Fake Adderall Pills | Dangers Of Counterfeit Adderall Pills

Adderall is a prescription stimulant drug used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy (excessive sleepiness). When used in a manner not prescribed, it can cause serious health problems, including addiction.

In recent years, some people have started selling fake Adderall pills, which are even more dangerous than authentic Adderall. 

What Is Fake Adderall?

Fake Adderall pills (also called counterfeit Adderall pills) are pills that resemble Adderall but contain different ingredients. 

According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), many drug traffickers have been manufacturing fake Adderall tablets that contain fentanyl and methamphetamine. Both of these drugs are extremely powerful and deadly.

Why Do People Buy Fake Adderall?

As a stimulant drug, Adderall increases your energy, concentration, and alertness. Some high school and college students abuse it to boost their academic performance. They often buy it through the internet or social media. 

Much of the Adderall purchased in this manner is fake and highly dangerous. 

Dangers Of Fake Adderall

When you use fake Adderall, you face the dangers of both fentanyl and methamphetamine. 

Fentanyl Overdose

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that’s up to 50 times more powerful than heroin and 100 times more powerful than morphine. It poses a high risk of overdose and addiction.

When used in a manner not prescribed by a doctor, even a small amount of fentanyl can cause a deadly overdose. Common symptoms of a fentanyl overdose include:

• slowed or stopped breathing
• slowed or stopped heartbeat
• cold, clammy skin
• bluish lips and/or fingernails
• smaller pupils
• loss of consciousness

If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms, call 911 right away. Also, administer naloxone if you have it. Naloxone (brand name Narcan) is a medication that can rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. 

Opioid Addiction

Like other opioids, fentanyl is highly addictive. Fentanyl addiction is a serious disease that makes you feel unable to control your fentanyl use. Common signs include:

• tolerance (needing increasingly larger or more frequent amounts of a drug to feel the desired effects)
• physical dependence (experiencing unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when you don’t use a drug)
• loss of motivation
• loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
• avoidance of friends and family members

Like other types of addiction, fentanyl addiction requires professional treatment. 

Effects Of Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine (or “meth”) is an illicit drug made with dangerous chemicals like acetone, anhydrous ammonia, and sulfuric acid. It’s a powder that can be snorted, injected, or cooked into smokeable rocks called crystal meth.

Like Adderall, meth is a stimulant drug that speeds up your central nervous system. However, it’s much more powerful. Common effects of meth include:

• increased attention, alertness, and wakefulness
• excitement
• euphoria (intense joy)
• anxiety
• anger
• paranoia
• hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that aren’t there)

Also, like fentanyl, meth can cause overdose and addiction. 

Meth Overdose

Common symptoms of a meth overdose include:

• trouble breathing
• faster or irregular heartbeat
• increased body temperature
• change in blood pressure
• chest pain
• confusion
• seizures
• loss of consciousness

If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms, call 911 right away.

Meth Addiction

Meth is also highly addictive. Like fentanyl addiction, meth addiction is usually characterized by physical dependence and tolerance. 

When left untreated, meth addiction can lead to many other health problems, including:

• excessive itching that leaves sores and scabs
• severe dental problems (also called “meth mouth”)
• damage to the heart, brain, liver, kidney, or lungs
• premature osteoporosis 
• high blood pressure
• stroke
• heart attack

How To Avoid Fake Adderall

Some people think they can tell the difference between fake and authentic Adderall. However, according to law enforcement, fake prescription pills are usually identical to legitimate prescription pills. 

That means that the only way to avoid fake Adderall is to never buy the drug illegally. Instead, only use Adderall that’s prescribed to you by a doctor. 

Also, if you have children in high school or college, explain the dangers of illegally buying Adderall. 

If you or someone you love struggles with Adderall abuse or addiction, please contact an Ark Behavioral Health specialist. We offer medical detox, mental health counseling, and a variety of other evidence-based treatments on an inpatient and outpatient basis.