What should I know before using Adderall?

Before you fill that prescription for Adderall, there are some important cautions you need to know about, says addiction specialist Mike Dow, PsyD.

Transcript

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MIKE DOW: Here are a couple of things you need to know before you start taking Adderall. [MUSIC PLAYING]

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Number one, this may not work in the long-term. The most effective strategies for managing and treating ADHD

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are medication, plus behavioral strategies, like cognitive behavioral therapy, in addition to other therapies like neurofeedback and mindful

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meditation, which have also been shown to be effective in treating ADHD. So if you are going to use medication and use that

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as the route, try to use it with other strategies because number one, they are more effective, and number two, they will help you, in addition to the effects that you

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will be getting from the drug. The second thing that you should know about taking Adderall is that you need to watch what you're eating.

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You need to watch what you are combining with this drug because Adderall is flooding your brain with dopamine and also norepinephrine.

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Things that also release dopamine such as alcohol and caffeine should be severely limited, if not avoided.

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Third, you may experience insomnia. This is one of the most common things reported to me in patients taking Adderall.

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So if you are experiencing insomnia at night and if this is making irritable, or you're having fits of anger or rage, please talk to your health

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care professional about the dosing of this very potent medication. [AUDIO LOGO]