While Adderall may be in the headlines and Focalin on the sidelines, the effects of Focalin vs. Adderall are almost identical.
Adderall’s high risk for addiction has been well publicized and this risk exists regardless of whether a person uses it for treatment purposes or recreational purposes. Focalin, one of the newly developed prescription amphetamines, works in much the same way as Adderall and so carries the same risks.
According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, as of 2011, 11 percent of children aged four to 17 struggled with ADHD, or Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Not surprisingly, many people affected by ADHD in childhood carry the condition on into adulthood. Both Focalin and Adderall are designed to treat symptoms of ADHD in children and adults.
When used for long time periods, dangerous similarities between Focalin vs. Adderall place unsuspecting ADHD sufferers and recreational users at considerable risk of addiction, mental illness and even brain damage.
For information on amphetamine rehab treatment programs, get help today at 800-816-1059(Who Answers?).
Dangerous Similarities Between Focalin vs. Adderall
1. Mechanism of Action & “High Effects”
Both Focalin and Adderall have a high abuse and addiction potential.
As far as similarities between Focalin vs. Adderall goes, there’s very little difference in how these two drugs interact with the brain. As amphetamine-based agents, these drugs increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels, both of which are primary neurotransmitter chemicals.
In effect, both drugs block the brain’s natural recycling mechanisms, larger amounts of these chemicals stay active for longer time periods. Adderall goes one step farther in that it also stimulates dopamine and norepinephrine production by certain groups of brain cells.
These overall effects account for the increase in energy, overall confidence and enhanced concentration that results. These effects also incite feelings of euphoria, which ultimately set the ball in motion in terms of the abuse and addiction risks these drugs carry.
2. Potential for Abuse
According to the U. S. National Library of Medicine, amphetamines, in general, tend to overexert the brain’s chemical system, and over time cause this system to become dependent on amphetamine effects to function normally. Before long, users start to experience increasing tolerance levels and withdrawal effects that worsen in severity with each passing day.
In terms of Focalin vs. Adderall, their potential for abuse runs neck-in-neck. As tolerance levels rise, larger doses must be ingested to experience the desired effects. In the process, withdrawal effects grow more and more severe, which further contributes to frequency of drug use.
3. Potential for Dependence
While a physical dependence on Focalin vs. Adderall is all but a guarantee with prolonged use, a real “need” for the drug’s effects takes hold once addiction starts to develop. Rather than attack the brain’s physical workings, addiction takes shape within the cognitive- and emotion-based centers of the brain.
These developments create a form of psychological dependence that ultimately impacts a person’s values, priorities and motivations. At this point, drug using practices take on a life of their own and gradually become the focal point of a person’s daily activities.
Overall, Focalin’s ability to stay “under the radar” as far as its addiction risks go can be especially dangerous for unsuspecting recreational drug users. As far as similarities between Focalin vs. Adderall goes, abusing one is just like abusing the other.
If you’re considering amphetamine rehab treatment and need help finding a program that meets your needs, we can help. Get help today at 800-816-1059(Who Answers?) and ask about available treatment options.
