While people tend to generalize Adderall users as high school and college students, many older people in our society use the medication as well. The average age that someone starts using Adderall is 23, according to a study released by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. A typical user of Adderall is students and professionals. The drug increases someone’s ability to focus and stay awake longer. It makes it much more attractive to students and working professionals that face increasing demands at work or school. College students make up a significant portion of those who abuse the drug. Athletes also have been shown to abuse Adderall to enhance their performance during practice or competition. Adderall contributed to record-breaking drug-related suspensions in the NFL in 2012. Lastly, those with eating disorders often abuse Adderall to suppress their appetite. When someone becomes addicted to the medication with an eating disorder, they will require treatment that cares for both problems. The first step in the continuum of care is often medical detoxification. While stimulant withdrawal is not as serious as withdrawal from barbiturates or alcohol, it can still serve as a safe haven to those who are serious about getting off drugs. This stage of care will allow the user to be supervised 24 hours a day up to seven days while focusing on stabilizing their mind and body. In case of any complications during detox, it is always the best option to have medical professionals within your immediate reach. In case anything does not go as planned, they could offer medication to alleviate uncomfortable symptoms of withdrawal. During admission, the client will have gone through an assessment phase that will determine their course of action through the treatment process. It’s important to be aware that treatment will only be useful if used in a manner that is consistent with the client’s needs. In short, it must be a tailored fit. This could have the client placed in a residential treatment center, intensive outpatient facility, or outpatient treatment. This will all be determined by the severity of the addiction, and if there is a history of relapse. While there are many options in where you could be placed, therapy sessions take place in all levels of care. These therapy sessions will allow you to get to the root of your addiction and gain traction in your life. This will also teach you how to cope with triggers once they present themselves outside the comfort of treatment. These therapies include:
Individual therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Family therapy
Group therapy
These therapies are all designed to increase the clients’ awareness of their disease and equip them with the necessary tools required to survive in life after treatment.
1 in 10 high school students has admitted to abusing a study drug.
90% of full-time college students who used Adderall non-medically in the past year were binge alcohol users
76% acquired it from a friend with a prescription.