Can You Plug Adderall? Adderall Rectal Administration

Adderall is a prescription stimulant that is abused in a number of ways. In many cases, the drug is taken orally or snorted, but it is also possible to “plug” Adderall. This is one of the fastest delivery methods and increases the risk of addiction and overdose.

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Dr. Manish Mishra, MBBS

Medically Reviewed By: Manish Mishra, MBBS

on November 11, 2022

Adderall and Adderall XR are both prescription medications. The use of Adderall is normally designated for people with narcolepsy or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

This stimulant drug is a combination of d-amphetamine and dextroamphetamine that works by interacting with your central nervous system.

By increasing the concentrations of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine, Adderall promotes focus and activates the reward centers of your brain.

As a result, Adderall can be habit-forming when abused. Adderall abuse is defined as a deviation from your healthcare provider’s instructions, including alternative routes of administration.

Alternative routes of administration for Adderall include snorting, smoking, injecting, and plugging. The last method can be exceptionally dangerous and may increase the risk of overdose.

How Adderall Plugging Works

Plugging is a method of drug administration that allows a person to absorb a drug through the rectal tissue.

In the case of Adderall, plugging is usually achieved by inserting Adderall rectally using a suppository containing the drug or injecting it into the rectum with a needleless syringe.

To inject Adderall with a needleless syringe, the tablets are usually crushed into a fine powder and mixed with a liquid for quick absorption into the bloodstream.

While this method may seem odd, it is an effective way to get almost immediate results with much higher potency. In fact, that’s what makes rectal substance use dangerous.

Bioavailability In The Colon

When you take a drug, only a proportion of it actually reaches the site of action. Some may be processed by the liver or other systems before it starts to take effect, decreasing potency.

The proportion that reaches the intended site of action in the body is referred to as the bioavailability of the drug.

When you consume meds orally, the bioavailability decreases as a result of the digestive process. However, other administration methods are able to deliver greater bioavailability.

Plugging Adderall is one such method. The colon is highly vascular, and inserting the drug directly allows it to be quickly absorbed, skipping the first pass through the liver.

As a result, plugging Adderall essentially delivers a higher dose, increasing the risk for Adderall addiction, overdose, and sudden death.

Quick Absorption Into The Bloodstream

In addition to increasing the bioavailability of Adderall in your system, plugging also results in a more immediate high.

While the timing does vary, plugging Adderall usually produces effects within 15 minutes in comparison to one hour using the oral route.

This speed does have its downside. The high itself tends to be significantly shorter and the crash can be more extreme.

What Are The Risks Of Plugging Adderall?

There are inherent risks involved in Adderall abuse, but choosing to plug Adderall makes that list significantly longer due to the sensitivity of the tissues involved.

Infections

If you aren’t extremely careful, it is very easy to cause a rectal tear when plugging drugs. A lubricant should always be used to reduce this risk, but it is never safe.

Rectal tears will cause continued bleeding. These tears are not only painful; they are difficult to heal. As a result, torn tissues in the rectum and colon are prime targets for infection.

If you ever suspect that you may have a rectal tear, you need to seek professional medical advice to reduce the risk of long-term health complications.

Higher Risk Of Diseases

If you are using your own equipment that you do not share with anyone else, you are less likely to encounter an increased risk of disease.

However, it is common for people who plug drugs like Adderall to share tools. These tools can easily spread sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and other blood-borne diseases.

Common examples of diseases that can be contracted through plugging drugs include HIV/AIDs, hepatitis, and chlamydia.

Increased Risk Of Overdose

Due to the increased bioavailability of drugs delivered through the colon, plugging Adderall significantly increases the risk of overdose.

You may be experiencing an overdose if you notice chest pain, rapid breathing, abdominal cramping, nausea, diarrhea, or psychological symptoms, including psychosis.

If you or a loved one are demonstrating these symptoms after using Adderall, seek emergency medical attention. Adderall overdoses can cause a fatal heart attack or stroke.

Other Side Effects Of Adderall Abuse

In addition to the risks associated with the rectal administration of Adderall, prescription drug abuse comes with its own risks.

When you are actively using Adderall, you may notice these common side effects: 

  • increased heart rate
  • heart problems
  • high blood pressure
  • nausea
  • dizziness
  • anxiety
  • mental health issues
  • abdominal cramping
  • headache
  • insomnia
  • loss of appetite
  • dry mouth
  • weight loss
  • constipation

Treatment Services For Adderall Addiction

Adderall addiction is a serious condition that requires professional addiction treatment at an accredited treatment program to prevent serious long-term health problems.

Your treatment options will depend on the program you choose and whether you opt for outpatient or inpatient care. Either can be effective depending on your individual circumstances.

To learn more about going through detox and pursuing an effective Adderall addiction treatment plan, contact our team at Bedrock Recovery Center.

Find Substance Abuse Treatment At Bedrock Recovery Center

If you or a loved one has a substance use disorder involving Adderall, don’t hesitate to ask for help.

Our dedicated staff at Bedrock Recovery Center are available through our helpline to guide you through the process of securing affordable treatment at our state-of-the-art facilities.

  1. Clinical Pharmacokinetics https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6126289/
  2. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/adderall-and-adderall-xr-amphetamines-information
  3. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-stimulants
  4. StatPearls https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557852/

Written by Bedrock Recovery Center Editorial Team

© 2024 Bedrock Recovery Center | All Rights Reserved

* This page does not provide medical advice.

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