<p>Aderall is known to be a drug of abuse. Does anyone know what effects it has on people who take it unprescribed? Does it act as a depressant, or a hallucinogen? The reason I ask is that I heard that a friend takes someone else’s , and has been acting really strange.</p>
<p>It is a stimulant, a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, akin to methamphetamine. In larger doses, it can result in paranoia and schizophrenia, hallucinations (“skin crawling” being the most common), and, in some, suicidal ideation. </p>
<p>Whether or not it is prescribed has nothing to do with it (all of these side effects have been noted in subsets of the population for the drug taken as directed.)</p>
<p>In my experience, people who take Aderrall and similar drugs without a prescription do it to keep themselves up and focused in order to study, take an exam, finish a paper, or get something done. </p>
<p>If someone takes a whole lot of Aderrall frequently, the person will probably suffer more extreme effects. There’s also the possibility that someone abusing Aderrall is also abusing another drug, such as speed, coke, or alcohol.</p>
<p>Well, the person I am talking about actually appears to be a depressed and asocial being. Not sure of the reasons that he takes it. But he has been making weird accusations at other people that he truly seems to believe.</p>
<p>As I said, paranoia is one of the known side effects.</p>
<p>Adderall is most often prescribed for ADD. Not only is it a prescription drug, but a very tightly controlled substance. You cannot get refills for adderall, and it is considered dangerous. </p>
<p>For those with ADD, it can give a calming effect, but for those of us with normal metabolisms, it acts as a stimulant. A danger of this drug is that it can cause heart problems. </p>
<p>Adderall has been making its round in colleges and high schools just as amphetamines did in my day because it can keep you awake and on task when you brains is screaming at you to sleep. Mini has accurately given some of the side effects.</p>
<p>A criminal record is one of the known side effects. Federal law prohibits taking this medication without a prescription. It amazes me that people would consider doing such a thing.</p>
<p>Wouldn’t the person who is sharing their own prescribed Aderall be in even more trouble than the person illegally taking it?</p>
<p>It’s a good theory. However, if you look at prescription opiates as an example, more than 60% of students who “enjoy” them get them from their parents’ or relatives’ medicine cabinets. “Selling” is different than “sharing”, and even in that case, it is difficult to prove criminal intent.</p>
<p>High doses of Adderall can lead to delirium, hallucination, and toxic psychosis. However, dosage is highly individualized, and it is unfortunately not rare from individuals to experience these symptoms from prescribed doses. The CDC and National Institutes of Mental Health are working hard to get physicians to rachet down the doses, especially for children.</p>