Here’s how you can distinguish responsible use from drug abuse:

• Using without a prescription: Amphetamines like Adderall and Ritalin are intended only for prescription use. Although they might help non-prescribed people to finish their homework, anyone who uses without a prescription is abusing the drug. A doctor hasn’t determined the safest amount for that person to use, so the individual is putting themselves at risk of addiction and overdose.
• Mixing with other drugs like alcohol or marijuana: Users should never mix amphetamines with other drugs. It’s common for recreational users to mix them with alcohol, marijuana, or other substances to get high. This is unsafe behavior. It can lead to an accidental overdose or other problems.
• Taking more than the recommended dose: Doctors prescribe a certain amount on purpose. They aim to maximize the benefits while minimizing the risk of overdose or unhealthy side effects. If someone uses more than the recommended dose, then they have an unhealthy relationship with drugs. Even someone with a prescription can abuse their medication.
• Alternative methods of consumption: A surefire sign of abuse is when the addict uses illicit means to take their drug. If someone is snorting, smoking, or shooting up a prescription drug, they have a problem. Snorting Adderall may provide a quick jolt of energy that helps the user stay awake, but it’s very dangerous.
• Using for illicit purposes: These drugs are designed to treat mental conditions. They aren’t intended for recreational use. They weren’t developed as a diet pill, either. If you or someone else is taking amphetamines to lose weight or get high, this is drug abuse.
• Using illegal amphetamines/methamphetamine: There’s no reason to use methamphetamine (crystal, ice, Tina, etc) in any capacity. Any usage is considered drug abuse.

Drug abuse can quickly turn into an addiction. If you or someone you know participates in any of the activities outlined above, you may need to seek help. Without intervention, the problem could get worse.  

Addicts need to keep upping their dosage over time. Otherwise, they won’t be able to feel the drug’s effects any more.

If an amphetamine addict starts by taking 5mg of Dexedrine or Vyvanse, they will feel satiated for a while. However, they’ll develop a tolerance for the drug. Over the next few weeks, they’ll need to use more to achieve the same effect.

Eventually, the addict require drugs to get out of bed in the morning. They might not be able to function otherwise. And, if they want to get high, they’ll need to take a lot more than they did when they first started.

Oftentimes, prescription drug addicts resort to crushing their pills and snorting them. This eliminates the “time-release” element of their drug and gives it to them all at once.

Or, a user may transition to a stronger drug. A prescription drug addict who has built up their tolerance might seek out crystal meth or cocaine to achieve a stronger high.

An addict will experience several side effects. There are short-term side effects as well as long-term ones.

The individual may not experience all of these, but they are sure to experience some of them.

• High blood pressure
• Respiratory trouble
• Memory loss
• Skin sores
• Tremors
• Seizures
• Parkinson’s disease
• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Depression
• Heart failure
• Overdose

When someone is addicted to Adderall or another stimulant, they’ll show several signs and symptoms. These signs are both physical and behavioral.

These drugs take a toll on the human body. So, you may be able to identify an addiction by the physical symptoms. Some physical symptoms to look out for are:

Dilated pupils: Dilated pupils occur when the central nervous system is excited. For example, they get larger in fight-or-flight scenarios. This allows us to take in more light and to see better. Because amphetamines also stimulate the CNS, our pupils enlarge when we take these drugs.

Weight loss: The CNS is closely linked to metabolism. Whenever it’s stimulated, the individual’s metabolism speeds up. As a result, addicts tend to lose weight rapidly. In the past, doctors actually prescribed amphetamines to help people lose weight.  The federal government nixed this practice once they figured out how addictive these drugs are.

Breathing trouble: Amphetamine abuse is known to cause breathlessness. These drugs cause respiratory troubles. Over time, that can lead to shortness of breath, chest pains, and hyperventilation. This occurs because stimulants cause the heart to work harder than normal. As their blood pressure rises, they aren’t able to breathe as easily.

Dry mouth/nose: One side effect of amphetamines is shrinking in the blood vessels. When the blood vessels shrink, the body produces less sweat and saliva.

So, an addict tends to experience dryness in their mouth, nose, and even skin. This effect is compounded by respiratory issues, which may cause the user to breathe in more air. The air can dry out their nose and mouth.

Dental problems: Crystal meth is famous for causing dental problems. But, prescription amphetamines can do the same thing. Both drugs cause drying in the salivary glands. The makes the mouth a breeding ground for germs. After a while, these germs eat away at the teeth and cause “meth mouth”.

These drugs also affects the brain in profound ways. As a result, the addict may start to behave in strange ways. If you’re worried about someone’s drug habit (or your own), pay attention for the following signs:

Hyperactivity: Amphetamines are often prescribed to hyperactive children. But, too high of a dose can actually cause the user to become hyperactive. They stimulate the nervous system, after all. This can make the user extremely restless, hyper, and overactive.

Irregular sleeping habits: Students often take Ritalin, Desoxyn, and Adderall to stay up all night. It helps them study. Partiers take it to avoid sleep, too.

As with most drugs however, the comedown is hard. Crashing after Adderall is quite common. If a user is unable to get a constant fix of the drug, they may experience bouts of insomnia followed by long periods of sleep.

Ignoring responsibilities: Drug addicts often ignore school and work. They tend to neglect their families, too. The drug becomes the most important thing in their life. And maintaining a drug addiction takes a lot of time.

Between using, obtaining fixes, and recovering from hangovers, addiction can occupy nearly all of an addict’s waking hours. They usually don’t have time to feed their habit and meet responsibilities simultaneously.

Bouts of Depression: An amphetamine crash can be crippling. After the brain is flooded with dopamine, the brain’s levels sink down to a lower point than they started. This can cause depression in the user.

If someone is addicted, though, they’ll probably find a way to obtain more drugs. Their mood will improve until they’re out of drugs again.

Anxiety and paranoia: Anxiety is a common side effect of an overactive nervous system. This is because our CNS kicks into gear when we think we’re in danger.

In turn, an amphetamine addict may get very anxious. In extreme cases, they may become paranoid. Meth addicts, and even Adderall addicts, can start to think that people are out to get them.

Loss of interests: It’s common for drug addicts to lose interest in their hobbies. Things that they used to enjoy become unimportant. Unfortunately, hobbies can’t generate the same amount of dopamine that drugs can. So, the addict might get more enjoyment out of getting high.

Sometimes, amphetamine addicts might use to supplement their hobbies. They may take Ritalin so that they can focus on music and computers. This symptom isn’t a surefire sign, but could point toward a potential addiction.

Financial instability: Drugs are expensive. If someone has a bad habit, they’ll spend a lot of money on using. They may not have money for other things, even if they have a steady job.

If the problem is really bad, they may steal other people’s drugs. Or, they might steal money and property to exchange for drugs.

Seeing multiple doctors: Many people obtain their drugs through doctors. Eventually, the doctor may cut them off or refuse to increase the dose.

When this happens, addicts may resort to “doctor shopping”. This is the term we use when an addict sees multiple doctors to get multiple prescriptions. Doctor shopping is illegal and irresponsible. Taking multiple prescriptions is highly dangerous.

Talking about amphetamines: Drug addiction is an obsession. The addict’s drug of choice occupies most of their thoughts. If someone talks about a drug a lot, they may have it on their mind already.

Of course, there are some addicts who keep their habit a secret. And, there are those who are fascinated by drugs but don’t use them. But, if someone takes a medication and frequently talks about it, this could be a sign of a problem.