Adderall Addiction Treatment That Helps You Take Back Control

What Is Adderall?

Adderall is a prescription stimulant made with a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine salts, most often used for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. [1]

It works by affecting dopamine and norepinephrine levels, two neurochemicals responsible for regulating motivation, focus, energy levels, and rewards, promoting increased focus and alertness.[2] Adderall is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance, meaning that while it has recognized therapeutic applications, it also has a high potential for misuse and addiction.[3]

While Adderall is very useful for helping people manage their ADHD or narcolepsy symptoms when prescribed, when a person begins taking larger quantities of the medication than recommended, uses another person’s prescription, alters the medication by crushing and snorting it, or takes the medication for reasons unrelated to its intended purpose, they increase their chances of developing a stimulant use disorder.[4]

Since Adderall is a prescription medication, many users justify their misuse by rationalizing that they only require it for school, work, parenting, deadlines, or productivity. However, over time the line between “use” and “dependence” becomes increasingly harder to see.

Adderall Addiction and Abuse

Since Adderall is a prescribed medication, it is common for some people to have difficulty recognizing misuse of this drug as a substance use problem. Misuse can start as something as simple as someone taking an extra dose to help them study for extended periods, manage a busy day at work, reduce their appetite, or recover from fatigue. For a while, it may appear as if Adderall is helping the person stay in control.

However, over time, the relationship with the medication begins to change. Adderall has been found to alter dopamine and norepinephrine, which are two important neurotransmitters in the brain that regulate focus, energy levels, motivation, and reward. If a person continually uses higher than recommended amounts of Adderall or takes it outside of a doctor’s orders, the brain can eventually learn to associate the medication with productivity, increased confidence, elevated alertness, or emotional comfort. This association is likely to transform how the user views their medication. What begins as a useful tool for focus gradually becomes something they feel they cannot function without.

Tolerance is another factor. People may find that their prescribed dose no longer produces the same level of focus, energy, or improved mood experienced previously. As a result, they start taking more or using it more frequently to achieve the desired effects. As use increases, the potential for negative side effects does too. This can include fatigue, low motivation, irritability, depression, and cravings, which all create an additional barrier to quitting. Over time, a person may begin seeking additional pills or other, more potent, stimulants to avoid crashing, keep up with daily responsibilities, or feel capable of functioning, rather than simply to feel high.

At this point, Adderall dependence becomes a cycle. Eventually, Adderall can start to influence every part of someone’s daily routine, including their appetite, sleep patterns, mood, and overall capacity for self-regulation.

Adderall addiction is not defined only by how much someone takes. It is also about what happens when they try to stop. If a person feels unable to work, study, socialize, or get through the day without Adderall, continues using despite health or relationship problems, or feels trapped by cravings and withdrawal symptoms, professional treatment may be needed.