What Are The Dangers of Snorting Adderall?

Adderall is a prescription drug mainly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and sometimes narcolepsy.

Adderall is also often misused by people wanting to increase focus, such as when studying, or for its side effects, such as weight loss. Misusing Adderall for any reason is abuse, and this is never recommended. Abusing Adderall always poses a risk to your health and wellbeing.

You should not take Adderall unless it has been legitimately prescribed to you, even if you suspect you may need it. Adderall may not be the proper medication for you for many reasons. It is essential to consult a licensed medical professional who will assess your current health profile and medical history.

Taking Adderall intended for someone else is always considered drug abuse, no matter the dosage. People who take Adderall recreationally often snort it as this provides rapid onset effects. Snorting Adderall can have devastating consequences on your health and could cause addiction or even an overdose which can be fatal.

If you have abused Adderall, you must seek professional medical advice. It is never too late to ask for help and get back on track. In the case of Adderall addiction, help is available at American addiction centers. You deserve a life free from Adderall abuse.

What Is Adderall?

Adderall is a stimulant drug in the amphetamine family taken in pill or capsule form. It is usually prescribed for attention deficit disorder (ADD) and sometimes narcolepsy. You cannot purchase Adderall without a prescription. This is because Adderall is a schedule ii controlled substance due to its potential for abuse and addiction.

Adderall is designed to increase focus and alertness in people with attention deficit disorder (ADD). Stimulants, or “upper,” speed up messages sent to our central nervous system, increasing heart rate and blood pressure, among other things.

Common side effects of Adderall include:

  • Headaches
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Raised blood pressure
  • Anxiety and irritability
  • Mood swings
  • Loss of appetite
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Dizziness
  • Dry mouth
  • Stomach upset and diarrhea

Rare and severe side effects include:

  • Heart problems
  • Blurred vision
  • Hallucinations
  • Psychosis
  • Seizures

People abuse Adderall for side effects such as weight loss and the belief they improve focus. Adderall can also create a euphoric high, creating havoc with the brain’s reward system. Our brains crave these happy hormones, which is how addiction occurs.

What Is Adderall Abuse?

You should only take Adderall if you have a legitimate prescription, and you must only take the stated dosage. Taking Adderall in any other way is considered abuse, even if you don’t feel like you are doing any harm.

Adderall abuse can look like this:

  • Taking Adderall not prescribed to you
  • Taking Adderall prescribed to you but at a higher dose than stated or for longer than recommended
  • Taking Adderall, not for its intended purposes, such as to focus or lose weight
  • Taking Adderall for a euphoric high
  • Snorting Adderall for more immediate effects

When misused, prescription drugs can be as harmful as street drugs and should not be underestimated.

Is Adderall a Study Drug?

There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding Adderall, and it is taken recreationally for a variety of reasons. Many people, particularly young adults and students take Adderall because they believe it improves focus and performance. This has led it to be dubbed the “study drug.” Other so-called study drugs include Ritalin and Concerta.

But Adderall is not a performance-enhancing drug. Adderall improved focus in people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) because people with this condition have dopamine and norepinephrine deficits. Adderall helps restore this balance but does nothing for people who already have enough of these brain chemicals.

Some people also consider Adderall a “crash diet drug” because weight loss is one of its possible side effects. Adderall is also sometimes taken as a “party drug” because it can bring on energy and a state of euphoria.

If you are concerned about “study drugs” or feel pressured into taking them, you must talk to someone.

What Are The Dangers of Snorting Adderall?

Snorting Adderall is extremely dangerous. Many users crush and snort Adderall tablets as opposed to via oral administration. This is because it is the fastest way to reach the blood-brain barrier, and snorting brings effects in just a few minutes. However, this comes with adverse effects and short- and long-term health risks.

Some side effects of snorting Adderall are:

  • Nasal septum damage
  • Reoccurring nose bleeds
  • Impaired sense of smell
  • Sinus infections
  • Increased risk of physical dependence
  • Increased risk of overdose

It can be hard to read, but Adderall abuse can cause death in extreme cases.

Snorting Adderall XR particularly increases the risk of overdose. This is because it is intended to work on a slow-release basis, but through snorting, it enters a person’s bloodstream all at once.

It is never too early or late to get help for Adderall abuse. Turn your life around and get on the road to recovery today.

What Are Signs of an Adderall Overdose?

Adderall overdose is a severe emergency that requires medical attention. It is crucial to know the signs of overdose to get help immediately, whether for you or someone else.

Signs of an Adderall overdose include:

  • Stomach pain
  • Vomiting
  • Fever
  • Severe confusion
  • Hallucinations
  • Tremors
  • Rapid breathing
  • Seizures
  • Falling unconscious

If someone who has recently taken Adderall is exhibiting one or more signs, they may be experiencing an Adderall overdose. Call 911 if you suspect you or someone else is suffering from an overdose.

It makes for challenging reading, but the fact is, you can die from an Adderall overdose. Adderall abuse can also cause heart attacks and strokes. You may have a potential addiction if you cannot stop taking Adderall despite adverse side effects. The only way to overcome this is through addiction treatment.

How Do I Know If I Have an Adderall Addiction?

Not everyone who misuses Adderall will develop an addiction, but the risk is always there whether you take Adderall legitimately or otherwise.

An Adderall addiction is a type of substance use disorder (SUD). This is nothing to be ashamed of; it is simply an illness that needs professional treatment.

Only a clinical professional can diagnose a substance use disorder, but knowing the signs of addiction could differentiate between seeking help and staying in denial.

Signs of Adderall addiction include:

  • Mood swings
  • Exacerbated existing mental health issues such as depression or anxiety
  • Sleep problems and fatigue
  • Poor performance at school or work
  • Withdrawing from responsibilities
  • Isolating from friends and family
  • Defensiveness and denial of addiction
  • Poor hygiene and lack of self-care
  • Loss of interest in things that were once important
  • Risky behavior, i.e., driving under the influence
  • Secretive behavior, i.e., lying to hide drug use
  • Continuing drug use despite adverse effects and consequences to daily living
  • Being unable to stop taking drugs even if you want to

It can be hard to recognize addiction or even accept a diagnosis of addiction. It is essential not to be hard on yourself. Addiction can happen to anyone at any time, and all that matters is you seek the help you need.

The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. The second step is seeking help.

What Do Adderall Withdrawal Symptoms Look Like?

Substance abuse treatment starts with detoxification. The US has thousands of treatment centers, ensuring you will find the right one for you. Talk to your insurance provider about treatment options.

Detox rids the body of all substance traces, removing the physical addiction. It is always recommended that you detox under professional supervision, such as at a specialized rehab center. The withdrawal process can bring on unpleasant and sometimes dangerous side effects. With the proper care, you will be made safe and comfortable for the duration of your detox.

Some Adderall Withdrawal Symptoms include:

  • Mental health issues such as depression
  • Insomnia and other sleeping issues
  • Fatigue
  • Stomach pains
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Cravings

When detoxing at a treatment center, you may be able to get help for some of these symptoms, such as medication if you have trouble sleeping. Detox lengths vary depending on the extent of your drug use and if you have any other co-existing addictions or issues. However, most detoxes last around one week.

Get Help For Your Adderall Addiction Today

After you are no longer physically dependent on Adderall, you must work on treating any psychological dependence. Many people with substance abuse issues also have co-occurring mental health issues. Therapy will help you to gain the coping mechanisms required to avoid relapse.

This stage of addiction treatment takes much longer than detoxing, but it is essential for long-term recovery. You are worth the hard work, and your future begins today.

Begin the first day of the rest of your life

To find out more contact our team

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Samantha Kelly​

Director of National Business Development & Admissions Coordinator

I am a dedicated and passionate professional with extensive experience in business development Admissions and marketing. I have an incredible passion for showing others that there is a light at the end of this dark tunnel if someone truly wants it.
Being in recovery myself I understand the struggles of addiction and alcoholism. I Started this Career path in 2009. With multiple years of experience, I bring a multi-faceted approach and am always seeking new ways to make a difference in the lives of those I work with.

Kim L. Buckner

Facilitator

As a Substance Abuse Motivational Speaker, Pastor, Peer Advocate, and Facilitator. Kim helps clients avoid relapse by understanding their triggers. Those people, places and things that can cause craving, as well as internal triggers like feelings, thoughts, or emotions. Kim also clients with identifying and building healthy relationships now that they’re clean and sober.

Kim’s background includes extensive experience as a motivational speaker and work in faith-based organizations helping youth and adults alike. He says he is motivated by giving back to the community, understanding, and not judging who she comes into contact with. Kim’s favorite quote is by Dr. Raymond Johnson: “The respect given to others rebounds to the giver to deny the scared in the Other is to deny it in oneself.”

Caty Burns

Clinician

Caty graduated from Indiana University Bloomington in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and minors in Counseling and History. Throughout her undergrad, she worked at the local CASA program, supporting volunteers advocating for children who had experienced abuse and neglect. Caty worked for seven years at a community mental health center (CMHC), partnering with children, adults, and families.

During those seven years, she taught life and coping skills as well as behavior management, provided case management and peer recovery services, and facilitated treatment teams that included the client, family, providers, and community members. I have also worked at an IOP providing group therapy services. She is currently working towards my Master of Social Work.

In her free time, Caty enjoys reading, especially historical fiction, spending time outdoors and having movie nights with her family. Disney World is her happy place, and she dreams of living among the elephants.

Madison Knowles

Mental Health Therapist

My name is Madison Knowles, I am a Mental health therapist at NPAC. I am a single-mother of two and I have a daughter who is globally delayed and has been diagnosed with autism. I have been in this industry since I was 16 years old, as I was fascinated with human behavior. I obtained my masters in applied behavioral analysis and started off working with people with disabilities. I then found my love for counseling when I worked with juveniles who had mental health and substance use issues. I then decided to go back for my mental health therapy license after that and working in a forensic treatment center. I went on to obtain my therapy credentials and since 2017, I have also been working on my PhD in forensic psychology in which I am currently working on my dissertation. I am inspired by change and how resilient people can be. My favorite inspirational quote is “Some will, Some won’t, So what, NEXT!!!” This quote has inspired me to try, try, and try again no matter how hard life gets, someone will give you a chance eventually. As a therapist at NPAC, I have been given the opportunity to work with diverse populations such as in substance use and mental health and I am known for my work with people on the schizophrenic spectrum as well as with other clients with other severe conditions including personality disorders.

Megan Carmona, LMHC

Lead Therapist

Our Lead Therapist, Megan, is a bilingual Licensed Mental Health Counselor who specializes in working with adults who struggle with addiction, anxiety, depression, and trauma. As Lead Therapist, she provides individual, family, and group therapy sessions to our clients.  Megan says “I am very passionate about therapy, especially about supporting my clients in exploring their strengths and identity. My goal is to provide individuals with the tools that can help them achieve independence in coping with their challenges and facilitating personal development.” In her free time, Megan enjoys watching docu-series and playing video games with her family. Her dream is to own acres of land so she can care for vulnerable animals, especially old dogs, cats, and horses. 

Kristen Bensley

Primary Clinician

As Primary Clinician, Kristen works with all aspects of our clinical team, from case management to primary therapy.  She has broad experience working in the mental health field. Prior to joining our team at the Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic, Kristen was part of the team awarded the Evernorth Behavioral Health Center of Excellence Designation by Cigna. She says her motivation is to help people rediscover who they are and become excited about the future and all the possibilities life offers. Kristen’s favorite quote is: “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”

Ronn Daigle, MSW

Therapist, Utilization Review Clinician

Ronn Daigle services as a Therapist and Utilization Review Clinician at the Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic. He has been working in the field of substance use disorder treatment since 2011, with experience in all facility-based levels of care. Ronn earned, both an Associate of Arts in Psychology (2013) and Bachelor of Science in Human Services, with an Addiction Studies Concentration (2015) from Indian River State College. 

Ronn additionally earned a Master of Social Work degree in 2021 and is a current Registered Clinical Social Work Intern working toward licensure (LCSW). He describes himself as detail oriented, and solution focused.

Ronn says: “There is nothing more fulfilling than working with someone who doesn’t believe in himself or herself, and being there in the moment with them when the belief begins. We work with individuals who come to us at a point and time in their respective lives where they do not believe that change for others is possible; let alone for themselves…throughout the process they eventually come to a point where they realize that change is not only possible, but achievable.”

Erika Melecio, LMHC, MCAP, CEI

Assistant Clinical Director

Erika Melecio, LMHC, MCAP, CEI is the Assistant Clinical Director at Neuropsychiatric Addiction Clinic who specializes in the treatment of LGBTQ, addiction, as well as mental health disorders ranging from depression and anxiety, to Bipolar Disorder, trauma, personality disorders, psychotic disorders, and eating disorders. Erika utilizes a number of modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Mindfulness amongst others. Erika has been in practice for close to a decade and has earned her license in Mental Health Counseling, as well as being a Master’s Certified Addiction Professional. Erika has worked with many individuals including couples counseling and family therapy, and is fluent in Spanish.
 
Throughout my years of practice, one of the things I enjoy helping people find is inner peace. Whether you are in the deepest parts of depression, overrun by your anxiety, controlled by your addiction, or there are certain issues in your life that are negatively impacting your ability to function, and have a happy, healthy life, maybe now is the time to talk about it. I am a big believer in empowerment, working hard in therapy, and utilizing different techniques to help you regain that inner peace that may have been lost along the way. I want to work with you as a team because with two people, absolutely everything is possible. I want to be there as a therapist, to help build you up, support you, but also help you be honest with yourself and accountable. At the end of the day, when all is said and done, my biggest goal for you is going to be simple….for you to no longer need my services. Why? Because if you no longer need my services, it means that you have regained your peace, you have regained your strength, you have regained your confidence. It means that you now have the tools to address any issues that try to derail you, and best of all, you will have the insight to overcome and thrive. So let’s begin this journey together, and get you to the place you want to be, emotionally, mentally, psychologically, and in your sobriety.

Aurelio Ayuso, MSW, LCSW, CAP, ICADC

Clinical Director

Aurelio has worked with those that suffer from the disease of addiction in adults and juveniles alike for over 10 years, beginning in the United States Navy where he proudly served for 20 years, working with those that were succumbed by addiction due to trauma and continuing his passion for helping those in need locally in Central Florida.

He specializes in both Addictions and Trauma, he has worked first as a therapist then as the clinical supervisor to both the Juvenile and Adult Drug Court programs in Brevard County. Aurelio has been instrumental in developing substance abuse treatment programs directly tailored to help those that also suffer from complex trauma due to their addiction. He has been recognized by several organizations for his forward thinking and ability to tailor treatment to individuals in the most restrictive environments.

Mr. Ayuso received his Graduate Degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Central Florida in Orlando. He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker as well as Certified Addictions Professional in the State of Florida, and Internationally Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor. Aurelio specializes in the treatment of Addiction, Trauma, and Abandonment using strength based strategies deeply rooted in Solution Focused, and Mindfulness Therapies. At the Neuropsychiatric Addiction Clinic he passionately develops holistic curriculums that foster the belief that through addressing the mind, body, and spirit together, the Disease of Addiction can be addressed successfully.

Robert Lehmann, MHSA

Chief Operating Officer

Bob Lehmann is the Chief Operating Officer at the Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic. He has a Master’s Degree in Human Services Administration with a concentration in Mental Health Administration and over twenty-five years of experience as a senior executive at addiction and mental health treatment facilities.

One of the reasons for his commitment to excellence in addiction treatment was his experience related to family members who suffered from the disease of addiction. Bob has been actively involved in community organizations throughout his career. Recently he was one of the founders of the Florida Addiction Treatment Coalition (FATC) and is its present Vice President. FATC was designed to bring together treatment executives in Florida to advocate on behalf of treatment facilities and the clients they serve adhering to a foundation of integrity and service excellence.

Jose R. Toledo, M.D.

Medical Director

A well-rounded and accomplished individual, Jose R. Toledo, M.D., is the Medical Director of Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic.

Dr. Toledo is a neurologist with 25 years of experience and has been in private practice since 1991 on the Treasure Coast of Florida. He completed his neurology training at the State University of New York and his Fellowship training at the University of Pittsburgh in Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology.

He also completed 24 months of acute inpatient psychiatry at the Western Missouri Mental Health Center, University of Missouri in Kansas City. In 2008, Dr. Toledo participated in and was certified in the continuing medical education activity entitled “Buprenorphine and Office-Based Treatment of Opioid Dependence” from The Medical University of South Carolina during which began his quest to found and head Neuropsychiatric Addiction Clinic.

Dr. Toledo is a brain specialist with particular competence in addiction medicine and out-patient detoxification treatment and integrates the fields seamlessly. He is certified to prescribe Buprenorphine (Suboxone). He incorporates his background in neurology into the addiction field. Dr. Toledo is member/fellow of The American Medical Association, The Florida Medical Association and The American Society of Addiction Medicine