Adderall is a brand-name prescription stimulant used to treat attention hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. The drug is a combination of two stimulants, amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, which can help people stay focused on tasks and experience increased energy.
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Adderall Withdrawal
People may develop a tolerance to Adderall’s effects and a dependence on the drug. This can lead to addiction and the body relying on the drug to function properly. As the body builds a tolerance, taking larger doses of Adderall becomes increasingly likely. This may lead to harmful side effects, including overdose and death.
Once people gain dependence on the stimulant, they are more likely to experience withdrawal after a length of time without another dosage. Adderall withdrawal, also called “Adderall crash,” can occur for people even if taken as prescribed. Following a doctor’s orders can still lead to Adderall addiction, depending on the amount of time taking the stimulant and dosage.
Once the individual stops taking the medication, they can experience withdrawal symptoms. This can include physical and psychological side effects, even after a few doses, once misuse stops.
Common Withdrawal Symptoms
Adderall is a stimulant, which heightens certain body functions and is perceived to increase energy, alertness and attention. These reactions can lead to consistent misuse to achieve those effects and remain focused, in a good mood and energetic. When someone stops taking Adderall, the effects can reverse. Stopping misuse of Adderall can lead to uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, including:
- Depression
- Phobias or panic attacks
- Insomnia or sleeping too much
- Anxiety
- Intense hunger
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Panic attacks
Additionally, a person’s strong desire to resume taking Adderall is a common sign of withdrawal. When a person experiences Adderall withdrawal, it is recommended to seek medical assistance to help cope with symptoms.
Adderall Withdrawal Fatigue
An “Adderall crash” often involves people experiencing the opposite effects of taking the drug. Irritability and anxiety replace upbeat moods. Hunger replaces a lack of appetite. The increased energy and focus is gone, in favor of fatigue.
This is part of the dependence on Adderall. Oftentimes a person who relied on the stimulant for increased focus has more difficulty focusing once they discontinue dosage. This can lead to a perceived “need” for Adderall to perform necessary daily tasks, whether in a school or work setting. That’s part of the reason why consistent prescribed use or misuse can be dangerous and develop into an addiction.
When someone stops taking the drug, they also can sluggish and disconnected. Many ask, “Can you die from Adderall?” The answer is yes. The withdrawal symptoms can cause people to suffer from depression and suicidal thoughts. Adderall has been attributed to suicides among people who misused and became dependent on the drug. If you or someone you know has shown some of these symptoms and recently took Adderall, medical help is available.
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Adderall Withdrawal Timeline
The process for coping with Adderall withdrawal can be different for each person. Some people will experience the most severe withdrawal symptoms, and others will feel fewer effects.
If you or someone you know attempts to cope with Adderall withdrawal symptoms without medical help, symptoms can become more challenging to endure. Using a reputable detoxification program and tapering off the stimulant can help lessen the withdrawal effects. Other factors that can affect the Adderall withdrawal timeline include:
- Highest dosage
- Length of time taking the drug
- Diet and exercise
- Sleeping patterns
- Genetics
- Personal and family health history
Another factor for the withdrawal timeline is which detoxification program someone chooses. A rapid-detox strategy, which speeds up withdrawal symptoms, boasts a quicker timeline but often can lead to recurring substance misuse once detoxification finishes.
A medically supervised program that involves tapering off the drug can lead to a lengthy withdrawal timeline. However, this is considered one of the safest approaches to drug detoxification and lessens the discomfort of symptoms. By decreasing Adderall dosage, withdrawal effects can be minimized until the body is completely cleansed of the stimulant toxins.
Regardless, each person’s recovery journey is unique, and there are many factors that determine how long someone may experience withdrawal symptoms.
How Long Does Adderall Withdrawal Last?
Symptoms of Adderall withdrawal can last anywhere from a few days to weeks or months. Even after physical symptoms such as drowsiness, trouble sleeping and hunger subside, psychological ones can persist. These include depression, anxiety and mood swings.
Early symptoms include fatigue and sluggishness. Follow-up or longer-lasting side effects include panic attacks and suicidal thoughts. Up to weeks after the last dosage, people can experience cravings for Adderall and be in danger of recurring use. This is part of the reason why quick-fix rehabilitation programs often mislead those seeking help and can be detrimental to people’s safety. There is no quick fix to Adderall dependence — addiction can be a lifelong disease if not treated with the proper care.
However long withdrawal symptoms from Adderall misuse last, tackling addiction with a medically assisted detox program is the best choice. If you’re suffering from Adderall use disorder, seek a proper drug detoxification program immediately and begin treatment.
How to Detox From Adderall
Upon making the choice to recover from Adderall dependence, you or a loved one has already overcome an obstacle. The next hurdles are the withdrawal symptoms. However, these can be withstood and a life free of substance misuse is attainable. An efficient detoxification program at an accredited rehab facility can help along the way.
Detoxification involves removing the drug from the body, and the detox process can be different for each client. There is not one perfect solution to substance use disorder or Adderall dependence. That’s why it’s best to not attempt at-home detoxification, which can be harmful and lead to setbacks and increased dependence on Adderall.
Another option some people choose is rapid detox, which involves taking the opioid blocker naltrexone to speed up withdrawal symptoms. To relieve the client from discomfort, some doctors may use anesthesia to allow them to sleep through most of the physical withdrawal symptoms. While sounding intriguing, this is not a recommended detox strategy. The American Society of Medicine affirms rapid detox is both unsafe and an unproven treatment method.
There are numerous reputable, safe medical detoxification centers throughout the country where people can safely detox from Adderall. The Recovery Village has multiple facilities in each region of the United States and provides clients with a safe environment, taper medications when deemed necessary by medical professionals, and 24-hour medical supervision.
What to Expect During the Detoxification Process
When individuals begin the Adderall rehabilitation process, one of the first steps is to cleanse the body of the drug’s toxins. Safely detoxing from Adderall requires medical supervision, which can include medications to cope with withdrawal symptoms. Depending on what is medically appropriate, many doctors will prescribe antidepressants to help manage depression and suicidal thoughts. Clients also might receive anti-anxiety drugs to help with mood swings, anxiety and stress during the detox stage. This assistance during Adderall detox can help clients cleanse their bodies of the drug safely and in a supportive manner with the guidance of medical professionals.
Before beginning detoxification at The Recovery Village, a team of clinical experts will determine the treatment necessary based on varying factors. The screening and testing can include:
- Blood tests
- Co-occurring disorders assessments
- Medical, psychological and social evaluation
- Risk assessment
All of these can help you and your medical team choose the best direction to take in your recovery. Making sure a detoxification process fits your individual needs is vital to a successful substance-free existence.
Quitting Adderall Cold Turkey
Many people ask whether stopping Adderall “cold turkey” is a good detoxification strategy. This involves no longer taking any dosage of the drug after consistent use. People who choose this recovery route to embrace the potential for the most severe Adderall withdrawal symptoms — often with no medical support present. With no approved taper medications, they are at a higher risk of experiencing life-threatening psychological side effects including suicidal thoughts. By far the most perilous consequence of cold-turkey detox is death, which can be more likely without medical assistance in detox. For these reasons and more, the cold turkey approach is not recommended as a safe detoxification strategy.
Although many people are affected by Adderall addiction, help is available. You or your loved one does not need to attempt the drug rehabilitation process alone. That’s where The Recovery Village comes in. To get started with medical detox at The Recovery Village location nearest you, call one of our intake coordinators today.
Adderall Rehabilitation Options
Calling our Adderall hotline is one of the first steps toward recovery. This valuable resource can connect those suffering from substance use disorder and their loved ones to comprehensive treatment options. The Recovery Village’s 24-hour hotline is toll-free and provides confidential guidance for those going through withdrawal or seeking to begin rehabilitation.
If you or your loved one is ready to move forward in recovery, comprehensive Adderall treatment options are available throughout the United States. Whether you choose a center close to home or out of state, there are various factors to consider when selecting a facility, including:
- Feedback from past and present clients and their family
- The available levels of care
- Treatment for each person’s biological, social and psychological needs
- The estimated length of time of each program
- Whether or not taper medications are used as a detoxification strategy
- If programs can be altered for an individual’s needs
The Recovery Village’s centers offer clients and families a wide range of treatment options to help set the framework for a successful recovery. Services vary at each facility, but the different substance misuse treatment options available include:
- Detoxification
- Inpatient residential
- Partial hospitalization
- Intensive outpatient
- Outpatient rehab
- Aftercare and sober housing
Co-occurring disorders such as mental health issues or eating disorders often coincide with Adderall dependency. Depending on the facility, different treatment options for eating disorders include:
- Stabilization
- Inpatient residential
- Intensive outpatient
- Partial hospitalization
- Aftercare and sober housing
Mental health is an important part of the rehabilitation process. The Recovery Program realizes how common co-occurring mental health disorders, such as anxiety or depression, are for people suffering from addiction. Because of the connection between these struggles, we offer mental health treatment at each of its facilities through individual therapy, 12-step group therapy and family therapy.
At all of our centers, clients can endure the Adderall withdrawal and detoxification symptoms with the peace of mind that comes with personalized counseling and round-the-clock medical care. At The Recovery Village, we understand that substance use disorder can be a lifelong challenge. Here, each client can build the necessary skills to continue their recovery long after detoxification ends.
Treatment Center Locations
If you or someone you love is seeking Adderall rehabilitation, The Recovery Village has facilities and resources across the country. Once it’s determined which kind of treatment is needed, you must look into payment options and whether you’re willing to travel. The Recovery Village’s network includes centers in Colorado, Florida, Ohio and Washington, providing a full continuum of care to each part of the country. If you’re seeking treatment in a different area or another kind of substance misuse rehabilitation program, The Recovery Village can help you locate a program near your current residence.
Medical Disclaimer: The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.
