Adderall is an amphetamine containing drug that is made up of a combination of both amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. These medicines both have a stimulant effect on the Central Nervous System resulting in increased alertness, staying awake longer and various other affects. According to the FDA, Adderall is prescribed for the treatment of narcolepsy as well as to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) but it may also be used for other purposes and is used as a recreational drug for some college students and others.
It’s important that those who choose to take Adderall do not have any allergies to amphetamine or amphetamine containing drugs. Those who have high blood pressure, hardened arteries, severe anxiety or alcohol addiction are also at increased risk if they take Adderall. Some stimulants, such as Adderall have also been found to cause sudden death in children with serious heart problems or congenital heart defects. Similar cases have also been reported in adults taking Adderall.
Adderall Side Effects
Various side effects are possible when taking Adderall. Most of the side effects are not dangerous and should go away with a couple of doses.
If you have these side effects and they become bothersome or they do not go away, call your doctor:
Loss of interest in sex is a possible Adderall side effect.
- Headache
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
- Poor taste in mouth
- Fever
- Hair loss
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of interest in sex
- Impotence
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Agitation
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Vomiting
In some cases, taking Adderall can result in serious side effects that must be immediately addressed by a doctor.
If you have any of the following serious side effects when taking Adderall, seek immediate medical help:
- Pounding heartbeat
- Fast heartbeat
- Irregular heartbeat
- Pain when urinating
- Burning when urinating
- Unusual talktativeness
- Feelings of extreme happiness
- Feelings of extreme sadness
- Tremors
- Hallucinations
- Odd behavior
- Muscle twitches
- Motor tics
- High blood pressure
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Uneven heartbeat
- Seizure
Adderall Addiction
Adderall does have a potential for being abused for recreational purposes and those who take the drug regularly are likely to develop a tolerance which can lead to physical dependence and addiction. Adderall addiction can result from taking Adderall for medical purposes as well. Anyone taking Adderall repeatedly is at risk of becoming addicted to this drug.
Signs of Adderall abuse include:
- Using Adderall without a prescription
- Running out of a prescription early
- Pretending to have symptoms of ADHD and then asking to be prescribed Adderall
- Using Adderall for any purpose other than which it is prescribed
- Using Adderall to lose weight
- Using Adderall to stay awake
- Taking more Adderall than you are prescribed or taking Adderall when it is not prescribed to you
Treatment
For those who become addicted to Adderall, treatment often consists of a range of methods which includes counseling and therapy to help the user get back on track. If there is a legitimate problem with ADHD or another illness, the user may require dual diagnosis treatment and may also benefit from holistic addiction treatment which focuses on healing all aspect of the user’s life including his or her physical, emotional, social and spiritual well-being. If you or someone you love is addicted to Adderall, get help at 800-816-1059(Who Answers?) and talk to someone who can help.