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“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”
― John Wooden
In 2021, more than 2.3 million people had an Adderall prescription across the United States. Despite this, there are still many misconceptions about how this medication works.
Is this medication safe to use? How can it impact someone with ADHD one way but impact someone without ADHD another? Is it dangerous to take Adderall if you don’t have ADHD?
There are just a few of the questions we often hear at Serenity Lane. As one of the oldest non-profit rehab centers in the state, we have a wide knowledge base regarding substances and mental health conditions alike. Today we’re going to talk about Adderall and ADHD and answer some of your burning questions such as, “What does Adderall do to people without ADHD?”
Adderall is a brand name for a central nervous system stimulant medication made from a combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. It comes in two different forms: immediate-release and extended-release. Immediate-release medication goes into effect much more quickly but doesn’t last as long. Extended-release, on the other hand, takes longer to impact you but lasts most of the day.
Central nervous system (CNS) stimulants, such as Adderall, alter how the body sends and receives messages while also playing a role in how dopamine is released and recycled. If you’ve ever experienced a “caffeine high” before, that would be an exaggerated example of how CNS stimulants influence the body. They increase energy and motivation and also influence feelings of satisfaction and euphoria.
Adderall is a controlled substance that is approved by the FDA to help treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as well as narcolepsy.
To understand how Adderall is used to assist those living with ADHD, you must first have a point of reference for dopamine and how it affects our brain’s function.
You’ve likely heard of dopamine before, but you may not know exactly what it is. Dopamine is a chemical that is produced in the brain in response to positive situations, especially the completion of a task. It is one of the primary chemicals responsible for feeling pleasure and satisfaction. If you’ve ever felt happy after eating a good meal, or proud after finishing a chore, you’ve had a natural dopamine response.
For people who have ADHD, their dopamine production isn’t regular. Whether this means they have a harder time producing it, or that their dopamine receptors aren’t as efficient as that of someone without ADHD. Research suggests that this disrupted dopamine neurotransmission plays a large role in behaviors like inattention and low motivation.
This is where Adderall comes into play. Adderall causes an increase in dopamine production while also assisting dopamine receptors in holding and reading the dopamine more effectively.
When reading how Adderall influences your brain, you might think, “That sounds like a good thing. How can Adderall be bad for someone who doesn’t have ADHD?”
Despite popular belief, you can have too much of a good thing.
Studies have shown that when substances like Adderall are used on people without ADHD, it still increases dopamine levels, but this time to beyond what would be considered “normal” rates. Instead of bringing someone to a degree of homeostasis, it pushes them beyond it.
Heightened dopamine may feel good in the short-term, but these increased experiences of euphoria have negative side effects, too. Additionally, consistent excessive dopamine production has been linked to deteriorative health conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.
It is never safe to take any medication if you don’t have a prescription for it, no matter what medication that is.
For Adderall, in particular, there are many negative consequences that can occur to those who haven’t been medically approved to take it.
Central nervous system stimulants are a controlled substance for a reason. Not only can they have negative effects on your physical health if taken without regulation, but they also have the potential for misuse. It is very common for people to receive a health screening prior to getting an Adderall prescription. Even after the prescription, doctor’s will periodically check on their patient’s health to ensure there are no negative side effects.
The most common organ impacted by CNS stimulants is your heart. Stimulants increase energy levels and speed up heart rate and breathing. If someone already has a heart condition or is predisposed to develop one, proper monitoring is key to ensure their well-being.
On top of that, seeking out substances without receiving them directly from a trusted source puts you at risk of being exposed to a variety of other substances. This puts you at an increased risk of long-term side effects and even overdose.
To put it simply – yes. Adderall addiction, or an Adderall use disorder, is a real condition. However, it’s more complex than that.
Those who are prescribed ADHD medications like Adderall are at no higher risk of developing a substance use disorder than anyone else. This means that other factors come into play when someone develops an Adderall use disorder such as untreated mental health, high stress, trauma, and more.
The most common reason someone may develop a substance use disorder related to Adderall is because of the euphoric effects that occur while it’s in your system. People will continue to seek it out to experience that “high.” The more often you engage with a substance in this manner, the more likely you are to develop a physical dependence on it.
A physical dependence occurs when your body becomes accustomed to how another substance interacts with and alters the processes inside of your body. In this case, your brain would adjust to how Adderall interacts with your dopamine receptors.
When you then take away this substance from your routine, your body has to adjust to it no longer being present. This process varies in length depending on your level of substance use, as well as the substance itself. During this time you will feel side effects which often include cravings. Overall, this time frame and bodily response is what’s known as withdrawal.
There are many prescription medications that can come with the potential for withdrawal. Doctors are aware of these potential effects and keep them in mind when prescribing and ceasing prescriptions. In order to prevent or reduce the chance of withdrawal, many doctors will slowly taper someone off of a medication as opposed to stopping them suddenly.
The common signs of Adderall withdrawal include:
If you or a loved one are looking to find a safe and caring environment to being your healing journey away from Adderall, there are options available for you right here in Oregon. An Adderall addiction treatment program is a great first step towards walking your new path of recovery.
No matter your mental health or substance use history, healing is always within reach. Our team here at Serenity Lane has the full continuum of care available for you here whenever you’re ready to get started. Just give us a call anytime at 800-543-9905 and we’ll answer any questions you may have.
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