Can You Get Addicted to Adderall?

Adderall is a stimulant prescribed to treat ADHD and narcolepsy, but when taken regularly in higher doses than recommended, addiction is a very real possibility.

Like other addictive drugs, Adderall increases the amount of dopamine or the neurotransmitter that is primarily responsible for helping you feel happy in the brain. This dopamine interacts with your brain’s reward system and reinforces this behavior. When Adderall is taken regularly, it causes the brain to crave this unusually high dopamine rush leading to an addiction to the substance that provides it.

People who are taking the correct amount prescribed by their doctor should not have a problem. Problems of Adderall addiction arise when people abuse this drug. This may include people taking more than what their doctor recommends, those taking the drug to lose weight, college students trying to increase their productivity, or those who simply want to get high. Without prescription drug addiction treatment, the addiction could get worse. Along with some possible health issues and psychological problems, these people may also turn to harder drugs that can cause more serious problems.

Signs of An Adderall Addiction

Some people may take Adderall because it has been prescribed to them by a doctor while others may take unprescribed Adderall to help them focus or even lose weight. Either way, if this medication is being abused, it could eventually lead to an addiction to the substance and the need for a medically monitored drug detox to safely wean the body off of the drug. If you suspect that you or a loved one may be developing a dependence on this drug, it is important to recognize the problem sooner rather than later.

Some signs of an Adderall addiction include:

• Taking Adderall not as prescribed
• Craving Adderall
• Experiencing Adderall withdrawal symptoms like depression, fatigue, and irritability when not taking it
• Taking a higher dosage to feel the same effects
• Being unable to complete work when not on Adderall
• Carrying Adderall with you so that you can take it at a moment’s notice
• Getting Adderall outside of a doctor’s prescription
• Being unable to stop taking Adderall on your own
• Financial issues from spending too much on Adderall
• Prioritize Adderall over work, relationships, etc.

Help For an Adderall Addiction

Because Adderall is addictive and can lead to serious problems when this issue is ignored, it is important to ask for help when you need it or you believe that a loved one may need it, a Pennsylvania drug addiction treatment center like ours can help patients overcome this psychological dependence before it is too late and matters get worse.

To get more information about Clearbrook Treatment Centers and our various programs available, please do not hesitate to contact us at 570-536-9621.