Adderall is a stimulant medication that is used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. The drug is often prescribed as a “study drug” to college students who need to concentrate for long periods of time, and it has become increasingly popular in recent years as an off-label use. While the drug can help students focus, it can also have some serious side effects if used incorrectly.
Adderall Addiction Signs
Addiction to Adderall can be hard to spot, but there are some telltale signs you should look out for:
- Withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking it, such as extreme fatigue or depression
- You’re taking more than directed by your doctor or doctor-prescribed dosage
- You’re taking it without a prescription or with no other medical condition that requires treatment with Adderall
The following are some signs that someone might be abusing Adderall:
- They’re taking more than their doctor prescribed or they’re taking the drug without a prescription at all.
- They have developed a tolerance to the drug and they need more of it to get the same effect as before.
- They don’t seem like themselves when they take Adderall—they’re more irritable or restless than usual.
- They have been using Adderall for longer than recommended by their doctor or they’ve been using it more often than what was prescribed by their doctor.
The more you take, the more you need to feel its effects. And if you stop taking it suddenly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. Adderall can be addictive, so be mindful of its side effects and know how to safely discontinue Adderall use.
How Do You Know if Someone is an Addict?
The problem with Adderall abuse is that it’s easy for people to get addicted to it—and once you’re addicted, you can’t stop using without significant withdrawal symptoms. The severity of these symptoms depends on how long you’ve been using Adderall and how much of it you’ve taken over time; if you’ve been taking high doses for many months or years, your withdrawal could be very difficult and require medical attention to manage safely.
However, Adderall can be addictive when used improperly or without medical supervision. The side effects of Adderall abuse are similar to those associated with cocaine or methamphetamine: increased heart rate and blood pressure, hyperthermia, increased aggression and psychosis. Additionally, the effects of Adderall on the brain make it especially dangerous for those who have never taken the drug before: without knowing what effects it will have on their bodies, they may overdose on one dose alone.
If you think someone might be abusing this drug, there are some signs to look out for. For example:
- They have trouble sleeping
- They have unexplained headaches
- They have trouble concentrating at work or school
- They have mood swings
- They have trouble remembering things that happened recently
Adderall also affects your sleep cycle, making it hard to fall asleep at night and increasing your risk for insomnia. As with many drugs, this can lead to depression or anxiety—and those are just two of the many symptoms that come with an addiction to Adderall.