ADDERALL ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTER
Adderall Addiction and Abuse
When you abuse Adderall, it can lead to addiction and dependence. Taken as prescribed, it can allow those with attention deficit problems like ADHD to lead a healthy, functional life. If you or someone you love is routinely misusing Adderall, you may need an Adderall addiction treatment center in Jacksonville, FL.
What is Adderall?
Adderall is the brand name of a clinical solution of dextroamphetamine and d-amphetamine. Doctors classify this solution as schedule II central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. The medication is similar to Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine) and prescribed in dosages of 5 – 30 milligrams per pill to treat a range of conditions; it’s available in regular and extended-release formula. It is the most widely prescribed amphetamine and the most commonly abused legal stimulant. The abuse potential is the reason the classification is on the same level as other CNS drugs that offer no clinical benefits.
Clinical Uses of Adderall
Doctors use Adderall to manage attention deficit disorders (ADD and ADHD) in conjunction with behavior modification therapy. The drug is more potent than Ritalin (methylphenidate), so it’s often used as a transitional medication as children with ADHD enter their teens years. Doctors also prescribe the drug to adults with late diagnoses of attention deficit problems and to treat narcolepsy.
The success of Adderall uses for weight loss, improving focus and concentration, and boosting energy are what makes this medication so prone to abuse and diversion. Among the most frequent abusers are parents taking their children’s prescriptions and students sharing pills with their friends.
It works by affecting the way neurotransmitters in the brain function, leaving them open longer in the regions that control mental alertness and attention span. Adderall pills also increase the number and concentration of the neurotransmitters. Neuroscientists don’t completely understand why. However, this has the effect of calming down individuals who are prone to clinical hyperactivity and attention problems.
Adderall does not produce the same effect on people who don’t have a diagnosis of clinical ADHD.
Who Abuses Adderall?
The definition of drug abuse is to take more of a drug than prescribed, to take someone else’s prescription medication, or to take a medicine solely to get high. According to Adderall abuse statistics, it is the most abused and diverted prescription stimulant. People often steal Adderall pills or give them to other people who have no legal right to use them. Snorting Adderall is a common past time in high school and college campuses. Students who abuse their own or their friends’ prescriptions are also more likely to use alcohol and other drugs.
Who is the face of Adderall addiction?
The short answer is that it’s rarely the person it’s prescribed for, which statistically would be a child between the ages of 8 and 17. According to the study conducted by Johns Hopkins University, the face of stimulant abuse is likely to be college-age and male. However, people who abuse it can include:
- Professionals in high-stress occupations with typically long working hours
- College students
- High school and college athletes
- Homemakers
- People with eating disorders
In 2005, Canada prohibited the sale of Adderall-XR after 20 people died due to overdose. Additionally, the International Olympic Committee has banned it for more than 50 years due to its use as a performance-enhancing drug.
Adderall Abuse Statistics
Looking at the statistics may make any parent think twice about giving this medication to their child, and some child advocates believe it’s over-prescribed. According to statistics, prescriptions have tripled to more than 17.2 million per year since 2009; of that number, nearly two million are for children aged 12 – 17. The largest demographic for abuse of this drug is males ages 18 – 25.
During the five years of the study (2006 – 2011), adult prescriptions increased by 67 percent, and ER visits related to overdose increased by 156 percent. Rates for children declined during that time. Two-thirds of those in Adderall addiction treatment obtained their supply from a friend or family member with a prescription.
Adderall vs. Meth
There’s a new school of thought that claims Adderall is nothing short of legalized meth. A few facts about the distinctions should put the Adderall vs. meth question to rest for good. Both are a form of amphetamine, and the difference between Adderall and meth are a matter of degree. Chemically, the two drugs are nearly identical. Doctors use both to manage attention deficit disorders. Doctors also prescribe methamphetamine legally to treat obesity. At the same time, doctors prescribe d-amphetamine to treat narcolepsy.
The potential for abuse is present with both substances, and any drug is dangerous if you abuse it. Pharmaceutical d-amphetamine is considered safer due to its purity over the street drug and slower absorption into the brain. Users generally smoke or inject meth. Adderall is usually a pill, although abusers sometimes crush the pills and snort them to increase the effect and rate of delivery.
Natural Alternatives to Adderall
The potential for addiction and abuse, overdose rates, and a generally negative public opinion have led parents and doctors to search for natural Adderall sources or substitutes. Some researchers believe that food additives or allergies cause attention problems. They also think that altering the diet can solve the problem. Others advocate using supplements such as Mucuna Pruriens, which is a natural dopamine booster. There are several other natural ingredients like caffeine, resveratrol, curcumin, and Siberian ginseng that show promise.
Why Choose an Adderall Addiction Treatment Center?
The treatment protocol, withdrawal symptoms, and signs of abuse are the same as for other stimulant drugs, both legal and illegal. Due to the nature of addiction, the risk of death, and high potential for abuse and relapse, treatment in an inpatient program that includes detox, therapy, and aftercare support offers the highest chance of a successful recovery. It’s also essential for parents to look into alternative treatments for attention deficit disorders for their children.
In addition to Adderall addiction, we also treat:
Contact the Adderall addiction treatment center at Stepping Stone Recovery today at 866.957.4960 for more information.
Discover Our
Addiction Treatment Center In Florida
Call Now To Begin Your Journey Toward Recovery
Taking the first step towards recovery can be daunting, but knowing your options for care is paramount to your success. Please fill out the form, and one of our team members will reach out to help you get started.