Adderall is a prescription stimulant drug primarily used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Adderall contains two active ingredients: amphetamine and dextroamphetamine.[1] These substances are both central nervous system stimulants that can improve symptoms of inattention and impulsiveness in people suffering from ADHD.
While Adderall is effective in managing the symptoms of ADHD, the medication is known to be habit-forming and highly addictive when misused. Adderall abuse is most common among college-aged students, as it allows them to stay up for long hours and focus on studying.
According to Johns Hopkins University, “60 percent of non-medical Adderall use for ages 12 and up was happening among 18- to 25-year-olds.”[2]
If you are worried that a loved one is abusing Adderall, being aware of the slang terms and street names used to describe it can help you determine whether they are misusing the substance.
What Does Adderall Look Like?
Adderall is a prescription medication that comes in pill form. There are a wide variety of Adderall pills, each coming in a different shape and color. Adderall is created by a few different manufacturers, which means that the same dosage can look different depending on who created it.
Adderall comes in instant-release and extended-release forms, so some Adderall pills take immediate effect while others are slowly released into the body throughout the day.
The most common Adderall pills include:
- 5mg instant-release pills are usually oval and white with an “AD” printed on one side and a “5” on the other
- 7.5mg instant-release Adderall is blue and oval-shaped with an “AD” printed on one side and a “7.5” on the other
- 10mg pills are round and blue with “AD” printed on one side with a “10” on the back
- 20mg Adderall pills are orange and round with an “AD” printed on the front and a “20” on the back
The generic forms of Adderall typically have a “DP” instead of an “AD” printed on them with the dosage engraved on the back. If you come across an Adderall pill without these markings, it is most likely fake, and you have no way of determining what substances that pill contains, making it dangerous to consume.
Signs of Adderall Addiction
Because Adderall is addictive, people recreationally abusing the substance can quickly develop a substance use disorder. It can be difficult to spot Adderall addiction because the individual abusing the substance will attempt to hide it from their loved ones. By knowing the signs of Adderall abuse, you can determine whether your loved one is suffering from an addiction.
Signs of Adderall misuse and addiction include:
- Increased sociability, talkativeness, and fast thoughts
- Feelings of grandiosity or wellbeing
- Dry mouth, nausea, and vomiting
- Extreme nervousness, anxiety, or paranoia
- Visiting multiple doctors to receive more than one prescription of Adderall
- Changing the format of Adderall like crushing it to snort or smoke it
- Panicking when they think they will run out of Adderall
- Spending a lot of time thinking about, using, and recovering from the use of Adderall
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when they cannot use Adderall
- Changes in sleep and eating habits
If you notice the signs of Adderall addiction, your loved one likely needs professional drug abuse treatment. These programs can provide your loved one with the tools, support, and evidence-based treatments they need to achieve and maintain long-term recovery.
Common Street Names and Slang Terms for Adderall
If your loved one is abusing Adderall, they might be using street names or slang terms to describe the substance when texting or talking on the phone with their friends or drug dealer. Street names are used to prevent anyone from noticing that they are discussing drugs. Being aware of the street names for Adderall can help you determine whether your loved one is abusing Adderall.
The common street names and slang for Adderall include:
- Addies or addys
- Bennies
- Black beauties
- Blue pills
- Copilots
- Crank
- Crosses
- Dexes or red dexes
- Hearts
- Ice
- LA turnaround
- Speed
- Truck drivers
- Uppers
- Red pep or pep pills
- Smarties or smart pills
- Speed
- Study buddies
- A-train
- Zing
While some of these slang terms are unique to Adderall, others are used to describe a variety of different stimulant drugs. For example, the terms “ice” and “speed” are commonly used as a nickname for methamphetamine. Additionally, “truck drivers” and “black beauties” were originally terms for a prescription pill in the 1970s called biphetamine.
Sometimes, people who abuse Adderall mix it with alcohol or other substances to increase or change the high they experience. When Adderall is mixed with a depressant drug like opioids, people refer to it as a “speedball.”
If you hear your loved one using some of these street names, they could be abusing Adderall. Use the signs of Adderall addiction and slang terms to decide whether they are suffering from a substance use disorder. If so, it might be time to consider finding them a stimulant addiction treatment program to attend.
Finding Help for Adderall Abuse and Addiction
Adderall abuse can quickly lead to a full-blown addiction. Unfortunately, Adderall addiction can negatively impact every area of your life, including putting you at an increased risk of life-threatening health emergencies like overdoses.
Moving Mountains Recovery Center can provide you or a loved one with the support and tools that you need to maintain long-term recovery. To learn more about our prescription drug rehab program in New Jersey, contact us today.
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