What Is Adderall?
Adderall is a controlled substance and prescription medication that contains a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, two central nervous system stimulants.[1] It is most typically prescribed for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or narcolepsy.
Adderall works by increasing the release of and blocking the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine, both neurotransmitters that assist people with ADHD with increased focus and impulse control.[2]
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies Adderall as a Schedule II controlled substance due to its high likelihood of being misused and abused.[3] When used as prescribed under a doctor’s care, the medication can be very effective. When misused, however, by taking more than prescribed, taking without a prescription, or taking for reasons outside of medical need, there is a significant risk of addiction, cardiovascular disease, and mental health effects.
Adderall Addiction and Abuse
Adderall’s misuse is widespread, most often with young adults and college students who are using the drug for academic performance enhancement or to have extra focus while studying.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), people ages 18-25 are the most likely age group to misuse prescribed stimulants.[4] For many, the development of Adderall addiction was not their original intention. For some users, they were prescribed the medication and eventually began to use more than directed. Others obtained the medication from someone else without a prescription to manage the pressures of academics, work, or to stay awake.
Adderall is highly addictive because it affects the brain’s dopamine system.[5] Because it increases the level of dopamine well above normal levels in the brain, it produces feelings of extreme focus, energy, and euphoria. Over time, the brain compensates for the increased levels of dopamine by reducing its own dopamine production, which creates a physical dependence on the medication in order to feel “normal.” Over time, users require Adderall not as a performance enhancer, but for them to feel like they are functioning at their normal level just to get through a normal day.
Signs and Symptoms of Adderall Abuse
Adderall is a legally prescribed medication, so the signs that point to misuse may not be easy to identify at first or can be rationalized to some extent. Signs and symptoms commonly displayed by people who abuse Adderall or develop problem use include:
- Taking higher doses or doses more often than were prescribed for you
- Obtaining Adderall from different sources without a prescription
- Using Adderall for a reason other than that for which it is prescribed—for example, to help manage your mood, energy level, or anxiety
- Feeling as though you cannot study, work, or function unless you have taken Adderall
- Continuing to use Adderall even though it has negatively impacted your sleep, appetite, or health
- Significant weight loss and reduced appetite
- Increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and physical tension
- Irregular behavior, irritability, or anxiety when the medication wears off
- Elevated activity levels followed by a noticeable “crash”
- Social withdrawal or neglect of social relationships or family
- Secretive behavior around using or obtaining Adderall
Does Adderall Rewire the Brain Over Time?
Adderall abuse over a long period of time results in measurable changes in the structure and function of the brain. Studies indicate that people who misuse amphetamines over a long period of time exhibit decreased levels of dopamine receptors, decreased availability of dopamine transporter proteins, and altered functionality of the prefrontal cortex.[6] This is the area of the brain that allows you to make decisions, control your impulsivity, and regulate your emotions. These types of changes contribute to the difficulty that people have when they attempt to stop using drugs and the cognitive and mood symptoms that continue into early recovery.
The good news is that the brain exhibits a significant amount of neuroplasticity, which means that it can recover and does recover with time spent away from the substance and receiving appropriate clinical support.[7] The amount of time for complete recovery will vary from one person to another. However, sustained recovery is associated with the gradual restoration of normal dopamine function within the brain and improved mood, cognitive proficiency, and emotional stability.
Adderall and Mental Health
The relationship between misuse of Adderall and mental health is complex and bidirectional. Many people who misuse Adderall have either an undiagnosed or underlying mental health problem, such as anxiety, depression, or ADHD, that were contributing factors to the misuse in the first place.[8]
At the same time, long-term misuse of Adderall will cause or worsen mental health problems, such as anxiety, paranoia, and, for those heavily abusing the substance, stimulant-induced psychosis. Because of these overlapping issues, it is critical that every program used to treat Adderall addiction does a comprehensive evaluation of the patient’s mental health. Treating the substance abuse without treating the co-occurring mental health problems increases the risk of relapse.[9]
Adderall Treatment at Meridian Recovery
Recovery from Adderall addiction is possible. And with a proper treatment program based on evidence-based approaches that meets the specific needs of the patient, the pathway to recovery becomes much clearer.
Meridian Recovery in New Jersey has a variety of outpatient treatment programs for addiction treatment, including our partial hospitalization program (PHP), intensive outpatient program (IOP), and standard outpatient care, all tailored to support recovery from stimulant use disorders.
