People who are diagnosed with fibromyalgia will often be prescribed numerous medications, including prescription pain medications and stimulants, to increase their energy.
Adderall may be used to address issues with attention and fatigue in people with fibromyalgia. This could lead to potential misuse of the drug.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that affects about two to four percent of people in the United States, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The majority of those affected with fibromyalgia are female, as 80 to 90 percent of the diagnoses occur in women.
While there are no recognized causes for fibromyalgia, there are several factors that increase the probability that someone might be diagnosed with the disorder:
Factors Increasing Likelihood of Developing the Disorder
- Being female
- A family history of fibromyalgia
- A history of trauma or stress
- A diagnosis of a mental health disorder
- Having repetitive injuries
- Having other physical ailments like arthritis
What are the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
The main symptoms that occur with fibromyalgia include:
Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
- Widespread, constant, and dull pain across most of the body that lasts for three months or longer.
- Chronic fatigue
- Problems with cognition sometimes referred to as “fibro fog.”
There are no blood tests or other imaging tests that can be used to diagnose fibromyalgia. Tests that identify other disorders like arthritis can rule out fibromyalgia.
There are, however, 19 identified “trigger points” that are used by physicians in the diagnosis of the disorder. If you identify 11 of the 19 trigger points as problematic or painful during a physical examination, you may be diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
Treatments for Fibromyalgia
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved these medications to aid in the treatment of fibromyalgia:
- The antidepressant Cymbalta (duloxetine)
- The anticonvulsant medication Lyrica (pregabalin)
- Savella (milnacipran), a drug with a similar mechanism of action to a class of antidepressant medications that are only approved for the treatment of fibromyalgia in the United States
Other medications may be used. Numerous behavioral treatments, including massage, psychotherapy, physical therapy, progressive relaxation, and other techniques, can also be used.
Adderall
Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) is a controlled substance that is approved for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the sleep disorder narcolepsy.
Adderall contains two powerful central nervous system stimulants, and it may be used off-label to treat lethargy and fatigue that occur in people who have other types of disorders.
A very common co-occurring condition with fibromyalgia is chronic fatigue syndrome. Physicians may prescribe psychostimulants like Adderall to some patients with fibromyalgia to address issues with chronic fatigue.
ADHD and Fibromyalgia
A 2014 study published in the journal Pain Medicine found a link between fibromyalgia and the symptoms used to diagnose ADHD in 123 research participants with fibromyalgia. Over half of the participants reported that some type of emotional distress triggered the onset of their fibromyalgia, and this led to their cognitive issues. In addition, slightly over 40 percent of the research participants displayed symptoms consistent with the diagnostic criteria for ADHD.
Researchers believe that there is a relationship between the availability of the neurotransmitter dopamine and fibromyalgia based on this study. It is hypothesized that the lack or dysfunction of dopamine in the brain plays an integral part in the presentation of ADHD symptoms.
“One of the problems with the study is that the participants with fibromyalgia displayed symptoms of ADHD on a self-reported inventory. To receive a formal diagnosis of ADHD, they must meet the formal diagnostic criteria for the disorder, which includes demonstrating significant symptoms of ADHD before the age of 17. The average age of the participants in the study was about 50 years old. ”
Because fibromyalgia is known to be associated with cognitive effects, including issues with concentration and attention, the study does not provide evidence that the participants actually had ADHD. Nonetheless, it does raise an interesting point regarding the use of Adderall for attentional problems in people with fibromyalgia.
In addition to being prescribed for issues with fatigue and lethargy, physicians may prescribe Adderall for cognitive issues associated with fibromyalgia. Moreover, there are previous research studies that suggest that the use of psychostimulants can increase attention, boost energy, and reduce pain and fatigue in people with fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia and Substance Abuse
There are numerous studies that have documented a significant relationship between opioid and alcohol abuse in individuals diagnosed with fibromyalgia. If you have it, you are likely to be prescribed prescription pain medication and/or other medications that have the potential for abuse (e.g., benzodiazepines and psychostimulants like Adderall).
Because people diagnosed with fibromyalgia have a litany of emotional issues associated with the disorder, they are often at an increased risk of abuse of prescription medications, alcohol, and other substances. Although the majority of people who are prescribed stimulant medications do not abuse them, people with fibromyalgia may be at an increased risk to abuse Adderall.
If you have fibromyalgia and begin using a psychostimulant like Adderall without a prescription from a physician, you are at an even higher risk to abuse the drug. Most people who abuse Adderall do not have a prescription for it.
While substance abuse appears to occur at an elevated rate in people diagnosed with fibromyalgia, there are no reliable estimates of the prevalence of psychostimulant abuse in those who have the condition.
Signs of Adderall Abuse
Someone abusing Adderall would meet the diagnostic criteria for a stimulant use disorder as defined by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). These criteria can be used by mental health clinicians to diagnose substance use disorders, but they cannot be used by laypeople to make a diagnosis.
These criteria include:
Criteria for Substance Abuse Disorder
- The repeated non-medicinal use of the drug that leads to significant impairment in functioning and/or results in significant distress.
- Problems controlling the use of the stimulant that can be observed in several different contexts.
- Continued use of the stimulant even though it is causing problems with personal relationships, psychological health, or physical health.
- Failing to complete important obligations or giving up important activities in favor of stimulant use.
- The development of tolerance to the stimulant.
- Developing physical dependence (withdrawal symptoms) on the stimulant.
Although you are not able to formally diagnose a stimulant use disorder in anyone unless you are licensed clinician, you may notice some of these signs in someone abusing Adderall. If you do, discuss the issue with them and try to get them to consult with a mental health professional.
Other Signs of Adderall Abuse
Some other signs you might observe in someone abusing stimulants includes:
Signs of Stimulants Abuse
- Numerous empty prescription containers for the drug despite not having a prescription for it
- Trying to borrow or buy Adderall from someone who has a prescription
- Trying to get different physicians to write prescriptions for Adderall for them
- Displaying alternating periods of increased energy, talkativeness, and decreased need for sleep with periods of lethargy, apathy, and depression
- Suspiciousness, paranoia, and hallucinations (most likely visual or auditory)
Comprehensive Help
Addiction treatment for someone who has fibromyalgia must include a comprehensive care plan that includes medical treatment. The person must have the symptoms of their fibromyalgia effectively managed, including pain management, to successfully treat their substance abuse issues.
