Adderall Use Has Graduated to the Workplace

The abuse of Adderall on college campuses is a real and growing problem. A 2015 meta-analysis found that 1 in 6 college students misuse ADHD stimulant medication. We’re now finding that as these students graduate, they’re bringing their habit to the workplace.

Experts report that there is no reliable data to quantify how many American workers misuse. But we do know that:

• Emergency room visits related to nonmedical use of prescription stimulants among adults 18 to 34 tripled from 2005 to 2011, to almost 23,000. (2013 report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
• From 2010 to 2012, people entering substance rehabilitation centers cited stimulants as their primary substance of abuse 15% percent more often than in the previous three-year period. (SAMHSA)
• Supply has risen sharply: About 2.6 million American adults received A.D.H.D. medication in 2012, a 53% in 4 years. Use among adults 26 to 34 almost doubled. (Express Scripts)

Let me point out: As an ADHD treatment medication, Adderall works well at treating many of the symptoms associated with ADHD disorder. When taken as prescribed, there’s little to no risk of abuse or addiction. But, because the brain chemistry is different in someone unaffected by ADHD, using or abusing Adderall on a regular basis can quickly lead to addiction. (University of California School of Medicine.) This drug’s classification as an amphetamine-based substance places users at high risk of developing signs of addiction.

So, how do you know if yours or someone’s Adderall use is out-of-control? A recent article in Forbes offers some warning signs:

You’re using it socially: A conclusion emerging from research is that these ADHD stimulant medications are not smart drugs, despite their name and reputation. They are drive drugs. They focus attention and help extend time awake. They boost motivation to do the boring. Therefore, there is no healthy explanation for using them for a social event. None. Taking speed so you can participate in a social event, whether it’s crystal meth or Adderall, is a warning sign of a serious problem developing.

You use it routinely: You are on your way to a potentially serious problem when use becomes routine practice rather than the result of a conscious decision because of special circumstances. If you no longer go through a conscious risk/reward calculation about whether or not to pop a pill then it’s time for a re-think.

You have pleasurable rituals of (mis)use: Instead of being an infrequent tool to marshall attention or stay awake when one’s back is against the wall, Adderall becomes a pleasurable ritual in one’s life.

You’re afraid not to use it: A big red flag of trouble ahead is when the thought of a grant application, a weekly progress report, or a morning on the trading desk without Adderall on board, or at least at the ready, generates anxiety.

You believe everyone else is using it and you need it to compete: Research shows that people who use amphetamines for performance enhancement over-estimate the frequency of use.

You keep it private from non-users: Shame can be a huge problem, except when it helps someone think about what they are doing in a new way.

As with any addiction, an addiction to Adderall is a serious condition that can dramatically impact your life and the lives of your loved ones. Do any of these warning signs ring true? Have you reached the point where you realize you have a problem?

When you’re ready to tackle your addiction, it’s important to know that going cold turkey or reducing the dose too quickly can intensify cravings and increase your risk of a relapse. The best way to overcome your Adderall addiction is to get help from addiction treatment specialists who can guide you safely through detox and rehab.

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Gus Stieber is Director of Clinical Outreach Services at Kiva Recovery, a substance abuse and treatment center located in Vernon Hills. www.KivaRecovery.com