✔️ Does Adderall cause sleep issues?

Adderall is also known to cause sleep issues in teenagers with ADHD. This is because of the concentration issues that affect them can also make it difficult for them to fall and stay asleep. It’s up to you and your doctor to make sure your child or teenager gets enough sleep. Ensure that your child takes Adderall at an appropriate time. A proper dosage allows your child to concentrate during school hours and focus enough to study at night but still allows them to relax enough to fall asleep.

✔️ Can you get addicted to Adderall?

Adderall abuse can rapidly lead to dependency and even addiction. The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health reported that between 2006 and 2011, a rising number of young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 abused Adderall. In addition, recreational use of Adderall rose 67 percent. Most of these people illegally obtained Adderall from friends or family.

✔️ What are SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ADDERALL ABUSE?

Becoming anxious once Adderall’s effects begin to wear off Crushing Adderall so you can snort it and feel its effects more quickly Chewing Adderall pills Spending significant time and money in an effort to obtain more Adderall Combining Adderall with other substances of abuse, including alcohol Taking Adderall in higher or more frequent doses than your doctor has instructed Taking Adderall that has been prescribed to someone else Taking Adderall for pleasure (to get high).

Adderall Addiction Treatment and Recovery

Q: ✔️ WHAT IS ADDERALL?

Adderall treats ADHD in children as young as 3 years old, and it can be used in adults as well. It can also treat narcolepsy in people who are at least 12 years old. Doctors will start you at the lowest possible effective dose. You can build a tolerance to Adderall, so it may not work the same over time. You will gradually receive higher doses, depending on how you respond to Adderall.

Q: ✔️ CAN YOU OVERDOSE ON ADDERALL?

Taking more Adderall than you’re prescribed can result in an overdose. Usual doses of Adderall for ADHD and narcolepsy are the following. For teenagers: 10 mg per day For adults: 20 mg per day for adults Most doses fall between 5 mg and 60 mg per day. Taking more than this can result in excess Adderall in your system. The risk of overdose is heightened when people combine other substances, such as alcohol, with Adderall. Adderall dosages vary when taken them for ADHD and narcolepsy.

Adderall is a well-known stimulant used to treat people who have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. When taken as directed, Adderall can help with:

Concentration
Impulse control
Alertness

Adderall is also often abused, especially by young people seeking an Adderall high or wanting to stay awake while cramming for exams. One study found that over a 6-year period, Adderall abuse in adults increased by 67% and emergency room visits increased by 156%. The widespread use of Adderall by millennials in the early 2000s was so much so that they got pegged as “Generation Adderall.” It continues to be a popular drug of abuse.

What is Adderall?

Adderall is a combination stimulant with two active ingredients:

Amphetamine, a stimulant that forces the brain to speed up certain functions. It can make you feel more focused and awake.
Dextroamphetamine, a drug similar in structure to amphetamine that blocks the reuptake of dopamine, which produces feelings of happiness and pleasure. Dextroamphetamine also contributes to concentration and focus.

Health care providers sometimes prescribe Adderall to treat ADHD in people over age three. It’s also used to treat narcolepsy in people who are at least 12 years old. If you’re prescribed Adderall, your physician will start you on the lowest effective dose. It’s possible to build a tolerance to Adderall, so it may not work the same for you over time. You will gradually receive higher doses of Adderall, depending on how you respond to it.

There are two types of Adderall:

Immediate-release is usually taken every four to six hours, two to three times daily.
Extended-release (Adderall XR): is taken in the morning and lasts the whole day.

What Are Side Effects of Adderall?

When taken as directed, Adderall side effects may include:

Headache
Nervousness
Stomachaches
Insomnia
Decrease in appetite
Dizziness

Less common Adderall side effects may include:

Seizures
Vision problems
Slowed height and weight growth in children

Is Adderall Addictive?

It’s possible to become addicted to Adderall and other stimulants. Adderall abuse can rapidly lead to Adderall addiction. That’s because the drug works on the reward center of the brain. You can become psychologically addicted to the effects of Adderall, just like any other drug that provides a desired state. You can also become physically dependent on it. Abusing Adderall can cause imbalances in brain chemicals. Your brain begins to depend on Adderall to make certain chemicals, so when you stop using it, you may experience withdrawal.

Adderall withdrawal symptoms include:

Panic
Anxiety
Agitation
Insomnia
Paranoia
Body pains
Increased appetite
Headaches
Vivid dreams and nightmares
Adderall cravings
Depression

Learn more about what it’s like to withdraw from Adderall.

Am I Addicted to Adderall?

Adderall abuse may begin with the innocent intention to keep up with a stressful job, to stay up late to study for a test, or to do well in sports. Some people abuse Adderall because they want to lose weight. This is because one of Adderall’s side effects is the loss of appetite.

Once you’ve begun using Adderall for those desired effects, it becomes hard to imagine being able to maintain your success or keep up with your goals without it. This can lead you to continue taking the drug to keep up with work, school, or a particular image.

A key indicator of Adderall addiction is continuing to abuse it despite negative effects on your health and life.

Signs and symptoms of Adderall addiction include:

Becoming anxious once Adderall’s effects begin to wear off
Crushing Adderall so you can snort it and feel its effects more quickly
Chewing Adderall pills
Spending significant time and money obtaining more Adderall
Mixing Adderall with other substances of abuse, like alcohol
Taking more of the Adderall dosage than your doctor prescribed
Taking Adderall that has been prescribed to someone else
Taking Adderall to get high
Doctor shopping to get more Adderall

Long-term effects of Adderall abuse include:

Anger problems
Paranoia
Psychosis

If you stop taking Adderall cold turkey, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. This can propel the Adderall abuse cycle. Learn more about the signs of Adderall abuse here.

Can You Overdose on Adderall?

You can overdose on Adderall if you take more than prescribed. Doctors typically prescribe 5 mg to 60 mg of Adderall daily for ADHD or narcolepsy. Higher doses put you at risk for overdose.

Adderall overdose symptoms may include:

Tremors
Seizures
Hyperactivity
Abnormal heart rate
High body temperatures
Fast, shallow breathing

Your risk of an Adderall overdose increases when you take Adderall and alcohol or Adderall and other substances. Everyone responds to stimulants differently. A dose that might not cause problems for one person could cause an overdose in another.

How Is Adderall Addiction Treated?

Treatment for Adderall addiction is similar to treatment of other substance use disorders. This may include:

Medical Detox

Depending how long you’ve been abusing Adderall as well as if you’re using other substances, medical detox may be necessary. Adderall detox may include tapers as well as medications to ease withdrawal symptoms. Tapers involve decreasing Adderall doses in safe increments. Detoxing from Adderall should always be done with the help of medical professionals, so it’s safe and as comfortable as possible.

Inpatient or Outpatient Treatment

Substance abuse is a symptom of something bigger. You may be abusing drugs and alcohol to cope with past trauma, mental health issues, relationship problems, and other challenges. You must address the reasons you’re abusing Adderall and other substances to help prevent the urge to use Adderall again. Depending on your needs, an inpatient or outpatient treatment program can help you identify the underlying issues behind your Adderall addiction and begin to move past them.

After medical drug detox, many people choose inpatient treatment, where they receive 24/7 support by living in a treatment environment. But perhaps you have responsibilities that you can’t step away from. A partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient program may be just right for you. You can live at home while continuing to get the treatment you need.

Managing Co-Occurring Disorders

Anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders underlie many addictions. When you enter a treatment program, medical professionals will assess whether you have a mental illness that contributes to your substance abuse and help you manage it with therapy and medications, if needed. Treating an Adderall addiction and an underlying mental health condition together is crucial in order to truly leave substance abuse in the past.

Traditional and Alternative Therapies

Substance abuse treatment may include individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy. Alternative therapies, like EMDR, adventure therapy, yoga, and mindfulness, may also be part of your treatment plan.

Support Groups

Twelve-step groups and 12-step alternatives like SMART Recovery are important parts of long-term recovery. Peers in sobriety can provide support and keep you accountable in your recovery journey.

Aftercare

There’s still important relapse prevention work to do after addiction treatment. Aftercare planning is critical to long-term recovery. Aftercare may involve a combination of therapy sessions, support group meetings, exercise, and other practices that support a healthy lifestyle.

Get Adderall Addiction Treatment

Many people need specialized treatment to stop abusing Adderall. At Footprints to Recovery, we offer residential and outpatient treatment for Adderall addiction, as well as partial hospitalization treatment. Our addiction experts can help you get better and live a fulfilling life in recovery.