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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder may be one of the most exploited illnesses by those who abuse the drug Adderall. This prescription drug, one of the more commonly prescribed for symptoms of ADHD, is one of the most powerful stimulants on the market.
The chances of Adderall abuse are extremely high, especially in the high school and college age demographic. A study by John Hopkins University discovered that 60% of all people who abused Adderall fell into the ages 16-25 categories. This makes up well over half of all habitual drug users – an alarming statistic that should receive more mainstream attention but doesn’t.
Most of the people who suffer from Adderall abuse snort the drug, crushing the pills into a fine powder and sniffing it up their noses. This produces a rapid onset, usually only taking a few minutes to feel the full intensity. However, this also drastically increases the risk of Adderall overdose.
In this article, we’ll dive into the practice of snorting Adderall and how dangerous it is for all age groups. If you know someone who is snorting Adderall, you should take this article into consideration – it could save their lives.
If this is already affecting you or a loved one, we’ll also review how Rehabs Of Armerica can help you find treatment and recovery with proven programs nationwide!
Adderall is a prescription drug that is used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It is also commonly abused by people who want to improve their academic performance or increase their energy levels. Unfortunately, Adderall abuse can have serious consequences, including physical and psychological dependency, increased risk of heart attack ‘o stroke, and even death.
Snorting Adderall can be even more dangerous as it increases the rate of absorption into the bloodstream and increases the potential for Adderall addiction and Adderall overdose.
Additionally, long-term use of Adderall can cause permanent damage to vital organs such as the heart and liver, as well as impaired cognitive function.
Adderall is commonly referred to as a performance-enhancing drug. What effect does it have on the brain?
Adderall addiction, and the regular snorting of Adderall, can have serious and long-lasting effects on the brain. It can cause changes in dopamine levels, which can lead to altered behavior and extreme changes in the mind and body.
Additionally, regular Adderall use can cause changes in the structure of the brain, leading to cognitive impairments and long-term mental health issues. Understanding these risks is essential for anyone considering taking Adderall or who may be struggling with an addiction.
When someone (whether prescribed this stimulant or taking it illicitly) is snorting Adderall, it quickly hits the blood vessels inside the nose and is absorbed into the blood at an extremely fast rate. This is a quick onset for such a powerful drug.
Normally when someone ingests Adderall by mouth, it takes about 45 minutes to an hour to reach peak effects. Snorting Adderall, however, only takes about 2 minutes. These are some of the first side effects a user feels after snorting Adderall:
Adderall is an amphetamine salt, with similarities to crystal meth, and the two share similar side effects. This also means they share similar dangers as well.
There are multiple dangers associated with snorting Adderall. The short-term dangers can be just as intense as the long-term. Adderall abuse also turns into Adderall addiction when you use it long enough. Let’s start with some of the short-term risks when you snort Adderall:
The long-term effects of Adderall can become chronic if you snort Adderall long enough.
Adderall has damaging effects on the central nervous system. This makes it especially difficult to deal with when you suddenly stop taking this study drug. Refraining from any drug abuse is difficult, but in the case of Adderall, you stand to suffer long-term mental hurdles during the detox process.
After a long period of drug abuse, quitting most substances leads to difficult withdrawal symptoms. The severity of the withdrawal symptoms and the length of time they last depend on the amount of Adderall taken, how long it has been used, and how quickly it was stopped.
Adderall withdrawal can cause physical, mental, and emotional symptoms such as fatigue, depression, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, loss of appetite, headaches, and nausea. It is important to understand the timeline of Adderall withdrawal in order to manage these symptoms effectively.
Withdrawal from Adderall can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks depending on the individual’s usage history. During this time it’s recommended that you seek help in the form of substance abuse treatment.
Increased blood pressure happens in the beginning. Your body’s chemistry is in a state of chaos and your body can’t regulate itself. This causes your vitals to jump all over the map. You can expect high blood pressure and increases in your heart rate, especially during the first few days.
Abusing Adderall causes a certain level of physical dependence with a high level of mental dependence. Mixed, this causes violent mood swings, and one of the most unsavory feelings out of all the effects of Adderall. When a user begins coming down from Adderall XR or Adderall Instant Release, they experience what’s known as ‘the crash.’
This is one of the most adverse effects of taking Adderall, and one of the most well-known negative effects out of all forms of substance abuse. Because Adderall acts so strongly and is either used as a party drug or to gain the edge at work or school, the comedown is just as powerful.
This is why people stay up for days, and sometimes weeks at a time – they fear the dreaded comedown. College students often experience this worse than anyone, as they begin continuously abusing Adderall to stay ahead of their schoolwork.
Eventually, the drug cravings become too intense, and before they know it, college students are taking Adderall daily. This crash and the effects mentioned above are why people go to great lengths to obtain Adderall medication from their doctor – or buy it illegally on the streets.
This is another danger that is potentially deadly when you snort Adderall obtained from the black market: the very real possibility of it containing meth.
Mixing Adderall with other drugs is one of the most dangerous practices one can engage in. This is especially harmful if you have an alcohol addiction and consume large amounts of beer or liquor or take other hard drugs with Adderall. Alcohol or opioids mixed with Adderall is known as one version of a speedball. This is when someone takes an upper and a downer at the same time.
The results lead to an intense high but it’s also a game of Russian Roulette. Your body is being pulled in two separate directions by the stimulant and the depressant, and this can lead to an overdose of Adderall or cardiac arrest.
Many people use Adderall legally as a crash-diet drug. Because it’s a Schedule II controlled substance, meaning it has medicinal value, the laws generally aren’t as harsh as street drugs. This makes it extremely easy for people to obtain it for ADHD or off-label from their physicians as a diet solution.
If you’re taking Adderall as a diet pill, you should refrain from using it right away. It can quickly lead to abuse and dependence, making it extremely difficult to stop taking it when you run out. In fact, if you take Adderall for any reason, even legally – you should consider alternative options.
Because of the dangers, Adderall poses in general, you should talk to your doctor about switching to something else and tapering off Adderall. The longer you remain on this drug, the more difficult you’ll find it to stay away. Physicians can prescribe alternatives that are far less addictive.
With the advances in the nootropics and herbal remedy space, there are even all-natural alternatives to Adderall that can be as effective without the risks of dependence and addiction.
If you or someone you know is snorting Adderall, it’s important that you get help immediately. Your mental and physical health is on the line and ultimately your quality of life.
For more information on how to safely detox from Adderall, contact a Rehabs Of Armerica representative today. All calls are strictly confidential, so please reach out in confidence and get options for a life free from amphetamines today!
Edward lives and works in South Florida and has been a part of its recovery community for many years. With a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Massachusetts, he works to help Find Addiction Rehabs as both a writer and marketer. Edward loves to share his passion for the field through writing about addiction topics, effective treatment for addiction, and behavioral health as a whole. Alongside personal experience, Edward has deep connections to the mental health treatment industry, having worked as a medical office manager for a psychiatric consortium for many years.
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