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Adderall is a central nervous stimulant medication meant to treat symptoms of hyperactivity and impulse control. In addition to being prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), it has sometimes been used as a treatment for narcolepsy.
Adderall contains amphetamine and dextroamphetamine; both of these powerful stimulants can be habit forming. Someone with a history of addiction to other drugs or a family history of addiction is at an increased risk of becoming addicted to Adderall. Because Adderall is a central nervous system stimulant, it can produce a euphoric high similar to other stimulants--such as cocaine--when it is taken recreationally or for reasons other than ADHD or narcolepsy
Someone using Adderall for something other than a diagnosed medical condition may be at risk for becoming addicted to it. Because of its stimulant properties, someone addicted to Adderall may appear nervous, restless and more alert than usual.
A user may experience changes in appetite and sleep and experience weight loss and insomnia as a result of abusing Adderall. Serious side effects of Adderall abuse can include hallucinations, mania, and aggressive behavior. Adderall addiction will also negatively impact a person's social and occupational obligations and relationships.
Taking Adderall recreationally, without a prescription or in amounts above those prescribed all constitute prescription drug abuse, and increase one's risk for dependency and addiction. If you find yourself taking more than prescribed or taking more to achieve a desired effect, you may rapidly build a tolerance to the drug. If you experience cravings to use Adderall and spend a lot of your time getting, using and thinking about it, you are already experiencing classic signs of substance addiction.
There is often a small window of time and opportunity from when a person commits to seeking treatment to when they are admitted into a treatment program. Because of this, it is beneficial to have a treatment facility picked out, to eliminate any potential barriers once your loved one agrees to get treatment.
These barriers may include the cost of treatment, room availability at the treatment facility, transportation to the facility and/or re-emerging denial that treatment is needed. It is important to be prepared for excuses of why your addicted loved one cannot go into treatment, such as needing to go to work, pay bills, take care of animals, etc.
Research indicates that creating a plan for treatment with precise steps, goals and guidelines is very effective in enabling a loved one to seek help. Then friends and family members can share how their loved one's potential refusal can negatively affect their lives.
An Adderall addict may seek recovery in a Twelve Step support group such as Narcotics Anonymous. Because addiction is a disease that impacts the whole family, it will be necessary for friends and family members to seek help, as well.
The Twelve Step support group Nar-Anon is a recovery program for friends and family members of addicts. This support group allows the addict's friends and family members to work the twelve steps and seek to improve their lives whether or not the addict is still using.
For this reason, Nar-Anon can be especially beneficial if the addict were to experience a relapse into active Adderall use. Many treatment programs will provide information about various outlets for support such as Nar-Anon to family members, as participation in such programs can serve to strengthen the recovery process for everyone involved.
Just as the addict can relapse, friends and family members can experience relapse by returning to behaviors that previously may have enabled the addict to continue using before they got help. Parents of Addicted Loved-ones (PAL) is a non-twelve-step group that provides education and support to parents.
There are different treatment programs and levels of care available for someone who is addicted to Adderall to receive help. If a user was prescribed Adderall to treat a diagnosed condition but became addicted to it, it is important that the prescribing doctor is aware in case there are alternative medications available to treat the condition.
You can begin a search for treatment for Adderall addiction by accessing web resources like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website, www.samhsa.gov and clicking on the link that says "Find Help."
You can then click on the link for a behavioral health treatment services locator, which will allow you to put in your zip code to search for local treatment facilities. After you press the search button, you will be brought to a screen that allows you to limit your search to substance abuse treatment facilities.
The decision for the right Adderall treatment type is quite personal and depends highly on an individual's specific situation. The process can be aided greatly by the advice and direction of a qualified addiction treatment professional.
