Please help me!

[SleepOnNeedles]

My boyfriend just recently told me he has been abusing Adderol for awhile. He says he doesn't do it frequently and that it won't harm him, but I'm still very scared. I don't know anything about this drug or what affects it could have on him. What should I do? Please help me out.

[LonelyWino]

Hi SleepOnNeedles,

Welcome to SR!

I noticed your thread and that no one has responded. I love to do internet research so here is a link to some basic info http://www.add-adhd-help-center.com/...de_effects.htm

Here is the text in case the link won't work.

"Adderall Side Effects

Adderall is a fairly new drug in the treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder.

Adderall, a “cocktail” mixture of four different amphetamine salts, was first developed about 20 years ago and marketed under the name Obetrol for weight loss and diet control. In 1996 the FDA approved Adderall for unrestricted use for treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder and Adderall is quickly becoming a physician favorite for the treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder in children.

If parents must choice a prescription ADHD medication, Adderall and Adderall XR is generally a better choice for many reasons.

Adderall last about six hours per dose and remains active in the body longer than a dose of Ritalin. This longer acting dose alleviates the need for school day dosing but will interfere with sleep if taking the Adderall medication in the afternoon or evening hours.

Adderall side effects are also often less harsh than Ritalin’s. Many patients report less “peaks and valleys” than Ritalin and less of a drop off (withdrawal) than Ritalin. Ritalin also tends to cause more stomach discomfort and tends to produce more moodiness than Adderall.

But, all Attention Deficit Disorder medication - Adderall included - has potentially harmful side effects. Adderall is an amphetamine that works on children in the same way amphetamines work on adults. Children are subject to the same adverse Adderall side effects as adults using amphetamines, with the most common amphetamine and Adderall side effects being loss of appetite, weight loss and insomnia.

In most cases, the Adderall side effects are mild but some Adderall side effects, though rare, are life threatening. Parents need to be clear about the benefits of Adderall medication as well as the potential Adderall side effects of using these drugs before choosing to place their child on prescription ADHD medication.

Adderall medication can be helpful in the short term in controlling Attention Deficit Disorder symptoms but many doctors feel the potential Adderall side effects should be carefully weighed before prescribing drugs like Adderall medication.

Common Adderall side effects include:

- loss of appetite
- weight loss
- insomnia
- headache
- dizziness

Other Adderall side effects include:

- nervousness
- irritability
- over stimulation
- restlessness
- unpleasant taste
- dry mouth
- nausea
- stomach pain
- diarrhea or constipation
- euphoria
- feelings of suspicion and paranoia
- addiction
- tolerance (constant need to raise the dose)

The following, though rare, have also been reported as Adderall side effects:

- Phonetic tics
- high blood pressure
- rapid pulse rate, elevated blood pressure
- increased heart rate
- hallucinations
- Tourette's syndrome
- cardiomyopathy
- if similarities to Ritalin hold, Adderall abuse can result in death

No one experiences Adderall side effects in exactly the same way. Parents should immediately alert their child’s doctor to any Adderall side effects experienced.

Fruit juices can lower absorption of Adderall. Alkalinizing agents such as Diamox heighten the absorption of Adderall medication. Thorazine, lithium, and Haldol can decrease the effects of Adderall medication. Tricyclic antidepressants may increase their levels when taken with Adderall medication.

Parents should note that serious, even fatal, Adderall medication interactions can occur if Adderall is taken with MAO Inhibitors.

Amphetamines like Adderall can impair judgment and the ability to engage in potentially hazardous activities like operating machinery, vehicles and sports participation.

Adderall medication has a high potential for Adderall abuse as well as addiction.

Amphetamines like Adderall should be administered at the lowest effective dosage and dosage should be individually adjusted to avoid Adderall abuse and harmful Adderall side effects.

When possible, Adderall medication should be stopped occasionally to determine if there is sufficient need for continued Adderall medication therapy.

It should also be noted that Adderall medication is not recommended for children under 5 years of age since safety and effectiveness has not been established in this age group.

ADDERALL ABUSE

Adderall is a reformulated version and close cousin of the ADHD medication Dexedrine. Dextroamphetamine (Adderall, Dexedrine) is classified as Schedule II controlled substance, a classification given to medical drugs with the highest abuse potential and dependence profile.

Drug Enforcement Agency data on methylphenidate (Ritalin, Conceta) and amphetamine (Dexedrine, Adderall) shows that both have high abuse liabilities. These substances are powerful stimulants and Adderall abuse, along with Ritalin abuse, is extensive.

Adderall abuse can lead to marked tolerance, escalation in Adderall dosages and addiction. Although the majority of Adderall abuse cases cited pertain to adults, case studies also profile adolescents who abuse their Adderall medication.

Other Adderall abuse reports students selling their Adderall medication to friends and schoolmates. Because Dextroamphetamine (street name “dexies”) can have a retail value in the high school parking lot, doctors often avoid prescribing Adderall medication to teenagers.

Individuals respond differently to Adderall medication levels and dosages. While toxic overdose symptoms are rare with doses of less than 15 mg, toxic Adderall xr symptoms occasionally occur at Adderall medication doses as low as 5 mg.

Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) and amphetamine (Dexedrine, Adderall) abuse produce behavioral and psychological effects similar to cocaine. The Adderall side effects of Adderall abuse include marked aggression and irritability, hyperactivity, and personality changes.

Abruptly stopping Adderall after prolonged high dosage Adderall abuse results in extreme fatigue and mental depression. The most severe, though rare, Adderall side effects of Adderall abuse is psychosis. This Adderall abuse side effect is often clinically indistinguishable from schizophrenia.

Long-term methylphenidate and amphetamine use has also been linked to abnormalities in brain development, similar to those found with long-term cocaine use. Changes on the sleep EEG are also noted with Adderall abuse.

It is natural for parents to question whether taking a powerful stimulant like Adderall medication is in their child's best interests. Amphetamine stimulants like Adderall are worrisome for many reasons – predominately because of the potential for harmful Adderall side effects and high potential for Adderall abuse."

I would also recommend posting on the Friends and Family of Alcoholics Board. You need the support of others who are dealing with the same or similar situation.

My best to you.

Blessings,
Joan

[GuyBlakeKett]

Dear SleepOnNeedles (which I hope you don't!):

This is not a medical site: your best bet about questions like this is always to consult your doctor, pharmacist, local clinic or hospital for reliable information. However, I can say generally that, like any amphetamine, from Ritalin to crystal meth, Adderall can certainly become addictive. If your boyfriend isn't using it under a doctor's orders for some condition it's designed to treat there is reason for concern. Unfortunately, however, your concern doesn't necessarily equate with your boyfriend changing his behavior or getting help: HE has to want help before help can be had. If he does want help, and you can steer him in the direction of an NA meeting - well, that'd be great. In the meantime, I'd suggest posting this query in the Naranon thread in this forum - and possibly seek out some Naranon meetings for yourself. It will help give you some very needed perspective about what may be going on.

best - and thanks for posting -

Guy

[njriverman]

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The following, though rare, have also been reported as Adderall side effects:

- Phonetic tics
- high blood pressure
- rapid pulse rate, elevated blood pressure
- increased heart rate
- hallucinations
- Tourette's syndrome
- cardiomyopathy
- if similarities to Ritalin hold, Adderall abuse can result in death

I went in to give bllod and my resting pule rate was 108. I am on Adderall, does anyone else have this experience?

Paul