Adderall Addiction
Adderall is a popular drug that is used by children and young adults to treat complications caused by attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. A study was recently released highlighting the sharp influx of ADHD among children, saying, “There has been a dramatic rise in the past two decades going from 6 [percent] to 10 percent.”
The question asked in the article is whether these diagnoses represent a true increase in ADHD or if we’re just better at diagnosing the disorder now through continued medical education efforts. It’s tough to distinguish the difference, but that could be a meaningful answer in determining this new information.
In 2017, 14 percent of boys were diagnosed with ADHD in the United States versus a mere 9 percent back in 1997. Girls diagnoses were up to 6 percent from 3 percent two decades ago. In 2016, a total of 388,000 children ages 2 through 5 were diagnosed with the disorder, ages 6 to 11 2.4 million, and ages 12 through 17 at 3.3 million. This affects a large group of children, and while the exact reason for the increase in the disorder can be left up to debate, there is a real problem that requires a real solution.
So what is attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) exactly? It is one of the most common mental disorders that affect children. It also affects many adults. Symptoms of the disorder include inattention (the inability to focus), hyperactivity (excess movement that is not fitting to the setting), and impulsivity (hasty acts that occur in the moment without thought). It can cause havoc in someone that suffers from its effects. Parents and teachers alike may think there is something wrong with the child, but often the young person requires medication to straighten out a chemical imbalance. Adderall has been the answer in many cases.
Adderall is one of those drugs prescribed in ADHD treatment that has the ability to transform those who have the disorder and give them a chance in school. With every great medication comes the possibility of being misused. Adderall misuse peaks between 18- to 25-year-olds, and is extremely common on college campuses. A lot of children who have been prescribed Adderall as kids grow out of their symptoms as they get older but are still prescribed the medication. This can lead to selling the drug on campus as it is highly sought out as a study aid. Situations like these have caused an increase in emergency room visits attributed to Adderall use. While most people use it as prescribed, there are some who abuse the drug.
What is Adderall?
Dextroamphetamine-amphetamine, also known as Adderall, is a stimulant drug that is available through a doctor’s prescription. It is an extremely powerful central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that affects chemicals in the brain and nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control. It has the power to cause effects such as increased energy, increased concentration, self-confidence, and euphoria. It is designed to be long-lasting and increase concentration in kids or adults who suffer from focus problems related to ADHD.
Like most stimulant drugs, Adderall has the potential to become addictive when abused. Those who have a history of abusing drugs are more likely to become addicted to it. When it is used as prescribed and for its intended purpose at school or work, those who use the drug have less of a chance of developing a tolerance for it. When it is used in higher doses than a doctor would prescribe, or in a manner not consistent with its purpose, a substance use disorder can most likely occur.
Adderall is prescribed by doctors as a drug to be taken orally, but those who abuse it will crush the prescription pills into a powder and snort the substance for a more intense high. This can lead to fatal consequences because the drug was created as an extended-release formula to last during the day. When it is crushed and snorted, it is not distributed evenly into your system, and too much at once can cause an overdose. Stimulant overdose can lead to a coma, brain damage, and in some cases, death.
Who Abuses Adderall?
While people tend to generalize Adderall users as high school and college students, many older people in our society use the medication as well. The average age that someone starts using Adderall is 23, according to a study released by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
A typical user of Adderall is students and professionals. The drug increases someone’s ability to focus and stay awake longer. It makes it much more attractive to students and working professionals that face increasing demands at work or school. College students make up a significant portion of those who abuse the drug.
Athletes also have been shown to abuse Adderall to enhance their performance during practice or competition. Adderall contributed to record-breaking drug-related suspensions in the NFL in 2012.
Lastly, those with eating disorders often abuse Adderall to suppress their appetite. When someone becomes addicted to the medication with an eating disorder, they will require treatment that cares for both problems.
Adderall Rehab Procedure
The first step in the continuum of care is often medical detoxification. While stimulant withdrawal is not as serious as withdrawal from barbiturates or alcohol, it can still serve as a safe haven to those who are serious about getting off drugs.
This stage of care will allow the user to be supervised 24 hours a day up to seven days while focusing on stabilizing their mind and body. In case of any complications during detox, it is always the best option to have medical professionals within your immediate reach. In case anything does not go as planned, they could offer medication to alleviate uncomfortable symptoms of withdrawal.
During admission, the client will have gone through an assessment phase that will determine their course of action through the treatment process. It’s important to be aware that treatment will only be useful if used in a manner that is consistent with the client’s needs. In short, it must be a tailored fit. This could have the client placed in a residential treatment center, intensive outpatient facility, or outpatient treatment. This will all be determined by the severity of the addiction, and if there is a history of relapse.
While there are many options in where you could be placed, therapy sessions take place in all levels of care. These therapy sessions will allow you to get to the root of your addiction and gain traction in your life. This will also teach you how to cope with triggers once they present themselves outside the comfort of treatment. These therapies include:
- Individual therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Family therapy
- Group therapy
These therapies are all designed to increase the clients’ awareness of their disease and equip them with the necessary tools required to survive in life after treatment.
Adderall Abuse Statistics
- 1 in 10 high school students has admitted to abusing a study drug.
- 90% of full-time college students who used Adderall non-medically in the past year were binge alcohol users
- 76% acquired it from a friend with a prescription.
