Adderall Overdose Effects
Adderall has become more and more popularly prescribed and used over the past decades. So much so there was a recent medication shortage in the US. Some of the popularity of the drug has also led to an increase in drug abuse and even drug overdose. According to the National Institute of Health, overdose rates for psychostimulants such as Adderall are increasing dramatically. As recent as 2019, an estimated 23% of overdose cases involved some sort of stimulant drug use. And in 2020, a reported 5 million Americans misused prescription stimulants such as Adderall.
Adderall is a prescription stimulant medication effective in treating symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a mental health condition in which a person experiences poor attention span, impulsivity and hyperactivity. Adderall has also been prescribed to treat narcolepsy, a condition that affects the sleep-wake cycle and can result in a person suddenly falling asleep without warning. It contains a combination of stimulant amphetamines and dextroamphetamine. It is safe and effective when used per the recommendation of a medical provider. However, the Schedule II Controlled Substance also carries a high risk for potential misuse, dependence and addiction. Adderall misuse is linked to increasing the likelihood of an overdose.
What is an Adderall Overdose?
Overdose is the misuse or overuse of a substance that can result in high levels leading to toxic conditions within the body. Overdose can disrupt vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, blood pressure regulation and cognitive functioning. The symptoms of an Adderall overdose are very similar to ones caused by other stimulant drugs such as cocaine or methamphetamine.
Adderall overdose occurs when the body and brain are not able to manage the consumed dose of the medication. Overdosing with Adderall can be serious and lead to dangerous complications. One of the reasons it can be so harmful is because there is no set dose in which a person can overdose. Each individual on Adderall medication is prescribed a carefully measured dose that caters to his/her own necessities. Not everyone will be taking the same dose. This means a high dose for one person may not be a high dose for another.
Risk factors for Adderall Overdose
When misused and used in high doses, Adderall can produce sensations of euphoria that can become addicting. The stimulant interacts with chemicals in the brain such as dopamine and norepinephrine, which are neurotransmitters that help send messages throughout the body. When the signals are interrupted by large amounts of Adderall, the body is unable to regulate itself and causes adverse side effects from the medication.
Some factors that can increase the risk of overdose include taking Adderall without a recommendation from a medical provider. Taking Adderall in higher doses or more frequently than prescribed can also increase your risk of overdose. The lax regulations of this medication and the ease of accessibility have made Adderall one of the more popular stimulant drugs for misuse.
The risk of overdose from Adderall can increase when you ingest the drug in a different form other than orally. Those who misuse and abuse the substance often turn to snorting to achieve a greater high. They also are more likely to take Adderall in combination with other substances such as alcohol and other medications. Some of these medications include MAO inhibitors, antihistamines, tricycle antidepressants, and serotonergic drugs.
Adderall Overdose Effects
- Restlessness
- Confusion, mood swings and personality changes
- Depression
- High Anxiety
- Panic attack
- Hallucinations
- Irritability, aggression and violence toward others
- Fast breathing
- Shaking
- Quick or erratic heartbeat or heart attack
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever and weakness
- Seizures and tremors
- Coma
- Overactive reflexes and muscle pain
- Abdominal pain
- Increased body temperature
- Convulsions
- Loss of consciousness
- Serotonin syndrome – When too much serotonin chemicals build up in the body causing nausea, vomiting, anxiety, delusions, paranoia, confusion, brain bleeding, kidney failure, irregular heartbeat and coma
How much Adderall can lead to an Overdose?
How much Adderall does it take to cause an overdose? Unfortunately, there is no standard dose. The dose will depend on the condition of the user, their age and their individual response to the medication. The fact that there is no set limit or dosage to define Adderall overdose makes overdosing on this medication extremely dangerous. Other factors that affect overdose include how long the medication has been in your system, if you consumed the medication with other drugs or alcohol, your tolerance to the drug, any history with the drug and your overall health.
A typical dosage for the average person taking Adderall is between 2.5mg to 60mg per day. The appropriate dosage will also depend on whether the person is taking an extended-release or immediate-release formulation of the medication. According to the American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists, 120mg of amphetamine has caused death in an adult. Lethal doses of amphetamines such as Adderall have also been reported in just 25mg of the medication. So the overdose limit is dependent on each individual. But, on average, a lethal dose of Adderall can be considered to be anywhere from 20mg to 25mg per kilogram of body weight.
According to the FDA, children as young as 3 years old can be prescribed Adderall. Their dosage usually starts with about 2.5 mg per day and can be increased to 5mg per day for children over the age of 6. Though there is no set amount, medical providers and experts have significantly lowered the average dose amount that can be considered lethal. This is due to contributing factors such as polysubstance use, body weight and other comorbid medical conditions in which a person may have.
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How to Treat an Adderall Overdose
In the event of an Adderall overdose, seek professional medical help immediately. Call the National Poison Center at 800-222-1222. Or call emergency services at 911. An Adderall overdose can become life-threatening if not treated in time. With amphetamine overdoses, it can only be treated by medical professionals. Unlike other types of drugs such as opioids, an amphetamine overdose cannot be directly treated with medication. With overdoses from opioids, medication like naloxone can help reverse overdose effects. However, this is not the case with an Adderall overdose.
How to Avoid an Adderall Overdose
- Never take more of the medication than you are prescribed
- Never take someone else’s medication or prescription
- Never take a larger dose of mediation by first consulting your medical provider
- Never take a second dose of your medication
- Never take medication that has not come from the pharmacy because you don’t know what other types of drugs or substances it can be mixed with
- Try to take your medication at the same time each day
Reach out to Hotel California by the Sea
We specialize in treating addiction and other co-occurring disorders, such as PTSD. Our Admissions specialists are available to walk you through the best options for treating your addiction.
Are you looking for treatment for Amphetamine use disorder?
Adderall addiction is a very dangerous and serious disorder. An addiction to Adderall or other amphetamines is often a relapsing condition and in the most severe cases, users can experience brain bleed or a stroke, which requires surgery. Professional treatment centers such as Hotel California by the Sea, provide specialized programs specific to treating addiction to amphetamines such as Adderall.
We offer treatment in detox, residential, PHP and IOP. Our program prioritizes evidence-based treatment methods such as CBT, DBT and EMDR therapy. Hotel California by the Sea is dedicated to helping our clients understand their disease, achieve their goals in recovery and overcome their addiction.
References:
https://www.goodrx.com/adderall/adderall-overdose
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325683
https://www.addictioncenter.com/stimulants/adderall/overdose
https://www.verywellmind.com/adderall-overdose-4689996
https://www.healthline.com/health/can-you-overdose-on-adderall
https://www.choosingtherapy.com/adderall-overdose/