Addiction Self-Assessment for Compulsive Adderall Misuse

Adderall increases the activity of monoamine neurotransmitters, including norepinephrine and dopamine, in the brain. Increased dopamine activity reinforces continued use of drugs like Adderall which, in a situation of non-medical misuse, can make addiction more likely.¹

In the longer term, Adderall misuse can have a wide range of harmful effects on both physical and mental health—increasing the risk of issues such as cardiovascular disease and drug-induced psychosis.²

Read on to learn more about what Adderall is, how its misuse can be dangerous, what the signs of Adderall addiction are, and how to get help for Adderall addiction. If you are concerned about your Adderall use, the self-assessment below can help you learn more about Adderall and its effects on your health.

What Is Adderall?

Adderall is a prescription stimulant combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine.³ Stimulants increase focus, attention, and energy.¹ They also increase heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration.¹

Adderall is used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy, and it is occasionally used for treatment-resistant depression.¹ Stimulants like Adderall increase the activity of monoamine neurotransmitters, including dopamine. Adderall’s effect on dopaminergic neurotransmission serves to increase the euphoric reward associated with its use, which can make eventual Adderall misuse more likely.¹

Adderall misuse can include taking the drug without a prescription or taking it in amounts greater than prescribed. Misuse sometimes takes place via alternate routes of use, such as by snorting the contents of pills intended for oral use.² A Schedule II drug under the Controlled Substances Act, Adderall has a high potential for abuse and can result in severe physical or psychological dependence.⁴

What Are the Adverse Effects of Adderall Use? 

What Are the Signs of Adderall Addiction?

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) outlines 11 criteria from which professionals are able to make a diagnosis of a stimulant use disorder. The DSM-5 has a symptom count-based severity indicator, with 2–3 symptoms being classified as mild, 4–5 symptoms classified as moderate, and 6 or more symptoms being classified as severe.^8,9 Diagnosis of a stimulant disorder is based on the occurrence of at least two of the symptoms within a 12-month period.^8,9

How to Get Help for Adderall Addiction

Adderall addiction treatment intensity may vary based on patient needs. There are different components to treatment which often include a period of inpatient or outpatient rehab, and aftercare.¹⁰ In inpatient treatment, care is provided 24/7, with psychotherapy being a component.¹⁰ Through psychosocial treatment, patients will learn how to manage their triggers and change unhealthy thinking patterns through approaches such as contingency management, cognitive behavioral therapy, relapse prevention, community reinforcement, and motivational interviewing.¹⁰

In outpatient treatment programs, patients usually receive treatment at an addiction treatment facility and participate in individual and group therapy, such as family and couples’ therapy.¹⁰ Aftercare and mutual-help programs such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA) can help manage relapses and enhance recovery.¹⁰

If you are concerned about compulsive Adderall misuse, treatment for stimulant use disorder may be helpful. American Addiction Centers (AAC) offers evidence-based stimulant use disorder treatment in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Treatment can provide you with the tools necessary to remain abstinent and live a life of recovery.

To start, you can search for a rehab online to find a treatment center that may be right for you. You can call AAC at to discuss health insurance coverage or use AAC’s verify insurance online tool to check your health insurance benefits.