Adderall is a widely popular prescription drug mainly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). But as much as this drug can be positively life-changing for some, one question stands: can Adderall cause hair loss?
In this post, we’ll discuss this potential side effect, how it happens, and how abusing Adderall can lead to this and other health problems. Keep reading to learn more about this drug and how it affects your hair and overall health.
What’s Adderall?
Adderall is a brand of psychostimulant, a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. This is strictly a prescription drug, typically used to treat ADHD and sometimes even narcolepsy.
Contrary to what others think, Adderall isn’t an illegal drug. In fact, it’s an FDA-approved medication. However, some people tend to abuse the drug or use it beyond what their doctor prescribes.
When ingested, Adderall can help a person stay focused, have better communication skills, and have more control over their behavior. It can also keep someone with narcolepsy awake during the day.
It works by boosting the production of dopamine and norepinephrine hormones in the nervous system. These ‘feel-good’ hormones are behind the alertness, productivity, and confidence of those who take it. This also explains why a lot of college students notoriously source Adderall to help with the demands of their academics.
Usually, Adderall is taken orally and the dosage may vary from 5 mg to 60 mg per day, depending on the person’s needs.
Does Adderall cause hair loss?
Adderall and hair loss may come hand in hand. However, this side effect isn’t usual and typically happens to those who take large doses or abuse the drug.
Take note that Adderall isn’t the only drug that can cause hair loss. In fact, almost every stimulant can trigger this side effect.
But why do stimulants cause hair loss? In general, it can happen two ways: due to increased cortisol levels and hair follicle stimulation.
According to a 2021 study, stimulation medication can increase the baseline cortisol levels of young participants. And with higher cortisol levels, the body’s inflammatory responses increase, even on the scalp. This can lead to damage to hair follicles, which leads to hair loss.
Aside from that, stimulants like Adderall increase the nervous system’s activity. This leads to a slew of side effects, including hair loss, as the hair follicles enter the resting phase and stop producing new hair.
But can Adderall cause hair thinning if I’m only taking it in small amounts? It all depends on how your body will react to this stimulant. Overall, severe hair loss due to stimulants are not very common, but it can still happen.
Other side effects that worsen Adderall hair thinning
Does Adderall make you lose hair? It can directly do so, or the hair loss can be a secondary condition to the primary side effects of the drug. This includes the following:
- Sleeping problems. Hair loss and Adderall can be a combination triggered by lack of sleep. This further increases your cortisol levels, which will contribute to shedding more hair strands than usual.
- Itchy and rash-prone skin. Some people may have an allergic reaction to Adderall, which includes itching and hives all over the body, including the scalp.
- Poor appetite and weight loss. Stimulants like Adderall make you less hungry and even cause your body to lose more calories than usual. This weight loss and lack of appetite might deprive your body of important ‘hair nutrients’.
Take note that it’s not known yet how common or how much hair loss a person may experience when taking Adderall. What’s known is that prolonged or high-dose use can trigger serious side effects. Beyond hair loss, dependence on Adderall can lead to physical and mental health problems.
How to stop hair loss from Adderall?
Most people will recover from ‘Adderall hair loss’ in a few months after they stop taking the medication. However, some may take a year or so before they can regain the same thickness of hair they used to have.
Knowing how to stop hair loss from Adderall starts by consulting with your physician who prescribed the medication. Depending on your condition, you may be prescribed a hair growth stimulant or simply wean off the drug slowly.
However, if you’re abusing Adderall, you should consider consulting with an addiction specialist as the first step of recovery. From there, they can recommend various treatment options to help you quit Adderall abuse as safely as possible.
For those with severe Adderall addiction, an inpatient rehab might be the ideal treatment. Aside from addressing your hair loss, the facility will also get to the root of the problem before it causes further complications.
Hair loss & Adderall addiction
As an ‘upper’ or stimulant, Adderall has a high potential for abuse and/or misuse. It’s also highly accessible, whether through a prescription or illicit means.
Take note you’re unlikely to develop Adderall addiction if you follow your doctor’s instructions properly. However, those who take the drug in unprescribed doses can easily spiral into addiction.
Can Adderall make you lose hair? When Adderall addiction happens, side effects such as hair loss from Adderall can be more prevalent.
Still, hair loss should probably be the least of your concerns when struggling with Adderall addiction. Without proper drug rehab, Adderall addiction can lead to dependence, where the person may go to great lengths just to get the drug.
Unfortunately, Adderall addiction may start with good intentions. For example, students and professionals may take them for a cognitive boost. Meanwhile, athletes may also abuse this drug to enhance their physical performance.
However, uncontrollable and prolonged abuse of Adderall can branch out into other health problems. You might start getting panic attacks, paranoia, and life-threatening withdrawal symptoms when not taking the drug.
Is your Adderall use getting out of hand? We’re here to help.
If you or a loved one is struggling with Adderall abuse, our addiction treatment center in Los Angeles can help. At LA Wellness Home, we will help them quit the drug for good so they can achieve sobriety and avoid the potential health risks drug abuse comes with.
Our treatment begins with a medical detox, where our 24/7 clinical team helps you flush out Adderall from your system. They will also help you manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms through proper medication management.
Above all, our program includes comprehensive dual diagnosis to identify any underlying mental health disorders along with your addiction. This way, we can provide a holistic treatment to help you quit Adderall abuse and maintain a sober life.
Also, we will help you develop healthy coping mechanisms so you no longer have to turn to Adderall to feel good. Our welcoming alumni program will also connect you to other individuals who have struggled with drug abuse and are now leading a clean and healthy life.
If you need help with drug addiction, contact us at LA Wellness Home. Our 24/7 helpline is open to anyone with questions or when you’re ready to start your admissions process. We accept all major insurances, and we also provide free insurance verification to see if your plan covers the treatment.
