The Dangers of Adderall Abuse

Nearly 5% of American adults have ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). With such a large portion of the American population struggling with the disorder, Adderall prescriptions have consequently skyrocketed.

When carefully monitored by a physician, Adderall can be a safe and effective means of treating ADHD. However, there are many risks associated with the drug.


We help people with addictions and substance use disorders recover. Get mindfulness training and learn the 12 Steps for deeper healing.


What is Adderall?

Adderall is a prescription drug that is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. While Adderall is a prescription drug, it is commonly abused recreationally due to its amphetamine content. Amphetamine is known to induce euphoric feelings and is also recognized as being highly addictive.

The Dangers of Adderall

A common misconception is that, due to being a prescription drug, Adderall is safe to use recreationally.

While the stimulant is indeed safe when carefully distributed and monitored by a physician, unregulated self-medication poses a variety of potentially devastating consequences.

At its worst, Adderall abuse can lead to heart attack, stroke, liver failure, and even death.

Additionally, the deadly combination of Adderall and alcohol is to be taken very seriously; however, the two seem to be regularly used in tandem among students.

According to addictionhope.com, 89.5 percent of students who reported abusing Adderall admitted to simultaneously abusing alcohol.

Taking these two drugs together can significantly increase the risk of a fatal overdose.

Adderall Addiction

Adderall addiction can occur when an individual begins taking Adderall either without a prescription or when taken for reasons other than prescribed.

While anyone can fall prey to Adderall addiction, those struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or past abuse are particularly susceptible.

Other contributing factors can include any number of biological, psychological, or environmental factors.

People who are particularly addiction-prone are more likely to develop a dependency on Adderall.

Adderall Withdrawal

Withdrawing from Adderall can be an unpleasant experience that often results in depression, insomnia, anxiety/panic attacks, paranoia, and a variety of other side effects.

Additionally, Adderall withdrawal can last several weeks.

Those addicted to the drug may find their withdrawal necessitating a hospital stay where they can be appropriately weaned off of the powerful drug. In extreme cases, Adderall withdrawal has been known to be fatal.

In summary, Adderall is an extremely powerful stimulant that, when appropriately prescribed and monitored, can be used to effectively treat ADHD.

Without careful supervision, using Adderall can lead to addiction, which may result in heart attack, stroke, liver failure, and even death.

Additionally, Adderall withdrawal can be, in extreme cases, fatal. Without careful observation by a physician, Adderall can pose a deep threat to an individual’s health and life.

Find Healing At Renewal Lodge

Simply fill out the form below and an admission specialist will contact you shortly.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Dear Renewal Lodge Visitors,

My name is John Bruna, co-founder of the Mindfulness in Recovery® Institute, and more importantly, a grateful member of the recovery community. I am incredibly fortunate to have found my recovery in 1984. Of course, I did not achieve continuous recovery through willpower or my own efforts, but through the guidance and caring support of countless others that selflessly taught me how to live through the 12 Steps.

My journey of recovery brought this once homeless, shame-based, traumatized, insecure young man to a life far beyond anything I could have ever imagined. I discovered self-worth, the joy of helping others, the gifts of parenting and grandparenting, and most importantly the ability to live a meaningful and purposeful life with integrity.

One of the greatest gifts of recovery is that I have the opportunity to give back and help others discover their self-worth, dignity, and the skills to fully live lives that they find truly meaningful. This is the inspiration for developing the skills of Mindfulness in Recovery® (MIR) to meet the needs of new generations struggling with alcohol and other substance use disorders. MIR is a set of evidence-based skills designed to help people fully integrate their tools of recovery in ways that are personalized, practical, and in alignment with their deepest values.

While we train counselors and therapists throughout the United States and abroad, I personally have chosen to work directly with the amazing team and clients at Renewal Lodge to develop the model MIR 12-step program for the nation. I choose Renewal Lodge because of the vision of its mission and the dedication of its team. Renewal Lodge is an extremely rare environment in which the staff embodies the very mindfulness and 12-step practices and skills they offer their clients. The results have been beyond my expectations. It is an honor to be here and I treasure my personal time with every client I meet.

With Gratitude,

John Bruna
John_Bruna_Sig
John Bruna
Director of Mindfulness
View Insurance Providers