Adderall is a stimulant that doctors often prescribe to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or narcolepsy. It works to focus attention, control problem behaviors, and improve listening and organizational skills. Unfortunately, its benefits and perceived allure have resulted in Adderall abuse being highest among college students. Learn more about Adderall addiction treatment by calling Georgia Addiction Treatment Center at [Direct].

Causes of Adderall Abuse in College Students

The main link between Adderall and college students is usually academics. Many students use Adderall as a “study drug.” Students report using Adderall to stay up late studying or improve their focus ahead of a big exam.

There’s also a social link to this type of prescription drug abuse. Since Adderall allows a user to stay up later, many college students may take it to participate in college’s more social side with events and parties. Another effect of taking Adderall is making users more outgoing and talkative, which can be socially beneficial to students navigating a new, perhaps intimidating environment.

The social benefits of Adderall also introduce a significant danger as the mixture of Adderall and alcohol can be deadly. Alcohol is a depressant, and Adderall is a stimulant. The combination can lessen a person’s ability to notice each drug’s effects and lead to dangerous overconsumption.

The last thing to note about Adderall and college students is Adderall’s usage as a weight-loss drug due to its stimulating properties. College’s social pressure to look or be a certain way leaves young adults at risk of abusing Adderall for this reason as well.

Adderall’s Side Effects

To this point, we’ve mainly explored the factors that make Adderall appealing. But even if someone does not develop an addiction to it, Adderall still brings a host of side effects along with its use. The most common of these may include:

  • Anxiety or restlessness
  • Insomnia
  • Tremors or shakiness
  • Headaches
  • Digestive issues like loss of appetite or diarrhea

These side effects become more prominent, along with other more severe downsides like hallucinations or heart problems when someone uses Adderal at higher than prescription doses. This is often the case when someone is abusing this medication.

Adderall Addiction Treatment

The good news is that Adderall addiction is treatable with professional support and proven methods. The two main approaches to treating Adderall addiction are psychotherapy and medication-assisted treatment.

We don’t recommend stopping Adderall usage cold turkey without being under medical supervision. Numerous Adderall users who take this approach report “crashing” as their body fails to adjust to no longer having the drug in their system. Withdrawal symptoms can be somewhat severe and uncomfortable. Thus, a medically supervised tapering approach is the most common method for dealing with Adderall addiction. This is typically conducted at an inpatient rehab facility.

Throughout this detox process, patients will undergo individual and group therapy. Many treatment centers utilize cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in treating Adderall addiction. This approach addresses the motivation and why behind drug use. For a college student, the root cause may have something to do with feeling pressured to fit in socially or keep up academically. They may believe Adderall usage provides an easy path to success in those regards. CBT helps patients change their patterns of thought and behavior to avoid prescription drug abuse moving forward.

Find Help at Georgia Addiction Treatment Center

Georgia Addiction Treatment Center understands the range of causes behind Adderall abuse among college students. We provide expert support in a judgment-free environment. Your road to recovery starts here.

Call our team today at [Direct] to learn more about our Adderall addiction treatment program and how we can specifically help college students recover from addiction.

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