The Effects of Taking Adderall Long-Term

The Potential Side Effects of Long-Term Adderall Use

Doctors often prescribe Adderall to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). For many people, these prescription stimulants are taken daily to allow them to focus on the tasks that need to be done. But what about the effects of taking Adderall long-term?

Adderall can take a serious toll on your health, starting with the potential for substance abuse. It can lead to cardiovascular risk factors like high blood pressure, increased heart rate, and heart attack. You may also see more mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and psychosis.

South Shores Recovery is here to help you stop abusing prescription drugs. You can work with a trained healthcare professional to find alternatives to substance use disorder and still get the help you need to treat ADHD. Keep reading to learn more about the effects of Adderall.

How Does Adderall Work to Treat ADHD Symptoms?

Before we dive too far into the effects of taking Adderall long-term, it’s important to consider how it works on the brain and body to treat ADHD. This drug has been approved by the FDA since 1996, and millions of people around the world take it daily as prescribed.

But do you know why it could be dangerous?

Adderall works on the brain by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine levels. These chemicals are part of the feel-good response of brain health. Many people with ADHD have lower levels of both of these chemicals, so the medication is used to boost them. Instead of having to seek out rewards and pleasure, they can then focus on the task at hand.

They act as a central nervous system stimulant, even in those who don’t have ADHD. If you take this drug (or mixed amphetamine salts), you might find that you get an initial high with positive feelings and a sense of being more awake. Many people abuse it for its stress management effects.

Potential Adverse Effects of Adderall on the Body and Brain

Maybe you’re taking Adderall to keep ADHD symptoms in check. While this medication certainly has its place, it should be taken under medical supervision by your family doctor or psychiatrist. There are risks to taking it long-term that you will need to weigh, especially if you are abusing it.

Here are some of the most common issues seen with the long-term effects of Adderall.

Potential for Adderall Misuse

One of the biggest issues with taking prescription stimulants of any kind is the potential for long-term misuse. If you have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), then you might need something to help you focus on work, school, and other activities.

However, there is a difference between taking Adderall as prescribed and abusing it.

Adderall misuse often happens because someone has built up a tolerance to the drug. In order to see the same effects on the central nervous system, you may have to take more stimulant medications. If you fall into the trap of taking another pill when you feel it wear off, you could see substance abuse.

Eventually, you may develop an Adderall addiction where you need the drug to function in your day-to-day life.

Strain on the Cardiovascular System: High Blood Pressure

Stimulant medications can wreak havoc on your cardiovascular system. You need to take caution with this drug, especially if you already have pre-existing heart conditions. When taken outside of normal prescribed usage, you can see serious effects on the heart, like increased blood pressure and a rapid heart rate.

Over time, your blood vessels will see more wear and tear with an Adderall addiction than most people. Complications can arise that are difficult to reverse.

Cardiovascular Risks: Irregular Heartbeat and Heart Attack

Of course, high blood pressure is just the start of your issues with the cardiovascular system. If left unchecked, you could see more serious and potentially fatal complications like a heart attack.

Before you start taking stimulants, you might want to ask your doctor to check you for abnormalities and a full workup of your cardiovascular health. This one simple action could save you from more serious side effects down the road. Monitor your blood pressure and heart rate regularly if you use Adderall daily.

Adderall Effects on Sexual Health

One of the less talked about symptoms of using Adderall to treat ADHD is sexual dysfunction. Adderall affects people differently, but it could lead to a lower libido, difficulty with arousal, or difficulty achieving orgasm. This could be because of the way the drug physically impacts the body, but its role in mental health can’t be understated here.

If you are struggling with mental health issues, you may have a harder time feeling sexually interested in your partner. This can also mimic many of the physical impacts of the drug, making it harder to find out whether it’s due to the prescription medication or a psychological issue.

Slow Weight Gain

Another issue with sustained Adderall use is that it is an appetite suppressant. Many people love this aspect of the drug because it keeps them from gaining weight as quickly as they otherwise might. If you’re already underweight or have an eating disorder, Adderall can worsen the situation with very slow weight gain.

You may have to be more mindful of your diet to sustain your weight or gain weight. Counting calories and getting enough protein might be necessary to maintain your body mass index (BMI).

Issues with Mood Swings

Many people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder might have more than one condition. Taking prescription stimulants can lead to an increase in mood lability. This means that you may have a harder time finding a balanced life. Your doctor can prescribe additional medications to help with mood swings if Adderall is needed for ADHD symptoms.

In people who are predisposed to depression or bipolar disorder, you might see more mood swings than you did before taking Adderall. In those who have anxiety, it might soar after starting the drug.

To be proactive about this issue, you may consider seeing a therapist who can help you cope with these effects before trying medication. You may be able to manage mood and anxiety with some new skills in your toolbox.

Psychotic Symptoms

While this is a relatively rare issue, psychosis can surface in someone who is struggling with an Adderall addiction. If you have a predisposition to psychosis, you may start to lose touch with reality when you take higher doses of the stimulant. Psychosis can surface as paranoia, delusions, or hallucinations, so it helps to be mindful and open about your experiences with your doctor and loved ones.

Be sure to let your doctor know if you have a history of psychosis, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia as soon as they prescribe Adderall. You should let your doctor know even if you have a close relative with these conditions because you could be genetically predisposed.

Getting Help for Drug Abuse with ADHD Medication

Substance abuse treatment might be the next right step for you to get help for addiction. Adderall is a Schedule II drug, which puts it in the same category as cocaine and other methamphetamines. Getting caught taking Adderall without a prescription or abusing that prescription could have consequences.

South Shores Recovery can help you find something that works for your ADHD without continuing to take Adderall at higher doses. We can give you the tools you need to learn to cope with ADHD, anxiety, mood disorders, and even polysubstance abuse.

We offer a variety of evidence-based treatment options as well as medication management. Our team of doctors can offer you new options for day-to-day symptoms of ADHD. All the while, you’ll be under medical supervision so that you can see positive results.

Signs of an Adderall Addiction

Are you worried that you might have taken an Adderall use problem too far? Knowing the warning signs in yourself or a loved one can help you decide whether it’s time to seek substance abuse treatment for your drug use.

The first and most telling symptom is that you are no longer taking the drug as prescribed. You might be taking the drug at high doses, more than what your doctor prescribed. Maybe you’re taking the dose you were prescribed but are popping pills more frequently. Both are signs of an addiction.

You may also have trouble getting your doctor to prescribe more, leading you to turn to the streets for your fix. This is dangerous, but you may not care if you need those stimulant properties and depend on them.

Another sign is that you’re neglecting your responsibilities at home, school, and work. Relationships may suffer due to your erratic behavior, and your family might ask you to consider seeking help for Adderall use. If someone brings it to your attention, it might be time to consider treatment.

Adderall Addiction Treatment at South Shores Recovery

Are you ready for substance abuse treatment options that will work for you? South Shores Recovery is here to help you take those first steps away from your withdrawal symptoms and into health. Our team of experienced clinicians can create a customized treatment plan just for you.

If you think that we could be a good fit to combat the effects of an Adderall addiction, our enrollment team can answer any of your questions today. Let us verify your insurance benefits and reserve a spot for you in our luxurious facility. Don’t wait another day to get the help you need!