When taken as directed by a prescribing physician, Adderall can be both safe and beneficial. But if you abuse this drug, such as by snorting Adderall for recreational purposes, you can expose yourself to serious physical and psychological harm.
Is it Safe to Snort Adderall?
Snorting Adderall is neither wise nor safe.
The safest way to take Adderall is to swallow it in pill form at the amount and frequency indicated by the physician who prescribed the medication to you.
Unfortunately, some people abuse this medication by crushing it into a powder and inhaling it through their nose. Taking this drug in this manner can expose a person to a variety of risks, which we will discuss in detail a bit later in this post.
Why Do People Snort Adderall?
To understand why some people decide to snort Adderall, it can be helpful to learn a bit about this medication’s ingredients and effects.
Adderall is a prescription stimulant that contains racemic amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. It is typically prescribed to people who have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It may also be used to treat narcolepsy.
Taking Adderall can result in elevated levels of several neurotransmitters, including serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. This can have both physical and cognitive effects:
- Adderall’s physical effects can include rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure, and higher than normal body temperature. The drug can also cause people to experience a boost of energy and a reduction in appetite.
- The cognitive and emotional effects of Adderall can include better focus, longer periods of concentration, and an improved ability to store and recall information.
For people who have been prescribed Adderall because of narcolepsy or ADHD, these effects can help them achieve a sense of “normalcy” in their mental and physical capabilities. But many people – often, but by no means only, college students – snort Adderall that has not been prescribed to them.
Common reasons for abusing Adderall include wanting a cognitive boost when studying for exams or working on other projects, as well as desiring additional energy so they can stay up later working or partying.
This can explain why people abuse the medication – but why do they opt for grinding up and snorting Adderall instead of swallowing it in its original pill form?
People who snort Adderall often do so because this means of ingestion gets the drug into the bloodstream quicker, so the person doesn’t have to wait as long to experience the effects.
Snorting Adderall can also elicit more intense effects than a person would experience if they swallowed the medication.
What Are the Dangers of Snorting Adderall?
When you snort Adderall, the potential negative effects can include both immediate and long-term damage. For example, the risks of snorting Adderall can include:
- Nausea
- Disrupted sleep
- Numbness in hands and feet
- Breathing difficulties
- Sexual dysfunction
- Heart problems
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Anxiety, panic, and paranoia
- Depression
- Addiction
- Co-occurring mental illness
- Seizure
- Death
The longer you engage in Adderall abuse, the greater your risk can become for serious, irreversible harm. If you snort Adderall while also abusing alcohol or other drugs, the danger can become exponentially greater.
How to Stop Abusing This ADHD Medication
When snorting Adderall transforms from a choice into a compulsion, you may need professional care in order to regain control over your thoughts and actions.
The type of treatment that you need can be influenced by a variety of factors, such as your age, the amount and frequency of your Adderall abuse, how your addictive behaviors have impacted your life, and if you have any co-occurring mental health concerns.
When you choose a reputable addiction treatment provider such as Renewal Health Group, you will complete a thorough assessment prior to starting treatment. This process will help your treatment team to identify the full scope of your needs, so they can develop a personalized plan for you.
Based on the results of your assessment, your team may recommend the following options:
- Detoxification
- Residential treatment
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
- Outpatient treatment
Within each of these levels of care, you may participate in several forms of therapy, such as:
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
If you have also struggling with anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or another co-occurring mental health concern, your care may also include elements such as neurofeedback and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.
After you complete your time in treatment, you should receive a detailed discharge plan to guide your continued progress. Prescription drug addiction is lifelong concern, so it’s important that you are connected with resources that can offer long-term support.
Contact Our Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment Center in Los Angeles, California
Renewal Health Group offers a full continuum of customized programming for adults who have become addicted to Adderall and other prescription drugs. We also serve clients whose struggles with Adderall addiction are accompanied by co-occurring mental health concerns.
When you choose Renewal Health Group, you can work with a team of highly skilled professionals to identify the root causes of your addictive behaviors, then develop the skills and strategies that will empower you to live a healthier life in recovery. Our dedicated caregivers understand how prescription drug addiction can impact virtually every aspect of your life. We are committed to developing the comprehensive solutions that promote true healing in mind, body, and spirit.
To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact page or call us today.
