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When slowing down or stopping the use of Adderall®, Adderall® withdrawal symptoms are something to be taken very seriously by you an and your healthcare provider.

Whether your doctor prescribed you Adderall® to treat the symptoms of a mental health condition or you began taking it without a prescription to improve performance in a high-stakes career, taking Adderall® became an addiction. Now, you are suffering the effects of Adderall® abuse and trying to regain control of your life.

When you decide that your last dose is going to be your last dose, it’s imperative that you recognize the symptoms of Adderall® withdrawal.

Is Adderall® Physically and Psychologically Addictive?

Physically, there is a high abuse potential even if Adderall® is taken as prescribed. The body can become dependent on Adderall® as the drug causes chemical interactions in the body, and there will most definitely be Adderall® withdrawal symptoms should you try to change how often you’re taking the medication or quit cold turkey.

Psychologically, although the drug isn’t taken to achieve a “high” feeling, individuals may feel as if they cannot function without the drug or that their performance or worthiness in the workplace depends on the amount of Adderall® they take.

Can You Stop Taking Adderall® Cold Turkey or Will there b Adderall® Withdrawal Symptoms?

It is never safe to abruptly stop taking a drug without speaking to a healthcare professional. Stimulant withdrawal can result in intense cravings and relapse. With drugs like Adderall®, you can experience life changing and dangerous Adderall® withdrawal symptoms.

Seeking help from a treatment center specializing in Adderall® abuse is the most efficient and effective way to detox.

Adderall® Withdrawal Symptoms

What are the Symptoms of Adderall® Withdrawal?

Adderall® is an amphetamine. Amphetamine or Adderall® withdrawal can be uncomfortable and lead to a “crash.” Symptoms of this “crash” may include:

  • Severe cravings for the drug
  • Increased hunger
  • Sleep problems, alternating between minimal sleep and sleeping too much
  • Vivid dreams
  • Mood swings and irritability
  • Anxiety, depression, and panic attacks
  • Fatigue and slow movements or reflexes
  • Increased heart rate and blood pressure
  • Suicidal thoughts or ideations

Adderall® withdrawal symptoms [1] can range from mild to severe. Detoxification can be dangerous to attempt on your own and should be done under the supervision of medical professionals.

How Long is the Adderall® Withdrawal Period?

The Adderall withdrawal timeline may differ slightly for everyone, depending on the amount of the drug taken, the frequency of use, and how long you’ve taken the drug.

Generally, however, the Adderall® withdrawal timeline will follow the below:

Week Adderall® Withdrawal Symptoms
1 Initial withdrawal symptoms: intense cravings, fatigue, trouble sleeping, restlessness, and mood changes including increased irritability.
2 Fatigue and mood changes continue, however, sleep begins to return to a normal pattern.
3 Symptoms begin to subside. If an individual has taken higher than average amounts of Adderall® or has taken the drug for many years, symptoms may linger.
4 Physical symptoms cease, however, psychological symptoms may remain.

Substance Use Disorder Treatment After Adderall® Detox

No matter how long ago an individual has stopped taking Adderall®, without treating the underlying causes that lead to Adderall® addiction in the first place, the potential for relapse is there.

A drug addiction to prescription stimulants should not be taken lightly. It is important that after Adderall® detox that individuals seek behavioral therapy and other addiction treatment therapies to cope with an Adderall®-free life.

How Do You Overcome an Adderall® Addiction with Limited Adderall® Withdrawal Symptoms?

There are specialized treatment programs available for those suffering from Adderall® addiction so that that the uncomfortable and often dangerous Adderall® withdrawal symptoms can be avoided as much as possible. Because many people who become dependent on Adderall® use to “get by” in school or in their careers, an outpatient substance abuse treatment program is often preferred.

Outpatient treatment options allow the client to meet familial and career obligations while undergoing therapy for addiction.

Adderall® Addiction

How Can I Recover from Addiction with Limited Adderall® Withdrawal Symptoms as a High-Level Professional?

Quitting Adderall® is a physical and psychological commitment, one that must be balanced with your professional obligations. You know that you need to detox from stimulants, but your responsibilities cannot fall by the wayside. Managing the side effects of Adderall® withdrawal must be done with finesse.

At New Waters Recovery, we understand the unique barriers faced by high-level executives looking to recover from Adderall® addiction but cannot–or do not wish to–commit to a full time inpatient rehabilitation. Our team of clinicians can arrange treatment for you from medical detox to discreet outpatient treatment programs to aftercare programs.

If you or a loved one are suffering from the effects of Adderall® addiction but admission to a traditional rehab center is not desired, call and speak with one of our representatives.

Don’t Suffer From Adderall® Withdrawal Alone. Help is Available.

Detoxing from Adderall® is an important first step in overcoming addiction, but you don’t have to go it alone. Adderall® withdrawal symptoms can be intense, uncomfortable, and difficult to manage while fulfilling obligations outside of your recovery. We can help.

At New Waters Recovery, it is possible to recover from Adderall® addiction while still living your life. Don’t go it alone. Call and speak to one of our representatives today to kick your Adderall® habit for good.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Adderall® Withdrawal

Below are answers to common questions surrounding Adderall® withdrawal and Adderall® detox:

Adderall® (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine salts) is an amphetamine drug prescribed to treat the symptoms of attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Adderall® is also prescribed off label for anxiety and depressive disorders. When an individual with ADD/ADHD tapers off their medication and then stops taking it altogether, stimulant withdrawal symptoms–as well as the return of ADD/ADHD symptoms–are expected. It is important to speak with your doctor before ceasing medication to ensure that you are quitting Adderall® in a safe, effective manner, and that you are seeking mental health treatment to cope with symptoms of ADD/ADHD.

The level of dopamine produced by your body depends on several factors, but generally, dopamine levels will return to normal after 90 days of not taking Adderall®. If you have a chemical imbalance, however, quitting Adderall® may not be enough to restore your dopamine to normal levels and may require other interventions.

Because quitting stimulants can result in a “crash,” it is not unusual for individuals to have a shift in mood. In the earliest stages of Adderall® withdrawal, you may experience irritability, nightmares, and depressed mood. [2] This is not a permanent condition and your moods should stabilize as your body adjusts to functioning without Adderall®. If you had symptoms of depression prior to taking Adderall®, your depression worsens, or you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or ideations, your doctor may prescribe you an antidepressant or recommend additional treatment.

Drug use of any kind after overcoming an Adderall® addiction can be dangerous, especially if you are taking drugs with any kind of abuse potential. It is important that you do not take any medications that are not prescribed to you and to seek medical advice if you are thinking about taking drugs that are similar to Adderall®.

Adderall® and methamphetamines [3] are both strong stimulant drugs and individuals withdrawing from these drugs may experience similar symptoms such as headache, nausea, irritability, sleeplessness, anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts.

Medically assisted detox is the process of removing substances from the body under the supervision of medical professionals and with the help of medication. Certain medications can reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms so that the individual has a better chance at getting clean and staying clean. The medically assisted detoxification process may involve IV and oral medication protocols that help those addicted to Adderall® detox safely and comfortably prior to entering into a treatment program.

It is possible to overcome an Adderall® addiction and still have a professional career as a high-performing executive. But, just because you have overcome an Adderall® addiction does not mean it will ever be safe for you to take the drug again in any capacity. Adderall® has a high-abuse potential and should not be taken by those who have ever been addicted to Adderall®, similar drugs such as Vyvanse or Ritalin, or any other prescription stimulants.

Sources

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