While Adderall commonly treats attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), many use it without prescriptions. Pressures to exceed at work and school have led many—not just college students—to abuse this drug. Some take it to party, enjoying the rush of energy and excitement it brings. Others, like college students dealing with heavy course loads, turn to stimulant medication, hoping it’ll boost their performance.
The Adderall abuse seen on college campuses likely represents a microcosm of its more significant use.
What Is Adderall?
Adderall is made from dextroamphetamine with amphetamine. It comes in two forms: one that works right away (immediate release) and one that works slowly over time (extended-release). The FDA has warned about its dangerous side effects, which can be deadly if you take too much.
People who use it to get high often take more than they should or crush the pills to make them stronger. Because it’s so addictive and often misused, Adderall is tightly controlled as a Schedule II drug. While it helps many people when used properly, many end up in emergency rooms each year from misusing it.
Can Adderall Be Snorted?
Misusing Adderall usually involves smoking, injecting, or snorting. Snorting stimulants is one of the most common ways to use these drugs. Snorting Adderall, especially the extended-release type, gets people higher quicker.
Adderall causes the brain to make extra dopamine. Dopamine is a feel-good neurotransmitter that’s released when people do positive activities needed to live, like enjoying a meal. The ‘pleasure’ sensations make the drug more addictive, even when it’s harmful. Excess dopamine release is common with many addictive substances.
Adderall Addiction and Dependence
Continuing to use the substance even when there are bad outcomes indicates an Adderall addiction.
Physical dependence on Adderall means the body is used to the drug and can’t function normally without it. Adderall dependence can happen whether it’s prescribed or misused. When a dependent person slows down or stops using the stimulant, they will experience withdrawal symptoms, making quitting harder.
Building tolerance is part of addiction and dependence. Snorting Adderall can make individuals less affected by the drug. They may up their drug intake to get the high they felt when they first started. Continuing to consume more of the drug can harm the brain and can lead to potentially fatal side effects, like an overdose.
Health Risks of Snorting Adderall
Snorting Adderall sends potent doses straight to the brain through the blood vessels in the nose. Unlike taking a pill, snorting doesn’t give the body time to adjust and can be damaging because of this instant release.
Side effects of snorting Adderall can include:
- Dizziness
- Aggression
- Chest pain
- Confusion
- Destruction of sinus and nasal cavities
- Muscle pain or weakness
- Rapid heart rate
- Breathing issues
- Seizures
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
Chronic Adderall abuse can lead to permanent brain damage. It can impair memory functions. Abuse of Adderall can also alter natural brain chemicals and how these chemicals travel through the nervous system. The chemical change further creates an imbalance that only the drug can fix, leading to a cycle of misuse.
What Does Snorting Adderall Do to the Nose?
The nose lining quickly absorbs drugs in powder or spray form. Snorted drugs skip the stomach and liver and hit your system faster. Thankfully, the short-term side effects of snorting Adderall are manageable. A runny or blocked nose and inflammation can clear up in a few days, but lung infections may call for extended medical care.
Snorting drugs long-term can cause permanent nose damage. Using Adderall this way can risk nasal and lung issues and ruin the nose’s inner lining. Snorting drugs for a long time can lead to holes in the septum, the pallet, or the roof of the mouth. The nose helps clean air before it gets to the lungs, so if it’s not working properly, your lungs might be harmed.
Substances added to powdered Adderall to make it last can also be bad for your health. These may include:
- Caffeine
- Laxatives
- Talcum powder
- Boric acid
- Creatine
- Powdered detergents
Signs of Adderall Abuse
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, millions of Americans aged 12 or over abuse prescription stimulants like Adderall. Adderall addiction or abuse is usually noticeable through the following symptoms:
- Disinterest in events or things not linked to using or getting Adderall
- Having snorting paraphernalia, like rolled-up dollar bills, razor blades, straws, mirrors, and pen cases
- Riskier behaviors
- Trying to get a prescription when one is not needed
- Declining physical appearance, including drastic weight loss
- Larger need for privacy or increased secrecy
- Isolating from friends and family
- Money troubles
- Poor interactions with police or legal issues
- Oversleeping or not sleeping enough
- Powder residue around the nose, mouth, or face
- Possessing prescription bottles
- Worsened work or school performance
- Inability to keep up with obligations
- Unpredictable mood changes, such as snapping or arguing
It’s good to know what the signs of someone snorting Adderall look like. If you fear a loved one is addicted to Adderall, look into drug detox and rehab programs. These can provide medical intervention necessary for recovery.
The Dangers of Adderall Overdose
Adderall overdoses can lead to various issues:
- High blood pressure
- Confusion
- Psychosis
- Racing heart rate
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Brain damage
- Death
Mixing other drugs or alcohol with Adderall can increase the risk. Every year, tens of thousands of Americans die because of a prescription drug overdose.
Since Adderall is a stimulant, it raises blood pressure, heart and breathing rates, and body temperature. It alters brain chemistry that affects important body functions, such as appetite, sleep, concentration, and energy. When Adderall is crushed, the entire dose immediately enters the blood. This can overwhelm the brain, making it harder for it to break down the drug.
Adderall Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms differ from side effects. Withdrawal only happens once you’ve stopped taking the drug. If Adderall misuse has gone on for a long period, the following withdrawal symptoms can occur:
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Irritability
- Nausea
- Changes in mood
- Stomach aches or cramping
- Unusual tiredness
- Vomiting
Symptoms of Adderall withdrawal can resemble a hangover or drunkenness. The longer a person has abused Adderall, the more their brain and body have depended on it. This could make getting sober from the substance harder.
You Can Break Free From Adderall Abuse
Granite Recovery Centers has helped adults dealing with alcohol and substance use disorders for more than 10 years. We have assisted people from New England and other areas. Our New Hampshire-based addiction treatment center has the best evidence-based psychotherapies supported by a 12-step curriculum.
We offer a range of care:
- Medical detox
- Intensive outpatient program
- Medical assistant treatment
- Extended care
- Sober living
- Primary residential addiction treatment programs
The best way to fully commit to treatment is to enter a residential program. We tailor our approach to each person’s needs. Many who struggle with addiction also deal with co-occurring mental health disorders, and healing can only start when these needs are addressed. Our intensive outpatient counseling offers the type of support and flexibility needed during the early stages, especially for those with responsibilities outside of recovery.
Recovery doesn’t stop when you get clean. Many patients benefit from our sober living homes, which offer a less restrictive environment than extended care. They provide a safe space for clients to develop vital skills for post-treatment life.
Alumni Program
Our alumni program allows you to form bonds with other people and develop healthy friendships that support long-term recovery. Our community recovery blog covers many topics about addiction, treatment, and the recovery process. This information can be invaluable when understanding the difficulties faced when you or a loved one is suffering.
It can be tempting to want to overcome addiction to Adderall on your own. However, it’s easier to be successful when a person’s detox and recovery efforts are backed by experienced and caring professionals who can offer the proper therapies.
Community Support
In summary, we at Granite Recovery Centers are proud of our success in aiding people in recovery. We are also pleased with the growing community of people we have helped make addiction to Adderall and other substances a thing of the past. Many are successfully traveling the road to recovery, and so can you.
Reach Out for Professional Support
We look forward to being your partners on your journey to long-term sobriety. We welcome you to experience just how great life can be when substance abuse and substance use disorders are treated.
