Adderall is a stimulant that is commonly used to treat symptoms associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). When used properly, Adderall can help women and girls who otherwise might be struggling to focus in school or at work.
Though this is a commonly prescribed medication that’s been proven to be both safe and effective when used as directed by a qualified physician, the ease of getting it, the potential performance-enhancing benefits, and the often euphoric side effects make Adderall a popular drug to abuse.
As the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids explains, many adolescent girls and women think of Adderall as a “study drug,” using it to help perform academically or maintain focus at work.
Common Signs & Symptoms of Adderall Addiction
Women and girls can show signs and symptoms of Adderall addiction in a variety of ways, some of which are more obvious than others. If someone you know is displaying several of the following signs, it might be time to help them seek professional treatment for Adderall addiction.
- Dizziness
- Palpitations
- Nausea and vomiting
- Trouble sleeping
- Nervousness or shakiness
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Skin rashes and itching
- Digestive problems
- Restlessness
- Periods of extreme hyperactivity
- Paranoia
- Disrupted sex drive
- Hostility
- Mood swings
Causes & Risk Factors of Adderall Addiction
There are a number of factors that can increase the likelihood that a woman’s or girl’s Adderall use will develop into an addiction. Some of the more common genetic and environmental causes include:
- Genetic: Family history of substance use disorders or mental illness, personal history of addiction, trouble dealing with stress or pressure, history of abuse or neglect
- Environmental: Association with friends who abuse substances, living in areas where drugs are easily accessible
Prevalence of Adderall Addiction
Adderall use is relatively high in the United States due to its popularity in treating other behavioral health disorders. There are a variety of studies that provide relevant statistics related to the prevalence of Adderall abuse.
- 6.4% of college-age students (ages 18–22) use Adderall for nonmedical purposes, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
- The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that 60% of nonmedical Adderall use for age 12 and older was happening among 18- to 25-year-olds.
- Also according to the Johns Hopkins study, from 2006–2011, nonprescribed use of Adderall by young adults went up by 67% and associated emergency room visits rose by 156%.
- Adderall abuse was higher among college men (14.6%) than women (8.8%) in 2018-19, but noncollege–age women had a rate nearly twice as high (10.1%) as noncollege-age men (5.3%), according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Why Seek Adderall Addiction Treatment
Adderall use can have many negative consequences. It’s dangerous for anyone to take a prescription stimulant that’s not prescribed to them.
Adderall addiction can put you at risk for any of or all the following dangerous effects:
- Psychosis
- Seizures
- Cardiac arrest
- Confusion
- Delusions
- High blood pressure
- Birth defects if pregnant
What Does Adderall Withdrawal Look Like?
Attempting to stop Adderall use after abusing the drug can be an extremely painful experience. After a prolonged period of use, your body becomes dependent on it, building up a tolerance so that you need to take greater doses to reach the same stage of effectiveness.
The symptoms of Adderall withdrawal are the opposite of the drug’s effects. Instead of a boost in energy and concentration, a woman or girl will experience a crash that can leave her feeling slow and mentally foggy.
Other common symptoms of Adderall withdrawal include:
- Lethargy
- Hypersomnia
- Irritability
- Agitation
- Highly vivid dreams
- Panic attacks
- Depression
- Headaches
- Powerful drug cravings
At Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center, we offer ambulatory, nonmedical detoxification services for Adderall use. With the help of our medical staff, you can rid your body of Adderall with maximum safety and minimal discomfort.
While receiving detox services, you’ll be able to receive therapeutic treatment and get a leg up on the road to recovery.
Choosing the Right Adderall Addiction Treatment
An Adderall addiction can leave your physical health in shambles and also destroy relationships, hinder your academic performance, or prevent you from succeeding at work. What likely began as a way to focus can quickly spiral out of control.
Deciding to receive treatment is no small step. Once you’ve made that decision, you need to find an Adderall addiction treatment center that takes into account your individual needs.
Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center does just that. By respecting the unique journey of every woman or girl who is struggling with Adderall use, we are able to improve outcomes and increase the likelihood that you will not slide back into destructive patterns.
We offer two levels of care for Adderall addiction, both of which feature individualized care from a team of licensed therapists and other addiction treatment specialists.
Residential treatment gives women and girls the chance to temporarily leave the stress of everyday life behind as they participate in our programming and stay in one of our on-campus lodges. Our partial hospitalization program (PHP) also features Adderall addiction treatment programming during the day while giving you the option to return home or to one of our on-campus residences at night.
The Adderall Addiction Treatment Experience
Adderall addiction treatment at Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. We use a variety of evidence-based interventions to help women and girls return to the positive, productive lives they once led.
Our team of compassionate experts will guide you through a unique Adderall addiction treatment plan that’s conducive to your individual goals, but you’ll take part in some programming that’s common to all the residents in our treatment center, such as:
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- 12–Step recovery principles
- Experiential therapy
- Family therapy
- Medication management
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
Your association with Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center doesn’t end at the conclusion of treatment. We’ll set you up with a detailed discharge plan that may contain a referral to a future level of care, community resources, and Adderall addiction support groups near you.
You’ll also have the option to be part of our alumnae community, which features regular in-person gatherings and online support groups. From the start of your time at Timberline Knolls until long after you leave us, you’ll understand that you’re never alone on the road to better health and happiness.
This content was reviewed and approved by the clinical staff at Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center.
