Can You Smoke Adderall?
While some may wonder, “Can you smoke Adderall?”, it is important to understand that smoking the drug can be incredibly dangerous. While you can smoke Adderall, the effects can be harmful, considering the drug is meant for oral consumption. Smoking Adderall can cause lung damage, addiction, and other health problems.
Not only that, but the dangers of smoking Adderall can weaken the body’s response to the effects of the drug, which causes abusers to take high doses of it. These dangers are why it is also wise to only take prescription drugs in the manner prescribed by a licensed healthcare professional.
What Happens When You Smoke Adderall?
Adderall is medically classified as a stimulant because of its direct impact on the central nervous system. As such, stimulants are mostly commonly swallowed in pill or capsule form. Since medical advice does not advise smoking Adderall, doing so is considered binge use, which can lead to addiction and possible mental illness and other mental health issues. Binge use of Adderall is when individuals take large amounts of the stimulant within a short time to stay awake, focus, or improve concentration, which puts abusers at a further increased risk for adverse side effects.
When an individual smokes Adderall, they are at risk for the following side effects of Adderall abuse and the following cardiac consequences may occur:
- Damage to the lungs and respiratory system
- Lung cancer
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Chronic bronchitis
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Other cardiac conditions
Several short-term effects can occur from the effects of Adderall abuse as well.
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headaches
- Increased heart rate
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Psychosis
Smoking Adderall brings on long-term risks as well.
Those include:
- Addiction
- Respiratory problems
- Cognitive impairment
- Withdrawal symptoms when the medicine is stopped
- Other health issues
Smoking prescription drugs is not only illegal, but it can be detrimental to living a healthy lifestyle.
Is Smoking Adderall Highly Addictive?
Smoking Adderall can result in highly addictive behavior, just like other forms of substance abuse. The heat from smoking Adderall destroys the active ingredients in the pill, which can result in an ineffective dose. While smoking the medication can lead to an intense high because it doesn’t last, and Adderall abuse occurs. This leads to the risk of addiction, misuse, and possible overdosing because of the onset of cravings.
Can Smoking Adderall Cause Permanent Damage?
While there are short and long-term effects to smoking Adderall, the dangers of smoking Adderall should not be overlooked. This drug addiction use can also lead to permanent damage. The body’s permanent responses to Adderall can include the following:
- Irreversible cardiovascular problems
- Irreparable damage to the lungs
- Persistent inflammation of the respiratory system
- Other chronic respiratory issues
More About Adderall
Stereotypes exist about Adderall, and one of the most common is that it is a “smart drug” that can improve an individual’s thinking and reasoning abilities beyond their normal levels. Some people believe it is only prescribed to children with disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or that it is simply a street drug consumed by college students for increased focus while studying. A 2018 National Library of Medicine study cites that 20% of college students abuse prescription stimulants, most not prescribed to them, including Adderall.
While Adderall can help improve focus and concentration, it is not prescribed as a remedy for school or work-related stressors and can lead to Adderall addiction treatment. Furthermore, abuse of Adderall can lead to addiction and health-related problems with long-term consequences to health and lifestyle.
Signs of Adderall Withdrawal
The most common symptoms of Adderall withdrawal include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Extreme headaches
- Insomnia or oversleeping
- Increased appetite
- Night terrors
- Irregular heartbeat
- Concentration issues
- Muscle and joint pain
- Weight loss
- Thoughts of suicide
Adderall Treatment Programs
Because our amphetamine addiction treatment programs offer various treatment options, individuals can take control of their Adderall substance abuse disorder while receiving varying levels of care to combat the side effects of Adderall withdrawal.
- Detox: Through our medical detox program, clients are medically monitored at our treatment center as they withdraw. Detox can be mentally and physically challenging, even if individuals are ready to commit to sobriety. Before coming to Southeast Addiction Center, some clients faced instances where they attempted detox without a licensed professional, which became a crisis. However, our facility prioritizes professional care and medical attention as top concerns for detox patients. This ensures a safe and effective path throughout the treatment.
- Inpatient treatment: We use the terms inpatient and residential treatment at our rehab centers interchangeably to reference our comprehensive level of care. Clients live at our facility 24/7, where our experienced and compassionate staff connects with our clients on a more personal level to build each client’s self-esteem while empowering them to live a productive and sober life as they go through and exit drug rehab.
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP): PHP addiction treatment provides intensive individual, group, and family therapy, medication management, and support services to individuals struggling with Adderall addiction. This treatment occurs daily, where patients return home in the evenings to fulfill personal obligations.
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP): IOP is less intensive than PHP because patients receive treatment 3-5 days a week in 3-hour sessions. Clients do not live at the facility where they receive treatment.
- Aftercare/Outpatient: Aftercare and continuous support are critical to maintaining sobriety. Support can include ongoing family and individual therapy or counseling, continued participation in support groups or 12-step programs, and regular check-ins with a therapist.
- Sober Living Homes: Our sober living homes offer structured homes that are alcohol and drug-free facilities designed for newly substance-free individuals to step down from either the PHP or IOP programs to independent life. These homes provide additional accountability through drug tests, curfews, and other accountability checks.
Regardless of the treatment program, clients receive an initial evaluation to determine their substance use disorders’ severity. From there, their therapist works with them to identify any underlying or pre-existing conditions that may need to be treated along with their substance abuse problem.
All of our treatment programs come with a set of standards:
- Treatment is provided by a licensed professional trained in and has expert knowledge of the care of addictive behaviors and drug abuse.
- Each treatment program follows an individualized approach based on the client’s initial assessment. The therapist maintains contact with the client throughout the treatment process and into aftercare.
- Because each treatment program is individualized, the program is responsible for delivering high-level care to each person. All plans are validated treatment approaches, which include a combination of therapy, medication-assisted treatments, and supportive forms of support like 12-step groups.
Get Help For Adderall Addiction Today
Following your healthcare provider’s prescribed dosage of Adderall is important because it helps you to avoid the risk of harmful side effects of Adderall as well as addiction. Because Adderall is a stimulant drug, repeatedly taking more than the prescribed dosage can cause serious health issues, including high blood pressure, seizures, heart attack, and death. Also, abusing Adderall can lead to dependence, impacting individuals’ mental and physical well-being.
Seeking medical guidance from a healthcare provider is necessary for receiving effective treatment for Adderall addiction. Contact Southeast Addiction Center in Nashville, TN, if you or someone you know suffers from Adderall addiction. We’re ready to help 24/7. Call us at (888) 981-8263 or email us at [email protected].