Are you or a loved one searching for a trusted sober living program? Give us a call! 
310-953-4075
310-953-4075 310-953-4075 Adderall is a prescription stimulant commonly used to treat ADHD. Because it affects dopamine and other neurotransmitter systems involved in attention, alertness, and reward, people may misuse it. Adderall is a Schedule II controlled substance, meaning it has a recognized potential for abuse, misuse, and addiction.
That does not mean that everyone who takes Adderall as prescribed will develop an addiction. Prescription stimulants can be effective when taken as directed. The concern increases when someone takes Adderall differently than prescribed, takes someone else's medication, or uses it for effects other than its intended medical purpose.
Knowing the difference between prescribed use, misuse, dependence, and addiction can make it easier to recognize when a pattern may be becoming a problem.
Yes. Adderall contains amphetamine salts, and amphetamine is a stimulant with a high potential for abuse and misuse. FDA labeling states that Adderall can lead to a substance use disorder, including addiction.
Adderall affects brain systems involving dopamine and norepinephrine. Dopamine plays an important role in motivation, reward, and reinforcement. With nonmedical stimulant use, increased dopamine signaling can contribute to pleasurable or reinforcing effects, which can increase the risk of repeated misuse.
However, taking Adderall as prescribed is not the same as abusing or becoming addicted to it.
Addiction is more than simply experiencing a side effect or withdrawal symptom. It involves impaired control over use, craving or compulsive use, and continuing to use the substance despite harmful consequences.
Having ADHD does not mean that you will become addicted to Adderall.
Research summarized by NIDA indicates that treatment of ADHD with stimulant medications has not been shown to increase later substance use disorder risk in children with ADHD. Prescription stimulants are also considered effective treatments for ADHD when used appropriately.
The important distinction is how the medication is being used. Taking Adderall according to a clinician's instructions is different from increasing the dose without medical guidance, taking it for a high, or using medication that was prescribed to someone else.
If you are concerned about your own use, talk with the clinician who prescribes your medication rather than changing the dose or stopping it on your own.
Taking a larger dose than prescribed is one form of prescription stimulant misuse.
Someone may increase the dose because the prescribed amount no longer seems to have the same effect, because they want to stay awake longer, or because they believe a higher dose will improve concentration or performance.
Repeatedly changing the dose without medical guidance can increase the risk of adverse effects and problematic use. FDA guidance advises patients not to take prescription stimulants in larger amounts or more frequently than prescribed.
Feeling unable to function, study, work, or socialize without Adderall can be a warning sign of problematic use.
The concern is greater when someone becomes preoccupied with obtaining or taking the medication, begins using it outside the prescribed instructions, or feels unable to control their use.
Craving and impaired control are recognized features of stimulant abuse and addiction.
Changes in interests and social behavior can sometimes accompany problematic stimulant use.
Someone may begin prioritizing Adderall over hobbies, relationships, social activities, or other parts of their life. Their schedule may also become increasingly centered around obtaining or using the drug.
This sign is not specific to Adderall addiction on its own. A loss of interest can have many causes, so it should be considered alongside other changes in substance use and behavior.
Misuse of prescription stimulants can be associated with anxiety, irritability, agitation, restlessness, and other changes in mood or behavior. At higher doses or with misuse, more serious psychiatric effects can occur.
Noticeable shifts in mood, particularly when they repeatedly occur around Adderall use or changes in dosage, are worth discussing with a healthcare professional.
Adderall is a stimulant, and insomnia or other sleep problems can occur, particularly when it is misused or taken differently from prescribed instructions.
Taking Adderall late in the day, taking more than prescribed, or relying on it to stay awake may increasingly disrupt normal sleep patterns.
Sleep problems alone do not establish addiction, but they can be important when they occur alongside escalating or uncontrolled use.
Problematic stimulant use can produce noticeable physical effects, including:
FDA and NIDA materials identify increased heart rate, decreased appetite, sleep problems, and other physical effects among the potential consequences of stimulant misuse.
Adderall is sometimes misused by students or other people who want to stay awake longer, concentrate for an exam, or improve academic performance.
This is sometimes referred to as using a prescription stimulant as a “study drug.”But using Adderall without a prescription does not make studying safer or necessarily more effective.
NIDA notes that there is no evidence that students without ADHD who misuse prescription stimulants achieve better grades as a result. Misuse can instead expose them to risks including addiction, cardiovascular problems, and other adverse effects.
Using someone else's prescription is also prescription drug misuse, even if the person taking it believes they are using it only to study.
If you take Adderall, you may wonder whether it is safe to drink alcohol at the same time.
Alcohol and Adderall can affect the body in different ways, and alcohol can also alter how medications work. NIAAA specifically lists Adderall and Vyvanse among ADHD medications that can interact with alcohol, including a possible increased risk of heart problems with amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, and lisdexamfetamine.
Another concern is that stimulant effects can make it harder to accurately judge how intoxicated you are. This does not make drinking safer and can contribute to risky decisions.
If you take Adderall, ask your prescriber or pharmacist about alcohol before drinking. If you have already combined the two and are experiencing concerning symptoms, seek medical advice promptly.
Stopping or reducing a stimulant after repeated use can cause withdrawal symptoms, particularly after prolonged or high-dose use.
NIDA notes that withdrawal from prescription stimulants can be unpleasant and may include fatigue and other physical or psychological symptoms.
Commonly reported symptoms of adderall withdrawal can include:
Withdrawal does not automatically mean someone has an addiction. Physical dependence and addiction are different conditions, and withdrawal can occur even when medication has been taken as prescribed.
Note: Adderall withdrawal can cause changes in mood, sleep, energy, and concentration. If you’re concerned about withdrawal symptoms, talk with a healthcare professional before stopping or changing how you take Adderall.
Adderall addiction is treatable, and the appropriate type of care depends on the person's circumstances.
Treatment for prescription stimulant addiction commonly involves behavioral approaches. In some situations, clinicians may also address withdrawal and other health or mental health concerns as part of treatment.
For someone transitioning out of treatment or looking for a stable substance-free living environment, sober living can provide another layer of structure and accountability.
Adderall has a high potential for abuse and misuse because it contains amphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance. That does not mean everyone who takes it will develop an addiction.
Common warning signs include taking more than prescribed, feeling unable to function without it, changes in sleep or mood, and continuing to use it despite negative consequences.
Mixing Adderall and alcohol can increase health risks and may make it harder to recognize the effects of either substance.
Vyvanse and Adderall are both prescription stimulants with abuse potential. Vyvanse contains lisdexamfetamine, which is a prodrug of amphetamine, and it is also classified as a Schedule II controlled substance.
If you are transitioning from treatment and looking for a substance-free place to continue your recovery, Bridges Sober Living Apartments offers non-clinical sober living in Los Angeles.
