Adderall is a prescription drug used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Adderall works by increasing alertness and concentration levels. When taken regularly, it helps improve attention span and focus. However, when abused or misused, it can cause negative effects such as impaired judgment, memory loss, anxiety, depression and psychosis. There are many different brands of Adderall available today; however all have similar effects on the body.
What is Adderall?
Adderall is a stimulant medication that increases alertness and concentration levels. It was first developed in the 1950s but wasn’t widely used until the 1980s. Today, it’s one of the most popular medications used to treat ADHD.
The main ingredient in Adderall is dextroamphetamine, which is a central nervous system stimulant. It acts on the brain to increase energy levels and focus. Other ingredients include: amphetamine salts, caffeine, norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (anti-depressants), guanfacine and desmethylphenidate. These drugs work together to produce the desired effect of increased energy levels and focus.
How Does Adderall Work?
Stimulants like Adderall increase alertness, suppress hunger and improve attention span. While it’s not exactly known how the drug works to improve focus and reduce hyperactivity in the brain, it’s believed that it increases the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine. Norepinephrine is a chemical that transmits signals to other nerve cells in the brain, while dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in reward-driven behavior.
Adderall and alcohol can be a very dangerous combination. The drug itself can be risky when taken without a prescription, but combining it with alcohol can lead to serious injuries or death. Alcohol has a depressant effect on the central nervous system, which means that it slows down brain activity. When Adderall is taken with alcohol, the combination of the two drugs can result in severe injuries due to impaired judgment, balance and reflexes.
Allergic reactions to Adderall are rare, but they do happen. An allergic reaction. As with any medication, there is always a risk of an allergic reaction. The symptoms of an Adderall overdose can be mild or severe, and may include: rapid breathing, irregular heartbeat, fever and seizures. If you experience these symptoms after taking this medication, seek immediate medical attention.
Does Adderall Cause Weight Loss?
Yes, Adderall is an effective weight loss aid. One of the main reasons why this drug is prescribed for people who suffer from ADHD is because it helps to suppress the patient’s appetite and control their cravings. Since it reduces hunger and food cravings, patients tend to eat less and lose weight as a result. Some patients even experience significant weight loss as a side effect of the drug.
Is Adderall Addictive?
Yes, Adderall is considered to be highly addictive. When it is taken to improve cognitive abilities and reduce ADHD symptoms, it is not considered to be a highly addictive drug. It has a low potential for abuse.
However, when it is taken without a prescription or in higher doses than recommended, it is considered to be very highly addictive. This is because the drug releases a huge amount of dopamine into the user’s brain, which causes a powerfully euphoric high and can lead to addiction.
Adderall Withdrawal Symptoms:
If you suddenly stop taking this medication, you could experience withdrawal symptoms.
Sources & references used in this article:
Acute myocardial infarction induced by concurrent use of adderall and alcohol in an adolescent by J Sharma, C de Castro, P Chatterjee… – Pediatric emergency …, 2013 – journals.lww.com
“Adderall is definitely not a drug”: justifications for the illegal use of ADHD stimulants by CL Hanson, SH Burton, C Giraud-Carrier… – Journal of medical …, 2013 – jmir.org
Energy drink cocktails: a dangerous combination for athletes and beyond by AD DeSantis, AC Hane – Substance use & misuse, 2010 – Taylor & Francis
Prescription stimulants are “a okay”: applying neutralization theory to college students’ nonmedical prescription stimulant use by C Woolsey – Journal of Alcohol & Drug Education, 2010 – academia.edu
Simultaneous use of non-medical ADHD prescription stimulants and alcohol among undergraduate students by KA Cutler – Journal of American College Health, 2014 – Taylor & Francis
APPENDIX D IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT ALCOHOL AND DRUGS by KL Egan, BA Reboussin, JN Blocker, M Wolfson… – Drug and alcohol …, 2013 – Elsevier
