for those with long-term amphetamine misuse, as withdrawal symptoms can be more severe, especially if a person expresses suicidal thoughts or attempts to act on them.¹⁴

A treatment plan for stimulant use disorder should be tailored to a person’s individual needs and may include individual or group counseling, behavioral treatments, and support or mutual-help groups, like 12-Step groups.¹⁵ If needed, treatment plans may also address co-occurring mental health disorders.

People may undergo treatment in inpatient or outpatient settings:¹⁶

• means a person lives at a facility during treatment to receive 24/7 care. Inpatient treatment can last anywhere from a few weeks to months.
• can vary in intensity and frequency, and the main difference vs. inpatient is that a person lives at home and travels to a facility to receive outpatient treatment.

Treatment methods useful in treating stimulant use disorders include:¹⁶

• (CBT). This helps people identify and change unhelpful or negative thoughts and behaviors that led or contributed to the addiction.
• Contingency management. This is designed to help increase a person’s motivation to change by providing positive reinforcement (usually as incentives like vouchers for tangible items) for not using drugs.
• . This may include 12-Step groups like Narcotics Anonymous.

Currently, there are no FDA-approved medications to treat stimulant use disorder, although studies in this area remain ongoing.¹⁵

If you or a loved one is ready to seek rehab for a substance use disorder, explore your options and reach out to a rehab center using our rehab directory tool today!