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The Dangers of Snorting Adderall

Medically Verified: 2/1/24

Medical Reviewer

Chief Editor

All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.

Adderall can help people with ADHD and other diagnosed medical conditions live healthier, more fulfilling lives. But Adderall misuse is a serious problem that can lead to severe consequences in a person’s short and long-term health.

Snorting Adderall or misusing it in other ways can cause addiction or overdose. It’s important to understand the risks of Adderall abuse and seek treatment if you recognize you have a problem.

If you or a loved one is snorting Adderall or misusing it, contact the Charlotte North Carolina Detox specialists to explore your treatment options.

What is Adderall?

Adderall is a prescription medication used to treat the symptoms of several medical conditions, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) classified Adderall as a Schedule II substance because it has a significant risk for dependence and addiction but also has a known medical use.

Adderall is a combination of amphetamines and dextroamphetamine. It is available in extended-release and immediate-release forms. The drug works by stimulating activity in the central nervous system (CNS). People with ADHD who take Adderall experience significant improvement in their symptoms. They can maintain focus and attention for longer and may experience less impulsivity and hyperactivity.

While Adderall is effective at helping people to manage symptoms of ADHD and other medical conditions, many people take it recreationally (without a prescription) for its stimulating effects. Adderall is sometimes called a “study drug” because it prolongs attention and improves focus.

Using Adderall without a prescription is always considered substance abuse. Misusing Adderall can lead to significant complications and severe harm to your health and safety. It can also lead to life-threatening dependence and addiction.

Understanding Adderall Abuse

Anyone who takes Adderall–including those who have a prescription for it–can develop a dependence on this addictive medication. People who take Adderall to treat ADHD or other conditions may begin to misuse it. Adderall misuse includes:

  • Taking higher doses of Adderall
  • Taking Adderall more frequently than prescribed
  • Using Adderall for a longer period than your doctor recommends
  • Snorting Adderall or using it in a different way than your doctor prescribed

What Are the Dangers of Snorting Adderall?

Snorting Adderall or misusing it in other ways can harm your immediate safety and long-term well-being. One of the most significant risks of snorting Adderall is overdose. An Adderall overdose can cause serious, life-threatening harm that includes:

  • Coma
  • Brain damage
  • Death

Adderall works by increasing a person’s CNS activity. When people take it as prescribed, this increase in CNS activity can help to alleviate the symptoms of ADHD or other conditions. But when someone takes it recreationally, this increase in CNS activity can be dangerous.

Snorting Adderall can increase your risk of a life-threatening overdose. Users who crush and snort Adderall tablets may be seeking a faster “high,” but misusing the drug in this way alters how it’s absorbed into your bloodstream. Instead of being released slowly over an extended period, the drug floods your brain and body, causing catastrophic increases in your CNS activity.

People who begin snorting Adderall are more likely to experience overdose and a range of other severe complications, including:

  • Stroke
  • Seizures
  • Elevated heart rate
  • Fever
  • Confusion
  • High blood pressure
  • Psychosis
  • Heart attack

People who mix Adderall and other substances are at even greater risk of overdose and other life-threatening complications.

In addition to the risk of overdose, Adderall misuse may cause other problems that can interfere with the ability to function on a daily basis. Some of the additional dangers of snorting Adderall include:

  • Insomnia
  • Reduced appetite and weight loss
  • Nervousness
  • Irritability
  • Restlessness
  • Headache
  • Shakiness
  • Dry mouth
  • Chest pain
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Stomach pain
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Increased respirations
  • Blurred vision
  • Rash and itching
  • Numbness in arms and legs
  • Aggression and hostility
  • Hallucinations
  • Panic attacks
  • Paranoia
  • Impaired memory

People who take Adderall with a prescription must be aware of the signs of abuse and addiction and speak to their medical provider about getting addiction treatment and finding other ways to manage their symptoms.

Those snorting Adderall or misusing it in other ways must seek substance abuse treatment as soon as possible to avoid severe complications and addiction.

Snorting Adderall: Treatment and Recovery

Living with Adderall misuse or addiction can damage your health, relationships, and ability to function daily. Comprehensive addiction treatment can help you stop misusing Adderall and other substances. With the right treatment and support, you can safely stop using Adderall and learn how to avoid relapse for life.

Substance abuse treatment programs often begin with a medically-supported detox program. During detox, it’s common for people to experience withdrawal symptoms as their body adjusts to the absence of Adderall. In a supportive detox program, caring medical and support professionals provide first-rate, tailored care that includes:

  • Medications to manage withdrawal symptoms
  • Emotional support, including individual therapy when appropriate
  • Exercise, nutrition support, massage, and other holistic practices to calm the mind and soothe the body

After a safe Adderall detox, people must continue with a treatment plan that can help them address their addiction’s physical, behavioral, and emotional roots.

Find Help Now

If you or someone you love lives with Adderall abuse or addiction, you are not alone. Reach out to the Charlotte North Carolina Detox specialists today to learn about our prescription drug treatment programs and find the help you need to begin healing. Take the first step of your recovery journey today.

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