The Dangers of Snorting Adderall & What To Do If Addicted To Adderall

What you will learn

• Adderall is a prescription drug used to treat ADHD, but people commonly abuse it as a study aid, weight loss aid, or party drug.
• There are several ways Adderall may be misused or abused, including crushing a pill or capsule and then snorting it.
• Snorting Adderall has a faster onset of effects and carries additional risks, such as nasal damage, an increased risk of addiction, and possible overdose.

Adderall is a prescription drug that’s used to treat the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), such as lack of focus and poor concentration. As a stimulant, Adderall is also abused by people who don’t have ADHD to study, stay awake, lose weight, or get high.

There are many ways Adderall may be abused, including crushing the pill to snort it. Misusing and abusing Adderall has risks on its own, but snorting it carries additional risks and adverse health effects.

What Is Adderall?

Adderall is a stimulant drug that’s used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. It’s been around for decades and combines two ingredients: dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. Adderall works by stimulating the central nervous system, which can increase attention span, memory, concentration, and motivation.

In people with ADHD, the amphetamine in Adderall increases dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain to boost focus and concentration. Adderall does have a potential for abuse, however, and is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance.

Dangers of Snorting Adderall

Snorting the drug is a common way to get the effects of Adderall much faster. Adderall is snorted in a large dose, bypassing the digestive system and liver. Instead, it’s absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the nasal tissue. This can cause inflammation and irritation of the nostrils, nasal passages, and sinuses, not to mention increasing the risk of developing an addiction.

Chronically snorting Adderall can have long-term effects like snorting other drugs, including the loss of smell, hoarseness, frequent nose bleeds, inflammation of the esophagus, trouble swallowing, bronchial pneumonia, nasal damage, and possible perforation of the nasal septum.[1] Another risk is cartilaginous vascular necrosis, which occurs when the tissue loses its blood supply and dies.

How Is Adderall Abused and Misused?

There are many ways Adderall may be misused and abused. The most common is students misusing Adderall as a study aid or an academic performance enhancer. It’s perceived to improve alertness and concentration because of how it helps ADHD, but there’s no evidence that it has these effects in people without ADHD.[2] Young adults who abuse Adderall often have lower academic performance.

Athletes also use stimulants for their anti-fatigue properties to potentially improve athletic performance. [3] Many major sports organizations ban stimulants like Adderall.

Another common misuse of Adderall is as a weight loss aid. Stimulants like Adderall can reduce the appetite and increase energy, helping people lose weight more easily.

Some people may abuse Adderall along with other drugs to amplify or counteract their effects, such as taking a stimulant to stay awake while taking a depressant like alcohol or opioids. This is extremely dangerous as there’s no way to predict how the drugs will interact.

Adderall is typically prescribed in pill and capsule forms, but it may be misused or abused by smoking, snorting, or injection.[4]

Is Adderall Addictive?

Yes, amphetamines and stimulants like Adderall are addictive. Using Adderall can cause tolerance and dependence, eventually developing into a substance use disorder. The risk of addiction is increased if you misuse Adderall for reasons other than treating ADHD.

In people with ADHD who are prescribed Adderall, the risks of addiction are low. If you take the drug as prescribed and monitored by a doctor, you’re unlikely to develop a stimulant use disorder or experience side effects.

Never take Adderall in higher doses or more frequently than prescribed. You shouldn’t share your prescription with anyone, including friends or family. Never take Adderall other than the way it’s intended, such as crushing a pill to snort it instead of taking it orally.

Signs of Adderall Addiction

Adderall dependence can occur, which is when the body becomes used to the presence of the drug, and withdrawal symptoms occur if you stop taking it. Though this is a component of addiction, it’s not an addiction on its own. When your use of Adderall is compulsive or negatively impacts your health, life, or relationships, it’s an addiction.

The official term for Adderall addiction is a stimulant use disorder, which is marked by a pattern of stimulant use that causes distress or impairment in daily functioning. The criteria include:[5]

Use of Adderall in larger doses or for a longer period than intended

• A persistent desire to use Adderall or unsuccessful attempts to decrease Adderall use
• Spending a lot of time obtaining, using, or recovering from Adderall use
• Cravings for Adderall
• Recurrent use of Adderall that affects obligations at work, home, or school
• Continued use despite negative effects on social life and interpersonal relationships
• Reduced recreational, work, or social activities because of Adderall use
• Using Adderall in situations that can be dangerous
• Ongoing Adderall use despite physical or psychological problems
• Tolerance for Adderall
• Withdrawal symptoms after stopping Adderall use

Adderall Withdrawal

Dependence is possible with Adderall, leading to withdrawal symptoms if you try to stop using Adderall or cut back on your dose significantly. The likelihood of withdrawal is higher if you’re misusing Adderall, abusing Adderall with other drugs, or taking Adderall in other ways than intended, such as snorting it.

Most people with Adderall addiction will experience withdrawal symptoms. Though withdrawal isn’t as dangerous with stimulants as it can be with alcohol or benzos, the feelings of depression that come with the stimulant “crash” can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and actions.

Other stimulant withdrawal symptoms include:[6]

• Depression
• Excessive sleep
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Decrease in mental and physical activities
• Poor concentration
• Increased appetite
• Paranoia
• Cravings

Treating Adderall Abuse and Addiction

Whether you’ve developed an Adderall dependence or you’re abusing and addicted to Adderall, it’s important to get help to avoid serious risks to your mental health and physical well-being.

Because of the risks of depression with Adderall withdrawal, medical detox is often the first step in treating Adderall addiction. This ensures you have medical supervision and care to minimize withdrawal symptoms and keep you as safe and comfortable as possible while the drug clears your system. Typically, Adderall is tapered over time to allow your body to adjust and prevent severe withdrawal symptoms.

Detox can help with the early stages of addiction treatment, but a comprehensive addiction treatment program is recommended to treat the psychological aspects of substance abuse. This is especially important if you’re abusing Adderall with other drugs.

Treatment plans are tailored to your individual needs, whether inpatient or outpatient. While the specific treatments may vary, stimulant addiction is often treated with a combination of counseling, therapies, and other evidence-based modalities to identify the causes of substance use disorder and learn healthier habits.

Seek Help for Adderall Abuse and Addiction

Misusing Adderall can be extremely dangerous, especially if you’re using the drug in ways it wasn’t intended, like snorting it. In addition to the health risks that Adderall has on its own, snorting Adderall can cause problems similar to snorting other drugs, such as respiratory problems, nasal damage, and other long-term effects. If you’re struggling with Adderall abuse or addiction, it’s important to get help and reduce the risks of serious health problems.

Amanda is a prolific medical content writer specializing in eating disorders and addiction treatment. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Purdue University with a B.S. in Social Work. Read more