People who use Adderall may know how the medication makes them feel, but do they know how it’s affecting them on the inside? With long-term use, Adderall may have a negative impact on certain parts of the body.

What Is Adderall?

Adderall, the brand name for a combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine, is a prescription medication that comes in either a tablet or capsule form. This central nervous system stimulant enhances the effects of neurotransmitters in the brain to help users focus.

What Does Adderall Treat?

The prescription’s purpose is to improve attention span, concentration, hyperactivity, and behavior. Adderall was originally designed to assist individuals with ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) and can ease the effects of narcolepsy, which causes people to fall asleep unexpectedly.

While Adderall is only prescribed to those with disorders such as ADHD, many people acquire and use it without a prescription. In fact, Adderall is commonly abused in areas with a high population of young adults, such as college campuses.

Is Adderall Addictive?

Since Adderall improves the attention span, many people use it when they are trying to focus on a test or assignment. In college, many students will take Adderall to stay up all night and study due to the medication’s ability to keep users awake. In other cases, some use Adderall to lose weight or mix the medicine with alcohol to party through the night.

Side Effects of Adderall Use

This prescription has a different impact on every user; however, there are some possible side effects for users to be aware of before taking Adderall:

  • Thought problems
  • Dry mouth
  • Fatigue
  • Moodiness
  • Depression
  • High blood pressure
  • Increased heart rate
  • Circulatory issues
  • Nervousness
  • Insomnia
  • Swelling
  • Shortness of breath
  • Constipation
  • Headaches
  • Slow speech
  • Shaking
  • Nausea & vomiting
  • Rash
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nervousness
  • Hives
  • Weight loss
  • Constricted blood vessels
  • Impulse control issues
  • Increased alcohol tolerance
  • Addiction/dependence

Some of the side effects above are caused by withdrawal, which is common for individuals who abuse Adderall and other substances.

Which Parts of the Body Are Affected by Adderall?

Due to the side effects listed above, the organs that may be affected by Adderall include:

  • Brain
  • Heart
  • Throat
  • Lungs
  • Stomach
  • Skin
  • Kidneys

There are certainly high risks that come with using and abusing Adderall; however, when used responsibly, this prescription medication can have a positive impact on those with ADHD or other disorders.

Using Adderall Responsibly

The primary way to use Adderall responsibly is to take it according to your prescription. If you have attention or concentration issues and think you could benefit from a prescription but don’t have an ADHD diagnosis, talk to your doctor before using Adderall to see if it’s right for you.

Adderall works best for individuals with ADHD when combined with behavioral therapy. If Adderall is not right for you, behavioral therapy could be a beneficial alternative.

To learn more about Adderall’s purpose, side effects, and risks, contact our team of medical professionals for more information. If you or someone you know is suffering from an addiction to Adderall, give our substance abuse rehabilitation facility a call at 267.209.7312 as soon as possible to see if it’s time to start treatment.

 Sources

https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/adderall-effects-on-body

https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/g19682257/adderall-side-effects/