Get help today 888-744-0069 or sign up for 24/7 text support.
American Addiction Centers National Rehabs Directory

Adderall Overdose Symptoms and Treatment

What Does Adderall Do?

Adderall—the pharmaceutical combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine—is a prescription stimulant medication primarily used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adults.1 When taken as prescribed, Adderall can help a person with ADHD improve their focus and concentration, leading to better performance in work and school. However, some users may abuse Adderall in order to feel pleasure, lose weight, and/or increase their energy. High school and college students may also take the drug as a study aid to increase their productivity and meet deadlines. Those abusing Adderall may swallow, snort, or inject the drug.1

Student studying on laptop in the dark

In 2014, over 11.7 million Americans reported using Adderall for non-medical purposes at some point in their lifetimes.2 There were more than 4.8 million non-medical Adderall users between the ages of 18 and 25, making young adults the most at-risk age group for prescription stimulant addiction. These numbers may continue to grow in the future, assuming the number of ADHD diagnoses increases.1

Adderall abuse is a serious concern because it can lead to dangerous health problems as well as overdose. In 2010, there were over 31,000 emergency room visits due to the abuse of stimulants like Adderall, which revealed a 196% increase from 2004.3 Young adults—who often feel invincible to the effects of “study drugs” like Adderall—are no less susceptible to the dangers. In 2011, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found that there were, on average, 114 emergency room visits per day involving young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 using amphetamine drugs like Adderall or methamphetamine.8

Being aware of the signs and symptoms of an Adderall overdose and taking preventative strategies can minimize the likelihood of adverse consequences.

Signs and Symptoms of Adderall Overdose

Common signs and symptoms of Adderall overdose may include one or more of the following:4

  • Aggression.
  • Anxiety.
  • Panic.
  • Depression.
  • Blurry vision.
  • Disorientation.
  • Hallucinations.
  • Rapid breathing.
  • Uncontrollable shaking.
  • Rapid heart rate.
  • Fever.
  • Upset stomach.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Fatigue.
  • Muscle aches and weakness.
  • Rhabdomyolysis, or muscle tissue breakdown.
  • Dark red or brown urine (secondary to rhabdomyolysis).
  • Fainting.
  • Tremors.
  • Seizures.
  • Loss of consciousness.

Symptoms may vary from person to person. If you notice any combination of these symptoms in an Adderall user, overdose may be imminent—seek medical attention immediately.

Risk Factors for Adderall Overdose

Certain factors may put Adderall users at increased risk of overdose, including:5

  • Taking a higher dose than prescribed.
  • Taking Adderall more frequently than prescribed.
  • Taking Adderall without a prescription.
  • Taking Adderall in the presence of pre-existing health conditions.
  • Mixing Adderall with alcohol or other drugs.

Over time, Adderall users can develop a tolerance to the drug.6 Tolerance is a sign that a user’s body is adapting to the presence of the drug. The greater the user’s tolerance, the more they will need to take to achieve the same intoxicating effects, or “high.”  This puts users at higher risk of overdose, since they may unintentionally consume more than their bodies can handle.

What to Do in Case of an Adderall Overdose

If you or someone you know is experiencing an Adderall overdose, call 911 immediately.

Adderall overdoses can be life-threatening and should be treated by trained professionals.

If you witness an overdose, be prepared to remain on the telephone with the 911 operator until medical attention arrives. If possible, provide information on:

  • The person’s age.
  • Their condition.
  • Last time they used Adderall.
  • How much they took.

Keep the individual in a safe environment, away from anything that can potentially injure them in the event of a seizure, such as objects with sharp edges.

Treating an Adderall overdose as quickly as possible increases the likelihood of a full recovery.

Preventing Adderall Overdose

One of the safest ways to prevent an Adderall overdose is to avoid using the drug for non-medical purposes. Non-medical use includes:

  • Taking the drug without a prescription or using it more frequently or in higher doses than prescribed.
  • Crushing, snorting, or dissolving and injecting the drug.

If you take Adderall, avoid mixing it with any other substances. This includes alcohol, illicit drugs, and any other prescription medications.

If you have a prescription for Adderall, be careful of how you store your medication. Prescription drugs are easily accessed by others, including children in the household, in many cases. Be sure to:

  • Keep prescription drugs out of reach of children and teenagers by storing them in locked medicine cabinets.
  • Properly and safely dispose of expired medications by following regulations developed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Additionally, if you are prescribed Adderall, consider discussing the following with your doctor:4

  • Any other prescription and non-prescription drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements you are taking.
  • Any allergies to medications.
  • History of medical conditions, including glaucoma, hyperthyroidism, seizures, hypertension, heart conditions, liver disease or kidney disease.
  • Family history of heart conditions.
  • History of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
  • Previous or current suicidal thoughts and/or attempts.
  • If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.

If you or someone you know is addicted to Adderall, addiction treatment programs are available to assist with quitting for good. In some cases, people may undergo detox before treatment begins. During an Adderall detox, a person will be gradually tapered off the drug while medical staff manage any severe Adderall withdrawal symptoms that may arise.

After detox is complete, a recovering individual may then choose to attend inpatient or outpatient treatment. Inpatient programs offer both treatment and temporary housing, while outpatient programs allow the individual to commute to a facility weekly to receive treatment.

Finding Adderall Addiction Treatment Programs

Adderall can pose serious risks to non-medical users. If you or someone you know is abusing Adderall or has experienced an overdose, consider seeking help. Professional treatment can start anyone battling substance abuse on the path to a happier and healthier life. Rehab programs are located throughout the U.S., and many offer specialized treatment that can cater to individual needs. You can use SAMHSA’s Behavioral Services Locator to search for rehab centers. Many state government websites will also provide local drug and alcohol resources to those in need. To find your state government’s website, do a web search for your state name and ‘.gov.’ Once your state website is located, substance use resources shouldn’t be hard to find, and they should provide further phone contacts for your assistance.

American Addiction Centers (AAC) is a leading provider of addiction treatment programs and has trusted rehab facilities across the country. Please call us free at to start your path toward recovery today.

AAC maintains a strong partnership with a large group of insurance companies at our addiction treatment facilities. Start the journey to recovery and find out instantly using the form below whether your health insurance provider may be able to cover all or part of the cost of rehab and associated therapies.

Adderall Addiction Treatment Levels of Care

Recommended Adderall Rehab-Related Articles

Was this page helpful?
Thank you for your feedback.

American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information. We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to understand.

Read our full editorial policy

While we are unable to respond to your feedback directly, we'll use this information to improve our online help.

(0/100)