Adderall is an addictive prescription stimulant with effects similar to Meth. Because of its potency and accessibility, the risk of Adderall addiction and abuse is high.

Although not everyone who uses Adderall will develop an addiction, people regularly taking Adderall at unprescribed doses are at an elevated risk of becoming addicted.

Common signs of an Adderall addiction include:

• Needing larger doses to feel the drug’s effects
• Wanting to cut down on use but not having the ability to do so
• Taking the drug despite knowledge of the harm it’s causing
• Not being able to finish work without Adderall
• Spending a lot of time and money getting, using, and recovering from the drug
• Being unable to feel alert without the drug
• Neglecting other activities in favor of using Adderall
• Suffering withdrawal symptoms when not using Adderall

Adderall Effects And Abuse

Many people mistakenly believe Adderall is “safe” because it is prescribed by doctors. However, continued abuse of Adderall can lead to long-term side effects and an addiction that can be hard to break.

People abuse Adderall because it produces feelings of confidence, euphoria, increased concentration, and a suppressed appetite. These effects make Adderall a go-to choice for anyone looking for a boost in physical or mental performance.

Taking Adderall without a prescription, or in a way not directed by a doctor, is considered abuse. This includes snorting Adderall pills or taking over large doses to get a stronger effect.

Adderall is abused for many purposes, including:

• Weight loss
• Studying
• Athletic performance
• Staying awake

Who should not use Adderall

Adderall is not for everybody. It should not be used by patients with a history of glaucoma, severe anxiety or agitation, a personal or family history of tics, or Tourette syndrome. Stimulants can also cause sudden death in patients with congenital heart defects or serious heart problems. As a result, patients should alert their doctors if they have a history of heart disease, heart rhythm disorder, coronary artery disease or heart attacks, according to the NIH. Doctors should also be alerted if the patient has a history of high blood pressure, mental illness, peripheral vascular disease or seizure disorders.

Adults ages 65 and older should usually not take Adderall because it is not as safe as other medications for this age group, the NIH says.

Some drug interactions could be harmful. The NIH says that people should not take Adderall if they have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), a type of antidepressant, in the last two weeks.

Adderall and children

For children with ADHD, or hyperactive-impulsive or inattentive symptoms that cause impairment and appear before the age of 7, Adderall can be considered part of a total treatment program. ADHD must be diagnosed through a series of tests that rule out other mental disorders. Other treatment measures will include psychological, educational and social aspects — drug treatments may not even be necessary.

For treating ADHD, Adderall is approved for use in children ages 3 years and older, and Adderall XR is approved for children ages 6 and older, according to the NIH. For children with narcolepsy, the drug is approved for those ages 12 and older.

Adderall is not intended for use in children who exhibit symptoms that are secondary to environmental factors or exhibit symptoms that indicate other psychiatric disorders, such as psychosis, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

There is evidence that Adderall may slow a child's growth or weight gain, so doctors should monitor children's growth carefully while they are on the medication, the NIH says.