Adderall has been a popular central nervous system stimulant for many years in the management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, some students and professionals begin abusing Adderall to improve their performance. 

But is the belief that the drug will improve your academic and professional success really accurate? Let’s look at how taking Adderall for non-medical reasons can do far more harm than good. 

Key Takeaways: Adderall Abuse

• Adderall is intended to manage symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but substance abuse is common for its perceived effects as a “study drug”. 
• Mental illness, heart disease, weight loss, and even life-threatening overdose can be consequences of substance addiction with Adderall. 
• Physical dependence on the drug can lead to more dangerous central nervous system stimulants or behavior such as snorting Adderall for a stronger effect. 
• Family members and friends can play a role in addiction treatment. 
• Nootropic supplements may be a helpful alternative to stimulant drugs for mental performance and recovering from Adderall withdrawal. 

How Does Adderall Work?

Adderall is a mixture of amphetamine salts, which increase your brain’s levels of dopamine, noradrenaline, and certain other neurotransmitters such as serotonin. The purpose of this effect is to increase motivation and focus, partly by acting on the brain’s reward center, which is dopamine-sensitive [1]. 

What Does Adderall Do to a Normal Person?

Unfortunately, a normal person won’t benefit much from Adderall use, regardless of how desperate you are to boost your grades or work performance. A trial on healthy college students found that Adderall provided minimal improvements to neurocognitive test scores. Aspects such as executive function, which is impaired in ADHD, worsened with taking Adderall. 

However, Adderall still raised heart rate and increased blood pressure. Volunteers also reported a “high”, which may make you feel that your cognitive performance is better. Overall, Adderall’s only benefit in people without ADHD may simply be more confidence [2]. 

Adderall Abuse: Overview

If you’re regularly taking Adderall without a prescription and feel as though you can’t live without it, you may have fallen into Adderall abuse. The rush that people without ADHD get from Adderall, and the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, cause such a high potential for abuse that the FDA has even classified the drug as a Schedule II controlled substance [1]. 

What Is It?

Adderall abuse is any use of Adderall without a legitimate diagnosis of ADHD or narcolepsy and a doctor’s prescription. If someone abuses Adderall, they may buy it from someone who does have a prescription. Others will lie about having ADHD symptoms in order to get the drug “legally”, with doctors unable to completely stop this from happening [3]. 

Signs of Adderall Abuse 

Adderall abuse signs are similar to other types of drug abuse, including:

• Needing more Adderall to achieve the same effect as you previously experienced.
• Continuing to take the drug even though you originally started using it for a specific purpose, such as end-of-semester exams.
• Seeking a continued supply of Adderall at the expense of other aspects of your life, such as school, friends, or your career.
• Being unable to stop thinking about your next dose.
• Willingness to lie at doctors’ appointments in order to get a prescription, or go “doctor shopping” if your first attempt was denied [3]. 

Side Effects of Adderall Abuse

Adderall abuse comes with a range of side effects that vary from mild, such as irritability, insomnia, and high blood pressure, to life-threatening, such as hallucinations, psychosis, and cardiac arrest. They generally worsen the longer you take the drug. 

Short-Term

The short-term side effects of Adderall abuse are similar to what can be seen with use for medical reasons. Irritability, insomnia, high blood pressure, increased body temperature, faster heart rate, reduced circulation, digestive discomfort, mood swings, and blurred vision are common side effects also seen in Adderall abuse [3]. 

Long-Term

Long-term effects are typically more dangerous than short-term side effects. Hallucinations, psychosis, coma, cardiac arrest, and even death are some potential consequences of prolonged Adderall abuse. If you aren’t taking Adderall under a doctor’s supervision, you are less able to access medical attention if you have adverse effects, too. 

Desensitization towards the drug’s effects can push you towards seeking larger, more frequent doses, or even harder drugs. A teenager interviewed by ABC News described it as “Pretty soon [Ritalin and Adderall] didn’t work anymore …I needed a bigger, faster boost.” In fact, long-term Adderall abusers have 20 times the risk of heroin and cocaine addiction [3]. 

Other long-term effects caused by Adderall abuse come from cycling on and off the drug or missing a dose. When levels of dopamine and noradrenaline suddenly fall because you missed your dose of Adderall, cortisol rises. This is the main stress hormone. Not only can it increase perceived stress, but it both impairs the production of new brain cells and damages already-matured cells, too [4] [5]. 

How Does Adderall Affect the Brain?

Adderall both increases the release of dopamine and slows its reuptake back into brain cells, increasing its availability in two ways. Prolonged use can have dangerous consequences to brain health, especially at high doses and if you are abusing Adderall. 

Chronic amphetamine use more than triples the level of oxidative free radicals inside brain cells’ mitochondria, which produce vital energy. This is most likely through oxidation of the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. Over time, these neurons themselves are damaged and the dopamine pathways suffer not just functional loss, but structural loss. 

For these reasons, dopamine pathways still show signs of damage to mental health even up to three years after quitting Adderall. The sooner you quit the drug, the better [6]. 

Depression

Some doctors prescribe Adderall as a method of treating depression, but Adderall abuse may contribute to the development or worsening of the condition. 

Dopamine does not lift mood in the same way serotonin does. A deficiency in the neurotransmitter won’t stop you from enjoying your life, but it will reduce your motivation to make an effort and your ability to enjoy rewards [7]. 

Adderall also increases serotonin, and a loss of serotonin if you quit cold turkey alongside dopamine may have terrible consequences for your mental health [1]. 

Personality Changes

Personality changes are a known side effect of Adderall. These generally involve irritability, hyperactivity, mania, and even schizophrenia-like symptoms. You may feel as though your real self, your real personality, is being dragged down the road by a speeding car [1].

How Does Adderall Affect the Body?

The main area of the body that Adderall effects besides the brain is the cardiovascular system. Amphetamines are toxic to the heart, cause coronary spasms, damage the blood vessels, and promote blood clots. When you combine Adderall with alcohol, dangerous blood vessel spasms can even occur as alcohol slows the clearance of the drug. 

Consequences of Adderall use include increased blood pressure, cardiomyopathy, tissue death of the blood vessels, irregular heartbeat, and stroke. Adderall abuse can cause heart attacks too, although the risk is lower than that for cocaine. Faster-acting formulations such as Adderall XR may be more dangerous in the short term [8]. 

Recognizing an Adderall Addiction

If you suspect that a friend or a family member has an Adderall addiction, look for the signs of Adderall abuse and side effects such as weight loss. 

Intervention

First, it’s important to remember that someone will only seek help if they desire it. However, friends and family can play an essential role in assisting people to quit prescription drug abuse and overcome addiction. The National Institute on Drug Abuse provides a list of resources for you to find the best addiction treatment center, including both residential and outpatient rehab [9].

An intervention can be just you alone, or a small group of concerned loved ones. Remember to use “I” statements, such as “I feel worried when” while talking to the person, which is far less likely to be perceived as hostile. Always stay calm and objective to reduce escalation of any conflict, regardless of how worried you are about health risks. You may benefit from a professional interventionist, too [10]. 

What To Do Next

If the person you are concerned about is willing to seek help, provide them with resources on treatment options. In the case that they are underage or live with you, family therapy could be beneficial to increase their chance of success. Many cases of Adderall addiction involve intense pressure to succeed, so you could benefit from guidance for how to support them in their world. 

If they reject your help, it is sadly time to set boundaries. For example, if you were lending them money and there is a high chance they were spending it on substance abuse, you could reduce or remove these payments. Restricting access to more vulnerable people in your life, for example, children may also be a necessity [10]. 

Adderall Abuse Statistics

Adderall abuse is more common than you may think, but the average rate in the USA is still unclear. 

What Percentage of Students Abuse Adderall?

The rate of students abusing Adderall varies depending on where and when the study was performed. One study found that 6.9% had abused stimulant medication at some point in their lives, for example. A large review revealed that figures for stimulant drug abuse fall between 5% and 35%, with rates of up to 40% when recreational use is included [2]. 

How Many High Schoolers Take Adderall?

The exact numbers are unclear, but a 2003 study estimated that 2.3 million American students self-medicated with either Adderall or Ritalin. Researchers expect that this number has continued to rise since then, as prescriptions (legitimate or otherwise) become more common [3]. 

Adderall misuse declined between 2014-2019 among 10th and 12th graders. Although it increased among 8th graders

Adderall vs Nootropics

Nootropic supplements are a safe, effective alternative to Adderall abuse. They feature an ability to increase your brain’s levels of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, thereby increasing cognitive function. This may relieve Adderall withdrawal symptoms such as mood swings and improve your overall mental health.

Nootropics can be useful dopamine boosters too if you previously quit Adderall, and are struggling with the temptation to resume substance abuse.

Best Nootropics for Improved Focus and Memory 

Two of the best nootropics for motivation, focus, and memory are Mind Lab Pro and Performance Lab Mind. Both do more for you than increase neurotransmitter availability. They contain ingredients that boost cellular energy production and antioxidant status, as well as enhance brain cell regeneration, thereby addressing the consequences of long-term Adderall abuse. 

Mind Lab Pro

Mind Lab Pro is aimed at boosting neurotransmitter production, antioxidant status, cellular energy generation, brain cell regeneration, and brain wave regulation. You could therefore enjoy the desired effects of Adderall, without side effects such as irregular heartbeat or the risk of mental disorders. 

Its 11 ingredients include Rhodiola rosea and lion’s mane extract. Rhodiola rosea is a herbal remedy that gives you antioxidant protection and increases energy production, helping to restore cellular health from what may be years of Adderall abuse [11]. Lion’s mane supports the natural rate of brain regeneration, which can be lost to age, oxidative stress, and high cortisol levels [12]. 

To learn about all the ingredients, view the complete Mind Lab Pro review here. 

Performance Lab Mind

Performance Lab Mind is a simpler formulation of tyrosine, citicoline, phosphatidylserine, and maritime pine bark extract, but with similar benefits. For example, citicoline can protect brain cells, support the maintenance and repair of cell membranes, and increase levels of neurotransmitters such as dopamine [13]. 

Phosphatidylserine has more direct effects on brain cell regeneration. It can help to shuttle vital molecules needed for cellular repair down their axons, which are the extremely long “tails” used to send nerve signals [14]. 

Read the full Performance Lab Mind review here for more on what the nootropic can do for you.

FAQ

What are the most important things we need to know about Adderall abuse?

Can ADHD Medication Change Your Personality?

Unfortunately, ADHD medication such as Adderall can cause personality-altering effects such as irritability, hyperactivity, and mania. 

Can Adderall Trigger Bipolar?

There is a very small chance that Adderall use could trigger bipolar disorder or similar symptoms. If you have depression or a family history of suicide, your personal risk is higher. 

Recommended doses of prescription stimulants have a 0.1% chance of triggering new manic or psychotic symptoms, while there is no risk with a placebo. This was found with short-term research, so your risk with long-term use may be even higher [1]. 

Why Do I Feel So Bad on Adderall?

A combination of several factors can leave you feeling like garbage from Adderall. A sudden fall in dopamine if you miss a dose, a rise in cortisol levels, and oxidative stress, which impairs cellular energy production, are side effects from Adderall that make us feel terrible. 

What Happens if You Take Adderall and You Don’t Need It?

If you aren’t treating ADHD, Adderall won’t give you many benefits besides a “high” feeling and perceived improvements to your performance. You still suffer the same side effects, including raised heart rate and blood pressure. 

Conclusion

Adderall abuse can have devastating consequences, including brain tissue damage, the development of mental disorders, and even heart attack. It is not the benign study drug that many students perceive it as. In fact, Adderall may not improve mental performance at all in people without ADHD. 

If you take Adderall and feel like you cannot stop, assistance is available. Whether you will benefit the most from support groups, in-patient or outpatient rehab, or nootropic supplements, you can overcome addiction. 

References:

1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “Adderall.” (2017) https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/011522s043lbl.pdf 
2. Weyandt, Lisa L et al. “Neurocognitive, Autonomic, and Mood Effects of Adderall: A Pilot Study of Healthy College Students.” Pharmacy (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 6,3 58. 27 Jun. 2018, doi:10.3390/pharmacy6030058 
3. Varga, Matthew D. “Adderall Abuse on College Campuses: A Comprehensive Literature Review.” Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work, vol.9, 3, 293-313, 2012. doi: 10.1080/15433714.2010.525402 
4. Bray, Brenna, et al. “Amphetamine withdrawal differentially affects hippocampal and peripheral corticosterone levels in response to stress.” Brain Research, 1644, (2016): 278–287. doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2016.05.030 
5. de Souza-Talarico, Juliana Nery et al. “Effects of stress hormones on the brain and cognition: Evidence from normal to pathological aging.” Dementia & neuropsychologia vol. 5,1 (2011): 8-16. doi:10.1590/S1980-57642011DN05010003 
6. Hayley, Amie C et al. “Amphetamine-induced alteration to gaze parameters: A novel conceptual pathway and implications for naturalistic behavior.” Progress in neurobiology vol. 199 (2021): 101929. doi:10.1016/j.pneurobio.2020.101929 
7. Berke, Joshua D. “What does dopamine mean?.” Nature neuroscience vol. 21,6 (2018): 787-793. doi:10.1038/s41593-018-0152-y 
8. Jiao, Xiangyang et al. “Myocardial infarction associated with adderall XR and alcohol use in a young man.” Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine : JABFM vol. 22,2 (2009): 197-201. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2009.02.080003 
9. NIDA. “How can family and friends make a difference in the life of someone needing treatment?.” National Institute on Drug Abuse, 29 May. 2020, https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/frequently-asked-questions/how-can-family-friends-make-difference-in-life-someone Accessed 15 Oct. 2021.
10. Amphetamines.com Team. “How Can I Help an Addict Get Amphetamine Abuse Treatment?”  Amphetamines.com, 1 September 2016, https://amphetamines.com/addiction-treatment/how-can-i-help-an-addict-get-amphetamine-abuse-treatment/  
11. Abidov, M et al. “Effect of extracts from Rhodiola rosea and Rhodiola crenulata (Crassulaceae) roots on ATP content in mitochondria of skeletal muscles.” Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine vol. 136,6 (2003): 585-7. doi:10.1023/b:bebm.0000020211.24779.15 
12. Friedman, Mendel. “Chemistry, Nutrition, and Health-Promoting Properties of Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane) Mushroom Fruiting Bodies and Mycelia and Their Bioactive Compounds.” Journal of agricultural and food chemistry vol. 63,32 (2015): 7108-23. doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.5b02914 
13. Parisi, Vincenzo et al. “Citicoline and Retinal Ganglion Cells: Effects on Morphology and Function.” Current neuropharmacology vol. 16,7 (2018): 919-932. doi:10.2174/1570159X15666170703111729 
14. Naftelberg, Shiran et al. “Phosphatidylserine improves axonal transport by inhibition of HDAC and has potential in treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.” Neural regeneration research vol. 12,4 (2017): 534-537. doi:10.4103/1673-5374.205082