Can You Get in Trouble for Taking Adderall Without a Valid Prescription?
Adderall is legally available with a prescription from a licensed medical provider. As a controlled substance, possessing Adderall without a prescription, in quantities exceeding the prescribed amount, or after the prescription has expired are criminal offenses with serious consequences.
Adderall is an addictive prescription stimulant that produces similar effects to meth. When abused, Adderall can cause a person to depend on the drug to make them feel more alert and productive. As an Adderall prescription is required for legal use, it is classified as a controlled substance. Studies reveal that 18 to 25-year-olds tend to misuse Adderall at the highest rates. These individuals often get the medication from friends or family members without a valid prescription.
According to the 2018 Monitoring the Future College Students and Young Adults survey, 11.1% of college students reported misusing Adderall, while 8.1% of non-college students reported such. Adderall possession without a valid prescription can lead to serious legal consequences, including arrest and fines. “Misuse” in this context means someone is:
- Taking someone else’s prescription
- Using a higher dose than prescribed
- Injecting, snorting, or smoking Adderall
- Mixing the pills with other drugs or alcohol
- Using Adderall to get high or to keep up with school studies
Adderall Side Effects as a Schedule II Controlled Substance
Many young people try Adderall because of curiosity, peer pressure, and stress. Others misuse Adderall because of its reported “desirable” effects, which allegedly include:
- Improves concentration and focus
- Helps students stay awake
- Improves sociability and talkativeness
- Weight loss
- Peer pressure
- Reduces stress
These reasons do not justify the act. Even if “everyone’s doing it,” that doesn’t mean misusing Adderall is necessarily okay. As you can see from above, Adderall’s side effects are not that desirable. While it may seem beneficial at first, the bottom line is the negatives outweigh the positives. Even if your friends are misusing Adderall and they seem fine, you could experience some detrimental side effects of non-prescribed Adderall, which include:
- Restlessness
- Nervousness
- Anxiety
- Dry mouth
- Nausea and vomiting
- Talkativeness
- Headache
- Difficulty falling asleep
If that doesn’t sound bad enough, the side effects can worsen in some people and create severe reactions, including:
- Seizures
- Paranoia
- Swelling
- Shortness of breath
- Blurred vision
- Chest pains
- Slow or difficult speech
- Hallucinating
- Aggressive behavior
Punishment for Selling Adderall
It is illegal to sell or use Adderall without a prescription. Adderall is a Schedule II drug, meaning it’s grouped with dangerous prescription drugs and prescription medication like cocaine. Schedule II drugs have a high potential for abuse, with use potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence. Adderall is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance, highlighting the potential criminal penalties for possession without a valid prescription.
The punishment for possessing a Schedule II prescription drug without a prescription is usually a third-degree felony crime punishable by up to 5 years in prison and up to $5,000 fines. But if the prosecution proves that you intended to sell or distribute Adderall illegally, you may get charged with a second-degree felony or first-degree felony. Possessing and sharing someone else’s prescription drugs, even if for a legitimate medical complaint, is illegal and can lead to legal and financial repercussions.
If you’re convicted of a second-degree felony in Florida, you could face up to 15 years in prison and/or $10,000 fines. A first-degree felony conviction carries a 30-year prison sentence and a maximum of $10,000 fines. Engaging in drug abuse by sharing or using prescribed drugs without a valid prescription can have severe legal consequences. In some cases, participation in a drug diversion program may help reduce or dismiss charges.
As you can see, it’s best to think twice before giving someone Adderall or using it without a prescription. Only a licensed primary care physician, psychiatrist, or neurologist can prescribe Adderall to someone. Not you.
If you are facing charges for illegally selling Adderall, give our experienced drug crime defense attorney a call at (407) 420-4647 to learn about your options.
