Many kinds of drugs on the market can cause addictions. It can be paralyzing to have to undergo that sudden obsession and compulsion, which is why it’s best to have prior knowledge and understanding of the various stimulants and their effect on the brain to learn why you should probably steer clear of them.
Two terms that get jumbled around in the same conversation are Adderall and meth. The confusion may come from how methamphetamine sounds a lot like the main component of Adderall, which is an amphetamine. It’s important to distinguish between the two drugs, though. If you’re interested in learning more about these stimulants, keep reading.
Is Adderall Meth?
To start off, Adderall and meth aren’t the same. The two share several similarities, but they also have a variety of differences. The same goes for the overall experience when one is addicted to one of the stimulant drugs.
What Is Adderall?
Adderall is a brand that refers to a prescription drug that mixes amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Many doctors use this for patients who may be dealing with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Adderall generally makes persons with ADHD calm down and focus a little better on their school or work tasks without sacrificing energy or attention.
Some people may form an addiction to how focused they become with Adderall. Others may find that Adderall is unable to work on them, or they experience certain side effects as a result of the dosage they took. Whichever situation you may be in, it’s best to consult with your doctor regarding your medication plan to avoid compromising your well-being.
What Is Meth?
Meth is short for methamphetamine, which is considered more of a powerful stimulant when put next to Adderall. Desoxyn, the brand, is still viewed as a potential prescription drug when given through a non-refillable prescription. However, it’s only ever administered in rare cases that are usually linked to ADHD and weight loss.
More times than not, meth is recreationally abused, which is considered illegal. Its main effect is to usually provide a high or rush due to the sudden influx of dopamine, which is why it’s often associated with clubbing and partying. Meth can be incredibly addictive, whether you smoke, snort or inject it as consumption.
What Are the Similarities of Adderall and Meth?
The main similarity that Adderall and meth share is that they are both approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in order to help those with ADHD. Their classification under the Drug Enforcement Agency’s Drug Scheduling is roughly the same. Adderall and meth are referred to as Schedule II drugs in reference to the Controlled Substances Act.
Both Adderall and meth are drugs that can cause addiction due to the main effect that they inflict on the user. They both affect the neurotransmitter levels and energy of a person upon consumption.
What Are the Differences between Adderall and Meth?
There are many differences when it comes to Adderall and meth, but it mostly boils down to which drug stimulant is more effective and addictive. The chances of getting addicted to Adderall are slightly lower than the possibility of becoming addicted to meth, perhaps due to how geared it is in trying to provide a high to the user.
Meth is just incredibly potent in terms of composition too, when compared to Adderall. Crystal meth sold on the streets will likely come with several cutting agents that can affect the overall quality and worsen its effects of it, inflicting potential complications for your heart and lungs.
What Are the Side Effects of Adderall and Meth?
Using Adderall can produce side effects that are pretty similar to meth use. For example, there’s always a risk of getting cardiovascular diseases depending on how frequently the stimulants are used. The risk may be because they both focus on increasing the neurotransmitter levels and energy of a person.
There are also certain side effects like irritability, hostility, and paranoia, though this can vary from case to case. The degree to which such side effects occur can depend as well, and take note that it’s almost amplified when it comes to meth.
What Are the Active Ingredients of Adderall and Meth?
As hinted earlier, there’s a difference between the composition of Adderall and Meth. The version of Adderall and meth that doctors use to prescribe to patients may are unlike the street-bought drugs that recreational users purchase. Cutting agents like talc are mixed in by drug dealers to make the quantity seem larger than it is.
Legal meth that’s administered to ADHD patients usually contains methamphetamine and inert ingredients like sodium aminobenzoate. Adderall is a little bit more complex when enumerated, as there are different kinds of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine mixed in. There are also certain inert ingredients added, like cellulose, sodium, and food coloring.
What Are the Symptoms of Adderall Addiction?
Adderall addiction may start slowly, with users taking a bigger dose of Adderall than what was originally intended or prescribed until they cannot take the former amount. Some may do it intentionally to keep up with whatever productivity is needed of them. Here are some symptoms for those undergoing Adderall addiction:
- Loss of Concentration
Although Adderall is linked to helping those with ADHD in regaining their focus, some will find that they’re staggering without their usual intake. The inability to concentrate or work may be more debilitating than before Adderall use.
- Being Physically Sluggish
Those with an Adderall addiction may notice that they’re starting to feel sluggish all the time. Everything can seem more like a haze, and they may not even realize sudden appetite loss and weight loss.
- Use Prioritizing
Like with other forms of drug abuse, users may start to form a craving for Adderall and the effects that it provides. They will prioritize trying to consume Adderall over other tasks.
- Sudden Withdrawal
Another symptom of Adderall addiction is when a user has these short-term moments of withdrawal when they’re unable to use it. Some can be very withdrawn and disoriented until they get another dose.
What Are the Symptoms of Meth Addiction?
Meth addiction symptoms may reflect those of Adderall addiction, with the degree of intensity scaled slightly. Any lack of concentration would be furthered, desires of prioritizing use and moments of withdrawal made more frequent and evident. There are several other ways to tell when someone has meth addiction as well. Here are some other common symptoms of it:
- Hyperactivity
Meth may cause more constant activity and impulsiveness in a user. If one finds themselves unable to focus on Adderall addiction, those addicted to meth will be constantly fidgeting and moving.
- Skin Sores
It may depend on how the meth was consumed prior, but using meth repeatedly can drastically affect one’s physical appearance. Skin sores and speed bumps start to appear, alongside burns on the face and hands of a user.
- Twitching
Seizure movements such as twitching and sudden jerking can be a big tell for those with meth addiction. Sometimes, the movements can even come off as facial tics instead, like sudden blinking and scrunching up the nose.
- Mood Swings
Those with a meth addiction may occasionally experience sudden outbursts due to short-term withdrawal. They can get extremely cranky, and it can start affecting a user’s sleeping patterns.
Conclusion
Both Adderall addiction and meth addiction have their own separate sets of symptoms and ingredients in the composition, making them completely different. However, it’s best to keep an eye out for both, as each one can be detrimental to your health and well-being.
Source: https://www.amethystrecovery.org/adderall-vs-meth-a-comparison/
