The Rise of Stimulant Use in Adolescents

 

Adolescents Who Use Stimulants

Stimulant use in adolescents has become increasingly controversial in the last few years, since some types of stimulants are prescribed for the condition known as ADHD. Many children are prescribed Ritalin for the condition, and many people have questioned Ritalin’s effectiveness as well as its side effects if it not taken properly. While not all stimulants are prescribed, it is extremely important to understand the use of stimulants and their side effects if they are not used properly.

Stimulant Abuse and Addiction

Any young teen who takes prescribed stimulants is at risk for abusing the medications that are commonly known as Ritalin, Adderall and Dexedrine. When taking improperly these particular medications are addictive, but it is not known whether their use leads to other drug addictions and/or other drug experimentation. Studies have shown that in most cases of abuse among adolescents and adults who take prescribed and non-prescribed stimulants, the ones who abuse them may already be active or addicted to other types of drugs. The effects that these particular drugs have when they are abused are very similar effects as speed. Alcoholics have been known to abuse stimulants and commonly grind them and mix them with water for injections. However, if they are abused by teens, it usually begins by taking more than the prescribed amount. The specific age groups where abuse of stimulants has been observed ranges and differs by age, location, and ethnic background. The stunning evidence that more than half of all adolescents, ages 12 to 17, have used stimulants within the past year is enough to increase parental concern and raise a red flag to watch for additive behavior patterns.

Types of Behavior to Look For

Whether your adolescent teen is prescribed stimulants or they have used them non-prescribed with their friends, parents should be ever mindful of the types of behavior that point to evidence of drug abuse. Changes in behavior to watch for include:

• Fighting at school or work
• Gang or group fights
• Obtaining or having any type of illegal drug
• Carrying a handgun or talking about carrying one
• Theft
• Attacking someone verbally or physically without provocation If a teen has used non-prescribed stimulants, more than likely they have exhibited one or all of these behavior patterns. 

Finding the Right Treatment Today

A comprehensive medical treatment plan is one way to avoid drug abuse brought on by stimulants. A physician should make sure that prescribed stimulants are necessary and not used as the sole treatment for ADHD. If an adolescent has an addiction to stimulants, addiction recovery could be needed to further prevent a relapse into the abuse cycle. A treatment plan could contain several components. Education, regular medical visits, therapy, counseling and even family counseling are positive steps to avoiding abuse of stimulants. Prescribed stimulants can be taken correctly and will not create a high, but most people who abuse the stimulant will take more than the prescribed dosage. Without a prescription, stimulants are purchased on the street from those who can easily get a prescription. Most times these street drugs will be diluted or made with baby powder or ephedrine if they are produced illegally. These react much like the prescribed stimulants when taken either by smoking, injecting or snorting them. The intense sense of euphoria brought on by the overuse of stimulants will cause a craving for more and lead to addiction. Any prescribed stimulant mediation should be closely monitored. It is hard to predict who will become addicted to stimulants. It relies upon environment, trauma, stress, other physical conditions, life circumstances, post-traumatic stress disorders and the extent of whether a person is ADHD.

Getting Help For Adolescents Who Abuse Stimulants

Many times, those who take stimulant medication do not abuse it. It is intended to treat a condition and help the teen ease into adulthood living a normal life. While stimulants have a good effect on those who have been diagnosed with ADHD, those who have not been diagnosed with the condition, and self-medicate, are at a high risk of becoming addicted to stimulants. If you suspect a teen of abusing stimulants, seek a professional medical treatment plan for medication abuse or addiction. It is the most effective way of avoiding or treating drug abuse.

What You Need to Know About the Dangers of Adderall

 

What is Adderall?

Adderall is a CNS stimulant, a Schedule II drug and controlled substance. It is a combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine and is prescribed legally to treat narcolepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. However, many have found ways to get Adderall to abuse its stimulant effects who do not have these conditions, especially younger users. Since it is prescribed for ADHD, many school-age children have access to the drug and can pass it on to their friends. It is one of the most common abused drugs among young people. However, even though it is a prescribed medication for children, speed is speed and it can be dangerous to take.

Adderall Side-Effects

There are many common side effects of Adderall use. These will not occur in everyone, nor is in an all-inclusive list of effects. These include weakness, dizziness, blurry vision, irritability, agitation, restlessness, bad taste in mouth, diarrhea, constipation and fever. Hair loss, loss of libido, impotence, orgasm problems, nausea, vomiting, and pain in the stomach are also some effects. These side effects are a bit less common than others and they are some of the most serious. If you see any of these exhibit in you or your loved one, seek emergency treatment as soon as possible.

• Signs of allergy, including swelling of the throat, lips, face, or tongue, difficulty in breathing, and hives
• Muscle twitches or tics, tremors, fast or pounding heartbeat, or uneven heartbeat
• Burning on urination, or pain
• Chattiness that is excessive, extreme happiness or sadness
• Severe headache, confusion, pain in chest, seizure, ear buzzing, or other signs of high blood pressure.

Adderall and Pregnancy

Adderall is a Category C drug with the Food and Drug Administration. This classification means that there is inconclusive evidence whether the drug can affect a fetus. Some of the things that could be effected by taking Adderall while pregnant include a lower birth weight, newborn withdrawal symptoms, and premature birth. You should not take Adderall if you are breastfeeding either, as it can get into the breast milk. Breast milk laced with Adderall can potentially harm a newborn and lead to withdrawal effects.

Adderall Drug Interactions

There are several medications on the market that may affect Adderall. If you are on any of these medications or will be, talk with your doctor about how Adderall may affect you. This is a very condensed list of medications, but includes:

• Antidepressants like Elavil, Sinequan or Pamelor or more
• Acid Reducers like Tagamet, Pepcid, Prilosec, and more
• Antacids like Polycitra, K-Lyte, Alka-Seltzer, Oracit, or more
• Antihistamines like Claritin, Zyrtec, and others
• Diuretics
• Heart medications and blood pressure medications 

People Who Should Not Take Adderall

Those individuals with certain medical issues and conditions should not use Adderall. These include those who are on, or have taken within two weeks of starting Adderall, MAO inhibitors. Those who have been allergic to dextroamphetamine or amphetamine in the past should not take Adderall for fear of a worsening allergic reaction or anaphylaxis. Other health conditions that can be dangerous include hypertension or heart disease, hardening of the arteries, eye issues like glaucoma, an overactive thyroid, anxiety, or a history of drug abuse and addiction. Those with heart problems are at a higher risk of problems when taking any stimulant, especially Adderall, including those with high blood pressure, congenital heart problems, congestive heart failure, rhythm disorders of the heart, or a recent heart attack. Lastly, those with some mental illnesses like bipolar disorder and depression should seriously consider whether to take Adderall. Those with seizure disorders and tics should also talk with their doctor about possible complications.

Adderall Symptoms of Withdrawal

There are some individuals that decide to stop taking Adderall for whatever reason. Perhaps they feel they are abusing the drug or are already seeing distressing signs when they are late with a pill. Here are some of the withdrawal symptoms that can be expected if you become addicted to stimulants:

• Fatigue, mental fatigue, and overall tiredness
• Higher than normal appetite, or "the munchies"
• Depressed feelings and suicidal thoughts
• Vivid dreams, deep and prolonged sleeping
• Agitated irritability and deep anxiety 

Keep in mind that these are all part of a larger aspect of withdrawal and that everyone will experience withdrawal differently. The effects you or a loved one will feel is determined by how long you used Adderall and the dosage you took. Those with a serious dependency for a long period of time will have a worse withdrawal than others. Withdrawal may last weeks or months from stimulant abuse. In addition to all of the above side effects and counter indications, there is a high risk to overdosing on this addictive drug. Abusing Adderall is not safe even when there is not overdose, as it can cause heart problems and other cardiovascular issues. Some can exhibit a sensitivity or allergy to the drug, which may lead to the life-threatening condition of anaphylaxis. Do not abuse Adderall if it was not prescribed for you and take only the dosage your doctor recommended if it was prescribed. There are treatment options for those that have an Adderall abuse problem.