How Adderall Affects Someone Without ADHD

Adderall is a stimulant made up of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine that is often used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Adderall works by changing the levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine in the brain, increasing focus, energy, and a person’s overall ability to concentrate. Because of its side effects, many students use Adderall without a prescription. This is a dangerous habit that can lead to health complications and even addiction. If you don’t have ADHD, Adderall can have negative side effects. 

Because it’s commonly misused for its side effects, our drug rehab in Pennsylvania wanted to clarify how Adderall affects someone without ADHD. 

How Does Adderall Work?

Adderall and other similar drugs like Ritalin are stimulants that work by targeting the central nervous system. Adderall activates the central nervous system, causing an increase in dopamine and norepinephrine levels. Dopamine and norepinephrine are neurotransmitters that help to regulate mood, sleep, energy, alertness, blood flow, and responses to stress. The release of these neurotransmitters increases a person’s alertness as well as concentration, which can greatly benefit someone with ADHD. 

While Adderall helps treat certain conditions, it’s also addictive. The effects of Adderall on someone without ADHD include addiction and a decline in cognitive function. Drugs that affect the brain and neurotransmitter levels often have high abuse potential. At Clearbrook Treatment Centers Pennsylvania, we offer a medical detox that can flush Adderall out of the patient’s system and includes medical treatment for their withdrawal symptoms. 

How Does Adderall Affect Someone Without ADHD?

There are several adverse effects of Adderall that occur in people who do have ADHD, so you can only imagine how Adderall affects someone without ADHD. Because Adderall boosts energy and concentration by increasing the dopamine levels in the brain, it can also affect the heart. This medication can also kickstart the cardiovascular system, causing abnormal heart rate, heart attacks, seizures, and even sudden death. Individuals without ADHD who take Adderall are also likely to take a higher dose than they would be prescribed, increasing their likelihood of experiencing heart problems among other side effects. 

The effects of Adderall on someone without ADHD include: 

• Loss of appetite 
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Jitters or shakes 
• Impaired working memory
• Heart palpitations
• Abnormal heart rate
• Increased blood pressure
• Heart attack
• Heart failure 

Many of these individuals also often experience a crash that occurs when their mood and energy suddenly drop after the brain has experienced high levels of dopamine. As with other drugs that spike dopamine and norepinephrine levels, you can get addicted to Adderall. A person who takes it without a prescription or misuses it is at risk of developing a dependence. As one of the best rehabs in PA, we offer an effective prescription drug addiction treatment that’s centered on helping patients who suffer from addictions to medications like Adderall. 

The negative effects of Adderall aren’t worth taking it for concentration. The side effects of taking Adderall without ADHD can vary depending on the person’s health, whether they’ve used other substances, and more. If you or someone you know is addicted to Adderall or any other drug, call Clearbrook Pennsylvania today at 570-536-9621 for more information about our inpatient drug treatment in Pennsylvania.