Adderall addiction is a growing problem for Americans today. What may start off as a legitimate prescription for medication can quickly turn into a devastating addiction.
Adderall addiction can take over your life, causing you to lose everything that is most important to you.
The good news is that there is help available to you or your loved one. You can put your life back on track. Rehab centers like Denver Recovery Center in Colorado can help you recover from the devastating effects that addiction causes.
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The increased popularity of prescription drugs that treat ADHD has grown rapidly in our country. Between 2008 and 2012, the use of Adderall and other medications used to treat Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) increased by 35%. In that same time period, the number of adults who had prescriptions for ADHD medications tripled. As the use of these stimulants becomes more common, abuse does as well.
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What is Adderall?
Introduced in 1996, Adderall is a common and effective treatment for people who suffer from Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a disorder that makes it hard for an individual to focus or pay attention and often leaves them restless. They may also have compulsive behavior such as interrupting others or constantly moving.
ADHD is caused mainly by genetics and chemical imbalances inside the brain. Most symptoms of ADHD will appear when the individual is a child. If symptoms persist into adulthood, they typically include being unorganized, having poor memory, and an inability to concentrate.
There are several drugs used to treat this disorder, with the most common two being Ritalin and Adderall. Both are in the drug class of stimulants. These drugs increase the levels of dopamine in the brain, causing increased focus. Unfortunately, just like with illicit stimulant drugs (such as methamphetamine and cocaine), an individual can become addicted to these substances. Many people who end up abusing these drugs may start out taking them despite not having any of the conditions such as ADHD that would call for their use.
How Do People Become Addicted to Adderall?
Adderall works in the brain and central nervous system. When taken, it increases the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. These two chemicals are the key to why this drug can become so addictive.
Norepinephrine is the chemical that is responsible for how the brain reacts to situations, how quickly it has that reaction, and how well it pays attention. Dopamine is the chemical that makes the brain feel pleasure. Both of these chemicals are produced in the body naturally; however, sometimes a person may experience an imbalance or decreased level of one or both chemicals.
Adderall instructs the brain to produce higher levels of each of these chemicals. This can give the user a euphoric, positive, happy feeling, and oftentimes leave them wanting more. Over time, the person may begin to become dependent on the drug to feel any happiness at all and can experience withdrawal symptoms such as extreme drowsiness and mental confusion without it.
People between the ages of 18-25 are the most likely to be addicted to Adderall. Many of these people do not have a valid prescription but are able to get the drug from family members or friends. A recent study by John Hopkins University showed that 60% of non-medical use was occurring in this age group.
These types of drugs are gaining popularity amongst college students as well. Many refer to the drug as a “study aid” since it increases focus, memory, and allows for a sleepless night full of last-minute studying. A 2014 survey by the Partnership for a Drug-Free Kids reported that 20% of college students admitted to abusing prescription stimulants.
What Are the Signs of Adderall Addiction?
There is definitely a difference between normal use and abusing the drug. As with any prescription medication, there are some potential side effects of the drug. These include:
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Dry mouth
- Stomach upset/pain
- Nausea/vomiting
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Nervousness
- Trouble sleeping
If you are concerned that you or a loved one may be suffering from Adderall addiction, it is important to be aware that these possible side effects could indicate normal use of the drug. However, there are also several signs you can look for that would indicate misuse or abuse of the drug. They include:
- Using the drug without a prescription or not as prescribed
- Being overly chatty or talking too much
- Unusually excited
- Withdrawing socially from family and friends
- Secretive
- Financial problems
- Aggressive or erratic behavior
- Sleeping for long periods of time mixed with long periods of being awake
- Exhaustion
- Extreme and/or sudden weight loss
- Memory loss
- Problems with relationships
- Lack of personal hygiene
- Overworking
- Feeling disoriented
- Manic or impulsive behavior
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
Is Rehab Necessary for Adderall Addiction?
There are many ways to quit abusing drugs and regain control of your life. A small percentage of people are able to quit cold-turkey and never have a problem with the drug again. This is not recommended in most cases because withdrawal symptoms can be severe for some individuals. Other people find the help they need through counseling or 12-step meetings.
If you have tried these methods already, but they didn’t work for you, or if you are interested in getting truly beneficial, medically-proven help for your addiction, then it is time to consider rehab. Rehab is not necessarily required, but the rates of success for people who have been through a rehab program far exceed the number of people who haven’t.
Rehab programs like Denver Recovery Center offer a long list of benefits that help the individual through their journey to a sober lifestyle. It is important to realize that addiction is a disease much like asthma or diabetes. It cannot be cured, but with the proper tools, it can be managed.
The best rehab programs available provide holistic methods that treat the individual as a whole. There are so many different factors that play into your life that make you who you are today. Your family, friends, upbringing, work, financial status, and numerous other things can all have an effect when it comes to the choices you make. Some things you can control, such as where you live and who you associate with, but other things are completely beyond your control, like your genetic disposition or the way you were raised.
What Types of Therapy Are Available for Adderall Addiction?
Rehab programs can provide medically-supervised assistance to get the substance out of your system and also help you learn the tools necessary to be able to move forward in your life with the best possible chance of remaining drug-free. This is usually accomplished through a combination of different types of therapy and classes.
Denver Recovery Center in Colorado is proud to offer our clients a program that is completely based on their individual needs. We get to know each individual person and design a treatment plan that is unique to them and their special circumstances. Some of the types of treatment we offer include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
- Experiential Therapy
- Family Therapy
- Individual Counseling
- Group Counseling
- Holistic Therapy
- Dual-diagnosis Treatment
- Outdoor Therapy
- Life Skills Training
Can I Receive Other Treatments for ADHD After Overcoming Adderall Addiction?
Yes! If you suffer from ADHD but have developed an addiction to your prescribed medications, there are several other treatment options available to you once you have gotten help. There are other prescription drugs that could provide you with the help you need to address your ADHD symptoms. However, if you have already experienced addiction to one type of stimulant medication, your doctor may choose to try medications that address other aspects of ADHD. Some of these include drugs that are typically known as antidepressants, reuptake inhibitors, or a noradrenergic alpha-2 agonist antihypertensive agent.
If you have already experienced addictive tendencies with medication for ADHD, you can expect that your doctor will monitor any new medications closely to determine how they are working for you and whether addiction may be occurring. If medication is no longer an option for your situation, there are other treatment options available for ADHD that may offer relief for you. These include psychosocial treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy. Success with using this type of treatment is usually found in adults rather than children.
Is Rehab For Adderall Addiction Available in Colorado?
Rehab for Adderall addiction or any other substance abuse issue is available at Denver Recovery Center. Located just north of the Denver, Colorado area, our facility provides treatment that is holistic and evidence-based. We are proud to offer a number of different therapy options in order to treat each individual uniquely and all of their needs.
Our staff is dedicated to seeing our clients succeed in life and find happiness in sobriety. We understand the difficulty and challenges that you are going through as you experience this transformation. We are here to help.
Depending on your situation, there are a number of different levels of care you may consider. These options include:
Intensive Outpatient/Partial Hospitalization: This level of rehab involves you spending the majority of your day at a facility to receive treatment, but at night you will leave to go home. Oftentimes, people who choose this option will reside at a nearby sober living home with fellow clients. This offers them a certain amount of freedom while providing a strict schedule of classes and therapy.
Outpatient Treatment: With this rehab program, you will attend classes and therapy at the facility several days per week, usually for 3-5 hours at a time. The rest of your week is yours to manage. Many people who have completed a more intensive program and are ready to return to work or school find this level of care works best for them.
Alumni/Aftercare Options: Many facilities offer activities and options for their clients who have successfully completed their program. These types of options are critical to the success of any person with a substance abuse issue. Recovering from an addiction is a lifelong process, not a one-time thing. There may be problems in life that come up when you least expect them that could tempt you to relapse. Having a support network and peers you can talk to is critical at times like these.
Call Now and Let us Help You Begin Your Recovery.
If you are concerned about yourself or a loved one and think they may have an addiction to Adderall or any other substance, give us a call today. You don’t have to go through this alone. We are here to help you from the first time you contact us and will be here to help you all the way through your recovery journey.
Call our facility at (844) 602-3175 today. We can help you begin your journey to a healthy and happy life in sobriety.
