Adderall Withdrawal

People who have taken Adderall in high doses over a long period of time will suffer withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking the drug.

When drug dependency begins, the body develops a tolerance to the drug - which means that the person will need increasing amounts of the drug in order to get the same effects. As a result of this tolerance, the person will feel that the drug isn’t helping him as much as it used to. But if one stops taking the drug altogether, he won’t be able to function normally. This is the first stage of withdrawal.

Adderall withdrawal happens when the body tried to adjust itself to cope without the drug it is used to. The higher the person's tolerance to the drug, the more difficult the withdrawal phase will be. 

Adderall Withdrawal Symptoms

Below are some common physical and mental Adderall withdrawal symptoms:

• Depression
• Agitation
• Extreme fatigue
• Increased heart rate
• Adderall cravings
• Vivid or unpleasant dreams
• Sleep changes, e.g., over-sleeping or insomnia
• Increased appetite
• Difficulty concentrating
• Headaches
• Anxiety

Some dangerous side effects of Adderall withdrawal include:

• Psychosis
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Disordered thoughts 

Adderall Withdrawal Timeline

Below is a typical Adderall withdrawal symptoms timeline:

Day 1
6 hours after the last dose, the effects of the drug start to wear off. It takes about 24 hours for the drug to leave the system completely, and that is when the withdrawal symptoms start; usually anxiety and fatigue. This is referred to as the ‘crash.’

Day 2-4: the peak
Withdrawal symptoms will be the most intense during the first 72 hours and dwindle after that. Severe symptoms in this phase of withdrawal include: extreme anxiety, depression and fatigue. Nightmares, hallucinations and paranoia can also occur after heavy and long-time use of the drug. Counseling and group therapy can be beneficial at this stage; one should start as soon as they’re physically able.

One week into treatment
The symptoms begin to fade and are less severe, but it’s common to still feel moody and unsocial.

After week 1 and beyond
One could still feel cravings for the drug, so seeking professional medical help and Adderall addiction treatment can reduce the chance of relapse.

Reportedly, people who have had a high tolerance to the drug, or have been using the drug for over a year, might still experience some of the withdrawal symptoms even weeks after quitting. Other mental health issues or chronic issues are also possible factors. For most people though, the withdrawal symptoms are behind them by now.

How Long Does Adderall Withdrawal Last?

The duration of Adderall withdrawal will be different for everyone. For some, the symptoms may stop after 5 days, and for others it could last for 3 weeks or more.

The main factors that affect the duration of Adderall withdrawal are:

• Amount of Adderall ingested
• How often the drug was taken
• Nutritional status of the person
• How long the person has been addicted to Adderall
• Age and condition of the person
• Formulation of the drug e.g., Adderall XR remains in the body longer, so the onset of the symptoms will be delayed.
• Method of use: snorting or injecting the drug will lead to a longer withdrawal period as opposed to taking pills. This is because snorting and injecting allows the drug to enter the bloodstream quicker, creating a euphoric high feeling which ultimately leads to addiction. Since the person is more dependent on the drug, the withdrawal will last longer.

Stopping Adderall Cold Turkey

Quitting cold turkey means to suddenly stop using a drug without medical intervention. Stopping Adderall cold turkey is definitely not recommended for someone who is dependent on the drug, as it can result in severe and dangerous withdrawal symptoms.

When stopping to take amphetamines such as Adderall, the dopamine levels in the body drop rapidly. Other sudden changes, such as changes in heart rate and blood pressure, occur too. These changes can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms.

Adderall Detox

Adderall detox is when the body slowly cleanses itself of the drug. It’s important to detox under medical care, where one can benefit from constant medical supervision and intervention where necessary- such as when medicines are needed to ease the pain and discomfort from the withdrawal symptoms. Relapse can also occur, making it difficult to manage the detoxification process alone.

These are some medicines that could be used to help manage the withdrawal symptoms:

1. Medications for insomnia - temazepam (Restoril) or Ambien.
2. Medications for anxiety, restlessness and agitation - diazepam (Valium).
3. Antipsychotic medications for hallucinations, paranoia and psychosis.
4. Antidepressants for depression.
5. Painkillers for muscle aches and headaches: aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen if the pain is severe.

Treatment for Adderall Addiction

During treatment for Adderall addiction, people learn how to function normally without Adderall. The detox process is too difficult to manage by oneself due to the tough withdrawal symptoms, so admitting to a rehab facility is necessary for a complete, safe and quick recovery. In rehab, the patient will also learn techniques that will enable him to function normally and cope with stress in daily life without needing Adderall as a managing tool.

These are the steps for treating Adderall addiction:

1. Enroll in a rehab program
2. Get medically assessed and evaluated
3. Go through the detox process under medical supervision
4. Manage the withdrawal symptoms with professional help
5. Undergo psychotherapy or behavioral therapy
6. Plan aftercare: continue therapies that work best for you

Common behavioral therapies used to treat Adderall addicts are:

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)- to help manage and change thoughts and behaviors towards drug misuse.
2. Contingency management- a behavioral therapy that uses incentives and rewards to motivate to stop using the drug.

The Matrix Model is a method that is used to aid recovery in treatment programs. It is a structured and intense behavioral treatment model that consists of different types of therapies, including:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT),
• Group therapy that emphasizes in social skills,
• Family, couples and marriage therapy
• Motivational interviewing
• Behaviorism
• 12 step groups and meetings
• Supportive/ person centered therapy

Conclusion

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