Many people use Adderall to stay awake so that they can work longer hours, but that isn’t necessarily a good idea.
In fact, the extreme use of Adderall in recent years has led to what the DEA classifies as an epidemic. And, that epidemic has been on the rise over the past two decades.
When people start abusing Adderall, there are several changes that occur in the body. And, those changes only worsen with long-term use.
If you’ve been using this drug, it’s important to understand the effects of Adderall in the long run. What you learn may make you want to think twice about taking another hit.
Long-term Effects of Adderall on the Brain
The first part of the body that’s targeted by extended Adderall use is the brain. The brain is where neurotransmitters do their job, and these are affected by Adderall.
For instance, Adderall increases the activity of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine. However, constant changes in dopamine levels can impact our ability to experience pleasure without having the drug.
What that means for a long-term Adderall user is that the longer the drug is taken, the more difficult it will be for that person to experience pleasure without the drug. And, they’ll build up a tolerance that requires more of the drug to feel the same effects.
Hand-in-hand with these issues are drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms which arise when Adderall begins to leave the bloodstream. The longer a user has been taking Adderall, the more severe these symptoms will be.
People who take Adderall for extended periods of time can also begin to affect a person by causing mental illnesses. Psychosis and schizophrenia are common disorders that develop after extended Adderall use.
Users may also begin to experience anxiety, panic attacks, hallucinations, and paranoid delusions. For people who already suffer from acute mental illness, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, these symptoms may be even more pronounced.
A few common side-effects of long-term Adderall use that surface in the brain include:
- Inability to concentrate
- Thoughts of suicide
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
Each one of these ailments is serious and can deeply affect a person’s daily life. And, they’re the very real effects of long-term Adderall use on the brain.
How Long-term Adderall Use Affects the Emotions
As mentioned before, long-term Adderall use affects the brain’s ability to produce dopamine. With less dopamine being produced, it becomes harder for a person to experience pleasure.
Whether a user started out with an Adderall prescription and slowly began to abuse it or always used Adderall recreationally, the reduction in dopamine begins to affect their mood.
Initially, a person may become noticeably irritable. This is especially true if they’ve been without the drug for several days, as they are beginning to experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
From there, they may begin to feel depressed or anxious. The lack of serotonin and dopamine in their brain leaves them unable to experience joy in the same way that a healthy person can.
Several common mood changes experienced by heavy Adderall users include:
- Lethargy
- Depression
- Irritability
- Aggression
- Mood swings
- Paranoia
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
All of these symptoms are the body’s emotional reaction to a foreign drug in the body. In essence, they’re telling the user to stop what they’re doing and to start taking care of their body!
Finally, the constant reduction of dopamine in the brain due to prolonged Adderall use can eventually lead to depression and suicidal thoughts. People may experience low moods unless they are taking the drug.
Long-term Risks of Adderall on the Body
Adderall is a stimulant. Stimulants don’t just affect the brain. They also affect the body in many ways, showing physical symptoms in people who are addicted to them.
For one, stimulants raise the body temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate. The more often that a user partakes in the drug, the greater at risk they are for experiencing a stroke, seizure, or even a heart attack.
What’s more, Adderall users experience a boost in energy. Many people who use Adderall experience insomnia and are unable to sleep. They may behave in a hyper or energetic manner.
Prolonged use of Adderall also damages the cardiovascular system. When used for extended periods of time or when used excessively, it can cause hypertension and irregular heart rate. Or, it can result in sudden cardiac death.
Over time, it can also lead to other side effects, such as:
- Severe weight loss
- Insomnia
- Heart palpitations
- Heart disease
- Abdominal pain
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Hyperactivity
- Trouble breathing
- Feeling jittery, “on edge” or experiencing tremors
- Headaches
- Constipation
All of these side effects put the body at risk for developing other, more serious diseases.
What might at first seem like a simple issue can quickly develop into a serious problem. And, over long periods of time, these symptoms can get progressively worse and endanger the user even more.
The longer that a person abuses Adderall, the more the body is weakened. That includes the brain, the heart, the mood, and more. It takes removing the stimulant from the body completely to begin the recovery process.
Get Treatment for Adderall Abuse or Addiction
Adderall abuse is more than a mere problem; it’s a disease. If you or a loved one is struggling with Adderall addiction, it’s important to understand the long-term effects of this disease.
The more education that we have surrounding extended Adderall abuse and its negative side effects, the better prepared we are to fight this epidemic and to get our society back to living their best life.
If you or a loved one is needing assistance with long-term Adderall abuse, our team is here to help.
Realign Detox is a treatment team that’s here to support you in eliminating Adderall from your life and living to your full potential. Speak with a specialist today and let’s help you take control of your life again!