By We Level Up | Editor Yamilla Francese | Clinically Reviewed By Lauren Barry, LMFT, MCAP, QS, Director of Quality Assurance | Editorial Policy | Research Policy | Last Updated: April 21, 2023

Is Adderall Addictive?

As ADHD diagnoses increase, so too do the prescriptions for Adderall. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of how addictive and dangerous it can be if abused; statistics show that in 2016 it was one of the most commonly misused drugs in America. It is crucial to understand the potential risks associated with using or abusing this medication and learn measures for harm reduction when Addarall addiction occurs.

Yes. Adderall is addictive. One of the most conspicuous addictive to Adderall symptoms is taking higher doses of the medication than prescribed. Individuals who developed tolerance to the drug may also take it more frequently than directed due to physical dependency.

In the US and internationally, under the Convention on Psychotropic Substances, amphetamines, including Adderall, are classified as Schedule II drugs. Schedule II substances have an accepted medical use but are tightly monitored due to potential abuse that can lead to severe psychological and physiological dependency. Amphetamine stimulants have been used medically since early in the twentieth century, but they have a high abuse possibility and can be neurotoxic. They have long been used effectively for ADHD treatment (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) in young populations. But currently, amphetamines are increasingly prescribed as ADHD maintenance therapy and for treating narcolepsy in adults.

Adderall Addiction Rates Statistics

Because the frequency of prescriptions for amphetamines has grown several-fold over the past decade, an amphetamine-containing formulation is the most typically prescribed stimulant in North America. It is essential to know that amphetamines are the most abused prescription medications.

---

---

Adderall Addiction Signs

When a person takes Adderall, mainly if they’re not prescribed the drug or take a higher dose than what they’re advised, it gives them a sense of fleeting well-being and makes them very active. After taking Adderall, individuals will often feel as if they’re confident and empowered, and they will become very chatty.

However, people on Adderall may experience physical symptoms, including a headache, dry mouth, a hoarse voice, nausea, digestive problems, and diarrhea or constipation. It’s also known to reduce or eliminate the user’s appetite, which is why people use it. Moreover, a big red flag for regularly using Adderall is rapid weight loss. Consequently, an Adderall addict’s brain depends on the drug to increase alertness and productivity. Users frequently experience fatigue and mental fog when they aren’t taking Adderall.

Adderall Addiction Symptoms

Can someone with ADHD get addicted to Adderall? Yes. Adderall is classified as a Schedule II drug under federal regulation because of the significant potential for abuse. No one intends to become dependent on Adderall. Usually, the risk increases productivity on a stressful day at work or to study for an important test. Some people even fake attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms to get their prescription for the drug.

Stimulant addiction can have a range of symptoms that can vary depending on the severity of the drug use and the specific type of stimulant being used. The following symptoms of Adderall addiction are indications that you or someone you’re concerned with needs to help to recover from drug use disorder:

• Increased tolerance: Over time, a person may need to take more significant amounts of the drug to achieve the same effect.
• Withdrawal symptoms: When an individual stops taking the drug, they may experience fatigue, depression, anxiety, irritability, and intense cravings.
• Compulsive use: Despite negative consequences, a person with a stimulant addiction may continue to use the drug.
• Social or occupational dysfunction: The person’s use of stimulants may interfere with their ability to function normally, such as performing work or maintaining relationships.
• Physical symptoms: Stimulant use can cause physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, high blood pressure, dilated pupils, sweating, and muscle tension.
• Behavioral changes: A person with a stimulant addiction may become more impulsive, agitated, or aggressive.
• Financial difficulties: A person may spend excessive money on the drug, leading to financial problems.

If you or someone you know is showing or experiencing these symptoms, it may be a sign of stimulant addiction, and it is crucial to seek help from a healthcare professional.

Top 3 How Addictive is Adderall? FAQs

Negative Effects of Adderall

What does Adderall do to your brain? To experience Adderall’s stimulant effects, some people willfully abuse the medication. They might use it to increase their mental performance or study all night. The drug Adderall is prescribed as a pill. To intensify its effects, some users snort or inject it.

Adderall addiction signs can include physiological and psychological dependence on the drug. When individuals become addicted to being high on Adderall, they will begin to feel as if they require it to feel alert and productive. Conversely, when someone addicted to this drug doesn’t take it, it can make them think foggy or tired, also described as Adderall brain fog.

The following are some of the stimulants’ addiction effects that may be experienced right after Adderall abuse:

Adderall Abuse “Doctor Shopping“

The fact that Adderall is a prescription drug means that someone can “doctor shop” to get a high volume of it. To avoid being caught, drug abusers frequently fill their prescriptions at various pharmacies. One clear symptom of abuse is when friends and family members discover prescription bottles from several doctors and pharmacies. “Doctor shopping” means going to several pharmacies to fill Adderall prescriptions.

The longer a person abuses Adderall, the higher the chance of experiencing Adderall’s side effects, some of which are permanent and irreversible neurotoxicity. It is psychosis and schizophrenia-like symptoms of paranoid delusions and hallucinations (a persistent mental illness requiring a lifetime of treatment). The following list includes the most significant psychological side effects of extended abuse:

Who’s At Risk For An Adderall Addiction?

Why do people abuse Adderall? Most Adderall abusers desire stimulation, long-lasting wakefulness, improved focus, increased energy, or weight loss. People who fit the following descriptions are more susceptible to becoming addicted to Adderall:

• Students.
• Athletes.
• Those wanting to lose weight.
• Those with eating disorders like anorexia.
• Those with demanding occupations.
• Those with a history of drug use.

Several additional drugs and Adderall may interact negatively. If you additionally take any of the following medicines, you run an increased chance of developing an Adderall addiction:

• Medications for soreness, decongestants, and antidepressants.
• Antacids.
• Anti-epileptic drugs.
• Clotting agents.
• Lithium.
• Blood pressure medicine.

Adderall And Pregnancy

Pregnant women should refrain from taking Adderall. Despite the lack of evidence, studies on pregnant animals show that using any amphetamine while pregnant is dangerous. Methamphetamine and other illicit amphetamines can cause low birth weight, early birth, physical injury to fetuses and newborns, and withdrawal symptoms after delivery. All of these chemicals enhance the risk of neonatal death.

Adderall Dependence Vs. Adderall Addiction

Adderall dependency is an expected and anticipated physiological response to the substance. The individual has physical support due to the interaction of the chemicals in the body (even if taken as prescribed), but not psychological dependence in which they abuse the medication to achieve a “high.” They may require medical assistance to get off the drug due to how the chemicals affect the brain, but they are not mentally obsessing or craving Adderall.

Adderall addiction is a person’s physical and psychological dependence on Adderall and particular behaviors. When these people stop using Adderall, they typically can’t cope and will go to any extent to acquire more drugs. The individual’s primary focus becomes the drug’s usage since they frequently run out of their prescription early due to taking more than prescribed, resulting in withdrawal from the substance, which results in going to any extent to get more of the sensation. Adderall obsession and cravings are also indicators of addictive behavior.

Adderall Overdose Symptoms

Overdoses of Adderall can result in unconsciousness, severe organ damage, and death. Toxic quantities of the chemical can develop in the bloodstream when a person’s body strives to keep up with the number of medicines ingested. When the body is overburdened in this manner, vital organs typically bear the brunt of the harm. This high chemical overflow can induce kidney and liver failure with an Adderall overdose.

The stress placed on the central nervous system, particularly the cardiovascular system, can result in a heart attack, stroke, or hyperthermia. Hyperthermia occurs when the body’s temperature increases significantly above average. This can result in unconsciousness and long-term brain damage. Even if a person recovers from an overdose, the damage to their brain may change their life permanently. An Adderall overdose can also induce internal bleeding within the skull, which can cause one-sided paralysis, disorientation, and loss of consciousness.

Signs Of Adderall Overdose

Adderall Addiction Rehab Diagnosis

Make an appointment with your doctor if you’ve discovered that your Adderall use increases dose requirements (tolerance) or makes you feel awful after you stop taking it (withdrawal). Your doctor will first gather your medical history during your session. They’ll enquire about your Adderall consumption, including the dosage and frequency of your doses. What other medications you are taking will also be a question for your doctor. Supplements, vitamins, and over-the-counter medications are included.

Your doctor will also inquire about your symptoms after the benefits of Adderall wear off. They might also do a physical examination and take your blood pressure and heart rate readings. Your doctor will probably use the most current diagnostic criteria from the (DSM-5th Edition) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to make an official diagnosis. Suppose your doctor finds that you have an Adderall addiction. In that case, they can suggest that you go to a detox clinic or rehabilitation facility to get treatment for Adderall addiction.

Adderall Addiction Treatment Options

Can you become addicted to Adderall? Yes. Fortunately, many Adderall addiction recovery therapy options are available to help the person stop taking Adderall and avoid serious side effects from substance abuse. Many Adderall users respond well to residential rehab programs. If you are experiencing Adderall addiction, getting an accurate assessment of all the symptoms is critical. When a mental healthcare professional has evaluated the signs and symptoms, it may be determined that another form of mental illness is present and needs a particular type of treatment.

Medically-Assisted Detox

Medical detox is frequently seen as the initial stage of treatment for adderall addiction. It will assist you in navigating the complex Adderall addiction withdrawal process but will not address habits of thinking and behavior contributing to drug usage. After coming off adderall addiction through detoxification, several treatment techniques and venues can assist in offering the continuing support needed to sustain long-term sobriety.

Cravings are typical during detox and can be challenging to overcome while recovering from adderall addiction. This frequently leads to relapse. Continual medical care offered throughout inpatient therapy aids in the prevention of recurrence. Doctors can provide essential medicines and medical skills to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Psychotherapy

Several different modalities of psychotherapy have been used in the treatment of mental health disorders along with addiction, including the following:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – CBT is an effective talk therapy that involves changing the patterns of negative thoughts and the behavioral routines affecting a person struggling with mental health conditions.
•  Dialectical Behavioral Therapy – DBT is a comprehensive mental health and substance abuse treatment program whose ultimate goal is to aid patients in their efforts to build a life worth living. The primary purpose of DBT is to help a person develop what is referred to as a “clear mind.” 
•  Person-Centered Therapy – This strategy allows and motivates clients to comprehend and resolve their concerns in a safe, supportive setting.
•  Solution Focused Therapy – A therapy that encourages solutions that can be quickly executed with a simple first step leading to further positive results.

Examples of Denial In Addiction/Substance Abuse Video

“Denial is a huge part of the disease of addiction.”

Lexi’s Addiction Recovery Testimonial

“I don’t use every day. I’m not even sick. I’m not even experiencing withdrawal symptoms. I’m still successful. I still have money in the bank. I still have my family in my life. I still love my house.”

These are all common examples of the denial that we experience through the disease of addiction. Denial is a huge part of the disease of addiction, and the way that we get our clients to realize that they are addicts and alcoholics is through the assignment. The goodbye letter seeing the the patterns of the behaviors that they they display when they’re using, seeing the consequences of their actions.”

“Whether they want to realize them or not, when they write it down, it becomes real. When they speak those words to us, it becomes real to them. It’s pen and paper. It’s their words that they’re reading back to themselves. They can see the power that the disease has over their lives, and they can no longer say that I’m not an addict. I’m not an alcoholic, and there’s power in that, and there’s a breakthrough.”