Effects of Snorting Adderall

ADDERALL ABUSE STATISTICS

The prevalence of Adderall abuse amongst college students—many who abuse the drug exclusively through snorting—has surged in recent years due to using the drug as a study aid. The following statistics underscore the dangers associated with the drug:

• According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), over 40 percent of those using Adderall do so without a valid prescription.
• Approximately 7 percent of college students abuse the drug for non-medical reasons.
• Adderall abusers are three times more likely to have used marijuana within the past year.
• Adderall abusers were eight times more likely to have abused cocaine and tranquilizers.
• Adderall abusers were five times more likely to have abused prescription painkillers such as OxyContin or Vicodin.
• Approximately 90 percent of Adderall abusers were admitted binge drinkers.

 WHAT IS ADDERALL SNORTING?

Snorting is a quick-delivery method of ingestion in which the powdered form of the drug is inhaled through the nasal cavities into the nasal membranes and delivered to the bloodstream by the surrounding blood vessels.  The blood vessels, in turn, deliver it to the heart where it is pumped to the brain and the rest of the body. Snorting produces a more immediate, intense high making it a popular vehicle for recreational abuse.

HOW TO SNORT ADDERALL

Snorting Adderall is usually accomplished by removing the medication from the capsule and grinding it up into a fine powder, then splitting it into lines. At this point, the user utilizes a straw or rolled piece of paper to inhale the crushed powder through the nose.  The moist mucous membranes making up the nasal tissues pass the drug into the network of surrounding blood vessels.  This process takes approximately 5-10 minutes for the Adderall to be fully absorbed and penetrate the blood-brain barrier so that the Adderall “high” can be experienced.

DANGERS OF SNORTING ADDERALL

People who snort Adderall usually take much more of the drug than those who ingest it orally, making them prone to quickly developing a tolerance for and, ultimately, dependency on the drug. Snorting can not only damage the delicate membranes inside the nose and sinuses, but also those of the respiratory system making the user more susceptible to airborne infections and diseases.  Snorting has also been known to lead to high fevers, toxic shock, and sudden death.

Of particular concern are the potential psychotic effects of Adderall abuse, whereby a user might experience auditory or visual hallucinations, as well as become totally out-of-touch with reality. They may also exhibit sudden violent reactions or become severely agitated for no apparent reason.  Initially, a user may feel extremely productive and intelligent, but they frequently experience a total emotional and physical crash as the drug wears off.  Lack of sleep and hyperactivity eventually catches up with the user, causing difficulty concentrating at work or school, and a subsequent loss of productivity.

Adderall was originally considered a ‘smart drug’ due to its reputation for improving academic performance, a myth that has been shattered by emerging data. In addition to the deleterious effect the drug has on grade point averages (GPAs), it produces a number of dangerous physical and psychological side effects including:  

• Fatigue
• Sleeplessness
• Depression
• Respiratory distress
• Nosebleeds
• Suicidal ideation (SI)
• Violent behaviors
• Malnutrition and weight loss
• Cardiac distress – heart palpitations, arrhythmia, heart attack

SIGNS OF ADDERALL ABUSE

Snorting or huffing is one of the primary causes of a drug overdose, and those who irresponsibly use this practice of drug delivery are frequently evasive and extremely adept at hiding their habit from others.  However, there are certain signs that can be used to help determine whether a loved one is snorting Adderall.  They include:

• Dilated pupils
• Irregular breathing
• Regular running nose
• Mental instability
• Elevated body temperatures
• Nosebleeds
• Physical signs of irritation around the nose
• Unexplained exhaustion
• Emotional instability
• Evidence of powder on the user’s clothes, hair, hands, or furniture
• Sudden unconsciousness

A combination of any of these signs or symptoms should set off an alarm that a loved one needs help. Any sudden or extremely severe symptoms require immediate first aid which should include putting the person in a bathtub filled with ice water to bring the temperature down quickly. As a first step, try to ascertain the amount of Adderall that was ingested in order to better help medical personnel, and arrest dehydration by providing plenty of fluids.

ADDERALL OVERDOSE

Ingesting high doses of Adderall can raise a user’s blood pressure as well as heart rate to extremely dangerous levels, leading to seizures, heart failure, and possible death.  Because of the binge-oriented nature of Adderall abuse, accidental overdose is a likely scenario. The Substance abuse and Health Services Administration (SAMHASA) states that there is an increasing pattern of Adderall—or methamphetamine—abuse among young adults, with over 31,000 emergency room (ER) visits annually.  The following are common signs of Adderall overdose:

• Disorientation
• Blurry vision
• Hallucinations
• Panic
• Fever
• Fainting
• Tremors
• Rapid breathing
• Accelerated heart rate
• Loss of consciousness
• Uncontrollable shaking

There are also several factors that can put a user at a greater risk of an Adderall overdose.  These include:

• Taking Adderall at a much higher dose than prescribed
• Taking Adderall without have a prescription (diversion)
• Taking Adderall with greater frequency than prescribed
• Taking Adderall with alcohol or other drugs—polysubstance abuse
• Taking Adderall with a pre-existing health condition like high blood pressure

PROFESSIONAL TREATMENT FOR ADDERALL ADDICTION

Only trained medical professionals and licensed clinicians possess the education, hands-on training, and acquired skill set necessary to treat Adderall addiction—especially when it is the result of improper ingestion by snorting. The following stages of treatment form the basis of professional intervention and lead to the most favorable long-term recovery outcomes

• Detox—clients unanimously require a short-term stay (3-7 days on average) in a detox program where Adderall’s toxic effects are safely and effectively removed from their system under 24/7 care.
• Hospitalization—clients suffering from Adderall addiction may require short-term hospitalization so that a team of physicians and nurses can monitor vital signs, administer necessary IV fluids and special medications, or help them recover from the effects of acute alcohol poisoning.
• Inpatient Treatment—clients may elect to enroll in a residential treatment program featuring round-the-clock medical monitoring and intensive clinical supervision. This short-term option—which generally lasts between 30 and 90 days—is considered extremely effective.
• Outpatient Treatment—after successfully completing residential treatment, clients may choose to enroll in a non-residential program that offers greater flexibility based upon their personal and/or professional schedules. While generally cheaper and less intensive than inpatient treatment, outpatient facilities offer many of the same medical and clinical benefits. For many clients, outpatient programs are ideal for purposes of transitional care or maintenance therapy. They are also excellent when used to help manage the longer-term—and more subtle—psychological symptoms associated with post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS).
• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)—at all levels of treatment, clients may be prescribed a combination of evidence-based medications and appropriate psychotherapy aimed at identifying and resolving the underlying causes of Adderall addiction, as well as whatever co-occurring mental health disorders need to be addressed.

Addiction is not a disease affecting only those with known substance use disorders (SUDs) or genetic susceptibility. Anyone, at any time, regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status, age, or religion can find themselves addicted to Adderall and in need of professional treatment. If you or someone you love is addicted to Adderall and in need of help, call a substance abuse addiction treatment professional today.

And remember, in the event of an Adderall overdose, immediately call 911 or visit your nearest hospital emergency room (ER).

For more about Adderall addiction and recovery, check out these related articles:

• “5 Organs Damaged by Long-Term Adderall Abuse”
• “Dangers of Snorting Prescription Drugs”
• “Common Forms of Prescription Drug Abuse and Their Dangers”
• “Adderall Abuse in Men Vs Women”

Sources:

Johns Hopkins University— Hub Staff Report. Adderall abuse on the rise among young adults. Feb, 2016.

Brain and Behavior. Prescription stimulants in individuals with and without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: misuse, cognitive impact, and adverse effects. September 2012.

Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.  Adderall and the FDA. Vol 40, 2001.

Pharmacy. Neurocognitive, Autonomic, and Mood Effects of Adderall: A Pilot Study of Healthy College Students. September, 2018.

ASPET Pharmacological Reviews. Psychostimulants and Cognition: A Continuum of Behavioral and Cognitive Action. Jan, 2014.