Adderall Side Effects & Warning Signs

As one of the most known potentially addictive drugs on the market, it is important to understand Adderall side effects and warning signs associated with addiction problems and even long-term medical issues that can arise from an Adderall addiction and abuse. Keep reading to find out more about these potential side effects to Adderall abuse and the warning signs of addiction.

What is Adderall?

Adderall is a combination medication that medical professionals prescribe patients to help treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. The drug may also be used to help those with ADD, some forms of narcolepsy and other common learning disabilities. The drug works by helping the patient focus, stay concentrated on a task for longer times and to help them stop fidgeting and with distractions.

Adderall is a drug that is designed using two stimulants, amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. The science behind Adderall works to help restore some brain balance in the neurotransmitters and to help balance the creation of of certain natural substances and hormones produced in the brain.

Adderall Side Effects

• Nervousness, restlessness and excitability
• Dizziness, headaches, blurred vision
• Sleep problems, agitation, anxiety and fear
• Loss of hair, appetite and weight
• May cause blood pressure and heart rate to increase and patients may experience heart palpitations.
• Adderall is widely known to be habit forming and chronic use may lead to dependence.

If you are taking Adderall and experience any of the following, get emergency help right away as this could be a sign of an allergic reaction to Adderall:

• Hives
• Swelling in the face, lips, tongue or throat.

Serious Adderall Side Effects:

While some of these side effects may be normal, if you experience any of them while taking Adderall, it is important to immediately stop using the medication and consult with your health care professional right away.

• Rapid, pounding or uneven heartbeats
• Pain or burning during urination
• Talking more than usual, and/or experiencing feelings of extreme happiness or sadness
• Tremors, hallucinations, unusual behavior, motor/muscle twitches
• Dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, buzzing in the ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure.

Less serious side effects of Adderall use may include:

• Dry mouth
• Insomnia
• GI issues like: diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting
• Loss of interest in sex, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

Adderall Warning Signs of Addiction and Abuse:

Like other amphetamine-based drugs and medications, it is extremely common for a person to become addicted to the drug either by misuse or long-term usage. Those looking for Adderall warning signs of an addiction may notice:

• Increased or raised body temperature
• Feelings of Euphoria or extreme happiness
• Increased blood pressure or heart rate
• Dry mouth
• Faster breathing
• Dilated pupils
• Increased energy and alertness
• Decreased fatigue
• Decreased appetite

While many who use the drug legally and per the prescription, may not experience significant side effects at all, there are cases where an underlying heart condition or other medical issue could become exacerbated by the use of the medication. Abuse of the medication could cause those people who have underlying health issues to face serious consequences including life-long health complications and even death.

Prolonged use of the drug means the drug will become less effective over time and the user will need to either wean off the drug and try other forms of treatment (if they truly have a medical condition that requires Adderall or a similar drug.) Or the patient may need to increase dosage. The issue with increasing the dosage is that it can cause higher likelihood of addiction to Adderall.

The issue with abruptly stopping the medication following long-term use of a high dose administration of Adderall is that it can result in extreme fatigue and even mental depression. Noted changes to sleep can also be a result along with severe dermatoses, irritability, personality changes and in some cases – psychosis.

So what causes a person to become addicted to Adderall or to begin abusing the drug to begin with?

In today’s society, students are facing more pressure than ever to achieve high grades in the competitive world we live in. Students not only need to get high grades to receive accolades from parents and teachers, but they need those educational successes in order to get the best jobs following graduation and set off on competitive, yet high earning, career fields.

Adderall is known as the “study drug” to many because of its ability to help a person focus. However, when the drug is used by a person who does not need it, long-term medical issues can arise because of the impacts the drug may have on the brain.

Adderall Abuse Treatment

For those who have abused Adderall, but have yet to develop an addiction to the drug, it is easier to become weaned off it with proper medical treatment. However, those who have developed an addiction through long-term use, it may require more intensive rehabilitation efforts. If you, or someone you know, is facing Adderall abuse or addiction issues, please contact a medical professional immediately to begin treatment.

Sources:

http://www.rxlist.com/
http://www.webmd.com/
Drugfree.org
recovery.org