The Dangers of Snorting Adderall

Adderall is the brand name for a prescription drug that contains amphetamine and dextroamphetamine.[1] Doctors prescribe it to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It works by decreasing symptoms of impulsivity and heightening focus.

While Adderall can manage ADHD, it is a Schedule II controlled substance.[2] Because Adderall is a stimulant, it can cause a high similar to cocaine among people who do not have ADHD. You might experience increased energy and a rush of euphoria, which could quickly lead to addiction.

People who abuse Adderall will eventually become tolerant of the drug. As a result, they might look for new ways to abuse it. In other words, some people begin snorting Adderall to increase the potency of its effects.

Unfortunately, snorting Adderall comes with risks. Your chances of developing a substance use disorder increase. You could also experience nasal problems, respiratory issues, cardiovascular risks, brain damage, and an Adderall overdose.

In this article, you will learn:

Is Adderall Used to Treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?

Adderall is a prescription stimulant that doctors use to manage ADHD. It contains both dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. ADHD causes symptoms like impulsivity, an inability to focus, and heightened energy.

Adderall works to treat ADHD by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. These neurotransmitters play a role in attention, focus, and impulse control. As a result, symptoms of ADHD, like inattention, impulsivity, and poor concentration, are managed.

While Adderall can treat ADHD, it can also lead to side effects, such as:[1]

• Anxiety or nervousness
• Headache
• Changes in sex drive or ability
• Painful menstrual cramps
• Dry mouth
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Upset stomach and nausea
• Changes in appetite and weight loss

While Adderall is effective in managing ADHD, some people use it to engage in drug abuse. Misusing Adderall is characterized by using it for reasons other than to treat ADHD. In other words, you are engaging in drug abuse if you are using Adderall to experience a high.

Understanding Adderall Abuse: Can You Snort Adderall?

Adderall is a central nervous system stimulant. That means it increases activity in your brain, leading to symptoms like increased energy, euphoria, and more. If you do not have ADHD, the effects of Adderall can be addictive.

Once someone is addicted to Adderall, they will develop a physical tolerance. This means the drug does not affect them as greatly as it used to. As a result, people might look for ways to increase the potency of the high they experience.

Sometimes, people who engage in substance abuse begin snorting pills instead of swallowing them. Snorting Adderall causes the drug to reach your brain and bloodstream faster, increasing the potency of the high. Unfortunately, using Adderall in this manner can be risky.

What are the Effects of Snorting Adderall?

Snorting Adderall causes you to experience the same symptoms, but in a more intense manner. You’ll experience a high that includes symptoms like:

• Increased energy and heightened focus
• A rush of euphoria
• Restlessness and insomnia
• Increased heart rate and chest pain
• Anxiety or paranoia
• Dehydration and excessive thirst
• Aggression and hostility
• Mood swings and bouts of anger
• Amphetamine-induced psychosis
• Seizures

While some of the symptoms of snorting Adderall might seem attractive, using the prescription drug in this manner can be dangerous. You could damage your nose from snorting sharp pieces of the pill, become addicted to Adderall, experience respiratory issues, cardiovascular problems, brain damage, and a life-threatening overdose.

What are the Dangers of Snorting Adderall?

Whether you abuse immediate-release Adderall or Adderall XR, you should avoid snorting it. Doing so could lead to several health consequences, including:

Adderall Addiction

If you engage in prescription drug abuse, you could develop an addiction. Adderall addiction can be difficult to spot, especially if you are going through it yourself.

The signs of Adderall addiction include:

• Running out of your Adderall prescription too early
• Going to multiple doctors to receive more than one prescription
• Stealing Adderall from friends or family members
• Having a hard time controlling how much Adderall you use
• Wanting to quit Adderall use but being unsuccessful
• Experiencing urges or cravings to abuse Adderall
• Continuing to use Adderall even though it is causing physical or mental health issues
• Needing to increase the dose of Adderall to experience a desired effect
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop using Adderall

If you relate to the symptoms of Adderall addiction, you need to attend a drug addiction treatment center. At Palm City Wellness, we can provide you with the tools and support you need to achieve long-term recovery.

Nasal Issues

Like snorting cocaine, snorting Adderall can cause nasal problems. Insufflation can lead to nasal lining irritation, frequent nose bleeds, dry or flaky skin, and soreness in the nose. You are also at a higher risk of developing infections in your nose due to open wounds in the nasal cavity.

Severe and long-term snorting can lead to septal perforation. When you snort something repeatedly, you could develop a hole in your septum. The only way to fix this is through plastic surgery.

Respiratory and Cardiovascular Risks

Snorting Adderall can lead to respiratory problems that trigger cardiovascular issues. To explain, snorting this drug causes your body to have a hard time oxygenating your blood. This can cause you to have a hard time breathing correctly, leading to strains on your cardiovascular system.

You could experience irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart attacks, and even heart failure.

Brain Damage

Insufflating Adderall can lead to both physical and mental health issues. One of the severe health problems associated with this form of drug abuse is brain damage. This occurs because the drug is being directly delivered to your brain, causing an increased risk of permanent damage.

Other effects Adderall could have on your brain include:

• Stimulant-induced psychosis
• Hallucinations and delusions
• Seizures and strokes
• Coma

Adderall Overdose

Once you develop a physical dependence on Adderall, you’ll start taking larger doses. This puts you at risk of experiencing a life-threatening overdose. Prescription amphetamines can cause severe and fatal overdose symptoms.

The signs of an Adderall overdose include:

• Aggression and violent behavior
• Anxiety, irritability, and paranoia
• Blurry vision
• Confusion and disorientation
• Delusions and hallucinations
• Fast and irregular heart rate and rapid breathing
• Shaking or tremors
• Muscle weakness
• Dark red or brown urine
• Fainting and loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Sudden death

If you believe someone you love is experiencing an overdose on prescription medication like Adderall, contact 911 immediately.

Get Connected to an Adderall Addiction Treatment Program

Stimulant addiction can be difficult to overcome, however, professional treatment providers like Palm City Wellness make recovery possible. Attending addiction treatment will lessen your likelihood of dealing with the negative consequences and serious health problems of snorting Adderall.

Palm City Wellness can help you avoid the health risks of Adderall addiction, recover from underlying mental health problems, and help you stop your drug use once and for all. We use evidence-based treatments, individualized care plans, and a compassionate approach to addiction recovery.

Contact Palm City Wellness today to learn more about your treatment options for Adderall addiction.

References:

1. Medline Plus: Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine
2. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): Drug Scheduling