Isaac C.
Suffering from drug abuse is never easy. You might lose friends, cut ties with family, and act out in ways you would never have imagined. It’s difficult for outsiders – particularly loved ones – to understand what you’re going through, but it’s just because they love you. They want the best for you and even though it’s difficult, seeking addiction treatment is the first step towards recovery.
Adderall is a prescription medication often taken to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and sleep disorder. It’s defined as a schedule II controlled substance by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Adderall is made up of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, and either comes in a pill or slow-release capsule form. Despite being an approved stimulant medication, it’s somewhat easy to develop an addiction to Adderall. This is because it directly impacts the central nervous system, instantly boosting your levels of dopamine (a feel-good hormone) and norepinephrine (a hormone that supports the fight or flight response).
This mixture creates an intoxicating effect, leading to feelings of pleasure, reward, and satisfaction. The increase in norepinephrine levels also makes you more alert, speeding up your response times.
As many people are constantly chasing after those quick-fix highs, it’s easy for people to become hooked and start participating in Adderall abuse. It’s never straightforward to look into the future and predict negative consequences of actions, but misusing Adderall beyond a prescription can land you in hot water.
The good news is that it’s possible to recover from addiction, so long as you receive Adderall addiction treatment and secure adequate care and support.
Adderall abuse is more common in young adults and is most often taken for recreational or cognitive enhancement purposes. As noted above, what makes Adderall so addictive is the intoxicating mix of chemicals in its makeup, which directly impacts mood.
As soon as Adderall wears off, however, you’ll end up experiencing a comedown, which can result in low mood and extreme feelings of sadness, spurring you on to get your next hit. Once you’re in this cycle, physical dependence on the drug will make it harder to break free from substance abuse.
The more frequent your Adderall use, the more you’ll need to take to get the same desired effect. This is ultimately what causes an addiction to develop.
Though it all comes down to the individual, some people are more likely to misuse Adderall than others. Some of the most common risk factors include:
The reason athletes and young people are more likely to develop an addiction is because of their desire to stay focused, alert, and awake, which is what an Adderall high offers. They might think that a hit or two won’t affect them, but it can easily lead to an addiction. This is why you should never take any kind of prescription medication for recreational purposes.
When an addiction to Adderall develops, it’s difficult for many people to own up to their struggles with substance abuse. If you are personally struggling with an Adderall addiction, you might feel judged or even guilty for your actions. But recognizing and accepting that you have a problem is the first step in the right direction.
Although everybody’s experience and reaction to drugs will be different, there are a few common symptoms to look out for. These include:
Though drug addiction can have a strong hold on your life, it’s important to remember that recovery is always possible.
One of the best things you can do to begin your journey is to start actively seeking Adderall addiction treatment. If you are ready to commence treatment, we welcome you to contact us today to find out how we can support you in your recovery journey.
You might think that quitting Adderall cold turkey is the fastest way to recover, but it’s actually the most dangerous. Any kind of substance abuse, particularly sustained Adderall abuse, requires proper medical supervision and approved Adderall addiction treatment.
Quitting cold turkey will only exacerbate your existing problems, and you’ll have to experience Adderall withdrawal by yourself. As soon as you stop taking drugs, withdrawal sets in. It’s a natural reaction to your body coming off drugs, but it can be extremely uncomfortable.
Although the withdrawal symptoms you experience will depend on the severity of your addiction, some of the most common withdrawal symptoms include:
Once you’ve developed a physical dependency, you need to come off drugs slowly – and that’s exactly what our treatment center can help you with.
Instead of experiencing withdrawal by yourself, seeking help from our treatment center will ensure that you’re weaned off drugs at a steady pace. It’ll also guarantee that you have 24/7 care and support. Not only will we be able to give you support, but we’ll also be able to provide you with a personalized treatment plan, increasing your chances of recovery success.
Let’s take a closer look at Adderall addiction treatment and the kinds of options available to you.
Adderall addiction treatment comes in many forms, so there’s something for everyone to benefit from. Rather than adhering to one single type of addiction treatment, it’s often recommended that you try a combination of treatment options to bolster your chances of success.
One of the most popular forms of addiction treatment is therapy. Whether it’s family therapy, group therapy, or one-to-one therapy, this particular treatment is a great way of opening up to yourself and others and learning more about your triggers. During therapy, therapists will be able to walk you through your problems, concerns, and traumas, giving you a chance to develop healthy coping mechanisms and even repair bonds with family members and friends.
As well as therapy, there is also a wide range of alternative treatment options available such as acupuncture, equine therapy, art therapy, and meditation. These options all take a holistic approach to substance abuse treatment, aiming to improve your overall well-being and physical health. Most people usually complete alternative treatments in conjunction with a clinical Adderall addiction treatment program.
If you seek help from our treatment center, you’ll have access to a wide range of therapies and alternative treatments, as well as medical detox. Completing treatment via a rehab center is the best course of action that you can take, as it arms you with the support, guidance, and medical attention you need to get through recovery and any challenging times you might face.
Ultimately, there are two types of Adderall addiction rehab facilities: inpatient rehab and outpatient rehab. Inpatient treatment is essentially a form of residential treatment, meaning you remain in the clinic for the duration of your early recovery journey.
On the other hand, outpatient treatment is a little more flexible and allows you to continue working and juggling personal responsibilities with drug rehab.
It’s natural to feel nervous when you’re just about to start addiction treatment at a rehab center. There are so many unknowns lying in front of you and so many things you’ll have to come to terms with. The important thing to remember is that you’re not alone.
Your treatment team will be with you every step of the way, and you’ll be surrounded by those on a similar journey to yourself. To help give you an idea of what your time at a treatment center will be like, here’s what you can expect:
As soon as you arrive, a doctor will review your medical history and Adderall abuse. This substance abuse assessment will give them a better picture of your addiction and its severity, enabling them to craft up a personalized treatment plan to suit you and your needs.
During this stage, you’ll slowly be weaned off drugs. This means removing all traces of Adderall and toxins from your system. Although this can trigger a few uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, it’s just your body’s natural reaction to coming off drugs. During detox, you’ll have the support and guidance of medical professionals at all times.
To help you deal with withdrawal symptoms, you may be given medication. If medication is suitable for you, it will make it easier for you to focus on your recovery. Although withdrawal can’t be entirely avoided, specific medications can alleviate symptoms and make it easier to get through.
Following detox and rehabilitation, you’ll be offered aftercare. Most treatment centers will always offer extended drug addiction aftercare for approximately one year. This means you can stay in rehab for a little bit longer after your treatment, giving you time to readjust to everyday sober living and society.
Substance abuse goes hand-in-hand with mental health disorders like anxiety and depression in many instances. It’s often these very disorders that spur people onto drug use as they try to look for a way to numb their pain.
If you have an Adderall addiction and another mental health disorder, this is known as a co-occurring disorder. In these cases, you will need treatment that simultaneously targets both problems. Co-occurring conditions can include everything from anxiety and depression to ADHD and an eating disorder.
At Cornerstone, we are committed to helping you overcome your addiction. Offering a wide range of addiction treatment options, we treat the whole person. This means taking a holistic approach to our treatment programs, focusing just as much on mental health and physical health as the clinical side of treatment.
We know that everybody’s case of drug addiction is unique, so we’ll work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan. As well as treating a substance use disorder, we also treat everything from alcohol abuse and anxiety to depression, trauma, and a range of mental disorders. Our caring treatment team will be with you every step of the way, supporting you throughout your recovery journey.
If you’re keen to learn more, get in touch with our team today. They’ll be happy to walk you through the admissions process and answer any questions you might have, whether it’s on health insurance, our inpatient program, or the treatment facilities we offer.
