The ADD Resource Center reports a 42% increase in ADHD diagnoses from 2009-2017. Doctors often prescribe Adderall to treat this condition, even in children. Long-term use of this medication may lead to dependency, leaving many needing Adderall addiction treatment. If you or a loved one takes Adderall, here’s what you need to know.
Contains Amphetamine Salts
Adderall contains two potent stimulants: amphetamine and dextroamphetamine mixed salts. As such, it provides a stimulating effect like that of street amphetamines or even meth. In fact, Adderall has a chemical makeup eerily similar to that of meth. This leaves enormous potential for abuse and increases the possibility an individual will need Adderall addiction treatment.
Adderall works by increasing neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. While this makes someone with ADHD feel normal, it can nonetheless produce a high in others. Prescription Adderall abuse is one of the leading reasons people visit a prescription drug addiction treatment center.
Effects of Adderall Abuse
As with meth, Adderall abusers may exhibit a sense of euphoria when using the drug. They might also have a heightened sense of alertness, or display nearly endless amounts of energy. This is often followed by a crash in which an individual will withdraw or perhaps even sleep for an extended period.
Those visiting an Adderall addiction treatment center in California may feel restless and have dramatic mood swings that shift without warning. They may also experience:
- Hallucinations
- A loss of appetite
- Severe headaches
- An elevated heart rate
- Tremors or shaking
When to Seek Adderall Addiction Treatment
Your Adderall use is problematic if you regularly use someone else’s prescription. If your child takes Adderall, you may hold back a few pills for yourself. Later, you’ll withhold medication to make up the difference. You might also ask a physician to increase dosage amounts just so you can have a little extra.
You may find that your usual dosage does not provide you with the same results it once did. Accordingly, you may take increasing amounts or use the drug more frequently just to enjoy the same effects. Some will even use Adderall along with other drugs or alcohol, a combination that is potentially deadly.
Those needing rehab can have problems functioning without the medication. These individuals may miss work or withdraw from others socially when they do not have the drug.
When users cannot obtain Adderall via a prescription, they often look for it on the black market instead. If you are spending bill money on Adderall or engaging in criminal behavior such as stealing, it’s time to visit an Adderall addiction treatment center in California.
What to Expect from Rehab
Adderall’s addictive properties make it difficult to stop cold turkey. This is why the first step in recovery is always medical detox. Detoxification ensures the drug leaves your system gradually, so your body does not experience shock as a result. During detox, medical professionals monitor you constantly to help you better manage cravings and the withdrawal symptoms that ensue.
Following detox, we can then come up with a customized treatment plan based upon your level of dependency and the presence of any co-occurring disorders. Some things we may include in that plan are:
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Medication assisted treatment
- Individual and group counseling
- Family therapy
- Acupuncture treatment
Call our Adderall Addiction Treatment Center in California
Do you or a loved one need addiction treatment? If so, don’t put off getting help any longer. Our well-trained staff can put you on the path to recovery. Start today by calling 866-782-0247 to learn more.