Adderall Abuse
Adderall is a reformulated version and close cousin of the ADHD medication
Dexedrine. Dextroamphetamine (Adderall, Dexedrine) is classified as Schedule
II controlled substance, a classification given to medical drugs with
the highest abuse potential and dependence profile.
Drug Enforcement Agency data on methylphenidate (Ritalin, Conceta) and
amphetamine (Dexedrine, Adderall) shows that both have high abuse liabilities.
These substances are powerful stimulants and Adderall abuse, along with
Ritalin abuse, is extensive.
Adderall abuse can lead to marked tolerance, escalation in Adderall dosages
and addiction. Although the majority of Adderall abuse cases cited pertain
to adults, case studies also profile adolescents who abuse their Adderall
medication.
Other Adderall abuse reports students selling their Adderall medication
to friends and schoolmates. Because Dextroamphetamine (street name “dexies”)
can have a retail value in the high school parking lot, doctors often
avoid prescribing Adderall medication to teenagers.
Individuals respond differently to Adderall medication levels and dosages.
While toxic overdose symptoms are rare with doses of less than 15 mg,
toxic Adderall xr symptoms occasionally occur at Adderall medication doses
as low as 5 mg.
Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) and amphetamine (Dexedrine, Adderall)
abuse produce behavioral and psychological effects similar to cocaine.
The Adderall side effects of Adderall abuse include marked aggression
and irritability, hyperactivity, and personality changes.
Abruptly stopping Adderall after prolonged high dosage Adderall abuse
results in extreme fatigue and mental depression. The most severe, though
rare, Adderall side effects of Adderall abuse is psychosis. This Adderall
abuse side effect is often clinically indistinguishable from schizophrenia.
Long-term methylphenidate and amphetamine use has also been linked to
abnormalities in brain development, similar to those found with long-term
cocaine use. Changes on the sleep EEG are also noted with Adderall abuse.
It is natural for parents to question whether taking a powerful stimulant
like Adderall medication is in their child's best interests. Amphetamine
stimulants like Adderall are worrisome for many reasons – predominately
because of the potential for harmful Adderall side effects and high potential
for Adderall abuse.
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