Who is taking adderall

The withdrawal symptoms caused by Adderall addiction make it hard for users to quit on their own. These withdrawal symptoms can seem unbearable for some. Getting the help of a therapist or treatment center increases the chances of successfully quitting. An Adderall dependency is a natural, expected physiological response to the drug. These individuals are usually unable to cope when they stop taking Adderall and will go to any length to obtain more of the medication.

Use of the drug becomes the main priority of the individual. They often run out of their prescription early due to taking more than prescribed, leaving them in withdrawal from the substance, which results in going to any length to obtain more of the substance. Obsessive thoughts about Adderall and cravings are also indicators of addictive behavior. It is a Schedule II controlled substance because of its strong addictive potential.

While it decreases fatigue in narcoleptic patients, it has the opposite effect in those with ADHD. Adderall comes as a tablet to be ingested orally, with doses ranging from 5 to 30 milligrams. Some people looking for immediate effects may crush up their tablets and snort their Adderall.

Make a Call However, continued abuse of Adderall can lead to long-term side effects and an addiction that can be hard to break. People abuse Adderall because it produces feelings of confidence, euphoria, increased concentration, and a suppressed appetite.

These effects make Adderall a go-to choice for anyone looking for a boost in physical or mental performance. Taking Adderall without a prescription, or in a way not directed by a doctor, is considered abuse. This includes snorting Adderall pills or taking over large doses to get a stronger effect. Although people tend to associate Adderall abuse with high school and college students, many older people also use the drug. Most people who have received treatment for an Adderall addiction started taking it when they were approximately 23, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

College students in particular make up a significant population of those abusing Adderall. Athletes Athletes may abuse Adderall to counter fatigue and enhance performance during practice and in competition. In , Adderall abuse contributed to a record-breaking year of drug-related suspensions in the National Football League.

People with eating disorders People struggling with eating disorders may abuse Adderall because it suppresses the appetite. If someone with an eating disorder becomes addicted to Adderall, they will often require treatment that addresses both issues simultaneously. Adderall abuse can cause severe health-related problems, including potentially lethal overdose.

There are several reasons for combining Adderall with other drugs. Adderall has been approved to treat two conditions.

Adderall tablet is also approved to treat narcolepsy. It can help reduce daytime sleepiness in people with this condition. This is called off-label use. It may also be used to treat depression in people who have both ADHD and depression. Some people who take Adderall or similar stimulant medication along with antidepressant medication have improved depression symptoms. However, taking stimulants with antidepressants can increase the risk of side effects. Talk with your doctor before combining Adderall and any antidepressant medication.

Adderall or similar stimulant medications are sometimes prescribed off-label for people with anxiety , especially for those who have both ADHD and anxiety. Some research suggests that combining stimulant medication with antidepressants might improve symptoms of ADHD and anxiety.

Adderall and other stimulants are sometimes prescribed off-label for treating symptoms of depression in people with bipolar disorder. In some cases, this type of misuse of Adderall can lead to abuse of the drug. Adderall can cause a loss of appetite.

Because of this side effect, some people misuse Adderall as a weight loss aid. Adderall is often misused by people without ADHD to increase focus, concentration, and endurance when studying. This occurs especially often with college students.

In addition, it could worsen memory. Adderall tablets are approved for treating ADHD in children ages 3 years and older.

Adderall tablets are also approved for treating narcolepsy in children ages 6 years and older. There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others.

Talk to your doctor to learn more about other medications that may work well for you. Adderall belongs to a class of medications called stimulants. Drugs in this class are usually considered the first choice of medications for treating ADHD.

Other stimulants that are options for treating ADHD include:. Some people also use herbs and dietary supplements to treat ADHD. For most of these supplements, there is very little research showing that they work, or research findings are inconsistent. Examples of these supplements include:. Despite these similarities, there are some differences between the drugs that might make you prefer one over the other. Vyvanse is approved for treating ADHD and binge eating disorder.

Vyvanse is also used off-label to treat narcolepsy. Adderall comes in two forms: an immediate-release tablet Adderall and an extended-release capsule Adderall XR. Vyvanse is available as a delayed-release capsule and a chewable tablet, both of which are taken once daily.

The chewable tablet may be a good option for those who have a hard time swallowing pills. However, individual people may respond better to one over the other. Because Adderall and Vyvanse are very similar medications, they also have similar side effects and drug interactions. Both medications can cause psychological and physical dependence and can be misused or abused. However, Vyvanse may be less likely to be misused. This is because Adderall has a more immediate and intense effect when taken, which might be attractive to people who want to misuse it.

The costs of brand-name versions of Adderall and Vyvanse are similar. However, Adderall is also available in a generic form, while Vyvanse is not. The FDA has determined that the patent for Vyvanse is valid until It will be at least until then before a generic for Vyvanse is available. Generic drugs are typically less expensive than brand-name drugs.

But in some cases, the brand-name drug and the generic version may be available in different forms and strengths. However, there are some differences that might make you prefer one over the other. The Adderall tablet is taken one to three times daily. Adderall XR is taken just once daily. Like Adderall, Ritalin also comes in two forms: an immediate-release Ritalin tablet and an extended-release capsule Ritalin LA.

Ritalin tablet is taken two to three times daily, and Ritalin LA is taken once daily. Generic versions of Ritalin also come in other dosage forms, including a chewable tablet and an oral liquid solution. These forms may be a good option for people who have a hard time swallowing pills.

However, individual people may respond better to one than the other. Ritalin tablets may work slightly faster than Adderall. However, Adderall works for a slightly longer period of time than Ritalin:. Adderall and Ritalin are very similar medications.

They also have similar side effects and drug interactions. The cost of brand-name versions of Adderall and Ritalin are similar. The actual amount you pay will vary depending on your health insurance plan. Adderall and Ritalin are both available in generic forms.

The generic name for Ritalin is methylphenidate. Adderall and Concerta methylphenidate extended-release are medications that are commonly used for ADHD. They are both stimulant medications and work in a similar way. There are some differences that might make you prefer one over the other. Adderall is also approved for narcolepsy, but Concerta is not. Concerta is used off-label to treat narcolepsy. Adderall comes in two forms: an immediate-release Adderall tablet and an extended-release capsule Adderall XR.

One difference between the drugs is how fast they work and how long they last. Adderall may work slightly faster, but Concerta lasts longer:. Adderall and Concerta are very similar medications. Both medications can cause psychological and physical dependence, and can be misused or abused. Both Adderall and Concerta are brand-name drugs. The generic name of Concerta is methylphenidate extended-release.

Adderall and modafinil, a generic drug, are both stimulant medications, but they affect the brain in slightly different ways. Modafinil increases wakefulness and alertness. Adderall can also stimulate wakefulness and, in people with ADHD , can produce feelings of calm and focus. Modafinil is approved to treat narcolepsy, shift-work sleep disorder, and sleep apnea. Modafinil is used off-label to treat ADHD. Both Adderall and modafinil are effective treatment options for daytime sleepiness in people who have narcolepsy.

Adderall is considered a first-choice medication for treating symptoms of ADHD. Adderall and modafinil are both stimulants and have some similar side effects. However, Adderall is more likely to cause side effects than modafinil. Both Adderall and modafinil can cause physical and psychological dependence leading to misuse or abuse. However, dependence appears to be more common with Adderall than modafinil.

Due to these differences in side effect risk, modafinil is often preferred over Adderall for treating narcolepsy. Adderall and modafinil are both available in brand-name and generic versions. The brand name of modafinil is Provigil. Ashley Chatigny, a double board-certified psychiatrist and medical director of behavioral health with Lee Physician Group , for some answers. Adderall is a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, two central nervous stimulants that improve focus and reduce impulsivity by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain.

Adderall is not available without a prescription. But we invite you to talk to a doctor about any medication changes or questions about lifestyle, ADHD, or other concerns. Adderall helps people diagnosed with ADHD by improving their focus and concentration since it is a direct stimulant on the central nervous system.

The medication has the same effect on those who do not have ADHD, and it's important to remember that Adderall has side effects such as nervousness, restlessness, headaches, problems sleeping, and more.

Adderall withdrawal is also a serious issues, and it is extremely important that adults and children take Adderall under the supervision of a doctor.

The following list includes the most significant side effects from extended misuse:. Adderall's side effects ultimately endanger both the mind and body. Prolonged misuse of the drug will increase the risk and severity of Adderall's side effects. If you experience any of these side effects, please seek help or consult a doctor.

Long-term use of this central nervous stimulant can not only affect physical and mental health, but also personality. In comments posted on Chris Guillebeau's Writing with Adderall blog, here's how one former Adderall abuser described his drug-induced personality changes: "On Adderall, I didn't like the changes in my personality.

I was really focused, yes. But I also lost my empathetic side. I lost my quirk. I was less tolerant. I found myself in more fights, extremely neurotic about having my own way—I think maybe I became more egocentric. I also didn't like the withdrawal. Pretty hard crashes. I noticed everything, I ascribed meaning to things that were trivial. Adderall withdrawal can cause an intense crash—especially for individuals who attempt to quit "cold turkey.

A lower dosage is less likely to cause withdrawal symptoms when medication usage stops. In order to successfully manage Adderall withdrawal symptoms, medical detox is recommended. Withdrawal symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to months. The risk of relapse spikes during this time as the body attempts to rebalance. Even with a tapered withdrawal approach, serious symptoms and side effects can develop that should be monitored by a professional.

In addition to Adderall's side effects, there are also debilitating symptoms that arise from the discontinuation of its use and a resulting withdrawal period:. It's not easy to admit you might have a substance abuse problem and ask for help.