This is the seventh in a series of blogs addressing the current surge in usage of a medically-prescribed stimulant called Adderall. This installment will take a look at what I call “adult-onset Adderall addiction.” This is a group of adults, both male and female, who start using and abusing (perhaps) Adderall as adults.
Adderall is most commonly prescribed for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). For those of you who read my blog regularly, and I know you do, you know how I feel about how commonly prescribed Adderall is.
The only other drug I can compare it to is medicinal marijuana. Since the American Medical Association has not given one legitimate medical reason for marijuana use, yes pot fans that includes, AIDS, cancer and the ever-easy fall back glaucoma, it appears there is no legitimate reason for medicinal marijuana. But how people get medical recommendations for medicinal marijuana is fodder for another blog series.
How can so many adults all of the sudden develop ADHD? I mean that is not a disease that manifests later in life.
Could some adults look to Adderall to get them back in the game? Are they seeking to regain an edge they felt they once had. I have counseled a few individuals who admitted Adderall made them feel sharp again and that they would continue to use it for as long as it proved necessary. Yet these were drug addicts for whom addiction issues had been present before. I did my best to discourage further use since they clearly are not ADHD.