Adderall is one of the most abused college campus drugs to help students study during exams. This prescription drug is a product for the synthesis of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Both ingredients have the effect of improving the messaging system in the brain.
This medication is also known in the streets by the following names: beans, double, uppers, speed, pep pills, study drug, bennies and more.
In the medical field, this drug is mainly used to medicate attention-deficit hyperactivity syndrome (ADHD) and narcolepsy. It enhances the ability of the patient to concentrate.
In terms of physical appearance, this drug can be capsule or tablet form having various strengths: 5 mg, 7.7 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, 15 mg, up to 30 mg. The difference in physical appearance can be seen in its color, pill imprint, and shape. For instance, a 5 mg tablet has an off-white color, no pill imprint, and round shape. While a 10 mg tablet is blue in color, pill imprint is AD10 or DP10, and shape is round.
Aside from that, this drug also has an extended-release formulation which is in capsule form. For instance, 5 and 10 mg capsule of this type has a blue color and a pill imprint of ADDERALL XR 5mg/10mg.
A person cannot readily take this medication without a prescription from trusted medical personnel. Further, this medication is not prescribed to individuals having the following conditions: a history of drug abuse, intake of monoamine oxidase, agitation, glaucoma, unhealthy thyroid, high blood pressure, and any heart-related disease such as clogged arteries.
Adderall, How They Work
This drug is a psychoactive substance which works on the central nervous system. Overall, it enhances the communication pathways in the brain which speeds up alertness and focus.
In terms of strength, this drug has a similar effect to methamphetamine and has a high risk of addiction. It has lower effect compared to methamphetamine but still dangerous because of its high addictive potential. Likewise, it is classified by the Drug Enforcement Agency as a Schedule II controlled substance.
Moreover, to prevent an overdose the individual must strictly follow one’s prescription. In general, age six years can have an initial intake of 10 mg daily with a 5 to 10 milligrams of daily increment done on a weekly basis. Whereas for adults, the typical initial intake is 20 milligrams daily.
Addiction and Dangers
The abuse and addiction of this drug can be rooted from different reasons. Consequently, the top five reasons for the abuse of it are the following: reducing weight, studying, enhancing sports performance, pleasure, and being awake.
Even though this drug has a lower impact compared to methamphetamine, it is still dangerous because of its high addictive potential and high accessibility to abusers. Any person will experience an overdose and addiction due to higher intake and for pleasure seeking purposes.
In addition, this drug is dangerous because of the high risk of taking it in combination with other substances. Most common substance taken along with Adderall includes cocaine, alcohol, and marijuana. The overall impact of this action is a magnified euphoric feeling and unbalanced behavior.
When abused, this drug can stay for a while inside the body. If a person plans to under drug test, that individual must know its estimated duration of how long this drug stays inside the body. In the blood and urine, this drug can stay around 24 hours and three days respectively. Meanwhile, in the saliva and hair follicles, it can stay around 48 hours and maximum one month respectively.
Addiction to this drug can lead to serious health consequences. Its severe side effects can be summarized into three: mental disease, stunted growth, and death from heart failure.
Aside from that, it has short and long-term side effects which need to be emphasized. Some of its common short-term side effects include rapid heartbeat, extreme weight loss, and fast breathing patterns. While its long-term side effects include hallucinations, seizures, stomach pains, and heart attack.
Medications and Treatments
Early detection of the signs of an overdose is important so that first aid treatments can be immediately applied. The typical signs of an overdose include vomiting, rapid breathing, uncontrolled body movements, high blood pressure, and hallucinations.
In general, common procedures done to treat an overdose include flushing out of the stomach and ingestion of activated charcoal. The activated charcoal has an enhanced adsorptive property to absorb chemicals in the body. Overall, these options can help in reducing the number of toxins.
Meanwhile, the first step for any treatment program is the detoxification process. This can be a gradual or abrupt intake of the drug which can lead to a few withdrawal symptoms. Some of these symptoms include fatigue, inability to sleep, restlessness, skin illnesses, unbalanced mood and behavior.
However, the main key towards a successful treatment program is for the patient to gain willingness and acceptance to undergo treatment. Likewise, other factors that need to be settled include social stigma, financial capacity and availability of quality rehab centers.
Furthermore, therapies are always included in any treatment programs to develop and reinforce positive behaviors. Likewise, it supplements and hastens the recovery process. The three common therapies applied to patients with Adderall addiction are cognitive behavioral therapies, reward system, and recovery groups.
In the Reward System, the therapist will orient the patient for specific rewards of successfully doing a positive behavior. This intervention motivates the patient to avoid unhealthy behaviors and cravings for the drug.
In Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), the therapist will help the patient identify those unhealthy thoughts which trigger the cravings for the drug. After, a list of positive coping strategies will be formulated by the patient with the assistance of the therapist.
In the Recovery Group, the patient will be in a group of people with a similar condition. In this intervention, the social communication skills and insight learning of the patient are reinforced and developed. All members have the chance to share one’s experiences and successful endeavors from this addiction. Members have a great chance of developing positive insights from these experiences.
