Adderall can help control the most disabling symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This is true for many adults with ADHD, and the idea of going without their medication for an extended period may seem unthinkable.
But for pregnant women, or those who are planning to have a child soon, continuing to use Adderall—or any prescription medication, for that matter—may not be an option.
A further complication is that many people are now misusing Adderall for other purposes. The drug has become especially popular among students who believe it can give them energy while helping them improve their focus and concentration. The misuse of Adderall can easily lead to addiction, and women who’ve been abusing Adderall may find it difficult to stop, even if they are pregnant.
The Surprising Facts about Pregnancy and Prescription Drugs
While research into the impact of prescription medications on pregnancy is scattered and limited, there are some drugs that are known to cause a range of problems, including miscarriage, birth defects, premature birth, or developmental disabilities.
But despite obvious concerns, there are no blanket bans or strong recommendations against taking prescription medications during pregnancy, mainly because most of these substances have not been extensively tested to assess their true hazards. Consequently, many prescription drugs, including those used in the treatment of ADHD, can still be obtained by pregnant women.
In fact, research shows that about half of all pregnant women will take at least one prescription medication during pregnancy, oftentimes during the first trimester when the fetus is in its most sensitive developmental stage.
When conclusive evidence is lacking about the effects of such medications, most physicians leave it to the discretion of the patient to decide what they will or won’t consume, and research indicates that about one percent of pregnant women are choosing to take Adderall or other ADHD drugs throughout the full terms of their pregnancies.
Because of changes in hormones and emotional balance, some women have experienced more severe symptoms of ADHD during pregnancy, and that may explain why at least some continue to take Adderall despite any questions or uncertainties they may have. Some pregnant women who take this medication, including those who abuse it for non-medical purposes, may be trapped in a cycle of dependency, making it harder to stop using the drug even if they believe they should.
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Possible Prenatal Effects of Adderall
Adderall is a central nervous system stimulant that contains amphetamine salts, and its chemical formula makes it highly addictive if it is used outside the parameters of a prescription.
Should an expectant mother become addicted to Adderall, her child could experience withdrawal symptoms and other complications at birth, including low birth weight. The risk of premature birth is also greater when women abuse amphetamine-based products, and there is every reason to assume this applies to Adderall as much as any other drug in this category. In addition, one of the ingredients in Adderall, known as dextroamphetamine, has been linked to one specific case of birth defects in the child of a woman who took it in the first trimester of pregnancy. One reported incidence is of course not definitive, but anecdotal evidence is often all that is available when assessing the safety of drugs administered during pregnancy.
Amphetamine-based medications like Adderall have certain side effects that can be dangerous to pregnant women, and that can indirectly put fetuses at risk as well. For example, people who take Adderall may experience sudden increases in heart rate and blood pressure, which could lead to restricted blood flow to the child.
Addiction also can lead to reckless behavior that puts mother and child alike in harm’s way, regardless of the chemical effects of the drug in question.
Recovery Options During Pregnancy
While much more research is needed, most women who take Adderall for ADHD would be wise to refrain from continuing usage after pregnancy, or when trying to become pregnant. Alternative methods for treating adult ADHD may be recommended by physicians and other medical authorities, such as changes in diet, possibly including the addition of herbs or vitamin supplements. Stress management techniques like meditation, yoga, Tai Chi, or biofeedback may also be suggested since these practices can help restore emotional balance.
In a few instances, doctors might go against the grain and recommend that Adderall use continue. This could happen if the woman suffers from a severe form of ADHD and it is believed that the memory and concentration problems, insomnia, poor attention span, and impulsivity associated with the disorder might put the health of mother and child at risk. It is known that ADHD symptoms often intensify during pregnancy, and that is something that must be taken into consideration when evaluating the wisdom of discontinuing the medication.
However, when a pregnant woman has been diagnosed with an addiction to Adderall, there is no dispute: with the guidance of her physician, drug use must cease immediately, and the best way to ensure this happens is through treatment.
Our luxury Adderall rehab offers medically-supervised detox appropriate for a wide range of clients, including those who are expecting a child, along with therapy and other essential treatment services in outpatient or inpatient recovery programs tailored to meet the needs of each individual patient. When an addiction to Adderall is present, bad consequences for the user are inevitable, and a still-developing child is likely to share that fate.
ADHD and Adderall Addiction
Stimulants are the preferred form of medication for ADHD. These drugs help calm active minds and bodies in people who have ADHD, and are effective for up to 80 percent of patients who take them.
Adderall is one of the most popular prescription medications for ADHD. While it is safe and effective at medically recommended doses, Adderall can be addictive if abused. Some who take this drug become so enamored of its positive effects that they ignore their doctor’s orders and take more Adderall than advised. This behavior can lead to Adderall addiction, leaving you at the mercy of a medication that was once your lifeline.
You can conceivably become addicted to any stimulant taken for ADHD, such as Concerta or Ritalin, if your consumption escalates beyond safe levels. If your need for Adderall or similar drugs has developed into an obsession, and you’ve lost your ability to control your behavior, you need to take action quickly and find a quality integrated treatment for Adderall addiction.
Treatment for Adderall addiction and ADHD has a good rate of success and can offer you hope for a full and lasting recovery.
ADHD and Substance Abuse Integrated Treatment and Outlook
Co-occurring substance use disorders and ADHD can be challenging to overcome. But integrated treatment programs that address both conditions at the same time, with compassionate, expert assistance from those who understand the nature of your struggles, can make a profound difference in your life. This is exactly the type of healthcare services you will receive at Alta Mira, where customized treatment plans are our specialty.
Your time in residential rehab will begin with medical detox, which will help you gain control over your addictive behavior before you begin treatment. If you’ve been taking stimulant medications like Ritalin or Adderall for your ADHD, your use of these drugs will be carefully monitored to ensure your health is protected.
Your formal treatment program will offer comprehensive services based on evidence-based medicine. Individual, group, and family therapy will all be included, letting you build a network of vital support and encouragement as you work through your issues and explore the underlying reasons for your substance abuse troubles.
In addition to regular therapy, you’ll have access to a range of complementary healing methodologies and self-improvement instruction. This may include holistic healing practices, life skills and nutrition classes, relapse prevention courses, and services specifically designed to enhance your capacity to manage your ADHD symptoms safely and consistently.
Residential treatment programs are highly recommended for people with co-occurring substance use disorders and ADHD. In a safe, controlled environment, you’ll be able to concentrate completely on your healing process, without distraction or temptations to relapse.
Substance abuse and ADHD have put your future at risk. At Alta Mira, we specialize in helping our clients overcome their greatest medical and personal challenges, giving them the strength, knowledge and motivation to embrace sobriety and commit themselves to making every day count.
Your determination to recover from your co-occurring addiction and ADHD will empower you, and our customized dual diagnosis treatment programs will show you how to translate your intentions into effective healing actions.
