While people are already familiar with the dangers associated with drugs and alcohol, prescription drug abuse is quickly becoming a significant issue, especially among young adults. Prescription medications, like stimulants and painkillers, are helpful for people with legitimate health concerns. However, these drugs can be enticing and addictive if they end up in the hands of people without qualifying health conditions.
In this article, we’re going to talk about one of the most widely abused prescription medications, Adderall. Many believe Adderall, Ritalin, or other prescription stimulants can help them boost cognitive performance, improve their athletic skills, and help them lose weight. Unfortunately, misuse of Adderall can lead to long-term physical, mental, and legal consequences.
Connect With Us Now
Reach out to us now for immediate support, or let us know the best time to contact you through our confidential callback service. Your journey to healing is just a conversation away.
What Is Adderall?
Adderall is a prescription central nervous system stimulant used for treating various conditions, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy. Adderall is the brand name for a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, which increase the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine activity in the brain. When these neurotransmitters are activated and enhanced, the user’s ability to focus and remain alert increases.
Read more about the difference between amphetamine and methamphetamine here!
Can You Smoke Adderall?
Yes, many people smoke Adderall to intensify the effects. However, this is a form of substance abuse, and medical professionals and addiction specialists always recommend taking prescription medications as directed to avoid side effects and physical dependence. Smoking Adderall bypasses the digestive system and uses the lungs to reach the bloodstream, the same way breathing allows oxygen to reach the brain. While the user feels the effects more rapidly and experiences a more intense “high,” there is a heavy price to pay.
Smoking Adderall increases your risk of developing significant lung damage. For some, this damage may result in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which is a progressive and irreversible condition. Smoking drugs unintended to be inhaled can also increase your chances of overdose since there’s no real way to regulate how much smoke enters your lungs. If you’re currently smoking Adderall and haven’t noticed any of these signs, now’s the time to find treatment before they start showing up.
Take Our Addiction Quiz For Recovery Insights
What Happens If You Mix Or Smoke Adderall With Other Drugs?
Those struggling with addiction often use a variety of drugs simultaneously. However, mixing any drugs can have dangerous consequences.
- Alcohol: Combining Adderall with alcohol may lead to harmful effects. Because Adderall enhances cognitive focus, the user may feel more sober than they are, which may cause them to drink more. This can lead to severe alcohol poisoning or even death.
- Cannabis: Some users smoke marijuana to counter the hyperactive effects of Adderall. However, this can cause a significant increase in blood pressure as well as hallucinations or seizures. Because marijuana and Adderall both affect the heart, taking them together may cause an irregular heart rate.
- Cocaine: Mixing Adderall with cocaine is particularly risky, as both drugs are stimulants and can amplify the effects of each other. Combining these drugs increases your risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Benzos: Mixing benzodiazepines like Xanax with Adderall increases the risk of accidental overdose. This is because their opposing effects might make it seem like it’s safe to take more of both drugs.
What Happens If You Take Adderall But Don’t Have ADHD?
Many users believe they can boost their mental performance by using Adderall. However, some research suggests that those who do not have ADHD but use Adderall and similar drugs may not experience a significant increase in performance at all. Those who do experience a boost in focus may become addicted. Once addiction sets in, it isn’t easy to overcome without the right course of treatment.
Read more about “speed addicts,” the unofficial term for individuals with stimulant use disorder.
Risks and Effects of Smoking Adderall
Smoking Adderall intensifies both temporary and long-term side effects, making them last longer in duration and severity. This means those who smoke Adderall have a greater risk of developing significant health problems when compared to those who ingest it in pill form. Some of the most common short-term effects include:
- Increased anxiety
- Weight loss
- Insomnia
- Decreased appetite
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Headaches
Long-term Effects of Smoking Adderall
There are also several serious long-term effects of abusing Adderall, including irregular heartbeat, increased aggression, impaired cognitive function, and high blood pressure. In general, these conditions are short-lived and may be reversible with treatment.
However, continued abuse of Adderall may lead to more serious health outcomes. If you are unable to stop abusing Adderall, your chances of causing permanent damage to your health increase.
Additional long-term risks associated with smoking Adderall include:
- Lung cancer
- Seizures
- Paranoia
- Respiratory damage
- Anorexia
- Psychosis
- Heart damage
- Insomnia
- Depression
Smoking Adderall can cause significant damage to the nerve cells within the brain. These changes may negatively impact dopamine production, leading to erratic behavior, mood swings, and lethargy. Long-term neurotoxicity (negative functional or structural changes in the nervous system) can also cause permanent brain damage.
What Treatments Are Available for Adderall Addiction?
Addiction treatment is multifaceted and requires a variety of tools for successful recovery. The first step is managing potential withdrawal symptoms in a safe and controlled environment. This process is known as medical detox and is safer than trying to cope with withdrawal symptoms on your own.
After detox, the long-term recovery process begins. Treatment plans for overcoming addiction are tailored to address your individual needs and concerns. It may consist of counseling, therapy, group meetings, and additional forms of support to address the root causes of addiction.
You will also discover how to develop healthy coping strategies to help you sustain sobriety. With the proper support and guidance, as well as comprehensive, evidence-based treatments, many people struggling with addiction can achieve sobriety and enjoy a healthy, fulfilling life.
Are You Covered For Treatment?
East Coast Recovery Center partners with numerous private insurance providers. Our team is committed to assisting you in quickly and effortlessly verifying your insurance coverage for treatment.
Adderall Addiction Treatment in Boston, MA
If you or a loved one is smoking Adderall, contact East Coast Recovery Center in Boston, MA. Our addiction treatment center was founded by recovery community members who wanted to create a program more compassionate and comprehensive than what was offered to them or anywhere else.
When you call, one of our admissions agents will listen to your story and what you’re looking for and help you choose an addiction treatment program that fits your needs. If East Coast Recovery isn’t the right fit, we can help you choose from one of our five other treatment centers under the Health Care Alliance NA umbrella.
Reviewed By A Specialist In The Field
Dr. Brady J. Schroer is a psychiatrist in Asheville, North Carolina and is affiliated with Pardee UNC Health Care-Hendersonville. He received his medical degree from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years.
