Quillivant XR and QuilliChew ER Addiction: Signs and Side Effects of Abuse

Countless Americans abuse or are addicted to stimulants. With stimulant prescriptions on the rise, the problem seems to be compounded. However, stimulants like Quillivant XR and QuilliChew ER (methylphenidate HCI) are linked to abuse and addiction in both prescription and non-prescription use.

Stimulants are highly effective in treating certain conditions and can be very beneficial. However, unauthorized or irresponsible use of stimulants can quickly lead to a substance use disorder.

Without proper intervention, stimulant addictions have the potential to completely upend an individual’s life. Read on to learn more about Quillivant XR addiction. We’ll explore why it causes addiction, who may be prone to addiction, and how it can be diagnosed.

Quillivant XR is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant prescribed to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is formulated as an extended-release oral liquid, which means the medication is slowly absorbed into the body over time for longer-lasting symptom control.

Like other CNS stimulants, Quillivant XR affects brain chemistry, specifically by increasing levels of neurotransmitters, including dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in motivation, reward, and pleasure. Dopamine plays a key role in how we experience positive reinforcement. For individuals with ADHD, boosting dopamine levels can help improve focus, attention, and impulse control.

However, when Quillivant XR is misused, such as by taking higher doses than prescribed or using it without a prescription, it can create a surge of dopamine that leads to feelings of euphoria. This artificially elevated reward response can make the brain crave the experience again, increasing the risk of repeated misuse.

Over time, this pattern can lead to psychological dependence and addiction. Even though Quillivant XR is medically beneficial when used appropriately, abusing it can have serious consequences, including changes in behavior, mood disturbances, and long-term health risks.

Understanding how Quillivant XR affects the brain and why misuse can be so dangerous is an important first step in preventing addiction or seeking help when needed.

Abuse and addiction are two important terms to understand when talking about stimulant use disorders. They are separate conditions and, as such, have key differences.

You can think of abuse as any Quillivant XR use or behavior that is not prescribed by a doctor. For example, taking more of the medication than prescribed, taking it more frequently than prescribed, taking it without a prescription, or altering the form of the drug can all be classified as abuse.

Abuse, while a separate condition from addiction, is highly linked to addiction. Many people who abuse stimulants eventually develop an addiction. This happens when people develop psychological dependence on stimulants, which is a strong indicator of addiction.

Addiction has key characteristics that make it distinguishable from abuse. This includes compulsive use, strong cravings, and an inability to stop using Quillivant XR. In other words, people who are addicted to stimulants may know their behavior is harming them, but will continue to use stimulants despite this.

Quillivant XR is linked to physical dependence and psychological dependence. Psychological dependence can cause cravings, compulsive use, and inability to stop thinking about stimulants. This is because in psychological dependence, the brain has become reliant on stimulants.

Physical dependence is defined as the body relying on stimulants to function. When you put Quillivant XR in your system for an extended period, your body learns to function in the presence of the drug.

When you stop taking medication you’ve developed a physical dependence on, your body will likely retaliate with withdrawal symptoms. They are essentially your body’s reaction to a sudden lack of stimulants. Withdrawal symptoms can make quitting very challenging.

In addition to dependence, many people find that they build up a tolerance to Quillivant XR or QuilliChew ER over time. This means that you need to take a higher dose of the medication to feel the same way you once did at a lower dose. Eventually, this can lead to misuse, addiction, and even overdose.

Physical dependence does not necessarily mean you have an addiction, but rather that your body is leaning heavily on stimulants. While you can be physically dependent without addiction, it’s essential to note that dependence often leads to addiction over time.

Recognizing the signs of Quillivant XR addiction can make a big difference, whether you’re concerned about yourself or someone you care about. Addiction doesn’t always look the same for everyone, but there are some common physical, emotional, and behavioral changes to watch for.

Physical signs might not always be obvious, but they’re still important to know. These can include unexplained weight loss, high blood pressure, changes in appetite, or trouble sleeping. While these symptoms could have other causes, when paired with other behaviors, they may point to a bigger issue.

Psychological signs can include mood swings, irritability, anxiety, or becoming preoccupied with getting or taking the medication. That’s because Quillivant XR, like other stimulants, affects dopamine levels in the brain, your brain’s reward system. Over time, misuse can change the way the brain functions, making it harder to feel “normal” without the drug.

Then there are also behavioral signs, which are often easier to spot. You might notice someone becoming secretive, running out of their medication early, or visiting multiple doctors to get more prescriptions, also known as “doctor shopping.” For teens or young adults, this might show up as skipping school, losing interest in friends or hobbies, or slipping grades.

You may also see bigger lifestyle changes, like pulling away from relationships, neglecting responsibilities, or isolating themselves more than usual.

While spotting these signs early can lead to better treatment outcomes, it’s important to remember that they don’t confirm an addiction on their own. Everyone experiences addiction differently, and only a qualified healthcare provider can make an accurate diagnosis.

If you’re unsure, reaching out to a professional for guidance is a smart next step. Help is available, and no one has to go through this alone.

As mentioned previously, it’s common to experience withdrawal symptoms once you’ve developed a physical dependence on Quillivant XR or QuilliChew ER. Like signs of addiction, withdrawal symptoms affect the physical, mental, and behavioral health of an individual.

Physical symptoms of Quillivant XR withdrawal include:

• Increased appetite
• Oversleeping
• Intense cravings
• Slowed movement
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Psychological withdrawal symptoms are also common:
• Nightmares
• Slowed thinking
• Depression
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Agitation

Withdrawal symptoms affect everyone differently. This is because withdrawal is dependent on many factors like the severity of your addiction, general health and well-being, how much of the medication you typically take, and how long you’ve used it for.

While the duration, severity, and quantity of withdrawal symptoms vary, there is a general timeline you can expect in stimulant withdrawal. Onset typically begins a few hours to a few days after your last dose and peaks in intensity by day three.

Withdrawal can last anywhere from several weeks to months. It is a very challenging, uncomfortable, and sometimes dangerous process that can tempt people to keep abusing stimulants. With proper medical attention, however, the withdrawal process can be less painful and dangerous.

Side effects can be short-term and long-term in Quillivant XR use. The severity of side effects varies between people and tends to be more common with repeated abuse.

Side effects that you experience right after taking Quillivant XR are called short-term side effects. Those that occur after long-term, extended use are called long-term effects and can be hazardous to your health in the long run.

Short-term side effects are often uncomfortable and inconvenient, but last for a short period. However, some are dangerous and require medical treatment.

Short-term effects may include:

• Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
• Joint pain
• Euphoria
• Seizures
• Priapism
• Blood flow issues
• Sudden and frequent mood swings
• Dizziness
• Feeling paranoid
• Loss of skin color
• Fever or general ill feeling
• Suicidal thoughts or actions
• Itching, skin rash, or hives
• Nausea and vomiting
• Nausea or vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Decreased or loss of appetite
• Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
• Increased heart rate
• Redness, irritation, or itching where the patch is applied
• Glaucoma
• Stomach cramps
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Trouble sleeping
• Trouble breathing
• Sudden confusion or feeling disoriented
• Slowed growth in children
• Increased blood pressure
• Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
• Weight loss
• Breathing problems or wheezing
• Racing heart
• Quillivant XR overdose

Because long-term use can cause people to develop a tolerance to stimulants, some people may take doses that are so high they can cause an overdose. Drug overdose is incredibly dangerous. An overdose can cause permanent damage and even death, which is why it requires immediate medical attention.

Signs of Quillivant XR overdose include agitation, vomiting, dilated pupils, fast or pounding heartbeats, headache, hallucinations, seizure, confusion, sweating, dry mouth, coma, tremor, pounding in your neck or ears, fever, muscle pain or weakness, and muscle twitches. If you notice any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately.

When you abuse Quillivant XR or QuilliChew ER for a long time, you’re at greater risk for developing long-term side effects that can cause permanent deficits.

Long-term effects can include:

• Cardiovascular issues
• Anxiety disorders
• Severe weight loss
• Cognitive decline
• Circulatory problems

Not everyone who uses Quillivant XR or QuilliChew ER will abuse the drug or develop an addiction to it. However, anyone who uses these medications is at risk for these conditions. Some people may be more prone to addiction, however.

One risk factor is a family history of addiction. If someone in your family has a history of drug abuse, you may be at a greater risk of developing a stimulant use disorder. This is called genetic predisposition. If you’ve abused other addictive substances in the past or currently do, you are also more likely to develop Quillivant XR addiction.

Adolescents and college students also have an elevated risk for stimulant addiction. This is because these groups tend to be under a lot of academic stress and pressure. Many students abuse stimulants to get more done in a short period, stay awake longer, or prepare for a test.

These groups may also be prone to peer influence. Impressionable teens and adolescents who are surrounded by peers abusing stimulants are more likely to give in and try drugs. This can lead to addiction over time.

Lastly, if you have a mental health disorder, you are more likely to develop an addiction. Co-occurring disorders are mental illnesses that often occur alongside addiction, the two often feeding off of each other. They can include anxiety, depression, ADHD, and more.

It’s important that you are aware of your addiction risk factors. If you are at greater risk for addiction, make sure to tell your doctor. They may prescribe you a different medication or monitor you more closely.

Quillivant XR or QuilliChew ER must be diagnosed by a medical professional. That being said, you may suspect addiction based on some of the signs previously discussed.

If you suspect that your loved one is addicted to stimulants but is struggling to get them help, you may need to hold an intervention, have an honest conversation with them, or expose them to online screening tools and self-assessments.

Your doctor will give you a medical evaluation to diagnose you. It’s of the utmost importance that you answer your doctor’s questions honestly. This ensures that you receive an accurate diagnosis.

Questions may include topics like:

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

The first step in any recovery journey is getting a proper diagnosis. It is important to take this process seriously. Once you’ve been diagnosed, your doctor may be able to help you devise a treatment strategy based on your needs.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) is an official guide for diagnosing mental health conditions. Your doctor will refer to the criteria listed for stimulant use disorder in the DSM-5 during your evaluation.

The DSM-5 lists the following as symptoms of stimulant use disorder:

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 use
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

You don’t need to meet all of the criteria listed in the DSM-5 to be diagnosed with stimulant use disorder. In fact, the number of criteria you meet helps determine the severity of your addiction. Meeting two to three criteria is in line with mild addiction, four to five with moderate addiction, and six or more over a year-long period with severe addiction.

Addictions of any severity can be effectively treated and managed. However, getting a diagnosis and starting treatment when your addiction is still mild to severe can result in better treatment outcomes.

Quillivant XR and QuilliChew ER are stimulants that have a high potential for abuse and addiction. This can lead to many health problems, social problems, and even mental health issues.

Stimulant addiction is a serious condition that requires professional treatment. It can be difficult to overcome and requires both proper intervention and support.

For more information on stimulant addictions and treatment, call the RehabNet helpline today.