Is Adderall Dangerous?
Today, Adderall is typically prescribed for conditions such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy. The most common side-effects are aggression, depression, and insomnia. Adderall misuse is common on Florida college campuses, where students sell their prescriptions to students who use the drug to stay awake and study.
The dangers of Adderall abuse occur when college students and others also use Adderall as a party drug. It can be snorted and chewed for a more immediate effect. Using Adderall in combination with other addictive drugs can have devastating effects. The best action to take is to attend detox programs to recover.
Adderall’s Uses
Adderall is the brand name for dextroamphetamine-amphetamine. Amphetamine was first synthesized in 1927 during the search for a less expensive substitute for ephedrine (used to make methamphetamine, now banned in many countries). Scientists discovered that amphetamine was effective in reversing the effects of drug-induced anesthesia, tiredness, and nonconformity.
It was rebranded as Benzedrine and put on the U.S. market in 1935 as a treatment for narcolepsy. Benzedrine was supplied to US soldiers throughout WWII, and scientists largely ignored its side effects and addictive potential. In 1937, doctors began giving Adderall to children to improve school performance and control behavior.
Currently, Adderall is mainly used to treat disorders such as ADHD and narcolepsy. It is a controlled substance that requires a prescription to legally obtain.
The Dangers of Adderall Abuse
Adderall, when misused, increases the potential for substance abuse. Combining Adderall with alcohol and other drugs is extremely dangerous, but people unknowingly use the drug as a pick-me-up before they go out. This is a terrible idea because it keeps intoxicated people awake (where they will continue drinking, arguing, and making a scene).
Emergency room visits associated with Adderall have been steadily increasing for the past few decades. Detoxing in an emergency room should be a last resort. Treatment is more effective in a comfortable, discrete environment at a medical detox center. The experienced, attentive, and non-judgemental staff in Summit’s clinical detox treatment center will be there for you every step of the way.
Serious side effects of Adderall use include:
- Aggressive behavior
- Paranoia and excitability
- Psychosis
- Weight loss or weight gain
- Skin picking
- Muscle twitches
- Kidney disease
- Seizures
- Depression
- Muscle weakness
- Panic attacks
- Rapid heartbeat
- Stroke
Using Adderall to combat a hangover increases the risk of becoming addicted to other substances (and to Adderall itself). It might give you energy in the short term, but using Adderall for an extended period of time can cause serotonin release deficits. This can cause symptoms similar to OCD (compulsive thoughts, social anxiety, and compulsive behaviors). It can also cause a dopamine deficit, which slows reaction times and manipulates the brain’s reward system. Both serotonin and dopamine deficiencies lead to depression and cravings.
The thing that people don’t understand about Adderall is that it will help you study, but it won’t help you think. It will allow you to complete mundane tasks for hours, but it won’t make your life better. The more Adderall you consume, the more you need in order to feel normal. Feeling normal becomes a problem when you start losing social skills and personality traits.
Adderall causes people to become argumentative with family, friends, and significant others. Like any drug, taking too much Adderall will reverse its positive effects. Instead of helping you focus, taking too much Adderall will prevent you from focusing on anything you don’t enjoy doing. If you are worried that someone you love has been negatively affected by their Adderall use, we recommend finding an accredited inpatient detox center.
Adderall Detox
Whether you suffer from substance abuse or feel like you might be acquiring a substance abuse problem, Summit Detox (near LNA Airport in Palm Beach) offers everything you need to comfortably detox. We offer the most extensive list of detox services in southern Florida, including:
- IV therapy
- IV detox
- Medical detox
- Substance abuse detox
- Minute-by-minute customization
- Patient comfort and discretion
Withdrawing from Adderall and other drugs should take place in a comfortable, discrete environment. Contact us today at (888) 995-5265, and we’ll help you get back on your feet.
