Adderall is a prescription stimulant medication that is made up of two substances: dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Adderall for use in the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in 1996. Adderall is also classified as a Schedule II Controlled Substance by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which is defined as a drug “with a high potential for abuse, with use potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence.” Many teens have an erroneous notion that prescription medications are safer to abuse than other drugs, when in reality, they can have equally damaging results.
Prescription drug abuse occurs when an individual takes a medication, such as Adderall, other than the way that was intended by the prescribing doctor. Examples of abuse could include a young person that uses Adderall more frequently than prescribed by the medical professional, taking an increased dose of Adderall, taking Adderall when it was not prescribed at all, and/ or ingesting Adderall in a way other than the way it was prescribed (e.g., crushing and snorting a pill, instead of swallowing it). When used exactly as directed, Adderall can effectively help individuals manage symptoms of ADHD, but when abused, Adderall can lead to a plethora of adverse effects.
There are certain signs that a teen may exhibit that could be indicative of snorting Adderall. These can include, but are not limited to, the following examples:
When taken in ways other than prescribed (e.g., snorting the medication) Adderall can lead to severe physiological effects.
In addition to the above examples, there are also several side effects that could manifest as a result of misusing Adderall which include the following examples, provided by Medical News Today:
Snorting Adderall can cause extensive damage to one’s nasal mucous membranes. This method of ingestion can also lead to the development of effects similar to snorting cocaine, such as:
Snorting Adderall delivers the medication to the brain more quickly than oral administration, which can increase one’s risk of overdose.
Seeking help is never easy, but you are not alone! If you or someone you know is in need of mental health treatment, we strongly encourage you to reach out for help as quickly as possible. It is not uncommon for many mental health difficulties to impact a person for the long term. The earlier you seek support, the sooner you and your loved ones can return to happy, healthy and fulfilling lives.
Our admissions team is available to answer any general questions regarding mental health issues, treatment, and/or specific questions about the program at Pacific Teen Treatment and how we might be able to help your family. We can be reached by phone 24/7 at 800-531-5769. You can also contact us via email at info@pacificrtc.com.
PTT provides treatment for the contemporary issues facing teenagers in today’s world utilizing a family focused and collaborative approach providing individualized care for teens and their families. Licensed by the State of California, Community Care Licensing Division #198209636
At a time when most residential programs are affiliated with large healthcare corporations or backed by private equity, Pacific Teen Treatment is proudly a private, family-owned operation.
