Adderall is an amphetamine-derived medicine that you can use to treat your sleepiness during daytime (narcolepsy) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Despite its medicinal benefits, it is mostly abused by students and adults to help them get a high feeling.

For the addict, it will be difficult for them to recognize if they are addicted or dependent on the substance, so we are sharing the imminent signs for an Adderall Addiction. Also, we will be sharing important information relevant to this matter.

Status of Adderall and Amphetamine Abuse in the United States

In 2011, the number of children with ADHD rose by 11%, while for adults it’s 4%. Alongside this, the increase of Adderall medication increased five times due to this scenario.

Furthermore, the use of amphetamines in the United States increased 2.5 times from 2006 to 2016. With that, there must be a more stringent and cohesive way to mitigate the illicit distribution and abuse of this prescription drug among adolescents and adults.

Top 6 Signs of Adderall Addiction

You can only use and possess this stimulant drug when you have a prescription from a licensed physician or doctor. It is a strong stimulant that can help you concentrate on your work or stay awake during the daytime.

However, students are misusing and abusing this drug for preparing the night before exams or to become more alert. Can you tell if you or your loved one is addicted to this medicine? Here are the common signs that you need to observe.

• Using someone else’s prescription to acquire the prescription drug
• Taking more than what is prescribed by the doctor
• Smoking, injecting or snorting Adderall pills
• Using alcohol, heroin, and other illicit substances while medicating with this drug
• “Doctor Shopping” or getting prescription from different doctors to have ample supplies of Adderall
• Misusing it to stay awake at night to study before exams or to get a euphoric sensation

Adderall As A Schedule II Controlled Substance

This amphetamine-derived drug is classified as a schedule II controlled substance by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). These substances are dangerous because you can quickly develop a dependence on it. Also, most of these substances are prescribed to patients suffering from ADHD, insomnia, intense pain, and anxiety disorder.

Furthermore, Adderall and other drugs under this category will be found illegal if it is possessed outside your prescription bottle. Likewise, there will be corresponding court charges when you are found guilty of unlawfully acquiring these drugs.

Negative Effects of Abusing Adderall

Before you intake this stimulant, make sure to disclose all allergies and medical history with your doctor to avoid complications. When you overdose with this drug, it will lead to serious ill effects which include the following:

• Because this drug targets your brain, here are the evident side effects of abusing this drug:
• Feeling agitated
• Migraine
• Inability to sleep well
• Feeling drowsy
• Dry mouth
• Slurred speaking ability
• Blurry vision
• Uncontrolled tremors
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations
• High blood pressure
• Sweating
• Anxiety disorder
• Easily irritated
• Unhealthy behaviors like unsafe sex and sexually-transmitted diseases
• Depression

How Long Does Adderall Stay In Your System?

This amphetamine drug can be in tablet or pill form, which you need to take orally based on the recommended dosage from your prescription. Once ingested, it will readily dissolve and get absorbed in your small intestines. Also, it will be digested or processed by your liver before leaving your body.

Here are the estimated durations on how long this substance stays in your system before it is excreted out through your urine.

• Blood: Traces of this substance can still be detected using a blood test 46 hours after your last intake.
• Saliva: The presence of this amphetamine can still be detected 20 to 50 hours after your last medication.
• Urine: A urine test is the most practical way of determining if you are using this drug. Alongside this, traces of Adderall are still detectable 48 to 72 hours from your last oral intake.
• Hair: Testing your hair follicles for the presence of this substance is uncommon in most situations. The presence of Adderall will still be present in your hair strands a maximum of three months after your last dose.

Adderall Dosage

Typically, you can get two types of this drug, that is, the quick-acting and extended-release Adderall. The latter type stays longer in your system because of its prolonged effect on your body.

In terms of strength, this medicine comes in two strengths: 5 mg and 30 mg pill or tablet form. If you are prescribed the 30 mg Adderall, then expect that it stays longer in your system, because there’s a lot of it to be digested, absorbed, and excreted.

The Dangers of Adderall Addiction

This stimulant is greatly stronger than caffeine because of its amphetamine contents. When you are medicating with this drug, it is strongly prohibited that you take other substances like alcohol and other illicit substances.

Below are some serious side effects from abusing this prescription drug in combination with other substances:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Liver cancer
• Depressed breathing patterns
• Dementia
• Brain cancer

Perform Intervention When Adderall Addiction Signs Are Seen

Due to your or your loved one’s inability to accept one’s addiction, you need to have an intervention with your family and a trained professional. It can serve as the first step towards your recovery process.

Once you accept your vulnerability and addiction to this drug, you can then enroll in a rehab recovery program. Your doctor or addiction specialist will put you under evaluation so that they would know your overall condition.

After, they will devise a suitable treatment program that fits your condition and the level of your addiction.

Achieve Sobriety by Seeking Medical Help Today

Undergoing treatment is never a scary thing when you understand its benefits, and when your family and loved ones are there to support you.  Besides that, all treatment facilities have a homey and friendly ambiance, where all people in the facility are willing to help you from start to finish.

With that, you should consult with an addiction specialist regarding your Adderall Addiction, so that you will receive the needed help and treatment for recovery.