Whether it started with a legitimate prescription or through recreational use, Adderall addiction is a real condition needing professional treatment. At Discovery Institute, we provide comprehensive, evidence-based care plans for people struggling with Adderall addiction, along with co-occurring mental health issues.
What Is Adderall?
Adderall is a prescription stimulant medication made from amphetamine salts, specifically a mix of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, and is approved to treat ADHD and, less often, narcolepsy.[1] It works by acting on the brain’s neurotransmitters to increase dopamine and norepinephrine production. When used as directed, Adderall increases focus, impulse control, and executive functioning for people with ADHD.
Unfortunately, the way that dopamine is stimulated in the brain leads to Adderall having a high chance of misuse. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has classified Adderall as a Schedule II controlled substance, acknowledging that while it has important medicinal purposes, it also has a high probability for abuse and dependency.[2] Over the past 25 years, the prevalence of prescription stimulant misuse has significantly increased, particularly in the college and young adult population using Adderall to improve academic or professional performance.[3]
Adderall Addiction and Abuse
Adderall is addictive because of how it affects the brain’s reward system. When Adderall is used at a higher dose than prescribed or taken by someone without ADHD, it causes a rush of dopamine that creates feelings of euphoria, increased energy, and enhanced focus.[4] As a result, the brain quickly associates these effects with the drug and begins seeking it out, and in doing so, reduces the amount of dopamine produced naturally in response to the artificial stimulation.[5]
Over time, the user will start to require more Adderall to achieve the same effects, and, if they stop, they may feel foggy, fatigued, or depressed. The misuse of Adderall is very common among college students who use it to study for long hours, as well as professionals who are in high-pressure jobs.[6] Because people think that Adderall is safe to use due to it being a prescription medication, they tend to underestimate their chances of developing a dependency. But dependence can still develop regardless of whether or not usage started with a prescription and regardless of whether or not they have ADHD.
Signs and Symptoms of Adderall Abuse
To be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of Adderall abuse (whether in yourself or someone you care about), you need to know what to look for. Below are some of the most common physical, behavioral, and psychological symptoms of Adderall abuse:
Physical symptoms of Adderall abuse:
- Weight loss and loss of appetite
- Elevated heart rate and high blood pressure
- Irregular heartbeat
- Insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns
- Dry mouth and headaches
- Profuse sweating
- Severe cases may have chest pain or other cardiovascular stress
Behavioral & psychological symptoms of Adderall abuse:
- Using more than prescribed or taking Adderall without a prescription
- Running out of medications early due to misuse
- Continuing to use Adderall despite negative consequences to health, relationships, or responsibilities
- Inability to focus or function without Adderall
- Intense cravings when Adderall is not available
- Social isolation or neglecting relationships and activities
- Secretive behaviors regarding usage
- Mood swings, irritability, or aggressiveness (particularly as it wears off)
- In high doses or if used for an extended period of time, paranoia or psychosis
Long-Term Effects of Adderall
Misusing Adderall can have lasting impacts on the brain, even after a person stops using it. The drug works by altering the brain’s natural reward system, which makes it harder for the brain and body to feel balanced or maintain energy levels on their own.
Because it has adjusted to the artificial dopamine surges, the brain also struggles to process dopamine normally. Many people undergo an extended period of decreased dopamine production and brain activity during the initial stages of recovery.[7] Below are some long-term effects of long-term Adderall abuse on the body:
- Dopamine Burnout: The brain loses its natural ability to produce and use dopamine, the chemical responsible for motivation and reward.
- Inability to Feel Pleasure: This is the clinical condition anhedonia, where a person cannot find joy in normal situations or activities that were previously pleasurable. This typically resolves once the brain starts producing dopamine normally once more.
- Heart Stress: Chronic stimulant use puts immense pressure on the cardiovascular system, potentially contributing to high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, and increased risk of heart attack.
- Mental Health Problems: Prolonged use of Adderall may lead to the development of serious mental health issues, including chronic anxiety, depression, paranoia, or stimulant-induced psychosis.
- Continued Physical Damage: Ongoing health concerns often include severe weight loss, chronic sleep deprivation, and significant nutritional deficiencies caused by a long-term lack of appetite.
Can Adderall Permanently Alter Brain Chemistry?
This is one of the most common questions that those concerned about their use of Adderall ask and it is a valid one. Current research shows that chronic misuse of prescription stimulants creates changes in the brain’s dopamine receptors and other aspects of the reward circuits in the brain.[8]
However, the brain has a great capacity for recovery, and when a person receives appropriate treatment and gives the brain enough time to recover, they can get back to a normal level of functioning.[9] The length of time it takes to fully recover will vary depending on the length of time and amount of drug used. This is the reason why it is so important to have access to a structured treatment program and aftercare so that there is support available while the brain is recovering.
Adderall Withdrawal
Adderall withdrawal is real and can be a very challenging and difficult experience, though it is primarily a psychological issue rather than physically dangerous like opioid and alcohol withdrawal.[10] Those who have been dependent on Adderall have their brains used to the amount of artificial stimulation and have difficulties maintaining a normal level of functioning.
Common Adderall withdrawal symptoms include:
- Profound fatigue and excessive sleep
- Depression and low mood, sometimes severe
- Intense cravings for Adderall
- Difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly
- Increased appetite
- Anxiety and irritability
- Slowed movement and motivation
The acute phase of Adderall withdrawal usually starts within one to two days after the last dose was taken and lasts approximately one to two weeks. However, many people will have lingering psychological symptoms, particularly depression, as well as a lack of motivation and focus for a number that can persist for weeks to months.[11] Medical support and structured programming during this period can significantly improve comfort and reduce the risk of relapse.
Recovery From Adderall Addiction at Discovery Institute
Recovery from Adderall addiction requires more than simply stopping use. It requires addressing the neurobiological changes that dependence has produced, the underlying mental health conditions that may have driven or been worsened by stimulant misuse, and the behavioral patterns that sustained the addiction. At Discovery Institute, our Adderall addiction treatment programs are built to do exactly that.
