Over The Counter & Prescription Drugs / Question
Published: April 16, 2003
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I think my friend might have sniffed adderall,but she hasn't admitted it to me...yet. I saw today that there was this weird red little blotch in the inner corner of her eye. She was really self-conscious about it and wore sunglasses to school! Was the red blotch a sign of sniffing adderall?
Signed: Is My Friend Sniffing Adderall?
Dear Is My Friend Sniffing Adderall?,
It must be very upsetting for you to have suspicions regarding a friend's possible drug use. Unfortunately, we are unable to determine if the red blotch that you saw in the corner of your friend's eye was indeed a reaction to Adderall (or another drug), an irritation or infection of the eye caused by something besides drug use.
FX is curious as to why you believe your friend is sniffing Adderall. If she has offered you this or another drug, please resist this temptation. Drug addiction or the misuse of medication is very serious, and you should not have to investigate these suspicions alone. Since you are concerned about your friend, get a trusted adult involved. You can even call the National Institute on Drug Abuse and Alcoholism at (888) 644-6432 or visit the National Institute on Drug Abuse website at for more specifics on this and other drugs. Let your friend know that you are interested in helping her, but you need the guidance and resources that an adult can provide.
There are many signs and symptoms of drug abuse or medication misuse. Adderall belongs to a group of drugs called amphetamines or stimulants. It is used to treat attention-deficit disorder (ADD) in children. Adderall has a high potential for abuse, and when it is taken over a long period of time people may become dependant or addicted to it.
People who misuse or overdose on Adderall may experience symptoms such as:
- Increased heart rate
- Rapid breathing
- Increased mental alertness
- Hallucinations/ tremor
- Loss of coordination
- Irritability
- Reduced appetite
- Abdominal pain or upset stomach
- Anxiousness
- Restlessness
- Aggressiveness
- And in the most serious cases, heart failure
For more information on Adderall, check out our answer to "Friend Sniffs Adderall" for more information about the specific dangers of sniffing this drug.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Adolescents are more likely than young adults to become dependent on prescription medications.
