What is Adderall prescribed for?
Adderall is a prescription medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder – ADHD. It is also prescribed to people who experience excessive daytime sleepiness and fall asleep uncontrollably during the day.
This medication contains a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, which are central nervous system stimulants. It may be habit-forming and is often a drug of abuse. Stimulants such as Adderall have caused stroke, heart attack, and sudden death in people with high blood pressure, heart disease, or a heart defect.
Adderall Information, Appearance
The drug is available in tablet form or in an extended-release capsule. There are various dosages recognizable by their shapes, colours, and sizes.
- 5 mg – white to off-white, round, flat-faced bevelled edge tablet
- 7.5 mg – blue, oval, biconvex tablet
- 10 mg – blue, round, biconvex tablet
- 12.5 mg – peach, round, flat-faced bevelled edge tablet
- 15 mg – peach, oval, biconvex tablet
- 20 mg – peach, round, biconvex tablet
- 30 mg – peach, round, flat-faced bevelled edge tablet
- Capsules are either amber colour or half blue, half-transparent, or half white.
Recreational Use of Adderall
Recreationally, Adderall is often taken by crushing it and snorting it to intensify the high. The side effects of snorting include respiratory problems, irregular heartbeat, circulation problems, psychosis, and increased aggression.
Prolonged use can cause negative changes in brain activity and severe withdrawal problems like depression, psychosis, restlessness, and agitation. Abusing the drug can also be fatal.
Adderall with alcohol
Individuals have reported the use of Adderall to offset the effects of alcohol. They do not get as drunk as they would when taking the medication, which can result in serious impairment, including death from alcohol poisoning.
Signs of Abuse
Physical tolerance (the user needs larger doses to achieve the effect) is a sign a person is addicted. Also, the individual may feel that without the drug, they cannot have a normal life and deal with everyday situations. Going without a regular dose may make them unreasonable, agitated and, in some cases, they can become aggressive.
Adderall Information on Abuse
Long-term Abuse
Chronic long-term abuse signs are:- Severe rash
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Personality changes
The most severe symptom of abuse is psychosis, which is often clinically indistinguishable from schizophrenia.
Overdose Signs and Symptoms
Initial signs of an overdose include:- Restlessness
- Tremor
- Confusion
- Hallucinations
- Panic states
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Cardiovascular and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Adderall Information on Withdrawal Symptoms
Individuals addicted to Adderall who stops taking the drug will experience withdrawal symptoms like these:- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Blurred vision
- Stomach cramps or pain
- Aching muscles
These symptoms usually encourage the individual to get more of the drug.
More serious withdrawal side effects include:
- Hypertension
- Seizures
- Partial loss of vision
- Kidney and liver damage
Susan Chubbs
Drug & Alcohol Treatment Specialist,
Referral and Consultation Counsellor and Coach
