Adderall causing depression

SAMHSA’s National Helpline | SAMHSA

Your browser is not supported

Switch to Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari

Main page content

SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
Also visit the online treatment locator.

SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service), or TTY: 1-800-487-4889 is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.

Also visit the online treatment locator, or send your zip code via text message: 435748 (HELP4U) to find help near you. Read more about the HELP4U text messaging service.

The service is open 24/7, 365 days a year.

English and Spanish are available if you select the option to speak with a national representative. Currently, the 435748 (HELP4U) text messaging service is only available in English.

In 2020, the Helpline received 833,598 calls. This is a 27 percent increase from 2019, when the Helpline received a total of 656,953 calls for the year.

The referral service is free of charge. If you have no insurance or are underinsured, we will refer you to your state office, which is responsible for state-funded treatment programs. In addition, we can often refer you to facilities that charge on a sliding fee scale or accept Medicare or Medicaid. If you have health insurance, you are encouraged to contact your insurer for a list of participating health care providers and facilities.

The service is confidential. We will not ask you for any personal information. We may ask for your zip code or other pertinent geographic information in order to track calls being routed to other offices or to accurately identify the local resources appropriate to your needs.

No, we do not provide counseling. Trained information specialists answer calls, transfer callers to state services or other appropriate intake centers in their states, and connect them with local assistance and support.

Suggested Resources
What Is Substance Abuse Treatment? A Booklet for Families
Created for family members of people with alcohol abuse or drug abuse problems. Answers questions about substance abuse, its symptoms, different types of treatment, and recovery. Addresses concerns of children of parents with substance use/abuse problems.
It's Not Your Fault (NACoA) (PDF | 12 KB)
Assures teens with parents who abuse alcohol or drugs that, "It's not your fault!" and that they are not alone. Encourages teens to seek emotional support from other adults, school counselors, and youth support groups such as Alateen, and provides a resource list.

After an Attempt: A Guide for Taking Care of Your Family Member After Treatment in the Emergency Department
Aids family members in coping with the aftermath of a relative's suicide attempt. Describes the emergency department treatment process, lists questions to ask about follow-up treatment, and describes how to reduce risk and ensure safety at home.
Family Therapy Can Help: For People in Recovery From Mental Illness or Addiction
Explores the role of family therapy in recovery from mental illness or substance abuse. Explains how family therapy sessions are run and who conducts them, describes a typical session, and provides information on its effectiveness in recovery.
For additional resources, please visit the SAMHSA Store.

Last Updated: 08/30/2022

SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator

Home

Welcome to the Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator, a confidential and anonymous source of information for persons seeking treatment facilities in the United States or U.S. Territories for substance use/addiction and/or mental health problems.

PLEASE NOTE: Your personal information and the search criteria you enter into the Locator is secure and anonymous. SAMHSA does not collect or maintain any information you provide.

Please enter a valid location.

please type your address

FindTreatment.
gov
Millions of Americans have a substance use disorder. Find a treatment facility near you.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Call or text 988

Free and confidential support for people in distress, 24/7.
National Helpline

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Treatment referral and information, 24/7.
Disaster Distress Helpline

1-800-985-5990

Immediate crisis counseling related to disasters, 24/7.

Overview
Locator OverviewLocator Overview
Locator OverviewLocator Overview

Finding Treatment
Find Facilities for VeteransFind Facilities for Veterans
Find Facilities for VeteransFind Facilities for Veterans
Facility Directors
Register a New FacilityRegister a New Facility
Register a New FacilityRegister a New Facility
Other Locator Functionalities
Download Search ResultsDownload Search Results
Use Google MapsUse Google Maps
Print Search ResultsPrint Search Results
Use Google MapsUse Google Maps

Icon from Find practitioners and treatment programs providing buprenorphine for opioid addiction (heroin or pain relievers). Find practitioners and treatment programs providing buprenorphine for opioid addiction (heroin or pain relievers).
Icon from Find practitioners and treatment programs providing buprenorphine for opioid addiction (heroin or pain relievers). Find programs providing methadone for the treatment of opioid addiction (heroin or pain relievers).

The Locator is authorized by the 21st Century Cures Act (Public Law 114-255, Section 9006; 42 U.S.C. 290bb-36d). SAMHSA endeavors to keep the Locator current. All information in the Locator is updated annually from facility responses to SAMHSA’s National Substance Use and Mental Health Services Survey (N-SUMHSS). New facilities that have completed an abbreviated survey and met all the qualifications are added monthly. Updates to facility names, addresses, telephone numbers, and services are made weekly for facilities informing SAMHSA of changes. Facilities may request additions or changes to their information by sending an e-mail to [email protected], by calling the BHSIS Project Office at 1-833-888-1553 (Mon-Fri 8-6 ET), or by electronic form submission using the Locator online application form (intended for additions of new facilities).

Adderall and psychosis: is there a connection?

content

Overview

Adderall is a prescription medicine used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.

It comes in the form of tablets that you take by mouth. It is available in two forms: an immediate release tablet (Adderall) and an extended release tablet (Adderall XR). It is also available as a generic drug.

If you or your child has been prescribed Adderall, you may be interested in possible side effects, including psychosis.

Here's what you need to know about the possible connection between Adderall and psychosis. You will also learn who is at risk for psychosis, as well as tips to help you take this medication safely.

Psychosis is a serious mental condition in which a person's thinking becomes so erratic that he loses touch with reality. Symptoms of psychosis may include:

hallucinations or seeing or hearing things that are not real
delusions or beliefs about things that are not true
paranoia or extreme suspicion

What research says

Adderall contains nervous system stimulants dexamtrofetamine and dexamtrofetamine Stimulants can make you feel more alert and focused.

Like all medicines, Adderall can cause side effects.

Studies on Adderall and similar stimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) show that psychosis occurs in the eyes. 0.10 place user. However, a new study with more than 300,000 adolescents with ADHD found that the rate of psychosis in adolescents in the amphetamine group reached 0. 21 percent.

No one knows the exact reason why Adderall causes psychosis. Some researchers are not entirely sure that this is the case.

However, there are several theories about the connection between psychosis and Adderall. These theories are based on how drugs work in the body. Here are some of them:

Sleep deprivation

One theory is that the common side effects of Adderall may contribute to psychotic symptoms. These side effects include:

headaches
nervousness
Trouble sleeping

Chronic sleep deprivation can cause increased headaches and severe nervousness. This can turn into paranoia associated with psychosis.

Mental illness

If you have a history of mental illness, you are more likely to use Adderall for further psychosis. The reason for this is not fully known.

Jedan's theory is that your body may respond differently to an increase in certain chemicals in your brain. People with amphetamine-induced psychosis have significantly higher blood levels of norepinephrine than those who use amphetamine without psychosis.

dosage

Your dose of Adderall may or may not affect the development of psychosis. Higher doses may result in a higher risk.

ADDITIONAL AND DEPENDENT Dependence Some people who take Adderall develop a tolerance to its effects. They may also feel psychological and physical dependence on drugs. To prevent this from happening, take Adderall exactly as advised by your doctor and do not stop abruptly. For more information, read about Adderall's disclaimer.

What to do about it

Although the risk is highest for people with a history of mental illness, anyone who takes Adderall has a low risk of psychosis. Here are a few steps you can take to reduce your risk:

Tell your doctor about any mental health problems

Talk to your doctor about your full medical history before you start taking Adderall. Be sure to write down any personal or family history of the following:

psychosis
psychotic behavior
bipolar disorder
depression
suicidal

A history of any of these increases the risk of Adderall psychosis.

Take your medicine exactly as directed

Take Adderall exactly as your doctor tells you to. The risk of psychotic symptoms may increase if you take a higher dose than prescribed.

Tell your doctor right away if you feel or change your behavior.

Pay attention to your mood and behavior and tell your doctor if you notice any changes. Talking to your doctor is especially important if you notice new mood symptoms or if they get worse quickly.

If symptoms of psychosis occur, your doctor will probably stop taking Adderall immediately.

Psychotic symptoms should disappear less than two weeks after stopping the medication. If symptoms persist, the doctor will likely check to see if there are any mental health issues that may need to be treated.

Talk to your doctor.

Adderall can be an effective treatment for symptoms of ADHD or symptoms of narcolepsy. However, if you are concerned about the side effects of Adderall, talk to your doctor and feel free to ask questions.

Questions you can ask include:

Does Adderall put me (or my child) at risk of developing psychosis?
What symptoms of psychosis should I look out for?
Are there other drugs that can work without causing psychosis?

Your doctor can help you make sure Adderall is a good choice.

Q&A: Other mental health effects

Q:

Being able to cause Adderall to cause other mental health effects?

A:

Long-term use of Adderall may cause other mental health effects such as irritability, depression, mood swings, panic attacks, and paranoia talk to your doctor about your family history and possible drug side effects.

Dena Westfalen, PharmDAnswers represents the opinion of our medical experts. All content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice.

Long-term effects of Adderall | The best rehab in the world

Over the past few decades, more and more children and adolescents have been diagnosed with ADHD. In fact, it is very common for some adults to be diagnosed later in life if they and their healthcare professionals believe that the diagnosis can help them live their lives better than without it. And this diagnosis usually comes with medication. ¹ Lahan, Shaheen E. and Annette Kirchgessner. "Prescription Stimulants in People with and Without Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Misuse, Cognitive Impact, and Adverse Effects - PMC". PubMed Central (PMC) , July 23, 2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3489818.. What medication is commonly prescribed for people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder? Adderall.

What is Adderall?

Adderall is a stimulant drug. It is actually a combination of two stimulants: dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. ² Briars, Leslie and Timothy Todd. "A Review of Pharmacological Treatment of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder - PMC". PubMed Central (PMC) , www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4956327. As of October 11, 2022. The combination of both of these substances helps to increase the activity of the central nervous system. Your central nervous system is what controls your brain and spinal cord, and both are responsible for most of your daily bodily functions.

This medicine is most commonly prescribed for ADHD, but it can be used for other conditions such as narcolepsy. The drug works by changing the chemistry in your brain. It is hypothesized that ADHD is caused by an imbalanced amount of neurotransmitters in the brain. The condition is usually caused by an imbalance in the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine. Improper levels of these neurotransmitters lead to the symptoms of ADHD.

ADHD symptoms:

act without thinking
inability to concentrate
inability to sit still
stop concentration
hard time to stay on task

ADHD is not limited to these symptoms, and not everyone has all of these symptoms.

Adderall helps relieve these symptoms by:

increased alertness
improved focus
higher energy levels
anxiety reduction
more attention

Relief of these symptoms helps people with ADHD focus better and perform better in school, but there are risks associated with treatment - even if it has been prescribed to you and you are taking it correctly. It is highly addictive, so those who were prescribed the drug at a young age may become addicted and rely on Adderall. ³ Wilson, H. Kent et al. “Effects of long-acting stimulants on the neuropsychological functioning of adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder—ScienceDirect.” The effect of long-acting stimulant drugs on the neuropsychological functioning of adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder - ScienceDirect , October 17, 2006, www. sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0887617706001363. when used, it may affect the heart in the future. Part of what helps the user focus on tasks is the increased heart rate. This increased heart rate can affect heart health later in life.

Why is it important to know the long-term effects of Adderall? Well, as mentioned earlier, even those who correctly prescribe and use the drug as directed can become addicted to the substance. Prolonged use may have adverse effects on the user. It's also important to talk about long-term effects because it's an extremely common stimulant, even if you haven't been properly prescribed medication. Those who want to be more successful at school or at work can use Adderall to help them focus and achieve more than they could without it.

Adderall gives many people the opportunity to work through the night after another without distraction. This has given the drug a reputation for successfully helping people with high levels of stress achieve greater success. While this may technically be true for some, the crash that occurs after an Adderall high or after someone stops using the drug can be detrimental and lead to a host of other conditions.

While Adderall is extremely beneficial and life changing for some, it is important to know how the long term effects of Adderall affect you or affect your life in the long run.

Long-term effects of abuse Adderall

Dependence and other behavioral or mental disorders.

Adderall is highly addictive and long term users can often become very dependent on this drug. Addiction associated with Adderall may eventually lead to other mental conditions such as depression and anxiety. The change in physical chemistry that Adderall has on the brain usually causes these problems. Ideas of suicide are not uncommon in those who abuse Adderall or stop using it after long-term use.

1. Long-term effects of Adderall: damage to the heart.

Adderall increases heart rate, improving concentration. While beneficial for many, long-term use has a serious impact on heart health, especially if you already have pre-existing conditions related to your heart. Many long-term users may experience a heart attack or stroke due to its effects on the cardiovascular system. The damage to the heart caused by the abuse of Adderall is irreversible, as are some of the other symptoms associated with the abuse of this drug.

2. Long-term effects of Adderall: Mood/emotional disturbances.

Adderall can usually cause panic attacks and other serious behavioral changes. Adderall often causes a manic state during use and can make a condition such as bipolar disorder worse than it would be without it.

3. Long-term effects of Adderall: lung problems.

Adderall has the ability to damage the lungs and regular breathing. This is often associated with cardiovascular problems caused by Adderall, but Adderall can also damage the lungs and potentially cause lung disease.

4.

Long-term effects of Adderall: psychosis and paranoia.

Long-term use of Adderall has been reported to cause hallucinations, paranoia, schizophrenia-like symptoms, and psychosis. This can sometimes be resolved by spending time in a clinic or hospital clearing medication, but often does not resolve on its own.

Long-term effects of Adderall on the brain and body

Sleep difficulties
Inability to concentrate
Lack of motivation
Depression
Irritability
Lethargy
Fatigue
Aggression
Thoughts of suicide
Mood swings
Paranoia
Hallucinations
Alarm
Panic attacks
Heart disease
Weight loss
Headaches
Tremors
Constipation

Adderall, like many drugs prescribed for mood or behavior disorders, has its own side effects. The drug can really change the lives of those who are diagnosed and properly prescribed, but the chances that even those who are prescribed the drug to become addicted to it are very high.

Learn more