What Is Vyvanse Addiction?

When used correctly, Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) is a medication that can help to manage ADHD symptoms (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder). This drug acts as a central nervous system stimulant, increasing the concentration of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This effect can help to boost focus and attentiveness while helping to reduce impulsive behaviors. 

However, these outcomes are the exact reason Vyvanse is often misused for recreational purposes. The stimulating properties of this drug make it attractive for improving performance at work and school. Vyvanse is also prescribed to manage binge eating disorders—an effect that has encouraged its abuse by people looking to lose weight.

Like any medication, when used in excess, Vyvanse can be dangerous to your overall well-being. In extreme cases, an overdose of this stimulant can be fatal. To understand the severity of this dependency, this guide will look at the signs of Vyvanse addiction, the consequences of this habit, and the proper care channels to manage this condition.

How Is Vyvanse Prescribed?

To manage ADHD and binge eating disorder, Vyvanse is available in doses ranging from 10mg to 70mg. Most people above the age of 6 are started on 30mg, which is then increased in 10mg increments as needed. It is recommended that this drug be taken once a day in the morning in the measure prescribed by a health professional.

Because there’s a high risk of dependence and abuse with this medication, Vyvanse is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance. While this drug can help to enhance focus and concentration—a person with ADHD may come to rely on Vyvanse for daily functioning, known as dependence. There can be unpleasant symptoms of withdrawal if they suddenly stop taking the medication, and should be tapered off with the guidance and support of a health professional.

Symptoms of Vyvanse Abuse or Addiction

Signs of substance abuse include lack of control over use, compulsive use, continued use despite harm, and cravings. Someone who is abusing this medication may have any of the following symptoms:

• An unusually high level of energy
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure
• Dilated pupils
• Profuse sweating without any likely cause
• Poor sleeping habits at night
  
• Unease, restlessness
• A lack of coordination
• Body shakes
• Skin redness
• Abdominal pain, vomiting
• An unusually inflated sense of self
• A noticeable change in personality
• Mood swings, hostility, aggression
• Paranoia, hallucinations
• Rebound or crash effect when medication wears off

Vyvanse can be misused by taking it in excess amounts, snorting it, or injecting it into the body, even in people for whom it has been prescribed.

Consequences of Vyvanse Addiction

While the side effects of this medication can start off as mild, it doesn't take long for these physiological changes to cause serious harm to physical and mental well-being. Negative effects of abusing Vyvanse include:

• Malnourishment from decreased appetite or changes in metabolism
• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Severe depression with suicidal thoughts
• Psychosis
• Liver and kidney damage
• Brain damage

A person with an addiction to Vyvanse will find it difficult to maintain relationships or a stable job. This can lead to financial or legal problems. They may also find it difficult to function on a daily basis without it. Eventually, higher doses are required to get the desired effect which can increase the chances of an overdose.

Signs of a Vyvanse Overdose

If large amounts of Vyvanse are consumed, or otherwise abused, this can have very serious consequences on your well-being. In particular, an overdose can occur which can have life-threatening effects. The symptoms of Vyvanse overdose include:

• Panicking
• Confusion
• High fever
• Delusions
• Rapid breathing
• Aggressive, combative
• Irregular heartbeat
• Extreme blood pressure levels
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Cramping
• Seizure
• Coma

Because this medication is a stimulant, there is less risk of an overdose being fatal than with depressants. However, the risk of death from an overdose of Vyvanse is much greater when it is combined with other drugs. In very serious cases, seizure and coma can occur from Vyvase alone, and in the worst-case scenario, even death is possible.

What to Do If You've Overdosed on Vyvanse

A Vyvanse overdose can be an alarming event to experience or witness. Proper medical care must be immediately called for once symptoms are noticed. When a person appears to be experiencing a Vyvanse overdose, symptoms may call for the following measures:

• Restraint to prevent personal harm, or harm to others 
• Sedatives or seizure medication to manage the episode
• Activated charcoal to slow the body’s absorption of Vyvanse

Ultimately, medical assistance should be given as soon as possible when an overdose is suspected.

Treatment Options for Vyvanse Addiction

Addiction can be incredibly hard to live through, not just for the person directly affected but also for friends and family members who might watch a loved one deal with it. There are different options to manage this condition and increase the chances of a return to normal life.

Addiction Treatment Centers

Addiction treatment centers are a popular measure to help people overcome the seeking and using of drugs.

In some instances, treatment centers may be gender- (such as female only) or age-specific (teenage only), to provide these groups with the level of care they need.

Medication

Certain drugs are useful for managing the withdrawal symptoms of Vyvanse addiction. These include medications that can stabilize neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, or serotonin.

These drugs can help to provide relief from withdrawal effects and may help to prevent a relapse.  

Behavioral Therapies

Therapy is another sought-after treatment option for managing substance use disorders. Through methods like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), patients can learn to identify negative thought patterns, and unhealthy core beliefs about themselves, and recognize their behavior patterns concerning drug use. 

This treatment method may also teach healthier ways to cope with daily life and the challenges that may encourage drug use as an escape.

Support Groups

A big part of recovery comes in the form of peer support. There are support groups available online and in the community for every type of addiction. There is nothing like talking to people who truly understand what you are going through. Research shows improvement in recovery rates and decreased rates of relapse for people who participate in support groups.

A Word From Verywell

If you or a loved one is managing an addiction, it can be a painful experience to live through. Developing a Vyvanse dependency can cause a drastic shift in personality, motivation, and well-being—changes that can affect life and relationships with others.

Addiction is manageable through measures that can be tailored to individual needs. Seeking help should never be considered a sign of weakness, and is one of the most important steps to take when managing a dependency.