Is My Child Addicted to Adderall?

Adderall is one of the most frequently prescribed medications for treating ADHD, which is why children as young as 7 or 8 years old might begin taking this drug to improve their ability to pay attention in school, stay on task and listen to directions. While using Adderall under a doctor’s supervision can provide children with more clarity and focus in their daily lives, its reputation as a readily available “study drug” has created a problem on campuses nationwide. As a parent, what should you know about Adderall addiction and recreational use?

A Parent’s Guide to Adderall

While you may understandably worry that your child might try drugs like marijuana and alcohol, you should also be alert to issues caused by legally prescribed medications like Adderall. After all, the easiest way for kids and young adults to obtain access to drugs is to look in the medicine cabinet.

For children who don’t have ADHD, using Adderall is illegal and dangerous, because prescription stimulants have a high potential for abuse and addiction. Students who take Adderall in hopes of excelling on a test or competing in a sports event may find the drug has unpleasant side effects, such as dizziness, restlessness and impaired decision-making abilities. In some cases, users also experience a racing heart rate or irregular heart palpitations.

Adderall misuse has become a prevalent problem among college students. However, don’t assume your middle schooler or high school-aged student is immune to peer pressure to experiment with taking someone else’s prescription medication. Whether they’ve heard the drug can help fuel an all-night study session or they’re merely curious about its effects, they might start asking among their classmates to determine if they can get access to it.

Warning Signs of an Adderall Addiction

If your child is using Adderall as prescribed, their risk of developing a substance abuse disorder is low. However, if they start taking the medication differently than directed – such as crushing and snorting pills to experience the effects sooner, or taking a higher dose – they might develop a dependence.

Red flags of a worsening Adderall addiction may include:

• Secrecy and isolation
• Weight loss due to a lack of appetite
• Sudden mood swings
• Sleep disruptions
• Anxiety or paranoia
• Loss of interest in maintaining friendships or pursuing hobbies
• Unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if they try to taper off or quit use

How to Be Part of the Solution

If your child takes Adderall to manage their ADHD symptoms and you’re concerned they might be giving or selling their pills to classmates, talk to them – using age-appropriate terms – about how to respond if other students ask to use their medication. Make sure they know it’s against the law to share Adderall with other people, and reassure them that you’re always available to talk about any questions or concerns they might have. Keep all prescription medicines in a safe place, and promptly dispose of any unused doses.

Don’t assume prescription drugs are safe for anyone to take merely because they are legally available. Adderall and other stimulants can be highly addictive when misused, which is an essential lesson for children to learn.

Young Adult Addiction Treatment

At Hope Academy, we understand you might not see a clear path forward when you realize your child is struggling with addiction. Rest assured that we have worked with many parents and young adults who are dealing with the heartbreaking issue of substance misuse. Our team of trained medical specialists can help treat these problems at their roots and teach your child to thrive. Reach out to us today to speak to a recovery advisor.

How to Talk to Your Teen If You Suspect Drug Misuse

Reading headline after headline about our current opioid epidemic can leave parents feeling frightened and even helpless. But there’s good news: If you think your teen is using and abusing drugs, you can make a difference and you don’t have to break the silence alone. 

The NCADA offers some do's and don'ts for starting the conversation and helping your loved one get back on a healthy path. 

Your first step: Don’t blame yourself. Just because your teen has used drugs or alcohol doesn’t mean that you are a “bad parent” or that they are a “bad kid,” say NCADA. And remember: Your primary goal is to address the unhealthy behavior, express your concern and get him or her professional help.

What to Do...

Take the time to get your thoughts together and decide what you want the outcome of the conversation to be. A few more pointers from the NCADA:

• Stay calm and stick to the facts.
• Express to your child how important your relationship with them is to you. Use “I care” messages.
• Offer examples of specific behaviors that concern you. “Last week, you went from being happy to being extremely crabby without any warning.”
• Discuss how this problem is affecting your relationship: “I feel like I can’t trust you anymore, and I’m afraid to leave you at home by yourself.” 
• Tell your teen what needs to change or what you’d like for them to do: “I want you to start seeing a counselor to get help.”
• Know your limits and recognize when professional help is necessary.

What Not to Do...

Timing is everything, so don’t confront your child when he or she is under the influence or when you or your child is angry. A few more tips, according to NCADA: 

• Don’t label with words like “addict.”
• Don’t argue or debate with your child.
• Don’t feel guilty. 

Opioid Addiction Treatment for Young Adults
Young adults (age 18 to 25) are the biggest abusers of prescription opioid pain relievers, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. And early intervention is the most successful treatment. If someone you love is struggling with opioid addiction, don’t wait to get help. Call today: 866-930-4673.

Young Adults and Prescription Drug Abuse: How You Can Help

If you’re visiting this website, it’s likely that you already know the dangers of prescription drug abuse and that children of addicts are at greater risk for addiction than other kids. And that half of young adults mistakenly think that prescription or over-the-counter drugs are safer than street drugs. 

Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, caregiver, or teacher, you can have an enormous impact on a young adult's attitude toward prescription drugs — and in conveying the risk of abusing them. 

6 Steps for Preventing Prescription Drug Abuse

Talk it up.  Since prescription drugs are legal, many teens mistakenly think that parents won’t care as much if they get caught abusing these meds. Convey the dangers to your kids and let them know that you do care and that you are always there to help if they’re in trouble.

Track your meds. And don’t dismiss one or two missing pills; this could be a red flag.

Store meds properly. Keep your or your child's medications in a secure location; you may even consider putting them under lock and key if your child is showing any signs of abuse. 

Get rid of old or unused medicine properly. Many towns hold prescription-pill drop-offs to help community members safely dispose of old or unused pills. Check with your local police, sanitation department, and pharmacies.

Get family members and friends onboard. Talk to grandparents and parents of your child’s friends about properly safeguarding prescription drugs in their homes.

Learn the warning signs: These may include: 

• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Wanting to spent a lot of time alone
• Giving up interests and hobbies
• Hostile, angry and aggressive behavior toward anyone who tries to control their actions
• Unexplained crying or routine irritable
• Lack of self-care and cleanliness
• Loss of interest in schoolwork or failing grades
• Poor sleep patterns — sleeping during the day and staying up all night or for days at a time
• Disregard for family rules or curfew

Take Action Today
If your son or daughter has a prescription drug abuse problem, act now. Our staff at Hope Academy specializes in young adult addiction recovery, and will help your child pursue sobriety and open doors to a brighter academic and professional future. Call today: 866-930-4673.