Adderall is one of the most popular prescription stimulants available today, so much so that there has been a shortage of the drug. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), “On October 12, 2022, [we] posted a shortage of the immediate release formulation of amphetamine mixed salts, commonly referred to by the brand name Adderall or Adderall IR, on our drug shortage website.” While this affects many people’s responsibility using the drug, when it comes to understanding Adderall addiction, it is important to know that many people are misusing the drug, which can also lead to, or exacerbate, mental illness.
What are Dual Diagnoses?
Adderall Mental Health Side Effects and Addiction: Dual Diagnosis
Dual diagnoses also referred to as co-occurring disorders, are characterized by the presence of two or more issues of mental illness and addiction. This can be multiple mental illnesses or multiple addictions. However, quite commonly, dual diagnoses entail a combination of both.
Dual diagnoses are also much more common than many people may think. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “7.7 million adults have co-occurring mental and substance use disorders. This doesn’t mean that one caused the other and it can be difficult to determine which came first. Of the 20.3 million adults with substance use disorders, 37.9% also had mental illnesses.” Also, “Among the 42.1 million adults with mental illness, 18.2% also had substance use disorders.”
Co-occurring disorders can be difficult to diagnose. This is often because one of the disorder’s symptoms will mask the other. However, the sooner an individual can get a proper diagnosis, the sooner they can begin to get well. Meanwhile, understanding Adderall addiction and mental illness also means understanding the warning signs and symptoms that go along with it.
Better Understanding Adderall and Adderall Addiction
Adderall is a prescription amphetamine-based compound that can help many people when used responsibly according to a doctor’s instructions. According to the online publication titled Amphetamine by Doctors Martin and Le, “Amphetamine is FDA-approved for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. It has indications as a first-line agent for ADHD in adults and children six years of age and older. Amphetamine is also a second-line agent for the treatment of narcolepsy.”
Unfortunately, many people do not use Adderall according to a doctor’s orders. Many people either have a prescription and abuse that prescription by taking excessive doses or they obtain the drug illegally and abuse it without a prescription. When an individual uses Adderall when they are not prescribed, however, it can have a direct effect on an individual’s personality and can lead to other issues of mental illness.
Adderall Addiction: The Warning Signs and Symptoms
Now, the warning signs and symptoms of Adderall addiction can be vast and varied. They can also be physical, mental, and emotional.
The following are just a few of the signs and symptoms of Adderall addiction:
- Showing excessive amounts of energy
- Appearing “twitchy” and jittery
- Becoming increasingly volatile and aggressive
- Trying to get multiple Adderall prescriptions from multiple doctors (“doctor shopping”)
- Excessive sweating
- Showing a loss of appetite and excessive weight loss
- Not sleeping
- Acting deceptive, such as lying and stealing
- Exhibiting impulsive and dangerous behaviors
- Acting paranoid or experiencing hallucinations
- Feeling overly “stressed out,” anxious, and/or depressed
One can see how many of these Adderall mental side effects are also common symptoms of several mental illnesses. For example, paranoia and hallucinations can occur in someone who is struggling with bipolar I disorder. When Adderall addiction co-occurs with mental illness, symptoms can exacerbate, worsening the overall health and well-being of the individual struggling with both conditions.
Adderall Addiction and Mental Illness Complications
Many inquire, “Can Adderall cause mental health issues?” As previously mentioned, people may have a mental illness before struggling with Adderall addiction, and others may acquire a mental illness due to their Adderall addiction. For example, someone struggling with a depressive disorder or going through a depressive episode (as happens with bipolar disorder) may choose to use Adderall in an attempt to minimize their symptoms of lethargy. The reality, however, is this will only make things worse.
Further, people who are addicted to Adderall may experience something called stimulant-induced psychosis. This state can open someone up to dealing with more serious mental issues of psychosis down the road.
Adderall can also make symptoms of mental illness significantly worse. For example, someone with bipolar I disorder may be more likely to experience a manic episode if they are also misusing Adderall. Understanding Adderall’s mental side effects and their potential complications is necessary for effective use and treatment.
How Are Adderall Addiction and Mental Illness Treated?
The co-occurring disorders of Adderall addiction and mental illness are often treated with a two-pronged approach. One part of the approach is psychotherapy, which can help get to the underlying issues of what is causing the addiction or mental illness behaviors. The second part of the approach may be medication management. Meanwhile, effective treatment programs will ensure that treatment plans address an individual’s unique needs and goals for recovery.
Treating Dual Diagnoses at The Phoenix Recovery Center
Here at The Phoenix Recovery Center, we specifically focus on helping clients with dual diagnosis. This includes making sure that both issues are treated at the same time for optimal recovery.
Recovery is a journey, never a destination. We can help make that journey a success both in the short and long term. This is The Phoenix Recovery Center difference.
There is a definitive link between addiction and mental illness. This includes Adderall addiction and mental illness. It is important to understand how one can lead to the other and vice versa. It is also important to understand the dangers of using Adderall for individuals already diagnosed with a mental illness. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or both, we can help get you on the right road to recovery right away. For more information about the importance of treating all disorders concurrently, including Adderall addiction and mental illness, please reach out to The Phoenix Recovery Center today at (801) 438-3185.
