Drug abuse and addiction has long been a nationwide issue. However, contrary to what some may believe, the fastest-growing drug problem isn’t drugs like cocaine, crystal meth, or heroin — it’s prescription drugs.
Drugs that are prescribed for legitimate health concerns and conditions are widely misused and abused, especially among the younger crowd. One of these prescription drugs is Adderall.
This is because of the belief that Adderall’s stimulant effects can help boost concentration on studying, weight loss, or sports performance. As a result, people not only take Adderall without proper prescriptions but also try to smoke the drug to intensify its effects.
Although you can smoke Adderall, the dangers associated with doing so can cause serious damage to the lungs and increase risk of addiction to the drug.
In this blog, we’ll go through the dangers of abusing Adderall, trying to smoke it, and how to overcome Adderall abuse.
What Is Adderall?
Adderall is a medication primarily prescribed for individuals with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or narcolepsy. It is a stimulant drug containing both amphetamine and dextroamphetamine.
When taken as prescribed, Adderall helps increase focus, attention, and alertness by increasing the levels of two neurotransmitters in the brain, dopamine, and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters play a crucial role in the brain’s reward and motivation systems, and their increase can improve cognitive function.
Due to its high potential for abuse despite its medical use, the U.S. Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) classifies it as a Schedule II controlled substance.
Can You Smoke Adderall?
Yes, it is possible to smoke Adderall. In fact, some people already do so outside of doctors’ advice in hopes of greatly intensifying the drug’s effects.
This is because smoking any drug allows it to enter your bloodstream quickly and more directly. As such, you will feel the drug take effect faster.
Moreover, inhaling the drug allows it to bypass metabolization in the digestive system, which reduces the drug’s overall concentration. This is why the effects of smoking Adderall can be more intense.
While smoking Adderall is technically possible, it often comes at a heavy cost.
DANGERS OF SMOKING ADDERALL
The danger of smoking Adderall mainly lies in the increased intensity or potency of the drug. Aside from that, there are also potential respiratory risks tied to smoking a drug — particularly one that is not originally meant to be smoked.
Damage to The Lungs
Smoking Adderall can take a severe toll on your lung health. The heat from the smoke can cause significant damage to the delicate tissues in your lungs, leading to respiratory problems such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
Over time, this can even result in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a progressive condition that makes it increasingly difficult to breathe.
Damage to The Heart
When you smoke Adderal, your blood pressure and heart rate can increase, which can put a lot of strain on your cardiovascular system.
This can increase your risk of heart disease, heart attacks, and stroke over time. Smoking Adderall can also damage the inner lining of your blood vessels, which can lead to the development of atherosclerosis – a condition where the arteries become narrow and hardened due to the buildup of fatty deposits.
Increased Risk of Overdose
Smoking Adderall can exacerbate the side effects of the drug, leading to an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature.
Moreover, smoking Adderall can also make it difficult to accurately measure how much of the drug you are consuming. Unlike taking the drug in pill form, which has a specific dosage, smoking Adderall can be unpredictable and vary in potency, leading to a higher risk of overdose.
An overdose of Adderall can lead to a range of serious health problems, such as seizures, heart attacks, strokes, and even death. Therefore, it’s important to use the drug only as prescribed by a doctor and avoid smoking or inhaling it in any other way.
Increased Risk Of Addiction
Adderall’s increased potency when smoked or inhaled makes the user more susceptible to abuse, physical dependence, addiction, withdrawal, and even fatal overdose. Smoking Adderall causes the drug to be rapidly absorbed into your bloodstream, quickly making its way to your brain.
This rapid onset can create a surge of dopamine. This dopamine rush can make you feel euphoric, alert, and focused. It can be a highly pleasurable experience that you may seek out again and again.
SIDE EFFECTS OF USING ADDERALL
Even when taken with proper prescriptions, Adderall comes with certain health risks due to its potential adverse effects. In such situations, the side effects are typically not serious enough to warrant not taking the drug.
However, when misused or taken without a doctor’s prescription, Adderall’s side effects can worsen and pose greater risks to your overall health and wellbeing.
Short-term Effects of Smoking Adderall
Adderall has several common mild and serious side effects. These commonly last for only a couple of days up to a few weeks. Smoking the drug may also intensify these mild side effects, resulting in a longer duration.
Mild short-term side effects of Adderall include:
- Dry mouth
- Headaches
- Dizziness or nausea
- Sleeping problems
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Anxiety
More serious but generally still short-term side effects of Adderall include:
- Irregular heartbeat
- High blood pressure
- Impaired thinking
- Aggressive behavior
LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF SMOKING ADDERALL
Aside from short-term adverse effects, misusing Adderall may also lead to long-term effects or cause permanent changes to your body. The most common long-term effect of smoking Adderall is physical and psychological dependence on the drug.
Constant inappropriate use of Adderall may also negatively affect the brain. In particular, taking high doses constantly and over an extended period can cause the brain to produce less dopamine instead. This can result in low moods, mood swings, and lethargy.
Other possible long-term effects of smoking Adderall are:
- Depression
- Severe insomnia
- Heart damage
- Anorexia
- Psychosis
- Paranoia
- Seizures
- Respiratory damage
- Lung cancer
Additionally, long-term use of Adderall can lead to changes in the brain’s structure and function. Studies have shown that prolonged exposure to amphetamine-like drugs can cause neurotoxicity, or damage to nerve cells in the brain. This can lead to long-term changes in the brain’s chemistry and can result in decreased cognitive function and mood disorders.
Adderall Withdrawal Symptoms
Misusing Adderall — especially at high doses — can lead to dependence and addiction. Your body becomes so used to the drug that it becomes dependent on it for your day to day functions. Even simply delaying your intake of the Adderall can cause withdrawal symptoms — and you feel even more if you stop taking the medication altogether.
Additionally, forcibly and suddenly stopping your use of Adderall can cause worse symptoms. This is why tapering off Adderall after smoking or misusing it is important.
Adderall withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Strong drug cravings
- Mood changes
- Anxiety and irritability
- Panic attacks
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts
- Severe sleep issues, either insomnia or oversleeping
- Intense hunger
- Fatigue and lethargy
Treatment Options For Adderal Addiction
Detoxification
In the process of detoxification for Adderall addiction, a team of medical professionals will provide you with care to help manage any symptoms of withdrawal. This may include the use of medications, therapy, and other supportive services to help alleviate any discomfort or difficulties associated with the withdrawal process.
Once the drug has been successfully eliminated from your body, the focus can then shift to long-term recovery. This may involve therapy, counseling, and other forms of support to help you identify and address the root causes of your addiction, as well as develop healthy coping mechanisms to sustain long-term sobriety.
Medication Assisted Treatment
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction to Adderall, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) may be an effective solution to help manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms. MAT is a treatment approach that uses medication to support recovery and has been proven to work for individuals battling an addiction to opioids, alcohol, and other drugs, including Adderall.
One medication commonly used in MAT for Adderall addiction is bupropion, an antidepressant that can help reduce cravings and improve overall mood. Bupropion can also help address the depression and anxiety that often accompany Adderall addiction, making it an essential tool in recovery.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) can be an effective tool in helping you cope with stress and manage your addiction.
With DBT, you’ll work closely with a therapist who will help guide you through a range of coping mechanisms, such as mindfulness and emotion regulation. By developing a greater sense of self-awareness and learning to regulate your emotions, you’ll be equipped to face the challenges of addiction.
DBT also offers a supportive and understanding environment where you can share your struggles with addiction without fear of judgment or stigma. Your therapist will be there to help you every step of the way, providing guidance and encouragement as you work towards recovery.
Adderal Addiction Treatment at The Ohana
At the Ohana Addiction Treatment Center, we understand that addiction to Adderall can be incredibly challenging to overcome. However, we believe that with the right support and guidance, anyone can overcome addiction and live a fulfilling life in recovery.
Our team of trained professionals is dedicated to helping you beat your addiction to Adderall. We provide a range of evidence-based treatments and therapies, including detoxification, counseling, and group therapy, that are tailored to meet your individual needs.
If you or a loved one suffers from Adderal addiction, please contact us today.
