Adderall is the most popular stimulant used for self-medication. In fact, 75.8% of stimulant abusers use Adderall, according to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics.
Adderall is a prescription medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This condition causes difficulty with self-control and focus, as well as issues remaining still or quiet. Children as young as three can be prescribed Adderall. The drug can also treat narcolepsy, a sleep disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden attacks of sleep. Adderall is a combination of the drugs dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. It is classified as a central nervous system stimulant.
How Adderall affects the body
Stimulants such as Adderall will interact with each person differently. They can affect various systems in the body, from the circulatory to the digestive. For instance, this type of medication can cause the blood vessels to constrict, increasing some peoples’ blood pressure and heart rate. Adderall can also impact circulation, causing numbness in the toes and fingers. Anyone with a pre-existing heart condition could also suffer serious consequences, ranging from heart attacks to strokes.
Adderall may affect a person’s appetite. The drug can interact with the digestive system by causing nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, or stomach pain. As a result, someone taking Adderall may lose weight. Over time, weight loss and loss of appetite should go away as the body adjusts to the medication.
Finally, someone can have an allergic reaction to Adderall. The symptoms include itching, hives, a rash, and blistering skin. The person should seek medical attention if any of the above symptoms, or any other serious problems, occur.
The dangers of Adderall
If taken as prescribed by a doctor, Adderall can help manage ADHD, resulting in increased focus and calm. However, when abused, the drug can lead to adverse side effects, including:
- nervousness
- restlessness
- headaches
- problems getting to sleep or staying asleep
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- hoarseness
- slowed speech
- changes in vision
More severe side effects may result as well. In children, Adderall may slow growth. For adults, the drug can impact sex drive and performance. An allergic reaction is also possible, causing a person’s tongue, throat, or face to swell. Other serious side effects that are possible include:
- fever
- weakness
- numbness of the limbs
- uncontrollable shaking, tics, or seizures
- hallucinations, paranoia, and other thought problems
- worsening mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety
An individual can experience withdrawal from Adderall as well. There is no treatment for this, and symptoms can range from anxiety and irritability to panic attacks and depression. Symptoms may last for a few days or a few weeks.
Much of the danger associated with Adderall happens when individuals abuse the drug and take it without being prescribed by a doctor. The drug can be addictive and alter the brain’s chemistry, which can result in addiction. Adderall should not be taken recreationally or in higher or more frequent doses than prescribed.
As a dual diagnosis treatment center founded by recovering addicts, Aftermath Addiction Treatment Center takes a new approach to recovery. Using proven clinical and medical approaches to assist in recovery, we stand apart thanks to our treatment planning, which begins and ends with love, empathy and direction.
We’re not medical professionals. If you are concerned about your physical health when taking Adderall, please speak to your doctor.
