Adderall Addiction Treatment in Oklahoma City
Side Effects, Signs of Addiction, & How to Get Help
What is Adderall?
Adderall was invented in the 1990s, initially for the treatment of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and narcolepsy. It produces a stimulant high, that gives it a significant potential for abuse. Adderall is:
- Composed of four amphetamine salts, including levoamphetamine and dextroamphetamine
- Also known as Mydayis
- Available in generic format as amphetamine salts or mixed amphetamine salts
- Available in a quick-release or extended-release formulation
- Usually consumed in pill form, but often crushed and snorted by those abusing the drug
- A Schedule II Controlled Substance, meaning it requires a prescription
- Often abused by those seeking a stimulant boost
Signs of Adderall Addiction
Because of its stimulant properties and euphoric effects, Adderall has a high potential for abuse and addiction. How can you know if you or someone you love has developed a physiological dependence on the drug? Signs of Adderall abuse and addiction include:
Mood Swings
Panic attacks or even psychosis
Loss of appetite and/or weight loss
Unusual sleep patterns
Personality changes
Changes in friend groups
Financial issues
What to Expect from Adderall Withdrawal
Anxiety
Irritability
Mood Swings
Fatigue
Nausea
Difficulty Sleeping
What is Vyvanse?
While Adderall contains four different kinds of amphetamine salts, the drug Vyvanse is a similar stimulant including only one amphetamine salt, lisdexamfetamine. It was approved for use more than a decade after Adderall, in 2007, for use as a psychostimulant in treating ADHD and binge eating disorder. Depending on individual physiology, Vyvanse works much in the same way as Adderall and can be another option for treating these disorders depending on individual physiology and gene profile. Vyvanse is also available in pill form, but is produced in extended-release format only and is not available as a rapid-release pill. It is sold in generic version as lisdexamfetamine.
Adderall vs. Vyvanse
Although similar in chemical structure, there are several key differences between Adderall and Vyvanse. First, Adderall is available in both extended-release format (with a duration action of 12 hours) and rapid-release (with a duration action of 4 to 6 hours). Vyvanse provides an effect for much longer than either, with a duration action of 14 hours. The body actually converts Vyvanse to dextroamphetamine (one of the salts in Adderall) during that time, so the effects and impacts of both Adderall and Vyvanse are similar. Side effects may include reduced appetite and weight loss, irritability, trouble sleeping, and behavior changes. Finally, Adderall is only available in nonchewable pill form, while Vyvanse can be prescribed as chewable tablets.
Adderall vs. Lexapro
Launched in 2002, Lexapro is composed of the drug escitalopram, which is not an amphetamine salt like Adderall. However, it can have similar side effects in those suffering from depression and/or anxiety. When taken in those situations, Lexapro can increase focus and motivation. However, the result comes more from the resolution of the depression by balancing the serotonin levels in the brain than a stimulant effect like the one provided by Adderall. Technically, Lexapro is an antidepressant SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) that is meant to treat Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). It has a lower potential for abuse and misuse and is not considered a controlled substance.
Adderall vs. Ritalin
Ritalin is a stimulant containing the drug methylphenidate, and is indicated for treating ADHD in children age 6 and older. (There is a form of Ritalin indicated for treating ADHD in adults.) With similar effects as Adderall and similar potential for misuse, Ritalin is a Class II Controlled Substance.
Adderall Addiction Treatment OKC
It’s a false misconception that Adderall and other stimulant drugs are simply a way to stay focused, like caffeine. One 2017 study found that students without a diagnosis of ADHD who used stimulants as a study aid saw no increase in GPA and no other perceived positive result. On the other hand, if you are suffering from anxiety, bipolar disorder, seizure disorder, or mood disorders, Adderall and other stimulants could make your symptoms much worse. With the high potential for addiction, the high cost of buying pills on the street, and the danger of buying pills laced with fentanyl, Adderall abuse can have a dire impact on your life. If you are struggling with Adderall and stimulant abuse or misuse or know someone who is, you don’t have to face it alone. Adderall and stimulant addiction treatment can help you uncover the root causes of your substance abuse — so you can heal them and find true recovery.
Amphetamine Addiction Treatment OKC
Other amphetamine drugs like Vyvanse can be just as addictive, and kicking them can be just as hard. While not fatal, amphetamine withdrawal in a non-medical environment can increase your risk of suicide and relapse.
Detoxing from Adderall in Oklahoma City
Stopping an Adderall habit without medical support can be highly uncomfortable — and dangerous. Symptoms of the notorious “Adderall crash” include panic attacks, depression, suicidal thoughts, fatigue, anxiety, irritability, gastrointestinal issues, and more. In the face of these symptoms, choosing to go back to Adderall can seem like an easy solution for relief. Detoxing in a professional medical environment gives you the best chance of making it through withdrawal safely and staying on your new path to recovery. Even beyond the acute withdrawal phase, long-time users of Adderall may experience Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS), which includes lingering side effects like fatigue, memory loss, and depression. Entering into substance abuse treatment near Oklahoma City can help support you during this period. Our mountaintop campus is a beautiful place to build a new life free from Adderall. Take a look:
Start your own road to recovery just a short drive from Oklahoma City today.
Adderall Addiction Treatment Near Oklahoma City
Adderall addiction is no less serious than the abuse of and addiction to other drugs. For many, it is the outward symptom of deeper internal issues. Mental and behavioral health disorders like depression, anxiety, and ADHD can be linked to the non-prescription use of amphetamine drugs. Trauma also is often at the root of substance misuse of all kinds. In Adderall addiction treatment near Oklahoma City, individuals can find the space, support, and tools to address the deeper traumas and issues that may be connected to their substance use. By addressing deeper traumas or mental health disorders, and learning tools for healthy living, enduring freedom from drug and alcohol misuse is possible.
Other Addictions We Treat
Country Road Recovery treats men and women who misuse and are addicted to a variety of substances. Our program is appropriate for treating:
Alcohol Addiction
Benzodiazepine Addiction
Cocaine Addiction
Crystal Meth Addiction
Fentanyl Addiction
Heroin Addiction
Marijuana Addiction
Nicotine Addiction
Opioid Addiction
Addiction to Other Prescription Pills
Xanax Addiction
Vaping Addiction
And More