Legitimate or Dependent? School and Adderall Abuse
Like all prescription medications, Adderall has a legitimate and important use. For those with ADHD, Adderall can provide the focus that is so often missing from their lives. Unfortunately, the use of this drug has been on the rise among those who do not have a prescription. Some students in college and even high school have taken to using Adderall for studying.
While it might be able to provide some individuals with a boost in attention span and focus, there are too many potential side effects for this to be a smart plan. Amphetamine addiction treatment may be required for those who develop an Adderall addiction.
What Does Adderall Do to the Body?
The idea of taking Adderall to study comes from the fact that this drug has the ability to improve focus for a period of time. However, it can also lead to side effects like sleep disruption and anxiety. There is also the possibility of cardiovascular issues, like high blood pressure and stroke. Those who do take this drug to treat a medical condition should do so with a valid prescription and under the guidance of a doctor.
Signs of Adderall Addiction
One of the problems with spotting Adderall addiction is the fact that those who are addicted are often highly productive, successful individuals. When you picture the typical drug user in your mind, the image you develop is not one of a student with excellent grades who is on the fast track to success. Yet, that can be exactly the case when Adderall is being used for studying purposes.
If you are concerned that someone near you may be struggling with an Adderall addiction, it’s important to remember that this drug is a stimulant. That means along with improved focus can come other effects like excitability, talking quickly or talking a lot, and, potentially, a loss of appetite. Pay attention to personality and behavioral changes, which may indicate someone is using this drug to enhance their performance.
Pressure, Stress, and Drugs
It would not be unusual for a student to fall into the trap of using Adderall to boost performance during a particularly stressful period of the school year. For instance, most college students have to deal with a “finals week” at some point during the academic year, often at the end of each semester. During that time, many hours of study will be required, and focus may be lacking as the nights get later and later.
If Adderall is available and being used by other students, the temptation may be too strong to ignore. This is how an addiction can start, and it can escalate to the point of using the drug throughout the year for help with normal, everyday tasks.
Seeking Help
If a loved one or you are struggling with an addiction to Adderall, there is help available. Yellowstone Recovery is proud to provide services to individuals who are battling Adderall addiction, and we welcome you to contact us today for more information.
