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The Dangers of Snorting Adderall
Author: Phil Kosanovich
Published: October 11, 2022
The Dangers of Snorting Adderall

Adderall is the brand name for a prescription stimulant used to treat a variety of disorders, including ADHD and narcolepsy. When obtained illicitly it can go by a number of street names, including “uppers” or “speed”.

Adderall is a central nervous system stimulant that is made of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. It is a Schedule II controlled substance, one which carries a high risk of abuse and addiction. In the case of Adderall overdose, it has the capacity for serious and harmful results.

Prescription drug abuse is on the rise within the United States, and this trend is expected to continue. As more people develop an Adderall addiction, there needs to be an increased awareness of the problem and of the fact that many addiction treatment centers specialize in helping people who fall into this dangerous pattern of abuse.

Adderall can be consumed in a variety of ways, the most popular of which is oral administration. However, Adderall can also be snorted. We will discuss why some people snort Adderall, and what it can do to your physical and mental health.

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Why Do People Snort Adderall?

Snorting Adderall has become a very popular activity among the subset of people who abuse it. People have a variety of reasons for doing this, as we will see below. The main reason for snorting Adderall, versus orally ingesting it as with other drugs, is that it takes much less time in order for it to take effect. It also means that the effects are heightened. It, therefore, is a risk factor for the development of Adderall addiction and has a higher chance of leading to a substance abuse disorder.

Adderall XR is especially popular when it comes to snorting Adderall. It is the extended-release version of Adderall capsules, which means that its release into the bloodstream is controlled over a period of time, usually around twelve hours. Snorting Adderall XR overrides the time release of the pill and gives users a more potent and near-instant high. It also increases the risks and health problems associated with Adderall abuse, including the possibility of Adderall overdose.

Snorting Adderall is usually an act that requires the help of a clinical professional or a specific drug rehab center in order to resolve its negative consequences. Alongside smoking Adderall, snorting Adderall is one of the riskiest ways of consuming Adderall. As we will discuss below, there are a number of reasons that people may forego oral ingestion and start snorting Adderall.

Adderall’s Uses in Treating Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Aside from treating sleeping disorders such as narcolepsy, people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have the most use for Adderall. It is one of the prescription drugs used to treat this disorder. Research has shown that school pupils with ADHD show a marked increase in performance in academic subjects such as mathematics after consuming Adderall tablets.

Despite this fact, the ingestion of a controlled substance carries with it an inherent amount of risk concerning addiction and dependence. It is likely that a built-up dependency can lead to Adderall users (who take it for legitimate reasons) developing a substance abuse disorder that requires addiction treatment. The tolerance that builds up as a result can sometimes lead people to start snorting Adderall as a means of chasing the initial powerful effects.

Recreational Use

Recreational Use

There is also a large subset of people who use Adderall solely for the euphoric and stimulatory effects it produces. Research shows that the number of people who are using Adderall recreationally can be as high as 4% of all young adults and that this number is expected to rise.

It is commonly used as a party drug among this demographic, regardless of the dangers involved with it. People who fall into this category are also likely to start mixing Adderall with other substances. This is extremely dangerous.

Mixing Adderall with substances such as alcohol highly increases the risk of side effects and alcohol poisoning. People in this category are more likely to start snorting Adderall, as they chase the stronger high and instant effect it produces. Eventually, this can lead to a cycle of substance abuse that can culminate in a need for professional addiction treatment.

Eating Disorders

Adderall is known for its capacity to suppress appetite. For this reason, many people with mental health issues such as eating disorders (e.g. anorexia) find it an attractive option to use as a crash diet drug, allowing them to almost completely stop eating in an attempt to lose weight. It is one other way in which people can start misusing Adderall. Regardless of whether it is snorted, smoked, or orally ingested its use for this purpose has the capacity to create Adderall addiction, a problem that would eventually require addiction treatment services.

Performance Boosting

Adderall is one of a variety of drugs that can be considered a study drug. Other drugs that fall into this category are Ritalin and Vyvanse. For the same reasons that Adderall is useful for those who suffer from ADHD, people take Adderall in order to boost their mental acuity and memory.

It is an example of misusing prescription drugs for their intended effect rather than for achieving a euphoric high. For this reason, it has become popular among college students who are trying to pass their exams and see Adderall as a potential fix to their academic problems.

Some people overlook that Adderall is prescribed for specific disorders which are hard to overcome without prescription medication. If you do not have ADHD, Adderall use is not a safe route for academic success and can lead to a pattern of drug abuse with serious health consequences. It can lead to Adderall abuse that requires help from a professional treatment provider in order to resolve.

Additionally, Adderall has also become popular among athletes who are looking to boost their performance on the field. Research has shown that taking stimulants such as Adderall can lead to increased athletic performance, which is why it has been banned by virtually every sports organization for creating an unfair competitive advantage, as well as possibly creating a stimulant use disorder. Athletes who are misusing prescription medications in this way are also liable to start snorting them before a competition as it has a much lower threshold of time to take effect.

The Risks of Snorting Adderall

Side Effects

Regardless of how Adderall is ingested, it has the capacity to produce serious psychological and physical side effects that can negatively impact your overall quality of life such as:

  • Increased aggression
  • Increased heart rate
  • High blood pressure
  • Irregular breathing
  • Seizures
  • Psychosis
  • Sleeping disorders

While the initial effects of Adderall may be pleasant when you start, these side effects demonstrate the devastating consequences it can have on your health. These symptoms only include those caused by general Adderall use. However, the specific act of nasal insufflation (snorting) can bring about another specific set of problems such as:

  • Sinus infections
  • Nose bleeds
  • Congestion
  • Damage to the nasal septum
  • Problems with smelling

Therefore, we can see that apart from the increased risks of side effects and overdose that snorting Adderall can cause, it also has a detrimental effect on your nose and general health.

Adderall Addiction

Adderall Addiction

As a general consequence of Adderall use, addiction is always a possibility. As an amphetamine, it has a high capacity for abuse and subsequent addiction. Regardless of what form of Adderall abuse you engage in, addiction can strike quickly and leave you damaged and at risk.

Adderall stimulates dopamine production in the brain which activates our brain’s central nervous system, creating an exhilarating and euphoric high. The more dopamine you get, the more you end up craving after the initial high passes. In the case of substance addiction, there exists both a psychological and physical need to keep consuming, regardless of its impact on your health.

Drug addiction can be a risky thing. Left unchecked for too long it can lead to increasingly dangerous risk-taking behaviors, and in certain cases, eventual overdose. The likelihood of a severe overdose is exacerbated in those who abuse it recreationally, as it is usually mixed with other drugs that increase this risk.

It is for this reason that we strongly recommend a regimented addiction treatment process if you have become addicted to Adderall, one which uses treatment practices that are thoroughly supported by current medical research. It is why it is so important to get in touch with proper and reputed healthcare providers when you are struggling.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal Symptoms

If you do get addicted to Adderall due to snorting it, side effects and addiction are only the first of many things you should be worrying about. Once addiction kicks in, if you abruptly stop taking Adderall you may be subjected to an uncomfortable withdrawal process that can result in a medical emergency.

As your body has built a physical dependence on the drug, it starts to be unable to cope without it. These adverse consequences can last for weeks after stopping Adderall use and are extremely uncomfortable to deal with, especially if you do not have any support from a treatment center. These symptoms of withdrawal include:

  • Fatigue
  • Depression
  • Stomach aches
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea

In order to limit the uncomfortable period of withdrawal, it is strongly recommended that find help from a specific rehab center so that you can receive treatment that is in line with professional medical recommendations.

How To Find the Right Addiction Treatment at Cornerstone

How To Find the Right Addiction Treatment at Cornerstone

Here at Cornerstone Treatment Facilities, we pride ourselves on being the best at what we do. We provide a wide array of treatment options for people suffering from a substance use disorder. If you are suffering from Adderall addiction it is only right that you should be looking for the best treatment centers to help you and that is what we are.

We offer a private and convenient solution to your problems, and we never share your personal health information with others. Over the last 40 years, we have helped many people out of the pit of addiction, including Adderall users. Our treatment practices are customized to your individual needs. Whether you are in need of an inpatient rehab center in order to start your healing journey, or whether you need access to our other specialized services we stand ready to help you.

If you are seeking addiction treatment, all you need to do is get in touch. We are always available to call (message and data rates may apply) if you need help or advice. As part of our service, we offer free consultations, as well as checks for your insurance coverage.

There is no shame in addiction. It is simply a disease, one which can be overcome with our treatment processes. Whether you are a college student trying to boost your academic performance, or if you got hooked while chasing a high – we do not judge. We aim to help you with your substance addiction in a kind, compassionate, and above all, successful manner.

So do not wait, get in touch with us at Cornerstone so that we can help you start your first steps toward a happier and healthier life with our tried-and-tested addiction treatment.

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