Adderall is recognized as a study drug and as such is given to those who suffer from ADHD and ADD. Adderall contains amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, and racemic amphetamine. As this drug becomes more popular, people are finding different ways to use it that will lead them to a better high. For example, many people snort Adderall.
What is Adderall?
Adderall is a prescription medication used for the treatment of narcolepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It was first introduced to the consumer market back in 1996 by Shire Pharmaceuticals.
Adderall contains a combination of 4 amphetamine salts; more specifically it contains dextroamphetamine and amphetamine aspartate monohydrate, dextroamphetamine sulfate, and racemic amphetamine sulfate. The drug has stimulating effects on the central nervous system (CNS). This can lead to increased attention span, motivation, memory, and concentration.
The active ingredient in Adderall, amphetamine, works by increasing levels of chemicals such as dopamine and adrenaline. This allows Adderall to boost the focus and concentration levels of its users.
Most people that abuse Adderall don’t have an actual medical condition which calls for them to take the prescription medication to begin with. Most people that abuse Adderall choose to do so because they want to be able to stay up all night studying for an exam or party all night long without having any consequences during the next day.
How Addictive is Adderall?
Despite popular belief, Adderall is actually very addictive. It is similar to other stimulants including cocaine and meth thus increasing the odds of addiction. This drug can cause you to become both physically and mentally dependent.
What are the Effects of Using Adderall?
The effects of using Adderall can vary from person to person. It depends largely on the dosage of the medication that is being administered. If you are taking a low dose, then your energy levels will be increased. This is mainly due to adrenaline release which makes individuals feel a little jittery.
The adrenaline release that comes from using Adderall also gives individuals a sense of euphoria if the balance is just right. Adderall was primarily created for people who suffer from narcolepsy, so all these symptoms seem pretty mild by comparison.
Other Adderall symptoms include:
- Insomnia
- Dry mouth
- Loss of appetite
- Heart palpitations
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Nervousness
- Pupils become dilated
Adderall Abuse Statistics in the US
Most people who take Adderall are actually abusing the medication. That is an astonishing number of individuals who are willing to trade their health away for a temporary high. In fact, Adderall is one of the most popular drugs abused by college students, young adults, and athletes for energy boosts or weight loss. For example, drug abuse costs the U.S. more than $740 billion every year in costs related to crime, lost work productivity, and health care.
Prescription prices have risen by 5% in 2021 so far. Among the developed countries, the U.S. has the highest per-capita pharmaceutical spending, which is mostly due to higher drug prices.
Fewer than 1-in-10 prescription abusers misuse drugs with the goal to get high. 2.0 million people or 11.9% of people who misuse prescriptions are definitely addicted to the prescription drugs they misuse.
Why Do People Use Adderall?
People often start abusing Adderall for its stimulant and euphoric effects. This is because such effects often make people feel more confident and social. It is often used as a party drug to help you stay awake and energized.
People use Adderall for a variety of reasons including:
– Weight loss
– To enhance academic and work performance
What Happens If You Snort Adderall?
When people snort Adderall, the effects are felt immediately or take longer to appear depending on many factors. These factors include how much Adderall you took and whether any other drugs were mixed with it.
The immediate effects of snorting Adderall may include:
– Headaches
– Insomnia
– Dizziness
– Nervousness
– Vomiting
Is Snorting Adderall Dangerous?
Yes, it is very dangerous for a person to snort Adderall. This is because a person is more likely to overdose when doing so without knowing it. When you snort Adderall, it can create a reaction with your mucus membranes in the nose. This could then cause your body to create a chemical reaction that causes you to have more amphetamine in your body than you originally planned.
Snorting Adderall is also very dangerous because it can lead to addiction. Because many people often snort Adderall when using it, there are often consequences when people try to stop taking this substance. Such consequences include depression and mood swings.
How Does Snorting Adderall Affect Your Body?
Snorting Adderall can cause your blood vessels to constrict. This will make it harder for oxygen to reach various parts of your body, particularly those areas closest to where the pill was broken down.
People don’t usually snort Adderall to get high, but rather to get over an extended period of time without sleep because they have responsibilities that they must follow through on. While taking Adderall orally, certain enzymes suppress the effects of the substance so that when it comes time to sleep you will be tired and sleep without the high.
In some cases, people will snort Adderall to get high, but this can lead to other problems, such as addiction or overdose.
Side effects of snorting Adderall may include:
- Nosebleeds
- Brain damage
- Reduced appetite
- Decreased body temperature
- Headache
Snorting Adderall is not a healthy way to take the drug. This is because your nose isn’t designed to digest drugs by any means. Snorting Adderall also increases the chance that you’ll forget all about taking it orally. This would defeat the purpose of using Adderall because you want extended release so you don’t have to pop pills every few hours.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Adderall Abuse and Addiction?
The signs and symptoms of Adderall addiction can include:
- Hostile or violent behavior
- Paranoia and nervousness
- Uncontrollable shaking of the hands and feet
What is Adderall Abuse?
People can abuse Adderall by taking it in larger than prescribed doses. People can even overdose on Adderall if they take more of the substance than their doctors prescribe. Individuals can also overdose on Adderall if they combine it with alcohol or other drugs that may interact with it.
Some of the signs and symptoms associated with Adderall abuse include:
- Loss of appetite
- Malnutrition
- Weight loss
- Feelings of paranoia and fearfulness
- Hallucinations – seeing things that aren’t really there or hearing voices that aren’t real
Adderall usually leaves the system within 5 days after stopping use of it. If you snort Adderall, it may stay in your system longer though. This is because it can be absorbed by the blood vessels. Thus, the dangers of snorting Adderall can be pretty severe. Snorting Adderall can cause serious problems for your brain.
Some of the most dangerous side-effects of snorting Adderall include:
– Mood swings
– Tics or twitches, including Tourette’s syndrome symptoms such as facial tics, lip smacking, and shoulder shrugging
Is Adderall Addiction Treatment Available For Me?
Luckily, there is treatment for Adderall addiction. Inpatient or residential treatment centers can help addicts overcome their addictions by minimizing withdrawal symptoms, teaching coping skills and relapse prevention techniques, and helping addicts explore the roots of why they turned to drugs in the first place.
Once a medical detox has been completed, you, as a person who’s addicted to Adderall will be treated with a series of therapies designed to make your body and mind whole again. These therapeutic treatment programs offer everything from group therapy sessions to individual drug counseling sessions—and should last about 30 days.
Adderall rehab success rates vary depending on which program you choose, but even if it is not 100%, it doesn’t mean that you won’t get better. In fact, the only way to truly recover is to get help.
Residential Treatment
Success rates for residential treatment programs range depending on the type of program you enroll in. For example, a 30-day inpatient treatment program will likely have better results than an outpatient rehab that lasts 90 days.
This is because the inpatient rehab patient will be in every day and working with professionals 100% of the time. This is as opposed to the outpatient rehab patient who will go home at night and be left to his or her own defenses to stay sober.
Being accountable for one’s own sobriety in the evenings during outpatient rehab may cause a person to fall back into old habits. Regardless, it’s important to remember that even if the success rate for your particular rehab program isn’t perfect, it doesn’t mean you won’t get better.
Outpatient Program Treatment
Outpatient program (OP) treatment is generally reserved for milder cases of Adderall addiction. If you developed a mild addiction to Adderall due to occasionally abusing it, OP treatment may be for you. Outpatient program treatment entails working with counselors and therapists 2-3 times per week, attending group classes, and doing assignments at home in-between sessions.
Success rates for outpatient programs are highly variable depending on the treatment center or therapist you choose to work with as well as your commitment to getting better. Generally speaking, outpatient programs fall in the 25% success rate range.
Intensive Outpatient Program Treatment
Intensive outpatient program (IOP) treatment is a bit more intense than standard outpatient program treatment. People who choose IOP treatment need more support and structure than they can get on their own but don’t require as much support as someone in a residential setting would.
Depending on the intensity and amount of hours involved, intensive outpatient program treatment will cost more than a standard outpatient program or aftercare program. However, you might consider this route if you want to save money on housing since it’s a more intensive, outpatient form of treatment. Make sure if your insurance requires a referral from a therapist that one is provided prior to enrollment.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Dual diagnosis treatment is a program that focuses on treating a person’s primary addiction along with any co-occurring mental health issues. Thus, another term for dual diagnosis treatment is co-occurring disorders treatment.
An example of a dual diagnosis that will require co-occurring disorders treatment is a person who suffers from both a substance addiction and depression at the same time. An addiction treatment center that offers dual diagnosis services will have both psychiatrists and therapists on staff so you’ll be able to access each as needed during your stay.
Case Management
Case management is a tool that patients in recovery use to make sure that they have a plan of action for what they’ll do once they complete rehab and go home. Using case management services makes it easier for people who may feel overwhelmed when they leave treatment. This is because there’s still someone to check in on them and make sure that they’re doing well.
Peer Support Groups
Peer support groups provide ongoing support throughout the year after leaving treatment. They offer encouragement, guidance, hope, and inspiration during rough times. That way addicts know that they’re not alone in their struggles. Peer support groups can be extremely helpful to maintaining sobriety.
Embrace Your Chances for Recovery at Harmony Ridge
If you’re tempted to snort Adderall, consider how doing so can damage your health. Despite what your insomnia-driven college friends say, you might be curious as to what happens if you snort Adderall. Adderall addiction carries a potent grip on people’s lives.
Harmony Ridge is seeking to educate and support those in need of recovery options. If you or a loved one are struggling with Adderall addiction, reach out to our facility today.
References:
https://drugabusestatistics.org/prescription-drug-abuse-statistics/
