Adderall came to great notoriety in the early 2000’s as it earned a reputation as a “smart drug” that students were taking in order to more easily accomplish a challenging workload or to cope with other pressures.It doesn’t seem like Adderall is in the news as much as it was about 10 years ago. But certainly, the drug is still being abused, as can be seen in this recent article from Norwich University that reveals it is a popular drug of abuse among the student body.Adderall is the brand name for a combination of amphetamines which were originally combined to help with patients (especially young people) who were exhibiting symptoms of attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Perhaps because of the severity of the opiate addiction epidemic, Adderall has somewhat “flown under the radar,” but we'd like to share a few reasons why parents and loved ones should stay vigilant and take action if they suspect their loved one is abusing Adderall.
• Adderall is Habit Forming - Users will crave the effects if they have become used to them, and there are withdrawal symptoms when the Adderall use ceases (like feelings of depression and discontent)• Adderall is a Gateway to Other Drugs - At our treatment center, it is most frequently opiate or alcohol addiction that is the catalyst for a person to enter treatment. However, it’s surprisingly common for a person abusing opiates (including heroin) or other prescription drugs (including benzodiazepines) to have abused Adderall in the course of their drug experimentation and abuse.• Adderall is Dangerous in Combination with Other Drugs - It’s very common for fatal overdoses that are considered the fault of an opiate like OxyContin or heroin to also involve a second medication like Adderall. Users often underestimate the strength of the combination and this can lead to disastrous outcomes.
NorthStar Transitions' Boulder, Colorado treatment program combines top clinical care with an inspirational environment to help people of all ages step into a life of recovery that is more rewarding than they could have imagined during the depths of their drug abuse. Contact us for more information about Adderall or anything recovery related. Our admissions counselors can be reached at (303)558-6400.
