If you or a loved one has developed an addiction to the ADHD medication Adderall, help is available. A professionally managed Adderall detox at an addiction recovery center can help you in successfully quit Adderall use. Healthcare providers can manage Adderall withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings whilst keeping you safe and comfortable when you stop taking Adderall. Obtaining timely treatment for Adderall addiction has both short- and long-term benefits. Please continue reading to learn more about the benefits of quitting Adderall.
How Does Adderall Misuse Begin?
Adderall is a prescription medication that is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adults as well as sleep disorders such as narcolepsy. It is a stimulant drug that contains a combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine salts. Adderall helps people with ADHD by improving attention and focus. However, it has a high potential for abuse and addiction and is a Schedule II controlled substance.
Many people who misuse Adderall start by using it as an ADHD medication with a valid prescription. Some people misuse Adderall because they believe it will enhance cognitive performance. For this reason, Adderall abuse is common among students and young professionals who are under academic or work pressure. However, studies have found that non-medical use of Adderall by otherwise healthy people may improve attention but has a minimal or adverse effect on cognitive and academic performance.
People also abuse Adderall for recreational purposes by swallowing the pills, crushing and snorting the drug, or making a solution of Adderall and injecting it into a vein. On the street, Adderall is sold under various names such as uppers, ups, speed, footballs, copilots, and others.
Unfortunately, because Adderall is a legitimate prescription drug that is used to treat ADHD in children and adults, many people perceive it as safe. But taking Adderall without a prescription and without the supervision of a healthcare provider can be extremely dangerous.
Many people are not fully aware of the potential risks and side effects of Adderall use. They continue using the drug due to perceived benefits, such as increased focus, attention, concentration, and energy. However, over time, they develop tolerance and need higher doses of the drug to obtain the same effects. Continued drug abuse leads to dependence. Some drug users mix Adderall with other illicit substances, increasing the risk of serious health consequences.
What Is Adderall Withdrawal?
Adderall withdrawal refers to a set of uncomfortable and potentially dangerous symptoms that occur when someone attempts to stop taking Adderall after using it for some time. These withdrawal symptoms occur because the body and brain need to readjust to functioning without Adderall in the system.
Symptoms of Adderall Withdrawal
Adderall withdrawal symptoms commonly include fatigue, headache, changes in sleep patterns such as oversleeping or insomnia, unusual or disturbing dreams, nightmares, increased appetite, irritability, difficulty concentrating or focusing, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, stomach ache, stomach cramps, depressed mood, anxiety, panic attacks, and suicidal thoughts.
Adderall Withdrawal Timeline
When someone attempts to quit Adderall, withdrawal symptoms start within a few hours to days of the last dose. Some people experience Adderall withdrawal for 5 days while others experience distressing symptoms for 3 weeks or longer.
Here is a brief overview of withdrawal symptoms and Adderall withdrawal timeline:
- First 36 hours: Fatigue, headache, depression, sleep disturbances
- Day 3-5: Fatigue, depression, stomach cramps, nausea, irritability
- Day 5-7: Depression, mood changes, increased appetite
- Week 2-4: Gradual lessening of Adderall withdrawal symptoms
The severity of Adderall withdrawal symptoms depends on various factors, such as the duration, dose, and type of Adderall used, the presence of other physical and mental health problems, and the individual’s metabolism (how fast the body can detox Adderall from the system).
People who have been using large doses of Adderall, using Adderall frequently, or abusing the drug for a long time typically experience a more severe and longer-lasting withdrawal syndrome. Also, those who abuse Adderall XR (an extended-release, longer-lasting formulation of the drug) are more likely to have extended Adderall withdrawal symptoms because it takes the body longer to detox.
Adderall Detoxification
Adderall detox is the process of quitting Adderall in a medically supervised setting. This is necessary for safe withdrawal from Adderall. Quitting Adderall cold turkey at home can have devastating consequences. For instance, suicidal thoughts during Adderall withdrawal can cause a person to harm themselves. Also, people are less likely to successfully quit Adderall use when they do so without the help of healthcare professionals who can manage Adderall withdrawal symptoms. The appearance of severe withdrawal symptoms is one of the main reasons why people relapse to Adderall use.
Dangers of Quitting Adderall Cold Turkey
It can be extremely dangerous to stop taking Adderall cold turkey at home without professional help. This forces your brain to immediately adjust to the absence of Adderall without time to make a gradual transition. Quitting Adderall cold turkey can therefore cause severe withdrawal symptoms that can be unpredictable, uncomfortable, and dangerous. As mentioned, the chances of relapse are higher if you try to quit Adderall without professional help to manage the drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Steps to Quitting Adderall Safely
Get Professional Help
To ensure a safe withdrawal from Adderall use, it is essential that you consult a healthcare professional at an addiction treatment center. Health professionals can provide guidance on quitting Adderall safely. They can develop a personalized treatment plan for you that addresses your specific needs.
Taper Your Dosage
Your doctor will slowly taper the dose while you are quitting Adderall to minimize withdrawal symptoms. Tapering ensures your brain and body have time to adjust. Healthcare professionals will also monitor your health and treat any symptoms that develop during Adderall withdrawal. It is vital that you follow your doctor’s dosing instructions carefully to get all the benefits of quitting Adderall without putting your health in danger.
Stick to the Plan
During rehab from Adderall use, it is important to carefully follow your doctor’s instructions. Addiction treatment centers offer psychotherapy to help you stay motivated. It may help to write a list of the many benefits of quitting Adderall and place it somewhere you can see easily and often. This will help you stick to the plan and get your life back on track by quitting Adderall.
Establish a Support Network
Addiction is a complex mental health condition. It is very common to have setbacks during the Adderall recovery process. Having a support system in place can increase your chances of quitting Adderall successfully. Family members, friends, and professional counselors can be excellent sources of guidance, motivation, accountability, and emotional support during this challenging time.
The Benefits of Quitting Adderall
- Improved Physical Health
Adderall is a stimulant drug that causes wide-ranging effects in the body, including vital organs such as the brain and heart. Using Adderall can lead to short-term side effects such as disrupted sleep and appetite. It can also lead to serious long-term side effects such as an increased heart rate and high blood pressure, which are risk factors for heart disease. Other serious side effects of large doses of Adderall include increased body temperature, aggression, violence, agitation, and psychosis. Quitting Adderall can lead to an improvement in sleep, appetite, cardiovascular health, and overall physical health.
- Enhanced Mental Well-Being
Using Adderall without a doctor’s prescription can lead to a number of mental health symptoms, such as mood swings, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and suicidal thoughts. This is because Adderall upsets the natural balance of neurotransmitters (natural chemicals) in the brain. Quitting Adderall use can therefore lead to an improvement in mental well-being with the restoration of normal levels of brain chemicals.
- Restored Cognitive Functioning
Stopping Adderall enhances cognitive performance and improves mental clarity in many people. Once the drug is out of the system, you can work on learning healthy ways to improve cognitive functioning without relying on drugs such as Adderall.
- Increased Productivity and Focus
While Adderall temporarily boosts focus, attention, and energy, long-term use of this drug can have detrimental effects on the ability to concentrate. Once you quit using Adderall, counselors can teach you safe and sustainable ways to increase focus and productivity at school or work.
- Increased Emotional Stability
People who abuse Adderall often feel detached towards others and experience frequent and intense mood swings. This can make it difficult to relate to others. After quitting Adderall, there is improved emotional stability, making it easier to redevelop relationships with loved ones.
Do you have a loved one struggling with addiction?
We know how hard that can be. Give us a call to find out what options you have.
+18442884672 - Enhanced Relationships
Drug abuse takes a heavy toll on relationships. People who are misusing or abusing Adderall often do so at the cost of their relationships with loved ones. Job loss, financial difficulties, legal troubles, and other psychosocial effects of Adderall addiction can put a strain on relationships. Quitting Adderall by attending an addiction treatment program can help reestablish relationships with loved ones.
- Financial Savings
Each tablet of Adderall has a street value ranging from $5 to $20 depending on the dose and other factors such as demand and supply. Obtaining prescription medications such as Adderall illegally can therefore be expensive. By quitting Adderall successfully through an addiction treatment center, you can restore your finances to a healthy status and spend your money on healthcare, family, hobbies, experiences, and savings for the future.
- Freedom from Addiction
Among all the benefits of quitting Adderall, perhaps the most significant is that it helps you escape the grips of drug abuse and addiction. While the recovery process is challenging, the benefits are invaluable.
What Happens to Your Brain When You Stop Taking Adderall?
Adderall is a central nervous system stimulant that is habit-forming. This drug reduces hyperactivity and improves attention by changing the levels of natural chemicals in the brain. It is used to treat narcolepsy (excessive sleepiness) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
But when someone uses Adderall without a doctor’s prescription and suddenly stops taking it, it can result in a “crash.” This causes unpleasant Adderall withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue, depression, sluggishness, and difficulty sleeping. These symptoms develop because the brain needs time learn to function without Adderall again. That’s why it is important to work closely with healthcare professionals during Adderall recovery.
How Long Does It Take for Your Body to Get Rid of Adderall?
It takes the body up to 96 hours to get rid of Adderall. The drug can be detected in your system for varying periods of time depending on the type of drug test performed:
- Urine drug test: 72-96 hours after the last dose
- Blood test: Up to 48 hours
- Saliva: 24-48 hours
- Hair sample: Up to 3 months
Recovering From an Adderall Addiction
The phases of Adderall addiction recovery are as follows:
1. Detoxification
The first step in Adderall addiction treatment is detoxification. During an Adderall detox, healthcare providers monitor you carefully and treat signs and symptoms as they arise. The goal is to minimize Adderall withdrawal symptoms and keep you as comfortable as possible while also ensuring safe withdrawal from the drug.
2. Inpatient Rehabilitation
People who have been using Adderall at high doses, frequently, or for a long time may benefit from an intensive inpatient treatment program for substance use. A residential rehab program for Adderall addiction gives you the opportunity to focus on your recovery and benefit from around-the-clock care by healthcare professionals.
3. Outpatient Rehabilitation
Following inpatient rehab, you may be able to continue your Adderall addiction treatment while living at home and holding down a job. An outpatient rehabilitation program involves attending psychotherapy and counseling sessions several times a week. People with a mild to moderate addiction may be able to stop taking Adderall by joining an outpatient rehab program at the outset.
4. Therapy and Counseling
Therapy and counseling are the mainstays of recovery from Adderall abuse and addiction. These treatment modalities are designed to help you build healthy coping mechanisms and live a life free of drug use. Therapy is offered in individual and group setting as well as family counseling sessions to help rebuild broken relationships.
5. Aftercare Support
Drug addiction is a lifelong mental health condition. People who have recovered from Adderall addiction benefit greatly from ongoing support in the form of aftercare and support groups. These measures help you stay clean and prevent relapse to Adderall use.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get rid of Adderall anxiety?
Healthcare providers at a professional Adderall addiction treatment center can prescribe anti-anxiety medications for short-term relief from Adderall anxiety. These medications can help to control your anxiety symptoms during the Adderall withdrawal phase. In the longer term, more sustainable treatment modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you build healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with stressors.
Why does Adderall make me calm?
Adderall is a central nervous system stimulant that affects the levels of neurotransmitters (natural chemicals) such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine in the brain. Boosted levels of these chemicals from Adderall use make you feel calm and help you focus better.
Is it OK to take Adderall every day?
It is okay to take Adderall every day if the medication has been prescribed for a healthcare professional to treat ADHD or narcolepsy. However, you should never use Adderall without a doctor’s orders. Taking someone else’s Adderall or obtaining the drug from street dealers can put you at risk of serious health complications. Adderall is habit-forming and using it without a prescription can cause Adderall addiction with a physical and psychological dependence on the drug.
Are there medications to help with Adderall withdrawal?
There are no specific medications that are used to treat Adderall withdrawal symptoms during recovery from substance use. However, healthcare providers can prescribe medications to manage symptoms such as anxiety and depression when you stop taking Adderall.
Are there any natural remedies or supplements that can help with Adderall withdrawal?
There are no supplements or natural remedies that are proven to relieve Adderall withdrawal symptoms. However, anecdotal reports suggest that some people benefit from taking vitamin C which is an antioxidant, eating foods that are naturally rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids, and drinking plenty of fluids and electrolytes.
Can I quit Adderall on my own without seeking professional help?
You should not attempt to quit Adderall use on your own without seeking professional help. This can be dangerous because severe Adderall withdrawal symptoms can develop rapidly and without warning. Undergoing Adderall detox at a professional addiction treatment center will ensure safe and comfortable withdrawal from the drug.
How long does Adderall withdrawal typically last?
Adderall withdrawal can last anywhere from 3-5 days to 3 weeks or more, depending on the severity and duration of drug abuse and other factors such as your metabolism and health status.
Let Us Help You Overcome Adderall Addiction
Now that you understand the wide-ranging benefits of quitting Adderall, you may be keen to start recovery. Fortunately, effective treatments are available for Adderall addiction.
At Discover Recovery Treatment Center in Washington State, we offer holistic addiction treatment programs in comfortable and private facilities. Our approach to helping you in quitting Adderall is to develop an individualized treatment program. This involves a combination of behavioral therapy, medications, and support groups. Psychotherapy and counseling help you build resilience and resist the temptation to use Adderall when you develop drug cravings. Medications are used to manage Adderall withdrawal symptoms and lower your risk of relapse to drug use. Support groups provide ongoing support to help you stay clean and regain control of your life.
If you or a loved one is battling Adderall abuse, call us today. Take the first important step to detoxing and stopping Adderall use and enjoy all the benefits of quitting Adderall.
