Adderall and Sleep: Effects, Issues and Treatment
ADHD is a condition that affects the lives of many people daily. Many of these people are prescribed Adderall and sleep becomes a problem. When this happens, it can impact different areas of the individual’s life, leading to difficulty in maintaining daily life.
Understanding how this medication can impact someone’s sleep patterns and overall health is crucial to effectively treating the condition.
What is Adderall?
Those struggling with conditions like ADHD can attest to its difficult nature. This condition can cause difficulty with work, school, and relationships with friends and family. Often, medical professionals prescribe the medication to help manage the symptoms. This is a stimulant medication containing dextroamphetamine and amphetamine.
These can affect the central nervous system (CNS) and help to increase focus and attention in those who are impacted by symptoms of ADHD and other medical conditions. Because of this increased brain activity, taking Adderall and sleep issues can be common.
How Does Adderall Impact Sleep?
The impact that this medication has on sleep can be great. Sleep is a crucial part of daily life in which the body can rest and reset after the day’s stressors and activities. If it is unable to have this time to reset, it can lead to severe impacts on physical and mental health.
Adderall is a stimulant medication, meaning it increases brain activity. As a result, this can cause an impact on sleep when someone is taking this medication. This is especially true in those who take this drug illicitly.
Adderall, The CNS, and Sleep
The CNS is made up of the brain and spinal cord and is responsible for many different daily functions like breathing, motor movement, and pleasure sensors. When a CNS stimulant is introduced to the body, it increases brain activity.
Production of norepinephrine and dopamine also occurs and the feel-good, or reward sensors in the body are heightened. Adderall and sleep issues can go hand in hand due to the effects of the drug on the CNS.
Adderall and Sleep Issues
Understanding Adderall and sleep issues that may occur as a result of this medication can be crucial. This medication can significantly impact sleep patterns and the quality of sleep an individual gets. This CNS stimulant can disrupt the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle making it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, and shorten sleep duration.
The stimulant properties cause an override in the natural sleep signals within the body. Winding down and getting healthy and effective rest can be difficult while taking this medication. Long-term use or misuse of this medication can lead to chronic insomnia or other sleep conditions.
Insomnia and Adderall
Taking Adderall and sleep hygiene are important to maintaining balance. Without proper sleep routines and consistent sleep schedules, an individual may begin struggling with insomnia. Insomnia leads to sleep deprivation, which can impact an individual’s mental health. Dual diagnosis can occur when mental health issues become prevalent simultaneously with substance abuse issues.
Because of the impacts on the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, sleep patterns can be disrupted and the individual can begin struggling with falling or staying asleep. Dosage, timing of dosage, and an individual’s sensitivity to the medication can play a role in how this medication will affect their sleep. However, the impacts of Adderall and insomnia can lead to daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and irritability.
Effects of Adderall Abuse
The effects of Adderall abuse can lead to long-lasting impacts on a person’s life. Abuse can be characterized by taking higher doses than prescribed, taking the medication when it is not prescribed to you, or taking it in a manner that is not explicitly written. This can lead to increased heart rate and blood pressure, as well as cardiovascular issues.
Appetite suppression, weight loss, and gastrointestinal issues can also occur. Long-term use and abuse can also lead to physical and psychological dependence on the drug. This results in physical withdrawal symptoms when the drug is stopped which can be extremely uncomfortable.
Detox and Treatment
Stopping Adderall and sleep deprivation can be managed with proper care. Professional detox can alleviate the symptoms of withdrawal. Treating the symptoms of withdrawal can foster the healing process, and make the end goal more attainable. Proper treatment to help identify and address any underlying reasons for abusing the medication can help to promote long-term recovery.
Therapies provided with professional treatment can help to address substance abuse concerns as well as help to manage and treat any underlying conditions (such as mental health ones) that contribute to abusing the medication. Proper care and support are crucial to overcoming struggles with Adderall.
Overcome Adderall and Sleep Deprivation at Flatirons Recovery
Struggling with stimulants such as Adderall can have a lasting impact on an individual’s life. These impacts can include issues with sleep. Sleeping is a vital part of the daily cycle in which the body can rest and reset after daily activities.
When the body is deprived of sleep, the impacts can be severe. Struggling with Adderall can be extremely difficult to overcome. If you or a loved one are struggling, we can help. At Flatirons Recovery we strive to provide essential care to help individuals overcome their issues and heal.
Reach out today and begin a journey of healing and recovery.
