Adderall

Jenny Knecht

W hat is Adderall?
Adderall contains a combination of
amphetamine and dextroamphetamine.
Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine are
central nervous system stimulants that affect
chemicals in the brain and nerves that
contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control.
Adderall is used to treat narcolepsy and
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD).

Adderall is available in 2 forms: instant

release and extended release. Both forms
are suitable for the treatment for ADHD,
but only the instant release form is
approved for use in the treatment of
narcolepsy.

H ow it w orks in the brain

Once Adderall gets to the
brain, it mimics the
actions of the
neurotransmitters
epinephrine,
norepinephrine, and
dopamine, although in

Side Eff
ects
Stomach pain,
loss of appetite

Increased heart
rate

Weight loss

Headache,
dizziness

Mood Changes
Feeling nervous

Sleep problems
Dry mouth

Chronic Eff
ects
Depression
Hostility
Paranoia

Adderall
increas
es brain
wave
activity

Students use Adderallas a study drug

Increases ability
to focus
Makes you more
alert and awake
Allows students
to stay up all
night and study

Adderall
is a
schedule
d II
controlled
substanc
e

O ther drug use

For those full time college students who used Adderall for nonmedical purposes, the survey also found them:
8 times more like to have used prescription tranquilizers for
non-medical purposes than those who were not full time
college students
5 times more likely to have used prescription pain relievers
for non-medical purposes than those who were not full time
college students
3 times more likely to have used marijuana than those who
were not full time college students
times more likely to have used cocaine than those who were
not full time college students

Abuse Potential
When used intranasal:
-The effects are usually similar intranasal
use of amphetamines and crack cocaine.
-A rapid release of synaptic dopamine
occurs, producing subjective effects of
an instant high and intensely gratifying
euphoria, quite similar to cocaine.

Abuse and toxicity m ethylphenidate

Intravenous administration causes

a euphoric sensation similar to that
of intravenous cocaine.
Binding sites in the human brain
are almost identical for ADHD
medication and cocaine-both drugs
bind to dopamine transporter.

Many students do not believe

there is a risk in using such
medications for non-medical
purposes. They do not realize that
these smart drugs are addictive,
and can cause heart problems,
insomnia, sexual dysfunction,
depression and headaches.

Adderallabuse includes m ixing alcohol

w ith the drug
According to the 2008
study from Dalhouise
University in Canada,
when drinking on
Adderall, people think
they are not as drunk
but the alcohol still
has the same affect on
their body and can
lead to alcohol
poisoning without the
person even realize
they are wasted. Most
cases of mixing
medication with
alcohol, around 80% ,
is when people take
Adderall after they

Another study
from 2006 by
the Center for
Substance
Abuse
Research
(CESAR).
Adderall is
typically
snorted and
used in
combination
with alcohol,
yet it was
least harmful

U sing Adderallw ithout a prescription could land you in jail

for up to 5 years and up to $5,000 in fi
n es.

Adderall

Stim ulant Street N am es

Addy

Vitamin R

Skippy

Bennies

The smart drug

Black Beauties

Speed

Roses

Uppers

Hearts

Sym ptom s of overdose

Neurological Affects: Irritability,
agitation, euphoria, dizziness,
restlessness, hallucinations, lethargy,
seizures, tremors, delusions.
Cardiovascular manifestations:
Chest pain, tachycardia,
hypertension
Upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea,
fever.

W ithdraw alSym ptom s

People show varying degrees of
withdrawal symptoms after chronic
stimulant abuse.
Those who do have symptoms report an
inability to experience pleasure and
sometimes suicidal thinking; anxiety and
irritability; fatigue, lack of energy, and
changes in sleep patterns, depression and
intense drug cravings.

Sources
http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2006/5/3/harvard-onspeed-emryan-and-the/
http://drugabuse.com/library/the-effects-of-adderall-use/
http://www.recoveryconnection.org/connect/adderalladdiction-smart-drugs-smart-choice/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/12/adderall-braineffects_n_7264912.html
http://www.drugs.com/sfx/adderall-side-effects.html