Adderall Abuse Stories and Signs of Addiction

Looking at Personal Tales of Dependence on Amphetamines

To state the obvious: Adderall is a drug that stimulates the central nervous system. It may be prescribed to people who struggle with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or narcolepsy. Adderall can also be abused, and an addiction can develop.

Recognizing the signs of Adderall abuse is crucial for addressing Adderall addiction, and knowing the shape and progression of how problems with this stimulant drug occur can help. Enter our resource and recounting of Adderall abuse stories.

We hope our guide from SOBRLIFE will give you a key tool to learn to spot the signs of Adderall abuse so that you can recognize and help a loved one with a problem.

Our First Adderall Abuse Story: ‘Terence’ Sought to Ace Med School

From personal accounts of friends and family who have become dependent on these popular prescription drugs, how addictive Adderall can become is self-evident.

Our first story stems from the experiences of a colleague’s son. At 24, ‘Terence,’ found Adderall and then Adderall XR during med school.

At first, Terence started taking Adderall pills his first semester out of a need to keep up, feeling as though he was behind in his studies and staying up late in the night to catch up.

While his initial results were promising, gradually the amphetamine began to be less effective, By the time his senior year began, Terence found himself addicted to Adderall and even seeking out additional pills on the campus black market.

The progression from use to abuse was gradual in his story, but for some, it occurs more quickly.

The Public Struggle and Story of Casey Schwartz

In the early 2000’s Casey Schwartz was a student at Brown University, and began a love affair with Adderall that began as an appreciation of its effects, and ended in addiction and overdose.

In her book, ‘Attention: A Love Story,’ Schwartz delves into the ways that Adderall initially brought her to a place of utter focus and attention, and then soon became the focus and fixation of her daily life.

“As much as I loved Adderall, which I did, from the earliest moments I also knew that, ultimately, nothing good could come of our entanglement.”

When her prescriptions ran out, it led her to steal from classmates, write papers for others in exchange for ‘Addys’, and, eventually, experience a panic attack and OD among the library stacks.

Years later she is still grappling with the nature of addiction and how a drug with the promise of better focus and increased academic aptitude can become so brutally all-encompassing.

How to Recognize an Adderall Abuse Story as it Begins

While we have shown a pair of students who lost control with Adderall, many others are also at risk of abusing these powerful stimulants. From Wall Street traders grinding out extra analysis into the wee hours to Moms and Dads looking for an edge, the allure of amphetamines is undeniable.

But, no matter the initial reason for seeking out a prescription, the side effects that accrue from usage are the single best way of determining whether it may be becoming a problem, whether it is in your life or in the life of someone you love.

Over the coming sections, we’ll break down the consequences that can arise from Adderall.

An Increase in Anxiety Levels Due to Adderall Abuse

The prolonged use or abuse of Adderall can increase anxiety. Adderall affects the brain and mental functions by impacting dopamine levels, attention, focus, decision-making, and motivation, which can contribute to increased anxiety levels.

The stimulating properties of the drug put users on high alert at all times. This sort of ‘uber alertness’ for extended periods is incredibly stressful. Eventually, alertness can translate to anxiety.

A Mounting Sense of Anxiety and Stress

This kind of anxiety is more than just feeling nervous or worrying about certain situations. It is the development of a mental health issue. Having anxiety can disrupt life in many ways, making it hard to sleep, socialize, or function without stress.

In some cases, and particularly in the student age group, Adderall abuse can also lead to depression. Panic attacks and nausea can also accompany depression. The only way to end these feelings of anxiety is to stop relying on Adderall. If there is an addiction at play, then doing so can be a challenge.

While these side effects seem (and are) negative, they can also reinforce a cycle of abuse, as the sense of needing to continue medication for its stimulant effects worsens the psychological fallout.

The Side Effects: Restlessness, Twitching or Tremors

When Adderall is used to treat conditions like ADHD, the stimulant effect is just enough to help individuals focus. When used inappropriately, or by someone without a medical condition, it will be overstimulating.

When misused, the drug can cause individuals to become restless. If someone who is normally calm and collected begins to fidget constantly, it could be a sign of Adderall abuse. Other signs might include twitching or even tremors.

A Common Symptom is Drastic Weight Loss or Lost Weight

Another one of the most noticeable signs of Adderall abuse is rapid weight loss. The drug Adderall is an appetite suppressant, even in healthy prescribed doses. When the drug is abused and taken in large or frequent amounts, it can cause the appetite to diminish rapidly.

Once the appetite is suppressed, many people abusing Adderall will see rapid weight loss and have lost weight significantly. In the short term, they may be complimented on their appearance. However, prolonged Adderall use can cause malnutrition and muscle weakness. It is incredibly dangerous to lose weight in such an unsafe and quick way.

Unfortunately, some individuals purposely abuse Adderall for its weight loss potential. Sadly, many of these individuals will suffer far worse health problems as a result. Adderall abuse is never a smart idea, no matter what the desired results may be.

Look Out for Profound Changes in Sleep Habits

Adderall abuse can make sleeping very challenging. Since it is a stimulant, it can keep users awake for much longer than normal. However, the sleep deficit still exists. Prolonged use of Adderall may make people more tired, not more energetic, because of sleep deprivation.

As addiction grows, people experience more severe sleep disturbances and an increasing dependency on Adderall.

After taking Adderall, individuals may feel energetic and stimulated. Eventually, that energy will wane. Lethargy and tiredness may set in. However, achieving restful sleep will remain difficult.

Since the drugs are still in the bloodstream, those who abuse Adderall may never get proper, restful sleep. The next day, they may feel exhausted. Unfortunately, this causes some people to turn back to Adderall for energy. This creates a dangerous cycle, continues the march to addiction, and won’t actually result in focused energy or increased function.

Labored Breathing as a Prelude to Overdose

If you are trying to pinpoint Adderall abuse in a friend or loved one, one clear sign might be labored breathing. Often, those who abuse Adderall can also deal with overstimulation of the respiratory system. Labored breathing can also be a sign of drug addiction to Adderall, indicating severe abuse.

A person might regularly seem out of breath, even when they aren’t exercising. Small motions like standing up from a seated position can cause heavy breathing. This may be especially noticeable in young and normally fit individuals.

Ultimately, this is something you’ll only notice if you are familiar with the person’s health. A college student who plays soccer shouldn’t struggle to catch their breath when getting out of bed in the morning.

Knowing yourself or your loved one well, and being aware of health issues and any changes is perhaps the best way to spot an Adderall abuse problem before it worsens.

A Surge of Neurotransmitters Leads to Unexpected Consequences

Let’s be clear that all of these above actions and side effects are involuntary, with the possible exception of weight loss. But when it comes to tremors and fidgeting, this is even more the case. Few people on Adderall want to experience agitated movements, but the drug is in control.

When the brain is flooded with norepinephrine and dopamine, outlets like twitching, fidgeting, and tremors are sometimes the only response available. Individuals may lose control over their actions and emotions due to the overstimulation caused by Adderall.

In extreme cases, convulsions and even seizures are possible. If you spot these drastic signs, then it could be a warning of prolonged or serious abuse. Taking action immediately is critical in these cases.

The Presence of Sexual Disinterest or Dysfunction

One of the more intimate ways to identify Adderall abuse is through sexual changes. Typically, Adderall will dampen sexual desire and activity. Obviously, this is only something you might recognize if you have a close or romantic relationship with the individual you’re concerned with.

Adderall abuse can drastically reduce libido. Individuals who struggle with Adderall abuse may have very little desire to engage in any kind of sexual activity. This can be a big problem for couples. They may also lose interest in maintaining personal relationships, which can be a significant indicator of a bigger issue. Although changes to libido are common, a drastic change in a young person might be a sign of a bigger issue.

Stepping Back from Loved Ones: Social Withdrawal and Secretive Behavior

At this point, it goes without saying that Adderall abuse can also impact behavior and personality in a major way. Individuals who abuse Adderall might become secretive, violent, paranoid, or irritable.

Social withdrawal and secretive behavior are common signs of substance abuse, including Adderall.

It is normal for those dealing with addiction to become secretive. Most people know that their drug abuse is changing their behavior. They might also feel guilt or embarrassment about their dependence on Adderall. As a result, these individuals might withdraw from social settings and make excuses to avoid interaction.

Adderall abuse can also cause people to become increasingly irritable. Individuals who were friendly, kind, and outgoing might act angry with little or no provocation. This is easiest to spot among people you’re already close to. A personality rarely changes drastically and suddenly unless there is a reason, and Adderall abuse might be that reason.

Abusing Adderall can also cause paranoia. Individuals may be worried that you’re spying on them or trying to get them in trouble. Anger and violence are also possible.

Knowing the Signs is an Opening for Getting a Loved One Help

 

Knowing the signs of Adderall abuse can be helpful. With the right information in hand, you can recognize the problem and find yourself or a loved one help before it is too late. While a treatment center may not be needed, knowing Adderall abuse stories and the signs of addiction can help support a path to better self-care.

We hope our latest resource from SOBRLIFE, the sober lifestyle brand and creator of the new SOBR WATER, has shown you how easy it can be to become addicted to Adderall, and what the process entails.

Stay tuned to our blog space for more news and resources, and join us in our pursuit of offering a path for all to join us in recovery!