Our Los Angeles Drug Rehab Program for Adderall Addiction Treatment
Are you struggling with Adderall addiction? Looking through the many treatment options can be intimidating, especially when your brain is fogged by drugs. Making the decision to deal with your substance use disorder takes integrity and courage, and it is crucial to have access to a support system and plentiful resources. NuView Treatment Center offers the evidence-based treatment that individuals require when they’re recovering from addiction to speed.
Individualized Treatment
NuView Treatment Center offers the evidence-based treatment that individuals require when they’re recovering from addiction to speed. Our treatment center is located on the Westside of Los Angeles. Our clinicians and staff offer a comfortable and non-judgmental environment for clients to open up and develop new coping tools. We understand that everyone develops their substance abuse habits for different reasons. As such, we always make sure our treatment plans are individualized and cater to the unique needs of each person.
Evidence-Based Rehab
After an initial evaluation, our addiction experts and counselors utilize a wide range of treatment modalities to prevent relapse and ensure a good quality of life moving forward. Clients address the underlying reasons behind their drug abuse habits. At the same time, they work to repair their damaged lives and build new skills for the future. This process generally involves a combination of group therapy and individual therapy.
Flexible Outpatient Programs
Our outpatient programs are flexible, allowing clients to pursue recovery while meeting their commitments at work, school, and at home. They have plentiful support as they face real-life challenges and rebuild their lives. NuView’s treatment team continually monitors and assesses clients’ progress as they move forward, making adjustments in their care plans along the way. With a little time, Adderall addiction can become a thing of the past.
Affordable Care
NuView Treatment Center also accepts most health insurance plans. Effective therapy is available no matter what your financial circumstances are. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction to speed or other so-called “study drugs,” long-term sobriety is only a phone call away.
Is Adderall an Addictive Type of Amphetamine?
Adderall addiction can occur among people who have been prescribed the drug for legitimate reasons as well as those who obtain it illicitly.
It is a prescription drug that is designed to speed up and stimulate mental processes and the body. It is primarily prescribed to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), though it is sometimes prescribed to treat narcolepsy as well. The medication consists of two ingredients, dextroamphetamine and amphetamine, both of which are powerful stimulants.
People abuse the drug for a number of reasons, including:
- To experience a “high.” When swallowed, snorted, or smoked, the medication causes people to experience increased energy, confidence, and even euphoria.
- As a study tool. Because this so-called “study drug” speeds up mental processes and increases focus, students often turn to the drug when they have to cram for an exam or finish an assignment.
No matter what a person’s reasons are for taking Adderall, the fact remains the medication is habit-forming. Physical dependence occurs relatively quickly, and psychological dependence on the effects can occur just as quickly. Left unchecked, intake can spiral out of control, causing health problems, serious life consequences, and even death.
Fortunately, this addiction is a treatable condition. It may take some work to free oneself from the vicious cycle, but help is available.
How Does Adderall Addiction Happen?
It 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 the patterns of addiction and abuse.
What are the Signs of Adderall Abuse and Addiction?
The following are signs and symptoms that addiction may be a problem:
- “Doctor shopping” or having multiple prescriptions.
- Purchasing the drug illicitly
- Changes in weight and physical appearance
- Taking more than prescribed
- Off-label use (weight loss, recreationally)
- Using it to get high
- Snorting crushed up pills
- Unexplained aggressiveness, hostile behavior, or agitation
- Lying about usage to friends and loved ones.
- The inability to stop taking it despite a strong desire to stop.
- The inability to feel happy without the drug
- Lack of motivation or feelings of apathy
- Intense cravings or withdrawal symptoms if stopped.
Do I Have an Adderall Addiction?
If you find yourself taking prescription ADHD drugs for recreational purposes, find it difficult to function without them, or notice negative consequences in your life as a result of your substance abuse, you likely have an addiction. One of the telltale signs of a problem is when a person goes to multiple doctors in order to obtain prescriptions for their drug of choice. This practice, known as doctor shopping, is particularly common among amphetamine addicts. If you have ever doctor shopped or if you have multiple active prescriptions, you very likely need help.
How Can I Help Someone with an Adderall Addiction?
If your friend, family member, or loved one is abusing this medication, they are likely to be experiencing a number of different symptoms on a regular basis. You can tell if someone is abusing ADHD drugs because their moods will often shift from depressive states to euphoria. They will often have insomnia and racing thoughts. If you suspect someone in your life has an Adderall addiction, you can play an important role in getting them the help they need. However, it is always important to approach them with sensitivity and understanding.
Don’t expect to be able to fix their problem overnight. As a trusted person, you can provide the most help simply by being honest with your concern. This does not mean passing judgment. It just means showing that you care – and that you’ve witnessed firsthand the negative consequences of substance abuse in your loved one’s life. Chances are, they’ve noticed these consequences themself. Be willing to listen to what they have to say.
Beyond expressing concern, the second way you can be of help is by encouraging them to take concrete steps toward getting sober. Supporting them on their recovery journey doesn’t mean forcing them to get sober. It means supporting their desire to get sober, which is probably already there, even if it is somewhat buried or denied at times.
Lastly, you can be a valuable resource by being aware of what treatment options are available. People who are addicted to stimulants are not always mentally at full capacity, so your ability to do the research may come in very handy. Try to get educated on Adderall addiction and what this kind of addiction recovery looks like. Have some quality outpatient addiction treatment programs in mind that you can recommend. Understand that your loved one’s recovery will likely be a rocky and possibly long process, but that your support can make all the difference.
How Is Adderall Addiction Treated?
Medications prescribed to treat ADHD are very powerful. By the time a person has begun to suffer the consequences of physical dependence, they generally require professional help from a legitimate rehab. Drug treatment facilities vary in terms of the level of care offered.
NuView Treatment Center offers a wide range of outpatient programs for individuals who are working to stop abusing pills and rebuild their lives. Outpatient programs, unlike inpatient treatment programs, have the unique advantage of allowing clients to live at home, work, attend school, and live their normal lives – all while pursuing recovery.
The first stage of treating an Adderall addiction is treating physical dependence. People who are accustomed to taking high doses are rarely advised to suddenly quit “cold turkey.” In fact, doing so can not only lead to painful withdrawal symptoms, it can even be dangerous. Gradually lowering the dosage, a process known as tapering, is not only safer and easier, it is also less likely to lead to relapse. At NuView Treatment Center, we ensure that clients with physical dependence have access to physicians who can safely and effectively supervise a tapering process.
However, Adderall addiction is more than just a physical affliction. Our outpatient programs also aim to address the fundamental reasons why clients developed an addiction in the first place. After all, if these reasons are still powerful draws, it is likely that they will return to substance abuse. Addressing a person’s lifestyle, mental health, and relationships are all critical aspects of helping them begin to lead a life where they no longer feel the need to abuse prescription drugs at all.
How Do Outpatient Programs Help Adderall Addicts?
When a client comes to NuView Treatment Center for help, a caseworker will develop a treatment plan that is individually tailored to their unique needs. Most outpatient sessions involve a combination of group therapy and one-on-one counseling. Clinicians at NuView Treatment Center are familiar with a wide variety of different approaches to treatment. This ensures that treatment is never one-size-fits-all. Treatment plans at NuView Treatment Center incorporate many evidence-based therapeutic methods. These include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavioral therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
- Medication monitoring
- Individual therapy
- Fitness and health education
- Mindfulness, yoga, and meditation activities
- Career and education planning
- 12-step programs and 12-step alternatives
- Drug education
- Relapse prevention training
- Urine tests to ensure abstinence
Complementary and Alternative therapies
Adderall addiction treatment can also incorporate the use of several alternative treatment modalities. Abusing it can stem from a combination of mind and body conditions that require a broad range of therapies to correct.
In addition to conventional substance abuse treatment, rehab approaches at NuView can also include:
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Nutritional programs
- Fitness programs
- Art therapy
- Sound therapy
Abusing ADHD medications over the long term can alter brain chemistry and lower the ability to produce dopamine naturally. The above-mentioned therapies can help accelerate the process of rewiring the brain and can help stimulate “feel good” neurotransmitters such as dopamine and endorphins naturally.
Which Outpatient Programs are Available for Adderall Addiction in Los Angeles?
Depending on the severity of a person’s addiction and on their schedule, they may be better suited to certain levels of care. Fortunately, NuView Treatment Center offers a wide range of options for people seeking recovery from the vicious cycle of drug abuse.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
Partial hospitalization programs represent the highest level of care for stimulant addiction treatment. These programs are demanding and are the ideal choice for an individual whose addiction has made it difficult for them to function. NuView’s PHP program is both highly structured and supportive so that people can begin to rebuild their lives. Meeting multiple days a week for approximately half a day, our partial hospitalization program allows clients to benefit from both medical support and psychiatric help. Caseworkers coordinate with psychiatrists and other clinicians to get patients off Adderall so that they can begin to take steps to rebuild their lives.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Our intensive outpatient program is the second most intensive level of care we offer. When clients join, they can expect to take part in sessions several times a week for several hours. IOPs are effective at treating the fundamental causes of Adderall addiction. Clients engage in regular group therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and skill-training workshops. They learn to identify their relapse triggers and develop new coping skills to avoid reacting to them. At the same time, clients develop strong social support systems and new lifestyles that make their newfound sobriety a joy to experience.
Evening Intensive Outpatient Program (Evening IOP)
Our Evening IOP is meant to offer the same quality clinical support as our traditional IOP, but without requiring clients to put their lives on hold. Many people with addictions have demanding jobs, class loads, and even family lives. Recovery should complement these and even help people handle them better. NuView Treatment Center prides itself on offering treatment programs for Adderall addiction that flexibly fit into clients’ schedules.
Outpatient Program (OP)
NuView’s outpatient program is the lowest level of care offered. It can be useful for clients who are transitioning from one of our higher levels of care. As people’s lives become full during the course of recovery, it is still important to have a strong support system and continue to receive clinical support. For people in recovery from prescription drug addiction, NuView’s outpatient program helps them address the daily changes, occasional cravings, and inevitable challenges of early sobriety. Clinicians are highly trained, experienced with the different stages of Adderall addiction, and always compassionate.
How Can I Afford Adderall Addiction Treatment?
Amphetamine addiction is a recognized mental health disorder. Known as substance use disorder, it is a legitimate health problem for which health insurance companies are legally obliged to offer coverage. NuView Treatment Center has relationships with most major insurance companies and many smaller health plans as well.
Many people with “study drug’ abuse issues have legal, financial, and career difficulties – but these should not be an impediment to getting the treatment they need. No matter what your situation is, your outpatient treatment for amphetamine addiction at NuView Treatment Center is likely covered by your health insurance plan.
How Does NuView Treatment Center Support Families?
Addiction doesn’t just affect the person taking the medication. In almost every case, loved ones are profoundly addicted by the behavior and suffering of their addicted family member or friend. It is also a widely recognized fact that addiction is a disease that runs in the family; this is due as much to genetics as it is to upbringing. As such, NuView Treatment Center places great emphasis on family support.
We have regular meetings and workshops so that family members can meet with each other and with our clinical staff. During these meetings, family members can develop a support system so that they don’t have to face the process alone. At the same time, they can get educated and develop new skills. Learning to live with a family member with addiction (whether they’re in recovery or not) is a process. Learning how to be supportive without being controlling is a vital skill. Above all, however, family members often benefit the most (and help their addicted loved one the most) by learning to focus on themselves and their own needs.
Life After Adderall Addiction
While actively abusing amphetamine or other ADHD drugs, it may be difficult to imagine what life without these drugs will look like. You might wonder how you’ll have fun or how you’ll get assignments for school done without the medication. At NuView Treatment Center’s outpatient programs, you’ll not only learn how to avoid relapsing, but you’ll also develop a range of skills, new hobbies, and even new friends. In the process of getting sober, you’ll develop a whole new life.
We support our clients as they work to get jobs and begin new careers, enroll in university programs, and reconnect with their families. This process can be challenging, but in the end, living a life you value is likely to be one of the strongest guarantees of long-term sobriety. After all, who wants to return to their old ways when every day of sobriety provides new joys and discoveries?
With that in mind, we continue to support graduates of our outpatient programs long after they’ve left. Many of them stay in touch with each other, offering friendship and sobriety support informally. We also stay in touch with alumni and even encourage them to get involved with and support our current clients – an activity that helps our freshly sober clients as much as it does the alumni.
Recovery doesn’t end when you simply stop taking pills. In fact, quitting Adderall is just the beginning of a process of growth that can last a lifetime.
Adderall FAQs - Additional Resources and Helpful Information
Our current fast-paced modern-day society promotes working longer hours and sleeping less. From the classroom to the office people are looking for ways to stay ahead of the competition, often at the expense of their mental and physical health. Many have turned to the use of so-called “smart drugs” to help enhance their performance. One such drug, Adderall, is prescribed for those with ADHD, however, it is often misused in ways other than prescribed or intended.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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.
