Is Adderall Illegal?
Possessing Adderall is never a problem as long as you have the prescription for it. Considering the high prevalence of abusing this prescription stimulant, there is a stricter means of regulating its possession and distribution in the community.
If you or any of your family members are addicted to this drug, it is best to consult with a doctor or addiction specialist as early as possible. With that, you are reducing the risk of its side effects and withdrawal symptoms.
Read further to learn more about the legal and illegal matters of this stimulant, and what are the legal implications for unlawfully possessing it.
Adderall Basic Information
It is a prescription drug made of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, so it is classified as a schedule II controlled substance by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). It is medically used for treating people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and sleeping disorder during the daytime (narcolepsy).
Its general impact will be helping you focus on your current activities while giving you a boost in performance. This effect is the one sought after by the abusers of this prescription drug.
What Are Schedule II Controlled Substances?
Prescription medicines and other substances under this tier are shown to have a high risk of abuse, which can lead to serious health consequences, mental, and behavioral disorders.
Some examples of prescription medicines under this classification include Adderall, Dexedrine, Desoxyn, and Ritalin. All these medicines have contents of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, which both target the brain.
When Is Adderall illegal?
When you purchase this drug without a prescription or outside your prescription bottle, then it is illegal. Besides that, there are other cases where possession or distribution of this prescription stimulant is found unlawful:
- When you do “doctor shopping” or get many prescriptions from various doctors, you will have ample supplies of this drug.
- Using other patient’s prescription to purchase the drug
- Creating fake prescriptions to obtain this medicine
- Illegally buying this drug in the streets
Legal Consequences for Illegal Possession or Distribution of Adderall
When you are caught for the first time of illegal possession of this prescription stimulant, you will be facing a misdemeanor where your corresponding legal obligation is one year state imprisonment and/or a fine of $1,000.
If you are caught again for the second time, then there’s a possibility that you will be charged with a felony with a higher legal obligation in court. Furthermore, here are some corresponding legal consequences for unlawful possession or distribution of this prescription drug.
Less than 1 gram
You will be charged with a felony with corresponding state imprisonment of 180 days to 2 years and a fine of $10,000 at a maximum.
- 1 to 4 grams
This is a third-tier felony offense with two to ten years imprisonment in state prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.
- 4 to 400 grams
This is a second-tier felony offense with a legal obligation of two to twenty years imprisonment in state prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.
- More than 400 grams of Adderall
You will be charged with a first-degree felony offense with a corresponding legal obligation of five to ninety-nine years of state imprisonment and a maximum fine of $50,000.
How To Avoid Legal Implications?
For you to avoid being charged with a misdemeanor or felony for Adderall abuse, then you must possess it using a non-expired and legit prescription. Likewise, always keep your medicine inside your prescription bottle, as it will be charged illegal when it’s stored outside the bottle.
What Are the Causes For You To Abuse Adderall?
Self-medication is one of the major reasons why you and other people are misusing this prescription drug. With that, you need to strictly abide by your prescription. Besides that, here are other reasons why people abuse this substance.
- For getting a high
- Pressure from friends
- To boost one’s performance in preparing for an exam or finishing a school work
- To boost alertness and energy for the athletes
Signs that You Are Addicted to Adderall
For the addict, it will be difficult for them to accept or realize that they are addicted to the substance because they have the mindset of just using it for medication. Consequently, you need to perform an intervention to help your friend or family member understand their addiction problem.
Here are some notable telltales that a person is an addict to Adderall:
- Uncontrolled craving for the drug
- The propensity to consume more than what is prescribed
- Getting prescriptions from various doctors
- Stealing other’s prescription bottle to purchase the drug
- Using alcohol and other illicit substances while medicating with Adderall
Expected Withdrawal Symptoms from Adderall Abuse
Once you or your loved one starts cutting down on your Adderall usage, you will feel these withdrawal symptoms that can cause discomfort. Typically, the severity of pain will depend on how long you have abused this stimulant.
Here are the usual withdrawal symptoms of Adderall addiction:
- Feeling agitated
- Dizziness and confusion
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Headache
- Tremors
- Panic attacks
- Depression
- Anxiety
- The mouth seems to dry up
- Unhealthy thoughts of suicide
- High blood pressure
Options for Treating Adderall Abuse
When you or your addict family member enrolls into treatment, you have two main choices: inpatient and outpatient recovery plan. For you to determine which one is best, you need to consult with an addiction specialist or doctor.
They will assess your overall condition so that they can gauge the severity of your addiction. After that, they will tell you about the treatments suitable for your needs.
Here is the standard flow of treatment:
- Consultation and assessment
- Detoxification
- Medication and Behavioral therapies
- Assessment of progress
- Aftercare program
Seek Medical Treatment As Early As Possible
Substance use disorder is a serious matter which needs the urgent attention of an addiction specialist or doctor. They can give you a customized treatment plan that matches your needs and finances.
If you have a moderate to severe Adderall addiction, then going for an inpatient rehab program is best. You will have an around clock medical supervision and treatment from licensed, trained, and bonded medical staff.
Get help as early as today.
