Adderall is a prescription stimulant used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. The drug works by bringing the brain from a state of overstimulation to a normal state of stimulation. This, in turn, improves focus and concentration on the task at hand, helping users get less distracted by what is happening around them and reducing impulsive behavior. In this article we will discuss the phenomena of snorting Adderall, what happens when you snort Adderall, and side effects of Adderall abuse.
Can You Snort Adderall?
Adderall can be misused by being snorted. Snorting Adderall is particularly dangerous since it delivers a concentrated dose directly into the bloodstream, which exacerbates Adderall’s side effects.
Why do People Snort Adderall?
Misuse of Adderall is typically found among college students who consider it to be a “study drug.” Their desire to take it is driven by the belief that it will help to improve their cognitive function and academic achievement. They might take it, for example, to help them stay up late at night to meet essay deadlines or study before a big exam. This misuse is not limited to college students, though, and can be found in high-pressure workplaces as well.
Snorting Adderall - when the drug is inhaled through the nose - is one way in which the drug can be misused. Though it has similar effects to cocaine, individuals might opt for Adderall since it is cheaper and easier to obtain.
Short-Term Side Effects of Snorting Adderall
Snorting Adderall is a dangerous practice that can lead to a variety of short-term side effects, including:
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Rapid breathing
- Anxiety and agitation: Norepinephrine is a hormone that is released in response to stress. It is also involved in the fight-or-flight response. When Adderall is snorted, it causes the release of norepinephrine into the bloodstream. This can lead to feelings of anxiety and nervousness. Anxiety can also be a result of increased heart rate and blood pressure.
- Dry mouth: Norepinephrine also causes the body to produce less saliva.
- Loss of appetite: Stimulants reduce the production of ghrelin, a hormone that makes you feel hungry.
- Runny or stuffy nose: Snorting Adderall irritates the nasal passages. This irritation can cause the body to produce more mucus in the nose. When this mucus drips down the back of the throat, it can also cause the mouth to feel dry.
- Nosebleeds: Adderall is a powder, and when it is snorted, it can irritate the lining of the nose. This irritation can cause inflammation and swelling, which can make the blood vessels in the nose more fragile and prone to bleeding.
- Erratic behavior: High levels of dopamine can lead to impulsive and risky behavior.
- Paranoia: High levels of norepinephrine can lead to feelings of paranoia and suspicion.
- Hallucinations: Adderall is a stimulant drug that increases the release of dopamine into the bloodstream. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is involved in pleasure, motivation, and reward. High levels of dopamine can lead to hallucinations.
- Insomnia: Insomnia is often a result of being unable to come down from the Adderall high. As a result, individuals may turn to CNS depressants such as Xanax and Valium in an attempt to help them sleep. This results in poly-drug use (the use of more than one type of drug), which in turn carries with it further medical complications.
Long-Term Effects of Snorting Adderall
The long-term effects of snorting Adderall can be serious and even life-threatening. Some of the most common long-term effects include:
- Addiction: Snorting Adderall poses a major risk of addiction. This is because snorting the drug releases it into the bloodstream much more quickly than swallowing, resulting in a more sudden and intense high. Over time, people who snort Adderall may develop a tolerance to the drug, meaning they need to take more and more of it to achieve the same desired effect. This can lead to addiction, as people may find themselves taking the drug more often than prescribed or in higher doses than prescribed.
- Damage to the nasal septum: Snorting Adderall can damage the nasal septum, the thin piece of cartilage that separates the nostrils. (This is similar to the phenomenon of coke nose.) This can lead to problems such as nosebleeds, inflammation, difficulty breathing, and chronic sinus infections.
- Heart problems: Snorting Adderall can increase the risk of heart problems, such as high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and heart attack. This is because Adderall is a stimulant drug that can put a strain on the heart.
- Stroke: Snorting Adderall can also increase the risk of stroke. This is because Adderall can narrow the blood vessels and increase the risk of blood clots forming.
- Seizures: Snorting Adderall can also increase the risk of seizures. This is especially true for people who have a history of seizures or other neurological conditions.
- Psychosis: Snorting Adderall can increase the risk of psychosis, a condition characterized by delusions and hallucinations. This is especially true for people who have a history of mental illness.
- Death: Snorting Adderall can also lead to death, especially in cases of overdose.
In addition to these long-term physical health risks, snorting Adderall can also have negative social and emotional consequences. People who snort Adderall often become isolated from their friends and family, and they may experience problems at work or school. They may also develop financial problems due to the need to fund their drug addiction.
Snorting Adderall also increases the risk of overdose, which can be fatal. Symptoms of an Adderall overdose include confusion, disorientation, hallucinations, seizures, loss of consciousness, irregular heartbeat, rapid breathing, chest pain, and fever.
Treatment for Adderall Addiction
Treatment for Adderall addiction typically involves a combination of medical detox and behavioral therapy.
Medical detox is the process of safely withdrawing from Adderall under medical supervision. Guided detox is important because Adderall withdrawal can cause a number of unpleasant and potentially dangerous symptoms, such as fatigue, depression, anxiety, and insomnia. At Avenues Recovery detox program, professionals guide the patient through alcohol detox and drug detox safely and comfortably.
Behavioral therapy, first and foremost, guides a person back through their past in order to pinpoint the events and triggers that led them to where they are now. This enables a patient to understand themselves better as well as what beliefs they have about themselves, which is one of the first steps in being able to manage their addiction. From there, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) explains that behavioral treatments help patients stop drug use by “changing unhealthy patterns of thinking and behavior, teaching strategies to manage cravings and avoid cues and situations that could lead to relapse.” They might also teach individuals how to reward themselves for meeting targets in terms of periods of abstinence, as well as how to engage in healthy behaviors instead of the damaging ones they have been involved with until now.
Therapy can take place both in a one-on-one setting and/or a group setting. Support groups can provide a safe and supportive space for people to share their experiences and learn from others who are also struggling with addiction.
Conclusion
If you or a loved one are struggling with snorting Adderall or Adderall misuse, don’t hesitate to contact Avenues Recovery. We will take the time to find out more about you, your background, and your addiction so that we can then come up with a personalized treatment plan that will meet your needs. Our professional staff are highly trained and have a wealth of experience in treating substance abuse. We have helped thousands of individuals turn their lives around. No one deserves to have to fight addiction on their own. Contact us today to experience the highest level of care, support and guidance on your road to recovery.