Those prescribed Adderall know that it is a highly regulated medication, typically prescribed for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Adderall is also known as amphetamine-dextroamphetamine, meaning it has addictive properties. This medication is highly regulated because of the illicit desire to obtain it illegally without a prescription. Though the effects of Adderall can be very beneficial for people taking the correct amount as advised by their medical professional, it has negative long-term side effects when consumed in higher doses than prescribed.
When prescribed, this medication calms down thought processes and enables individuals to focus on one particular task. This drug is ideal for those with ADHD because it allows them to retain their focus on one thing and limits getting distracted.
For those taking Adderall without an ADHD diagnosis, it will typically provide excessive amounts of energy and the ability to focus. It is common for people to abuse this medication because it can help them be productive when they lack motivation. Adderall is commonly abused for maintaining focus for long durations of time while studying, achieving more in smaller amounts of time, improving athletic performance, or staying awake during unusual hours.
It’s important to remember that anyone can abuse this substance, even those with prescriptions.
Physical Long-Term Effects
Abusing Adderall can have many adverse long-term effects on your health that cannot be reversed. It is essential to review the long-term consequences before taking Adderall and weigh them against how your body naturally functions without it. The following are all critical risk factors listed by the FDA.
Weight Loss
Adderall can act as an appetite suppressant, which may not seem alarming at first. However, the mere thought of food can be revolting for some while on Adderall. Frequent use of this medication can lead to malnutrition, leading to a number of other adverse effects on the body with age.
Seizures
For those who do not need to take Adderall, this is a severe risk. Adderall is a stimulant and causes your senses to heighten. Prolonged use could lead to seizures from sensory overload, damaging the brain and endangering individuals while actively seizing.
Cardiovascular Disease
Your heart may develop many problems while using Adderall as it is forced to unnaturally pump faster. Prolonged exposure to this substance can alter the heart from functioning properly and lead to cardiovascular disease over time.
Heart Palpitations
Adderall causes the heart rate to rise. If you are not prescribed Adderall but take it anyway, your heart rate can rise drastically. Frequent rises in heart rate — not caused by normal activities like exercise — cause heart palpitations.
High Blood Pressure
An increased heart rate can lead to high blood pressure. If this issue is persistent, it can cause many problems for your long-term health.
Stunted Growth
This ties into the medication being an appetite suppressant. If you take this medication frequently as a child or young adult who has not fully developed, it can stunt your growth due to a lack of nutrients.
Hyperthyroidism
Many symptoms of hyperthyroidism are similar to the side effects of Adderall. Through hormone regulation, any individual with subtle thyroid issues has a drastically higher chance of developing hyperthyroidism.
Kidney Dysfunction
While taking Adderall, your kidneys have to function at a higher level to process the medication. If you are abusing this medication, your kidneys can potentially overwork themselves and eventually lead to high levels of dysfunction.
These side effects may also affect those who are prescribed Adderall. However, those who need Adderall to balance their brain chemistry have a drastically lower chance of being affected by any of these long-term risks and possible side effects. All of these long-term health effects from abusing the use of Adderall are relatively extreme. However, this medication must be highly regulated because the short-term adverse effects of the medication are subtle. Most of the problems from abusing this medication surface later in life.
Recommendations for Healthy Adderall Use
If you have a prescription for Adderall, it is important to follow your clinical provider’s recommendations when taking the medication. Take the prescribed dosage and do not let yourself take more than prescribed. Taking only the necessary amount of Adderall will not have detrimental effects because — for those that have a prescription — the body needs the medication in order to function properly. However, taking more than your body needs will likely lead to these harmful long-term effects over time. If you find yourself abusing this substance, reach out for help before it develops into an addiction.
Many people are prescribed Adderall without issue. However, if you take this medication when it is not prescribed or if you take more than your recommended dose, your health will suffer the consequences of abusing Adderall. Abusing this substance can have many long-term severe effects. These long-term effects include weight loss, stunted growth, heart palpitations, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, seizures, hyperthyroidism, and kidney dysfunction. While these are the most common risks of Adderall abuse, other health problems may surface from improper use of this medication. There are also a few short-term effects, such as increased anxiety or increased stress levels; however, the majority of the health consequences follow you later on in life. It is critical to know if this medication is right for you or if it is being used for other purposes. To learn more about these long-term effects of Adderall abuse, reach out to Dream Recovery at (949) 732-1960.