Trying to keep up with today’s hectic pace can be a challenge, especially for people juggling multiple projects and obligations all the time. Under these conditions, anything that gives a person an edge may seem like a welcome reprieve, but not all solutions work out for the best.
Adderall, one of a handful of medications used to treat ADHD disorder, works to restore normal brain function in people affected by this condition. Interestingly enough, when used for non-treatment purposes or by people who don’t have ADHD, it produces symptoms that hold some similarity to what ADHD sufferers go through.
In effect, someone addicted to Adderall experiences much of the chaos and confusion of ADHD and then some, as this drug can cause widespread damage to the body and the mind. For this reason, finding out if you’re addicted to Adderall can go a long way towards stopping the freight train of effects that Adderall addiction brings.
Adderall’s Effects
Adderall acts as a central nervous system stimulant, which accounts for the rush of energy and enhanced perception users experience. By forcing brain cells to produce neurotransmitter chemicals in large amounts, Adderall essentially reroutes chemical processes in the brain, according to Columbia University. By the time a person asks “am I addicted to Adderall,” these changes have caused widespread chemical imbalances throughout the brain and body.
Signs of Adderall Addiction
Inability to Control Amounts Taken
When addicted to Adderall, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness and insomnia.
Adderall addiction takes on a life of its own as the brain and the mind come to depend on the drug’s effects to function and cope with daily life. At this point, a person doesn’t really care how much he or she takes within any given day as long as the drug does what’s expected. Likewise, the mind’s perceived need for the drug to cope with daily stressors drives drug-using behaviors with little to no concern or priority given to amounts taken.
Withdrawal Episodes
It only takes so long before Adderall’s powerful effects start to wear down chemical-producing cells in the brain. As this takes shape, brain chemical imbalances become more pronounced making it increasingly difficult for the brain to manage the body’s systems as normal. Withdrawal episodes reflect the brain’s now limited functional capacity at which point users start to experience the following symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Confusion
- Insomnia
- Tremors or trembling extremities
- Violent behaviors
Changes in Lifestyle
According to the Journal of Brain and Behavior, Adderall’s effect on the brain reward system most characterizes the Adderall addiction state, where the drug has all but restructured a person’s belief systems, motivations and daily priorities. These changes inevitably start to affect a person’s lifestyle, which has reached a point where anything and everything he or she thinks and does has something to do with getting or using the drug.
When to Consider Treatment
Adderall addiction can be damaging to the point where permanent brain damage develops, making the recovery process all the more difficult to endure. Considering the harsh effects of this drug, it’s never too soon to consider getting treatment help once Adderall abuse starts to take shape.
If you or someone you known struggles with Adderall addiction or have started abusing the drug on a regular basis, please don’t hesitate to call our toll-free helpline at 800-816-1059(Who Answers?) to speak with one of our addictions specialists.
