Adderall Addiction Treatment in Los Angeles

Adderall is a prescription drug that was first approved by the FDA in 1996. It is a stimulant medication that is most frequently prescribed to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), though it is sometimes prescribed for other conditions as well, such as narcolepsy. The drug is a combination of four distinct amphetamine salts. These include: Dextroamphetamine Saccharate, Amphetamine Aspartate, Dextroamphetamine Sulfate, and Amphetamine Sulfate.

Adderall is classified as a stimulant. Stimulants are a class of drug that works by speeding up the activity of the central nervous system (CNS). They are the opposite of depressants like alcohol, which slow it down. Other stimulants include cocaine, crystal meth, and crack. When people take stimulants, they feel more energetic, focused, confident, and euphoric. However, they may also experience mania, dangerously high heart rate, rage, and other negative side effects of overstimulation. When combined with depressants, CNS stimulants like Adderall can very easily lead to fatal overdoses.

When a person takes Adderall, the medication achieves its effects by binding to dopamine and norepinephrine receptors in the brain. It also affects the adrenal gland when it binds to that gland’s epinephrine receptors. When these three receptors are activated, the result is a dramatic boost in the levels of the brain’s “feel-good” chemicals. These chemicals make it easier for people to concentrate, and they also cause euphoria as a side effect. Due to the euphoria (and, indeed, the increased focus), Adderall can be very addictive.

Adderall is generally prescribed in the form of tablets. These tablets, which doctors recommend patients take once or twice a day, come in different strengths. Adderall tablets are available in formulations of 5mg, 10mg, 20mg, and 30mg. In tablet form, patients simply swallow the pill and begin to experience effects shortly thereafter.

However, people who abuse Adderall and take it recreationally often use other routes of administration. These individuals are likely to crush Adderall so that they can snort it through their nose. They may also dissolve it in liquid after crushing it so that they can inject it directly into their bloodstream. These methods result in a faster rate of onset, stronger effects, and greater euphoria. However, they also make Adderall far more addictive – and significantly more dangerous.

There are many reasons why people abuse Adderall. While there are plenty of people who take it for its euphoric effects, there are also those who abuse it for more pragmatic reasons. In fact, in recent years Adderall has become known as a popular “study drug.” College and even high school students abuse Adderall in order to increase their focus, concentration, and productivity. In the short term, Adderall can indeed help someone focus on a task or cram before an exam. In the long term, however, it will become less and less effective as physical tolerance increases. Additionally, the cycle of withdrawal will inevitably have a negative effect on a student’s academic performance.

Adderall pills can look different depending on whether they are generic or brand name. Immediate release brand name Adderall at the lowest dosage (5mg) is most commonly available in a round, white pill that has the letters AD on it. 7.5 mg brand name Adderall is oval-shaped and blue or orange. 10 mg and 20 mg brand name Adderall pills are round and also have the letters AD printed on them.

Adderall XR pills, which are extended-release versions, are capsule-shaped. One end of the capsule is usually clear, and you can identify tiny pellets inside. The other end is generally orange or blue. The name of the drug and its strength are also usually printed on the capsules.

Adderall is classified as a Schedule II Controlled Substance and has a high potential for abuse when misused or abused. If used as intended and prescribed it can help those with ADHD function, however, the prevalence of misuse and abuse has increased due to the popularity and availability of the drug.

It is often purchased illicitly or used in a manner other than intended or prescribed by a physician. Adderall misuses include taking the drug recreationally to get high, using it for weight loss, or as a cognitive enhancer by those without ADHD. Due to the stimulating effects of Adderall and its effects on the dopamine reward circuitry, it has a relatively high potential for abuse.

When taken as prescribed, Adderall is not without risks – but it is fairly safe. In fact, Adderall can be a very helpful medication for people with legitimate ADHD. Doctors avoid prescribing it to people with hypertension or bipolar disorder, though, as there is a small risk of those people getting heart attacks or experiencing mania. Doctors are also reluctant to prescribe Adderall to people with a history of substance abuse, as they are at the highest risk of developing an addiction to Adderall or abusing it deliberately.

Adderall can be very dangerous if it is abused. It can lead to significant health problems, ranging from high blood pressure to fatal heart attacks. Moreover, regular consumption of the medication at high doses can alter a person’s behavior. Ultimately, this can damage a person’s relationships, career prospects, finances, legal standing, and mental health. For people experiencing Adderall addiction, it is critical to get professional help.

Adderall is a potent amphetamine-based psychostimulant that increases dopamine levels and adrenaline in the brain and body. These stimulating effects that give users a sense of having more energy, motivation, and a slight feeling of euphoria can lead to dependency as tolerance develops over time.

Changes in neurochemistry create dependency and a user may need a higher dose to feel the same effects once experienced. Dependency can lead to addiction as the drug is now required to think and feel normal. This can be accompanied by intense cravings, withdrawal symptoms if a user stops taking the drug, and often leads to misuse and abuse as a user chases the high they feel from taking the drug.

Under these circumstances, a user may find themselves unable or unwilling to stop taking it despite experiencing negative consequences and having the desire to quit. In this case, professional intervention may be required to help recover from Adderall addiction and abuse.

Taking Adderall can lead to physical dependence very quickly. However, not everyone becomes addicted to Adderall. In fact, many people take it as prescribed and find themselves perfectly capable of quitting the medication under the supervision of their doctor. However, many people find that they are unable to do on their own. This condition, known as addiction, often involves physical dependence but goes far deeper.

Addiction potential can be influenced by several factors including the length of time and quantity that the drug was used, genetic factors, mental and physical health, environment, and lifestyle. There is considerable controversy over the idea that someone can have an “addictive personality.” However, most current research indicates that early childhood experiences and genetics are the most accurate predictors of adult addiction.

Keep in mind that even people who have legitimately been prescribed Adderall for their ADHD are susceptible to addiction. The first step in treating Adderall addiction is to assess the severity of the problem. Due to its effects on dopamine reward pathways in the brain, it can create dependence and addiction that reinforces the use of the drug, even when it is prescribed by a doctor. Addiction assessments help guide treatment based on personal circumstances.

Misusing Adderall can have dangerous side effects that can harm both the brain and body. The side effects include:

• Issues with anxiety, restlessness, agitation, and/or irritability.
• Headache, blurred vision, dry mouth, and an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
• Diarrhea, constipation, nausea, stomach pain, and/or vomiting.
• Fever, weight loss, a loss of appetite.
• Sexual problems can include impotence and decreased libido, particularly in males.
• Cardiovascular issues include increased blood pressure, heart palpitations, and an increased heart rate.
• Insomnia.
• Psychosis in some individuals (hallucinations and/or delusions).
• An increased probability to develop more severe cardiovascular issues such as chronic heart disease and/or stroke.
• Increased probability of developing seizures.

When a person stops taking Adderall or when they lower their dosage, they are likely to experience withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms occur because the body has adapted to the presence of the drug. Over time, the body requires more of the drug to achieve desired effects. When the drug is taken away, these adaptive reactions have nothing to counterbalance them. This phenomenon, which stems from physical tolerance, occurs even among people who take prescribed Adderall for legitimate reasons.

Withdrawal effects do not necessarily mean that a person is addicted to Adderall. They only indicate that a person has developed a physical dependence on the medication. People with addictions will engage in behavior to prevent Adderall. The time, resources, and energy that they devote to obtaining Adderall may be so extreme that they fail to meet personal, work, family, or school duties.

The symptoms of Adderall withdrawal include:

• Trouble sleeping
• Suicidal thoughts
• Cravings for Adderall
• Intense hunger
• Irritability
• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Difficulty improving mood
• Feelings of extreme fear, including phobias

While Adderall might be perceived as a cognitive enhancer by its users this may actually be a misconception. The drug does not actually provide cognitive enhancement for those without ADHD, but rather creates the perceived effects of having more motivation and energy.

Contrary to what users may think, individuals who abuse high doses of these drugs actually become more inattentive and have difficulty concentrating. In a study on college students, Adderall misuse was found to be negatively correlated with academic functioning.

Taking doses of Adderall beyond the prescribed dosage can lead to potentially fatal drug overdoses. The symptoms of an Adderall overdose include:

• Panic
• Paranoia
• Restlessness
• Fatigue
• Cardiovascular problems
• Tremors
• Depression
• Hallucinations
• Confusion
• Gastrointestinal problems

If you are trying to improve your energy and focus without taking Adderall, there are many natural supplements that can be taken that do so without the same risks as prescription drugs. These supplements are not without their own risks, but they are generally less addictive than Adderall and pose fewer overdose risks. These natural remedies include:

• Methionine. Taken as SAMe, this amino acid can help with both ADHD and depression symptoms by helping the brain produce more of the chemicals associated with focus and happiness.
• GABA. Gamma aminobutyric acid lowers levels of hyperactivity and excitability by calming the nervous system. This can help individuals focus and steadily attend to their tasks with fewer distractions.
• Ginkgo biloba. This supplement is often marketed for its effects on brain function and memory.
• Citicoline. This pharmaceutical substance has been shown to heal brain damage and improve brain functioning. It is non-toxic and well-tolerated by most people.

Therapy sessions with an experienced addiction therapist are a foundational component of Adderall addiction treatment. Individual therapy sessions allow clients the opportunity to discuss difficult emotions and thoughts in a private environment that feels safe. Therapy sessions provide those in recovery an awareness of sources of mental and emotional distress and which help get to the root of the addiction. Therapists can help to resolve mental and emotional conflict using psychotherapy techniques such as CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), which help to reframe negative thought patterns and belief systems.

Depending on addiction severity, it is generally recommended to taper off the drug slowly under the supervision of a medical professional. Slowly reducing the dosage over the course of a few weeks to a few months can help safely manage the withdrawal process. A doctor or substance abuse detox professional should manage this process to avoid potentially dangerous consequences.

If you are wondering if Adderall is the same speed, the answer is that it is a distinct substance. Speed is a vague term that encompasses a range of drugs, including some amphetamines – but it most commonly refers to methamphetamine, also known as crystal meth. Both drugs are stimulants, but meth leads to more brain and bodily damage. Moreover, meth is an entirely illegal drug. Calling Adderall “speed” stigmatizes a drug that can be very helpful for individuals who need it.

When a person takes Adderall, it is rapidly absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract. After being absorbed, the liver metabolizes the drug, breaking it down. Eventually, it passes out of the body through the urine. Traces of Adderall are detectable in urine for up to 72 hours after it is taken. In blood, it can be detected for up to 46 hours. Saliva tests can detect Adderall Up to 50 hours after use. However, the amount of time that Adderall remains in the body and affects someone depends upon many unique factors that vary from person to person. Factors that affect how long Adderall stays in the system include body composition, metabolism, age, dosage, organ function, and biological sex.