10 Dangerous Adderall Side Effects

Dangerous Adderall Side Effects

Most people think of Adderall as a “medicine” for kids with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but it is a drug with the potential for addiction. There are a number of dangerous Adderall side effects that every parent should know about. This drug is prescribed to children as young as three, but children of any age are unlikely to recognize dangerous Adderall side effects.

Adderall is a US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Schedule II drug. This category of drug has a “high potential for abuse”, is considered more dangerous than Valium, and can “lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.” Adderall abuse among high school and college students is alarming. A six month monitoring study of Twitter for tweets including the word Adderall found it was almost always used in a casual or sarcastic manner. A few hashtags read as follows:

• #adderall+school=winning
• #wish I had adderall to get my room cleaned faster
• #give me a prescription

Other comments included

• “Does anyone have Adderall?”
• “I need Adderall…”
• “Adderall stockpile for finals”
• “Running on coffee and Adderall”
• “Yay for Adderall-induced optimism”

No concern is expressed for the dangerous Adderall side effects. The DEA says only two-percent of students queried in a nationwide study believe Adderall is “very dangerous,” eighty-one percent think non-medical use is “not dangerous at all,” or “slightly dangerous.” Perhaps the worst Adderall side effect is the lack of belief in its dangers. Some of the dangerous Adderall side effects include the following:

1. Convulsions
2. Paranoia
3. Irregular heartbeat
4. Loss of appetite
5. Nausea
6. Insomnia
7. Hallucinations
8. Heart attack
9. Stroke
10. Liver failure

Adderall Abuse

Parents whose children, of any age, are taking this drug need to be aware of the signs of Adderall abuse. Many older teens and young adults have found that it is easy to fake the symptoms of ADHD, and thousands of young people are taking Adderall without it being prescribed and obtain it through illegal means. There are several signs of Adderall abuse that may include the following:

• Abusers tend to talk continually
• Abusers lose their appetite and skip meals
• Abusers tend to be overly excitable
• Abusers withdraw from normal social activities
• Abusers are always broke and asking for money
• Abusers may resort to stealing to get money for pills (purchased illegally)
• Abusers are secretive about their activities
• Abusers tend to sleep for long periods of time
• Abusers often become malnourished
• Abusers often experience rapid heartbeat and chest pain

If taken with alcohol or injected into the blood stream, the user is at a heightened risk of a fatal overdose.

Adderall Withdrawal Symptoms

It’s possible your child has taken larger doses of Adderall than prescribed, and he or she may have shared some with a friend. Even if your child has not been prescribed the drug, he or she may be taking it illegally. When the user runs out, withdrawal symptoms can begin within a matter of hours. If you recognize any of these Adderall withdrawal symptoms in your child, get help right away. Adderall is a stimulant that causes a “crash” when stopped abruptly.

• Sleep problems including insomnia and extended sleeping
• Excessive eating
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Panic attacks
• Depression
• New phobias
• Unhappiness
• Suicidal thoughts

Children aren’t the only ones abusing Adderall. Many adults are now getting prescriptions for adult ADHD and finding it doesn’t take long to become addicted. If you or your loved one is showing signs of an Adderall abuse problem, do not hesitate to call us today at (877) 855-3470.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.