Overview of the Abuse and Addiction to Adderall in Colleges and the Workplace
Originally used to treat children and adults with ADHD or ADD, this prescription medicine has been taking over campuses around the globe. Adderall addiction in colleges, and more recently the workplace is becoming bigger than ever. In fact, an estimated 6.4 percent of full-time college students between the ages of 18 and 22 used Adderall for non-medical purposes in the last year. Furthermore, up to 60% of college students have been offered the small blue pill to enhance their studies.
It’s not just students
The so-called study drug could seem minutely understandable, by some, during college. After all, University is not cheap; most of the students using Adderall are working and learning full time. There is little time to sleep, albeit eat. But, what’s more disconcerting is the rampant abuse of Adderall in the workplace. Office workers, late night drivers and others with intense jobs are sharing this legal prescription to better their work performance. Unfortunately, when non-users see their co-workers getting things done, they may become curious and start to abuse Adderall themselves. This drug has became so popular that a recent study showed “from 2010 to 2012, people who reported stimulants as their primary mind-altering drug of choice when entering substance abuse centers rose 15 percent”.
What is Adderall?
Adderall is a stimulant and legal amphetamine. It is prescribed by doctors to treat ADHD, ADD and narcolepsy. The short term effects include heightened attention, and an increase in energy and awareness. People who take Adderall, for non-medical purposes, claim it promotes creativity, enhances memory and overall performance. Coming in a blue or orange tablet, it can be orally swallowed; whereas, heavy abusers may prefer to crush and snort the tablets. In addition to the energy boosting effects, it also suppresses the appetite making it a popular choice for people looking to lose weight. Because this prescription is legal, many abusers do not consider it a street drug, or even a drug at all. Even more so, it is commonly believed that there are no side effects of using Adderall. Treatment centers however, report that there continues to be a rapid influx of people seeking out help for an addiction to this prescription drug. This is because there are indeed significant short and long term effects of using.
Short and Long Term Effects of Adderall Dependency
While our Adderall rehab center acknowledges that this drug can be used for good purposes, particularly when taken as prescribed, we also believe there can be potential side effects especially in dependent users.
During the coming up and peak of Adderall use, the individual may have high blood pressure, an increased heart rate and an elevated high body temperature. For many, these symptoms, although uncomfortable, can be managed. However, for someone with cardiovascular problems, obesity, acute paranoia/anxiety or other underlying health issues, these effects could become quite serious. After a few hours, the Adderall high wears down; grogginess, fatigue and apathy can set in. A user may begin to feel depressed and unable to function without using the drug. They may sleep for hours on end, or may be unable to sleep at all. Stress, weight gain, hair loss and anxiety can occur; while the immune system can become weak leading to a number of different health aliments.
The aforementioned are just some of the short term Adderall abuse effects, the long term effects could include:
- Aggressive behavior
- Paranoia, hallucinations, psychosis
- Irregular heartbeat
- High blood pressure
- Heart problems
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Coma
- Death
What Makes Adderall Addictive
There are two primary reasons Adderall is one of the most abused prescription stimulates, these are:
Psychologically -It promotes productivity and gives a false perception that a person cannot do as much or as well when they are not using the medication.
Physically– Adderall causes an unpleasant withdrawal whenever the dosage is decreased or stopped. This includes going from daily use for several weeks/months to little-to-no use. These withdrawal symptoms can be so intense that a person will feel driven to use just to get them to subside.
Both of these reasons can be a leading factor to Adderall addiction. These become more relevant when there are underlying mental health issues or a history of addiction.
Addiction Treatment Centers Can Help
Adderall is relatively easy to get and is extremely addictive. Misusing this drug, be it for study or workplace production, can result in serious physical and psychological harm. If you believe you are addicted to Adderall and would like to receive the proper support and attention to be free from dependency, an Adderall treatment center can help.
As an Adderall rehab, Siam Rehab can offer an initial medical detox thereby reducing the withdrawal symptoms. From there, our integrated team of Western trained staff will help you to identify the problem and deal with potential complications which have resulted from using.
If you would like to know more about our Adderall rehab treatment program, please contact us today.
