Evekeo Addiction: Signs and Side Effects of Evekeo Abuse

Stimulant abuse is a rising concern in the U.S., affecting people of all ages and backgrounds. The effects of a stimulant use disorder can be detrimental, so the condition should be taken seriously.

Evekeo (amphetamine sulfate) is a prescription stimulant with a high potential for abuse and addiction. While it’s very beneficial when used therapeutically, its use can lead to addiction, especially when misused.

In this article, you’ll learn more about addiction to Evekeo, including why it happens, signs and side effects and more.

Evekeo is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. The CNS is made up of the brain and spinal cord, which means CNS stimulants interact with these organs.

To treat conditions like ADHD, CNS stimulants help correct imbalances in brain chemistry. Not all stimulants affect brain chemistry in the same way. Evekeo, for example, increases the levels of neurotransmitters called dopamine and norepinephrine.

While they play several roles in the body, including facilitating attention and concentration, dopamine and norepinephrine are part of your brain’s reward system. This is why people can feel effects like euphoria and increased focus when they use these drugs, leading to misuse.

Many people find the pleasant feelings of stimulants to be reinforcing, causing them to take them regularly outside of how they have been prescribed. Over time, occasional misuse can turn into a dependence on stimulants or a clinical addiction.

The risk of developing an addiction to Evekeo is particularly high with misuse, involving crushing or snorting pills, as well as taking larger doses of the drug than recommended.

Misuse and addiction have a significant connection, but they’re not one and the same. It’s essential to understand the key differences between misuse and addiction.

Any behavior surrounding Evekeo that isn’t prescribed can be considered misuse. For example, if you use the medication without a prescription, any use is considered misuse. However, even those with a prescription have the potential to misuse it by taking higher doses than prescribed, taking it more frequently than prescribed or crushing or snorting pills.

With stimulants, addictions often start with casual misuse, such as using a stimulant to study for a big test. While abusing these drugs from time to time may seem harmless, it’s easy to slip into a routine of misuse, which can lead to addiction to the medication.

The word “addiction” is a colloquial term. The more official word for the condition that leads people to overuse a substance on a chronic basis is a Substance Use Disorder (SUD). A stimulant use disorder is characterized by cravings, neglecting responsibilities, an inability to stop using stimulants and using stimulants despite negative consequences.

Evekeo, much like other stimulants, is known to cause a Stimulant Use Disorder (SUD), which involves craving, compulsions to use, repetitive thoughts about the drug, and symptoms of physical dependence like withdrawal and tolerance.

If you have a physical dependence and suddenly stop taking Evekeo, you’ll likely experience withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can even occur in between doses if your body becomes used to a specific dosing schedule. Withdrawal symptoms are your body’s response to a sudden lack of the substance it relies on.

Dependence alone, while a strong indicator of addiction, doesn’t determine whether you have a “use disorder”s. However, physical dependence can be an early warning sign of addiction that you shouldn’t ignore.

It’s also important to be familiar with tolerance in relation to stimulants and dependence. With long-term use of any addictive medication, your body may build up a tolerance to the medication over time. Tolerance means you must take a higher dose to feel the same effects, which can encourage misuse and eventually lead to a loss of control of your use and even overdose.

Only healthcare professionals can diagnose an addiction or SUD, but there are signs you can watch for if you suspect that you or a loved one may be struggling with addiction.

One way you might identify a possible SUD is through physical signs. Common physical signs of stimulant use disorder include weight loss, increased energy, insomnia, decreased appetite and high blood pressure. Psychological signs are also common, including symptoms such as mood swings, irritability, hallucinations, paranoia and an obsession with stimulants.

Behavioral signs of addiction may be easier to identify in someone else. Sudden changes in behavior, especially in combination with other signs of addiction, can be a strong indicator of stimulant abuse. More specifically, you may notice things like weakened relationships, neglecting responsibilities, isolation and secrecy, risky behavior, academic or professional decline, confusion, loss of touch with reality and doctor shopping.

Keep in mind that not every person with a stimulant addiction will show the same signs. Regardless, it can save a life to be familiar with the early signs of addiction. Long-term harm may be avoided through early diagnosis and prevention.

If you stop taking Evekeo all at once, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal can be very difficult to go through, causing physical, mental and behavioral symptoms.

Physical symptoms of Evekeo withdrawal include:

• Intense cravings
• Weakness
• Slowed movement
• Fatigue
• Oversleeping
• Increased appetite

Psychological withdrawal symptoms include:

• Agitation
• Slowed thinking
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Nightmares

Some people may experience many symptoms of withdrawal, while others only experience a few. This difference is because stimulant withdrawal varies from person to person and is affected by a variety of variables.

Your withdrawal symptoms can be impacted by how severe your addiction is, the typical dose of stimulants you take, how long you’ve used stimulants and your overall health. Generally, withdrawal symptoms start a few hours to a few days after stopping Evekeo and are at their worst by the third day of withdrawal. They can last anywhere from several weeks to months.

Withdrawal is immensely challenging and can cause a lot of discomfort. In some cases, withdrawal can even lead to medical emergencies. As a result, it’s strongly discouraged to go through withdrawal at home. Medical detox services are designed to reduce the pain and danger associated with Evekeo withdrawal.

Evekeo addiction can affect many areas of your life, particularly your physical and mental health. Side effects of addiction tend to be more likely with long-term misuse, but can occur even with occasional misuse.

Short-term and long-term side effects are possible with Evekeo misuse. The former occurs shortly after use, while the latter occurs after repeated use over an extended period of time.

Short-term effects are often short-lived and may be more inconvenient than anything. However, it’s crucial to note that some short-term side effects can pose serious threats to your health.

Short-term effects may include:

• Trouble sleeping
• Circulation problems
• Mood swings
• Fever
• Changes in vision
• Dry mouth
• Sexual problems
• Feeling unusually weak or tired
• Kidney or bladder infection
• Headache
• Itching
• Stomach pain
• Heart problems
• Nervousness or restlessness
• Dizziness
• Anxiety or agitation
• Decreased or loss of appetite
• Muscle twitches (tics)
• Unpleasant taste
• Fast heartbeat (see below)
• Seizure
• Nausea and vomiting
• Weight loss
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Evekeo overdose

While overdose is most likely to occur with long-term, repeated use, even casual stimulant abuse can cause an overdose. People who regularly misuse stimulants may develop a high tolerance for the medication, causing them to take large doses. These amounts can sometimes be enough to cause an overdose.

Signs of stimulant overdose can include dilated pupils, tremors, coma, hallucinations, vomiting, pounding in your neck or ears, muscle pain or weakness, headache, seizure, muscle twitches, dry mouth, confusion, agitation, sweating, fever and fast or pounding heartbeat. If you notice any of these signs, it may be an overdose. Call 911 immediately. An overdose is a medical emergency.

People who abuse Evekeo for a long time may experience long-term side effects, some of which can permanently impact their health.

Long-term effects can include:

• Increased risk of heart attack or stroke
• Cognitive decline
• Cardiovascular issues
• Severe weight loss
• Circulatory problems
• Anxiety disorders
• Depressive disorders
• Psychotic disorders

Because Evekeo is linked with a high risk of abuse and addiction, anyone prescribed this medication or who uses it can develop an addiction. It doesn’t mean everyone who uses it will become addicted, but certain factors can increase your risk of developing an addiction.

If you have a history of substance abuse, you’re likely at higher risk for becoming addicted to stimulants. The same goes for a family history of drug and alcohol addiction, which may make you genetically predisposed to substance abuse.

Certain age groups, like students and teens, may be at an increased risk of developing a stimulant addiction. Stimulants like Evekeo are known for their euphoric and focus-increasing effects, which many students take advantage of when under academic stress. Specifically, some students use stimulants to study for finals or get an important project done. Similarly, professionals in high-stress jobs may abuse stimulants for similar work-related reasons.

People with a history of mental health conditions like ADHD, depression and anxiety are also more likely to become addicted. Mental health and addiction overlap considerably. So much so that mental illness that occurs alongside addiction is called a co-occurring disorder, and these conditions can feed off of each other, encouraging drug abuse.

If you fall into the above categories, there’s no need to feel ashamed or embarrassed. However, it’s vital that you tell your doctor you’re at high risk of drug addiction. They may choose to prescribe a different medication or follow up with you frequently. Being familiar with risk factors for stimulant addiction is an excellent tool for prevention.

Evekeo addiction is diagnosed via an official medical evaluation. However, it’s possible to identify warning signs of addiction in yourself or others.

During an evaluation for stimulant use disorder, a healthcare professional will analyze your physical, mental and behavioral well-being for signs of addiction. They’ll ask you questions about your behavior surrounding stimulants. You must answer your doctor’s questions honestly to get an accurate diagnosis.

Questions may include topics like:

• Impact on daily life, such as relationships, work or responsibilities
• Tolerance levels (needing more Evekeo to feel the same effects)
• Physical or psychological withdrawal symptoms
• Frequency and amount of use
• Attempts to quit and whether they were successful

Identifying signs of addiction in a loved one can be a difficult realization. If you suspect someone you know is addicted to stimulants, it’s crucial that you encourage them to get help, starting with a diagnosis. If they’re reluctant to get help, you may need to prompt them through resources like online assessments or an intervention with their friends and family.

Proper diagnosis of stimulant use disorder is immensely valuable, as it’s often the first step toward getting treatment. It’s important to get an accurate evaluation of the severity of your addiction so you can choose the appropriate treatment methods for your needs. Additionally, your doctor may be able to refer you to rehab facilities.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), an official guide for diagnosing mental health disorders like substance use disorders, is an integral part of the evaluation process.

The DSM-5 lists the following as symptoms of SUD:

1. Using larger amounts and/or over a longer period than intended
2. Unable to cut down or control use
3. Spending a lot of time in activities necessary to obtain, use or recover from the effects of the stimulant
4. Craving stimulants
5. Stimulant use interferes with taking care of responsibilities at work, school or home
6. Continued use despite stimulants causing persistent social or interpersonal problems
7. Giving up previously enjoyed activities because of misuse
8. Recurrent use in situations that increase the chances of getting hurt
9. Continued use despite persistent physical or psychological problems caused by stimulants
10. Tolerance to stimulants
11. Withdrawal symptoms when stopping stimulants

Not all individuals who are addicted to stimulants will meet all the criteria listed above, but these criteria can help evaluate the severity of your substance use disorder. People who meet two to three criteria have a mild substance use disorder, four to five have a moderate addiction and six or more within a year have a severe substance use disorder.

Getting diagnosed early can make all the difference. With professional intervention, you’ll be more likely to achieve positive treatment outcomes.

Both prescribed and unprescribed use of stimulants like Evekeo can lead to stimulant use disorder. It’s important to take stimulants only as prescribed and talk to your doctor if you start experiencing signs of dependency. Addiction is a chronic condition that requires professional treatment.

For more guidance on getting treated for Evekeo addiction, call the RehabNet helpline today and start your journey to recovery.