Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) is a prescription-only stimulant. As such, it works to increase activity in the central nervous system (CNS). It is commonly used to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and narcolepsy. Using Adderall or Adderall XR in any way other than directed by a doctor is considered abuse, is risky, and is more likely to result in adverse effects, including dependence and addiction.
What Is Adderall XR?
Adderall XR is prescribed as a tablet intended for oral consumption, but when abused, it can be crushed into a powder, and the residual product is then snorted into the nasal passage. This method will deliver the drug rapidly and intensely into a person’s system and causes a massive release of the “feel-good” chemical dopamine that leads to exorbitant energy and euphoria. It is this action that becomes the catalyst for the drug’s psychoactive and addictive potential.
Snorting immediate-release Adderall is risky in and of itself, but snorting Adderall XR may further increase the drug’s dangers and adverse effects. Abusing medication that has an extended-release format, such as Adderall XR, circumvents the manner in which the pill is intended to be released over time, gradually. Instead, it sends the entire dose of the drug into the bloodstream all at once.
When this occurs, the brain will be inundated by the amount of Adderall in its system and may not be able to metabolize it effectively. Seizures, accelerated heart rate, high blood pressure, fever, confusion, and psychosis may be the effects of Adderall overdose. These problems can also result in stroke, heart attack, and death without immediate medical intervention. Combining Adderall with other substances, such as alcohol, can serve to intensify these risks.
Snorting Adderall XR: Addiction
Adderall and Adderall XR both have a high potential for dependence and addiction. Signs of Adderall addiction include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Continued drug use despite the incurrence of adverse effects
- Lack of interest in activities once considered important or enjoyable
- The use of Adderall in risky or inappropriate situations
- Adverse changes in other areas of life such as work, school, relationships, and financial or legal status
- General malaise or lethargy when not using Adderall
When a person abuses Adderall on a recurrent basis, tolerance and dependence will inevitably begin to develop. Tolerance builds as the user’s brain becomes less sensitive to the drug’s presence, and effects are diminished as a result. This development will require the person to use increasingly higher amounts of the substance to achieve the desired effects to which he or she has grown accustomed.
Snorting Adderall XR: Withdrawal
Over time, the person’s brain and CNS are more or less “hijacked” by Adderall, and become much less able to function correctly without the drug’s presence. Subsequently, attempts to decrease drug use or to stop altogether result in very unpleasant and sometimes painful physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can persist for several days after the person’s last dose, and their severity is influenced by factors related to frequency and duration of use.
Symptoms of withdrawal associated with Adderall use may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Extreme fatigue
- Insomnia and hypersomnia
- Intense and vivid dreams
- Memory impairments
- Drug cravings
Side Effects of Snorting Adderall XR
Due to the rapid delivery and absorption of an intranasal dose, the risk of addiction and overdose may be substantially higher among people who regularly snort Adderall. Snorting Adderall can also result in frequent infections and injury to the septum and surrounding nasal tissues.
Other possible adverse effects and dangers of snorting Adderall include the following:
- Dry mouth
- Nausea and upset stomach
- Digestive problems
- Reduced appetite
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Rapid and irregular heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Sleep disturbances
- Profound fatigue
- Decreased libido
Snorting Adderall XR, particularly when used in conjunction with other drugs or alcohol, is very risky and can be life-threatening.
Symptoms of an overdose on Adderall may include:
- Panic attacks
- Blurred vision
- Rapid breathing
- Uncontrollable shaking or tremors
- Elevated heart rate
- Upset stomach and diarrhea
- Muscle aches, pains, and weakness
- Fainting or loss of consciousness
- Cardiac arrest
Why Seek Our Help?
People who abuse prescription amphetamines often erroneously believe they are less dangerous than illicit drugs, such as meth, and underestimate the severity of their addiction. Unfortunately, refusal to seek help can have a long-lasting adverse effect on one’s life, and receiving professional treatment as soon as possible is vital to long-term sobriety.
Harmony Recovery Center offers patients a secure, structured environment and professional staff trained to identify and address each person’s unique needs. Using an in-depth, custom approach to drug addiction and recovery, we provide patients with all the tools and support they need to be successful at long-term sobriety.
If you or someone you love is abusing Adderall, please seek treatment as soon as possible. Call us today to learn about our treatment options and find out how we can help!