Combating Stimulant Abuse: Adderall Addiction Treatment at New Jersey Addiction Resources
Adderall is a stimulant medication that contains a mixture of amphetamine salts, sold as tablets. When properly prescribed, Adderall treats narcolepsy (chronic sleep disorder) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
However, Adderall is also a highly addictive drug with a high potential for misuse and abuse, which is why it’s a Schedule II controlled substance in the U.S.
Treating Adderall addiction can be quite complex, but it’s not impossible. So if you or a loved one is struggling with Adderall addiction, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to receive the help you might need.
Table of Contents
Understanding Adderall Addiction
Let’s start by having a closer look at Adderall addiction and how it develops. As previously established, Adderall is a CNS stimulant that increases the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain.
These neurotransmitters are associated with energy and pleasure, generating a highly addictive sense of euphoria, which might encourage some people to take the drug more often for that sensory reward.
Over time, our bodies and brains can develop overdependence on the abused Adderall to function normally. As a result, the person who stops taking Adderall will experience intense withdrawal symptoms.
Adderall addiction can have a detrimental impact on a person’s health. The high stimulant dosage may lead to several problems including hypertension, a higher risk of heart attacks, seizures, hallucinations, psychosis, and sleep problems.
Additionally, Adderall addiction leads to various behavioral problems (including financial, social, legal, and professional). These cause broken relationships, self-isolation, and even suicide.
The problem with Adderall addiction is that it’s quite complex and keeps on progressing and worsening over time.
While treatment is available, the road to recovery can be quite challenging and poses serious health risks when not done right.
For instance, the sudden and complete cessation of taking Adderall can lead to life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, which include tremors, seizures, irregular heart rates, extremely intense pain, and a high risk of cardiac arrest.
Besides the withdrawal period, Adderall addiction recovery has a remarkably high risk of relapse. For that reason, the treatment should also include behavioral and psychological counseling and therapy to target the root causes of the addiction.
As a result, you should always seek professional treatment when it comes to Adderall addiction, as it increases the treatment’s safety, reduces the risk of complications, and even increases the chances of long-term recovery.
Symptoms and Causes of Adderall Addiction
Since Adderall is a prescribed drug, it has higher accessibility than other forms of methamphetamines.
As a result, most Adderall addictions are a result of misuse and abuse of the drug. This means taking the drug at a higher dose or for a longer duration than prescribed.
Additionally, Adderall addiction can take other forms like taking the drug without medical requirements (seeking its sensory euphoria), retaking the drug at a higher dose without prescription, and mixing Adderall with other drugs and alcohol.
Besides drug misuse, other causes of Adderall addiction includes abusing the drug’s stimulant effect. This includes enhancing mental and physical alertness, trying to lose weight, and staying focused/awake for longer.
Adderall addiction is associated with various symptoms, which can be short-term or long-term, such as:
- Developing tolerance towards regular Adderall dose (if prescribed)
- High irritability
- Restlessness, shaking, and excessive activity
- Reduced appetite and noticeable weight loss
- Insomnia
- Self-isolation and secretive behavior
- Anxiety and high respiratory/heart rate
- Extreme mood swings
- Skin rash
Components of the Adderall Addiction Treatment Program
Treating Adderall addiction can be a fairly tricky process, but it’s not impossible. Since every person is different, the ideal treatment approach might vary from one individual to another.
However, there is a general outline that covers the key components of Adderall addiction treatment. Here’s a brief look at it:
Medical Detoxification
The first and most critical step in the treatment of Adderall addiction is medical detoxification. This stage involves the removal of Adderall from the patient’s bloodstream, which is necessary to stop the drug from causing its psychological and physiological effects.
The process must be done gradually (tapered) and under the supervision of a qualified medical professional, as the abrupt stop of the drug can impose serious risks due to high addiction.
Medical professionals might also prescribe various medications to assist the detox stage or reduce its associated pain and discomfort. These include pain medications, anxiety medications, and treatments that can improve sleep.
Counseling and Therapeutic Interventions
Besides detoxification, counseling is also quite necessary to promote a relapse-free recovery, as it helps in addressing the root causes of addiction and developing the proper coping mechanisms to deal with those triggers and manage cravings.
Feeling supported throughout the treatment process is another essential part of the recovery process, which is where other forms of therapeutic interventions and behavioral treatments come into play.
Both counseling and therapeutic interventions can take various forms, as they could be individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, or a combination of them.
Co-occurring Mental Health Disorder Treatment
Many people who are addicted to Adderall are already suffering from other mental health disorders that require continuous treatment, which is another reason why medical professionals are quite crucial for successful treatment.
Long-Term Recovery Planning and Relapse Prevention
Lastly, after detoxification and rehabilitation, a recovered individual can return back to their normal life. However, they must set out a long-term recovery plan to secure their progress and avoid relapses.
The Role of Family in Adderall Addiction Treatment
You should also keep in mind that family involvement is remarkably essential during all stages of Adderall addiction treatment.
It’s highly recommended that members of the family attend counseling sessions together to work on any relationship issues that might have caused substance abuse.
Overview of New Jersey Addiction Resources
According to a recent report in 2021, New Jersey hospitals have received over 87,745 drug abuse-related admissions, with methamphetamines making over 1,244 of them.
Although Adderall isn’t the most commonly addictive drug in the state, it’s among the most dangerous ones. This is because of its high addictiveness, serious effects, and high risk of abuse, even among teenagers.
Finding the right path to recovery from Adderall addiction can be quite difficult, as you can easily get overwhelmed with information and recommendations online, and that’s where New Jersey Addiction Resources hops.
NJ Addiction Resources is a platform dedicated to providing all the necessary information and resources to help you or your loved ones navigate your way through recovery.
In addition to providing a complete list of reliable addiction treatment centers, the website also offers a variety of blogs with helpful information about recovery and fixing broken relationships.
You can find plenty of information about different addiction treatment methods on NJ Addiction Resources, including in-patient and out-patient methods. Besides Adderall, the website also offers resources for various forms of addiction, including alcohol, opioids, inhalants, pain medications, and more.
Approach to Adderall Addiction Treatment at New Jersey Addiction Resources
While Adderall addiction remains a serious problem, it’s treatable and recovery is still possible with the right approach. The first step towards treatment is seeking proper help, and if you live in New Jersey, you don’t have to go out of town to find the proper care you need.
By contacting New Jersey Addiction Resources, you’ll be connected with a list of highly qualified and reliable treatment centers that offer all kinds of suitable treatments depending on the severity of the case.
This includes detoxification, residential treatment, outpatient (home treatment), counseling, and therapy (both individual, group, and family).
NJ Addiction Resources can also help you get personalized treatment along with various payment methods, including insurance support.
To benefit from the services of NJ Addiction Resources, you’ll only need to call (973) 604-5779. Luckily, the service is available around the clock with knowledgeable representatives ready to help you with all the inquiries and questions you might have!
Conclusion
Adderall addiction is a serious problem with devastating consequences. If you or someone you know is struggling with Adderall addiction, you must seek help immediately, as time is a critical factor in treatment.
NJ Addiction Resources offers comprehensive services to provide the ideal treatment partners for Adderall addiction. These include detoxification, therapy, and aftercare plans for long-term recovery.
References
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