ADD, ADHD, and the Impact of a Diagnosis
Teens use stimulants such as Adderall for ADD and ADHD. These drugs are often abused. This is because they are amphetamines. Kids easily fall into addictive patterns. Signs of Adderall use include irritability, weight loss, aggression, paranoia, and psychiatric symptoms. The stimulant helps increase focus on school work and overall concentration. But the negative side effects can be dangerous. Adderall should be prescribed by a physician who understands the potential for abuse. Therefore, know the signs and symptoms of abuse and effective treatment options.
Parents need to be diligent about stimulants such as Adderall. Be sure kids are using the stimulants as prescribed. Count pills routinely. Make sure that your teen is not selling his/her medication. Track your teens computer and internet access. Take a proactive stance in monitoring teen behavior. Consequently, if you pay attention you will know what is happening.
Prescriptions for Adderall Increase
Adderall abuse has increased in the past few years. Pediatricians write over half of the prescriptions. Furthermore, prescriptions increased over 500% in the past 10 years. Children and teens are prescribed Adderall for attention-deficit disorder (ADD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). When used as prescribed, Adderall can reduce anxiety. It can calm hyperactivity and allow kids to focus on tasks at hand.
Do Prescription Stimulants Make You Smarter?
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a growing number of teenagers abuse Adderall to allow them to study longer and harder. This misuse of Adderall is not healthy and can have adverse effects on the person using it. The goal of such Adderall abuse is a misguided effort to improve their grades in school. Although widespread, the belief that these drugs can improve a person’s ability to learn is radically mistaken. In fact, Adderall abuse often damages a teen’s ability to remember and incorporate what they are studying. In other words, they fail to learn.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse, clearly states, “Prescription stimulants do promote wakefulness, but studies have found that they do not enhance learning or thinking ability when taken by people who do not actually have ADHD. Also, research has shown that students who abuse prescription stimulants actually have lower GPAs in high school and college than those who don’t.”
Adderall Abuse & Where to Seek Treatment
Pediatricians often misdiagnosis. In addition, teens who are drug seeking manipulate. Sometimes, teens sell the pills to classmates. Also, Adderall is one of the most sought after prescription medicines. Therefore, it is often stolen from those licensed to dispense it. According to a recent study, 9.5% of high school seniors reported non-medical use of stimulants. There are thousands of emergency room visits involving teens and stimulants every year. This number is obviously low as the number of teens who do not report their use is significant.
In conclusion, it is important that you get support from professionals if a loved one is abusing stimulants. We are skilled at working with teens. Furthermore, we have vast experience with ADHD, ADD, and stimulant drugs. Most relevant, we are totally dedicated to the well-being of you and your family. Contact our team at Newport Academy today for treatment options. We are here anytime you need us for support.