Workplace Adderall Abuse: 9 Signs It’s Time to Get Help

Colleges and universities across the country are struggling to tackle the huge rise in students using ADHD drugs like Adderall as study aid, but the problem doesn’t magically disappear after graduation.

Businesses across the country are finding that some of their highest-paid executives and CEO’s are abusing Adderall in an attempt to meet the demands of a rigorous work schedule.

Adderall Becomes a Workplace Drug

Though Adderall is typically swallowed, the pills can also be chewed, snorted or injected. The side effects can be significant; abuse of this drug can cause cardiac arrest, irregular heart rate, seizures and extreme paranoia.

Thanks to the large number of medical emergencies and rampant abuse, the DEA accordingly labeled Adderall a Schedule II drug. What that means is that the drug does have medicinal purposes…along with a high potential for abuse and dependency.

Recognizing a Problem

If you’re using Adderall without a prescription, it can quickly lead to addiction. Battling a drug addiction in the workplace is the last thing you need on your plate Here are 9 signs your stimulant use has gone too far:

• Using it Regularly: Unless taken as prescribed, stimulant drugs shouldn’t be abused – certainly not on a daily basis. Executives may initially limit their Adderall use to major projects, but when it becomes a side-by-side with your morning cup of coffee, it’s time to evaluate your personal circumstances.
• The Fear of Missing a Dose: In the beginning, you likely took a few Adderall here and there, searching for the stimulant burst of energy. But when you can’t imagine completing charts or reports without Adderall at the helm it could be a red flag for larger issues.
• Using Becomes Pleasurable: When it’s prescribed medically, Adderall is a tool that helps people focus…people who would normally have trouble concentrating otherwise. If you don’t need it to treat a medical condition, using stimulants can quickly become a fun hobby of sorts. If this sounds familiar, it’s time to stop.
• Social Use: Adderall might have earned its reputation among college students, but abuse of stimulant drugs is certainly not isolated to campus life. Seek help if your Adderall use extends beyond the workplace and you’re suddenly popping pills in order to attend social events.
• Saying Everyone Else is Using: Although some people misuse Adderall, most do not. If you believe Adderall is essential to performing at a high level at work, talk to a trustworthy co-worker or friend about what you’re feeling.
• Hiding Your Use: If you feel shame about your Adderall use, or hide extra bottles so people don’t realize how often you use stimulants, you should rethink your relationship with these medications.
• Going Days Without Sleep: An occasional all-nighter is sometimes necessary. Board meetings, performance reviews and tax season requires a lot of work and attention on your part. While it’s simply part of the job sometimes, routinely using Adderall to stay awake for days on end is not.
• Weight Loss: One of the major side effects of stimulant medications is that it suppresses appetite. If you regularly realize you haven’t eaten anything at the end of the work day or start to lose a significant amount of weight, this is a definite warning sign.
• Changes in Personality: Stimulants can often alter your mood and emotional state. If you find yourself more agitated or sad than usual, or that your interactions with co-workers have become more combative, these medications are likely playing a role.

Do Right by Yourself

If you’re looking to beat your Adderall addiction, do not quit cold turkey.

The withdrawals from stimulant medications can be truly debilitating. Be safe and confident in your recovery; find a detox facility where licensed medical professionals can help you decrease your dosage in a supervised setting.

Most importantly, realize that you don’t need Adderall or other stimulants to be successful. You were hired based on your talent; let your skills and work ethic shine through.

In the end, being your sober self will help you become a much more dependable and productive employee. And, when you earn it without chemical assistance, you’ll reap much more valuable recognition in the workplace.

Additional Reading:Rise of the Study Drug Adderall

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