Adderall Addiction and Abuse: Signs and Side Effects

Adderall is a prescription amphetamine that doctors prescribe to treat narcolepsy and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Its generic name is amphetamine/dextroamphetamine or mixed amphetamine salts, but it’s also known as addys, speed or uppers in slang terms. Medical and mental health professionals call it a stimulant.

Adderall addiction, otherwise known as stimulant use disorder in medical and mental health treatment spheres, can develop even if a medical professional legitimately prescribed the medication. Eventually, misusing any prescription stimulant, meaning taking it in ways not as prescribed, can significantly increase your risk of developing an addiction to it. If you notice that you’re taking Adderall more often than you’re supposed to or in higher doses than prescribed or using it to stay awake or lose weight, it could be a sign that it’s time to reach out for help.

In this guide, we explain why Adderall can be addictive, warning signs of misuse and the long-term effects of erratic or addictive stimulant use.

Adderall works by decreasing the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine, meaning that it causes more of these neurotransmitters to be left in the synapse, or spaces between nerves, in your brain. This biological effect can help increase focus, energy and motivation.

When taken on a daily basis, your body can adjust to the regular use and become tolerant to the medication. Adderall tolerance can make it feel like you need more and more of the medication to get the same results. Tolerance can happen whether you’re misusing the medication or not, and it doesn’t necessarily signify an addiction.

Because Adderall works fairly quickly on the brain’s dopamine and reward system, it’s easy for people to go from misusing it, or using it “just once” to study for a big final, to using it regularly to boost productivity or control their appetite or mood.

Misuse can look like taking someone else’s prescription, or taking an extra dose, using it late in the day, or combining it with another substance, outside of how it was prescribed.

“Abuse” is an older term for addiction that many people still use. Today, medical professionals use “misuse” or “use disorder,” so we’ll use these terms going forward.

When talking about mental health and substance use, you may hear different terms, such as abuse, misuse, substance use disorder and addiction. Using clear language is important, and each of these terms has a slightly different definition in the lay public and in medical and mental health communities.

Adderall misuse is the official term used by medical and mental health providers to describe when someone is using the substance outside of medical guidance. Misuse can include taking a higher dose than prescribed or nonmedical Adderall use, such as taking someone else’s prescription. Sometimes in the lay public, people use the word “abuse” when referring to the more official term “misuse”.

Addiction, referred to as a substance use disorder in the medical community, refers to compulsive use of an addictive substance or use in an out-of-control fashion. Addiction is also a commonly used term when someone continues to use a substance even though they’re experiencing physical, emotional or social harm. While misuse can be intermittent, addiction generally involves a clear pattern of misuse that continues even when the person wants or has tried to stop.

“Dependence” is an older term for addiction that many people still use. Today, medical professionals use “substance use disorder,” so we’ll use that term going forward.

It’s absolutely possible to develop an Adderall addiction. Adderall is a powerful stimulant medication that affects how your brain and body work.

Symptoms of an addiction can be physical. Over time and with regular use of stimulants, the body adapts to the neurochemical effects of the medication on dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain, leading to tolerance.

If you stop taking the medication suddenly, these levels drop, and you may go into withdrawal. They can also be psychological, including feeling like you “need” the substance to feel normal and socialize, that you have cravings, or that you can’t control your urges to use.

Adderall misuse and stimulant use disorder symptoms can be subtle at first. You may start to feel like you “need” Adderall to be able to work or study, and feel anxious or irritable when you don’t take it. Physical signs of Adderall misuse or addiction include:

• Decreased appetite
• Weight loss
• Difficulty sleeping
• Increased heart rate
• Jaw pain from clenching your teeth

As misuse continues or escalates, you may notice other amphetamine addiction indicators, such as financial problems from spending money on Adderall, strained family relationships, or not performing as well as you once did at work or school.

If you or a loved one is taking more Adderall than prescribed, buying pills without a prescription or feeling the need to hide amphetamine use, it’s an indicator of a problem.

Adderall withdrawal, sometimes called the Adderall crash, can happen when you stop using stimulants because your body is used to a higher level of dopamine and norepinephrine in your system. The decreased dopamine, in particular, can make it harder to function in daily life. Stimulant withdrawal symptoms include:

• Fatigue and an increased need for sleep
• Depression and irritability
• Mood swings
• Brain fog
• Appetite changes
• Vivid dreams or nightmares
• Anxiety

The amphetamine withdrawal timeline and the intensity of your symptoms can vary depending on how much Adderall you’ve taken and for how long. Using amphetamines with other substances, such as alcohol or opioids, may cause more symptoms or increase how long it takes to feel better after stopping regular use of Adderall suddenly.

Many medications have side effects that are considered normal as long as you’re using the substance according to your doctor’s instructions and they aren’t impacting your daily function. Common Adderall side effects include:

• Headache
• Stomach upset
• Difficulty sleeping
• Decreased appetite
• Dizziness

But when amphetamines are misused, it can result in more significant issues. Short-term effects of Adderall misuse include an elevated heart rate and an increase in blood pressure. You may feel agitated or moody and experience impaired judgment, leading to an increased risk of dangerous behaviors.

Because Adderall misuse can result in an increased tolerance for and dependence on the medication, it’s possible to take too much and overdose, which can be life-threatening. Potential signs of an Adderall overdose include:

• Dangerously increased body temperature
• Dehydration
• Heart arrhythmias and chest pain
• Amphetamine psychosis

These risks increase when you combine Adderall with other substances. If someone displays signs of a potential overdose, call 911 immediately.

Anyone can misuse Adderall and develop a stimulant use disorder, but some factors may increase your risk. Underlying mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, or experiencing high levels of stress, can increase the potential for misuse, as it may be more tempting to use Adderall to self-medicate. A previous history of substance use is also a major predictor.

Traditional Type A personalities who strive for perfection may be more likely to develop a stimulant use disorder as they turn to Adderall to be able to keep up with academic or workplace pressures. Adderall misuse in college is also common for these same reasons.

There’s a common misconception that Adderall is safer than other illicit stimulants because it’s a prescription medication. This mistaken belief can provide a false sense of safety where people don’t understand the true risk of misuse and addiction.

Only a qualified healthcare provider can give a stimulant use disorder diagnosis. The clinician will conduct an evaluation that includes asking questions about your stimulant use and other symptoms. They focus on the usage patterns over time, how significantly it’s affecting your daily life and whether you’ve been unsuccessful in quitting on your own.

Diagnosing Adderall addiction, or any stimulant use or any substance use disorder, usually involves a detailed interview, a mental health screening and a review of any medical symptoms, such as heart arrhythmias. It’s critical to be 100% honest with your care team so they have an accurate picture of your mental and physical health and can create a detox and treatment plan that prioritizes your safety and well-being.

Stimulant misuse and addiction affect people of all backgrounds. A substance use disorder isn’t a personal failure. Recognizing that you have a problem is the first step, and reaching out for help can help you get the support and treatment you need. Help.org is a free, confidential treatment finder resource that can help you locate the right program based on your location and individual needs and preferences.

Remember that you don’t have to hit “rock bottom” or be experiencing severe symptoms before getting help. If you or a loved one is concerned about Adderall misuse, it’s never too early or too late to reach out.