Adderall is the infamous prescription drug created to treat symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. The powerful effects of eliciting pleasurable feelings at larger doses and massively boosting energy and mental focus help individuals with ADHD cope with the condition. However, its highly addictive nature makes it a regulated pharmaceutical, meaning that you can’t just go to the pharmacy and pick up a bottle.
This stimulant is legally obtainable, but the contents of it make it heavily regulated. It contains both amphetamines and dextroamphetamine, making it an extreme upper with a fantastic sensation when consumed. Adderall is a schedule II controlled substance due to its high incidence of abuse and addiction. Depending on whether it is an instant or extended-release pill, this can last from four to six hours to the entire day.
Adderall Abuse
When used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy via taking these pills at the recommended dosage and correct times, it produces the intended effect. However, the moment Adderall is acquired without the intent to treat ADHD symptoms, or if it is taken to achieve a high, this instance counts as substance abuse.
Adderall abuse can be consumed in multiple ways, with the most common being ingesting higher doses. Other forms of consumption can be snorting, smoking, or injecting the drug to achieve a pure and potent high. College students are typically the primary abusers of Adderall because of the focus effect when consumed, providing better academic performance.
The most popular way to get high off Adderall is through snorting it, as it brings the effects into the body stronger. However, like any chemical substance, abusing the ADHD drug can cause serious health problems. Those who abuse pharmaceuticals, especially stimulants, report that they have increased body temperatures, heart palpitations, seizures, paranoia, and temperament issues. These can also lead to overdose, as the chemicals in pharmaceuticals are not to be consumed in extremely high doses.
Signs of Adderall Abuse
Adderall can be addictive; therefore, improper use can develop substance abuse tendencies in people. One standard indicator of snorting substances to get high is when blood is visible in a person’s pillow, or nosebleeds become more noticeable. A person who is snorting Adderall can also sniffle a lot as they use their nose to consume hard objects.
Behavioral indicators of Adderall abuse can be similar to other addiction signs. Some of these are mood swings, increased depressive and anxiety states, paranoia, extreme weight loss, and sleeping problems. Adderall is known to be an amphetamine, which often makes sleeping and eating difficult, so weight loss and appetite problems will be very noticeable.
Snorting Adderall
Snorting substances have a quicker delivery to the brain compared to oral fixation. Therefore, when Adderall is snorted to get high, the brain receives an extreme surge of norepinephrine and dopamine, which gives an intense euphoric feeling. The rush people receive from snorting drugs like pharmaceuticals and cocaine often develops addiction due to the fantastic sensation they get from it.
Dopamine allows people to “feel good,” a naturally occurring hormone heightened by Adderall’s usage. Excessive dopamine bombardment can make users experience rewarding sensations that will make them want more and more each time, and that is when addiction builds up.
How Long Does Adderall Stay in Your System
As mentioned above, Adderall comes in two types, the first being instant-release and the other one being extended-release. Depending on the person using it, instant-release Adderall starts with a life of around half a day, which is perfect for getting through a school or workday. When the effects wear off towards the evening (if consumed in the morning), there is what is called a “crash” effect that makes the user sleepy.
However, extended-release forms can last an entire day, and consuming these at the wrong times can make sleep difficult. Extended-release Adderall is meant for more severe cases of ADHD, but these must be used with care due to the harsh side-effects.
Adderall typically leaves the system within three days, but various drug tests have different results in terms of time. The typical urine test can detect it for up to a week after use. Follicle tests have shown that Adderall is detected up to 90 days after the last use. Saliva tests only find these for up to 48 hours after use, while a blood test can detect the drug over 24 hours.
How Long Does Adderall Last
Various factors determine Adderall’s lasting effects. While the type of pill taken will determine how long the high lasts, the human body plays a big part. Adderall is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, which loses its potency through the liver and escapes through the kidneys. Around a quarter of the drug is converted to metabolites, such as benzoic and hippuric acids, and the drug’s elimination is affected by the pH levels of the user’s urine.
Lower urine pH levels will process the drug faster, while the opposite will last longer due to the slow processing. The initial phases of taking Adderall might have a more intense effect, but as time passes, consuming it often will affect how long the drug lasts. Dosage also contributes to the lasting impact of consumption, as higher dosages will have a more substantial effect on the endocrine system.
A person’s weight also contributes to the drug’s release, as heavier and larger people will likely require a higher dose for the pharmaceutical to work as intended. A 5’5” person’s prescribed medications will probably not work for someone past 6’ due to the physical build difference.
Lastly, any impairments to the liver or kidney can affect the lasting effect of Adderall, as these are the two organs that typically process the impact of the drug.
Adderall Overdose
Any drug will have varying effects on different people. These effects are why some people can consume more drugs and alcohol than others. As part and parcel of the way the human body works, some people are more tolerant of substances than others. An overdose’s symptoms will be different, and some can experience this with just a small dose.
Additionally, mixing Adderall with other substances can also be deadly, which is why it is advisable not to consume alcohol or different kinds of medications while under the effects. Overdosing on this drug is similar to other chemical pharmaceuticals. On the rise, people might feel extreme hyperactivity and aggressiveness. This high typically comes with increased blood pressure, hallucinations, and elevated heart rates. Stimulants usually have this effect and can cause severe discomfort resulting in death when done very often.
A person about to overdose might get seizures, stomach cramps, body pains, and even heart attacks that lead to their untimely death. Due to the addictive nature of Adderall, this can be hard to stop, especially when the euphoric rush is something incredible. Taking more than what is prescribed or illegally acquiring it and consuming it recreationally is the reason why people overdose and therefore have made the drug highly regulated.
Adderall is a highly regulated drug, and it has a strict hold for a good reason. Pharmaceutical substance abuse is extremely dangerous, as these medications’ chemical nature has harsh side effects. When used recreationally and consumed through means like snorting or other non-orally fixated methods, this can lead to addiction and, eventually, death.
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/drug-medication/adderall-abuse-addiction-signs#1
