College Students and Adderall
Abuse in Milwaukee

Both Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee bring thousands of fresh faces to the Milwaukee area every year. Many college students are living on their own for the first time in their lives; some are experimenting with new things, and others are looking for ways to cope with new responsibilities, both of which can lead to substance abuse — or more specifically, our focus here: Milwaukee Adderall abuse.

In this piece, we’ll explore what Adderall is, how it affects college students in particular, and what our addiction rehab programming at Roots Recovery can do to help.

Adderall Abuse Milwaukee Students

What Is Adderall,
and Why Is It Abused?


Adderall is a stimulant drug in the amphetamine class of substances that’s used to treat conditions including ADHD and narcolepsy. In measured, prescribed doses, Adderall can help a person focus and stay at attention. Unfortunately, Adderall is commonly abused recreationally to help students stay awake to study or keep them up to party longer.

Adderall and Milwaukee College Students


On top of schoolwork, students are managing more meetings, meals, bills, relationships, and other responsibilities than ever before. These can combine to put extreme stress on an unprepared college student, who may seek a quick fix or a shortcut for performance in school.

A drug like Adderall, sometimes billed as a pill that can help you focus, might seem like a quick and easy solution for the overburdened student, but it can quickly lead to dependence. For example, a person might start using Adderall to cram for one test, and before they know it, they feel like they have to use it any time they study or they don’t retain any information.

It’s also abused as a stimulant party drug, in which it’s often taken or snorted in quantities that can quickly lead to negative health consequences. It’s also often combined with alcohol, which is notoriously a depressant, and can cause potentially life-threatening drug interactions.

This is especially true if Adderall is normalized among a group of students. If everyone in a study group or social circle is using and sharing Adderall, a single stressed-out student is much more likely to try it.

You’re Not Alone – We Can Help.

Make One Confidential Call to Change Your Life

Identify Adderall Abuse

Ways to Identify Adderall
Addiction in Milwaukee


It’s important to recognize the signs that someone might be abusing Adderall. Someone who is taking Adderall as prescribed might appear happy, healthy, functional, and focused, which are generally good things. However, hyperactive and hyper-focused behaviors may be indicators of Adderall abuse.

This can make it tricky to encourage someone to take Adderall abuse seriously: why should they seek help if the drug abuse is encouraging “good” traits? The answer, of course, is that Adderall abuse can lead to dependence, addiction, permanent damage, and life-threatening side-effects, but many students believe they can stop using before those things come to pass — even if they’re already happening.

Rather than focus on these “good” new habits, such as productivity, draw attention to the negative side effects. Do they ramble and hyper-fixate more than before? Have they developed anxiety? Are they suddenly not getting enough food or sleep? These more obvious changes may help someone realize that Adderall abuse is causing more problems than it’s worth to them.

Adderall Addiction Treatment at Roots Recovery


At Roots Recovery in Milwaukee, we work with our clients on an individual basis to determine which programming options are the best fit for their needs in recovery. When you or a loved one comes in for Adderall addiction treatment, we’ll provide personalized care that takes into account the circumstances that led to Adderall abuse, and finds ways for the client to destress, focus, and enjoy life in healthier ways.

Through an individually tailored combination of substance abuse counseling, group therapy, 12-step work, life skill workshops, and holistic therapies, our clients can get clean and learn how to stay clean while staying in one of our comfortable sober living homes in Milwaukee. Once you’re ready to take the first step towards recovery, give us a call at 844.447.6687 to learn more about how we can help you reclaim your life.