What Is Adderall Withdrawal Like?

What is Adderall?

Adderall is a prescription medication that contains two drugs: amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. These are both stimulant medications that affect chemicals in the brain and nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control.

Adderall is commonly prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy, a sleep disorder. It works by increasing the availability of certain neurotransmitters in your brain, helping to improve concentration, focus, and control over behavior.

There are two primary types of Adderall:

• Adderall Immediate Release (IR) — Immediate-release Adderall typically starts working within 20 to 60 minutes after ingestion, with its peak effects occurring around 1.5 to 3 hours after administration. The overall effects can last approximately 4 to 6 hours.
• Adderall Extended Release (XR) — Extended-release Adderall is designed to release the medication gradually over time. The effects usually begin within 30 to 60 minutes after ingestion, with peak effects occurring around 4 to 7 hours after administration. The overall effects can last approximately 10 to 12 hours.

While Adderall can be highly effective in managing these disorders, it also has the potential for misuse and addiction, especially among people who do not have a prescription.

Misuse of stimulant medication can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease, mental health issues, and even sudden death. And trying to stop Adderall suddenly in the midst of an addiction can lead to unpleasant Adderall withdrawal symptoms.

Is Adderall Addictive?

Adderall is an amphetamine, so yes, it has the potential to be addictive. This is particularly the case if they are misused or taken without a prescription.

When taken recreationally or in higher doses than prescribed, Adderall can produce feelings of euphoria, which can lead to misuse and addiction. Over time, a person may develop a tolerance to the drug, meaning they need to take larger doses to achieve the same effect. This can increase the risk of Adderall withdrawal symptoms if the drug is abruptly stopped.

If you or someone you care about is suffering from Adderall addiction or Adderall withdrawal, please talk to us.

What is Adderall Withdrawal Like?

Stopping use of Adderall suddenly can lead to a multitude of Adderall withdrawal effects.

Withdrawal happens because when a person uses a substance over a prolonged period, the body may become accustomed to its presence and develop a physical dependency.

This process is known as “tolerance.” The body adjusts its normal functioning to accommodate the constant influx of the substance, changing the balance of neurotransmitters and receptors in the brain.

When a dependent individual abruptly stops or significantly reduces intake of the substance, the body experiences a sudden imbalance due to the absence of the substance it has adapted to. This is known as withdrawal.

Some Adderall withdrawal effects include:

• Fatigue and lethargy
• Depression
• Sleep disturbances: Both Insomnia or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping) may occur as the body adjusts to the absence of the stimulant.
• Increased appetite
• Anxiety
• Headaches
• Difficulty concentrating
• Craving Adderall
• Mood swings
• Vivid dreams: Some individuals report having vivid or unusual dreams during the withdrawal process

If you or a loved one are experiencing Adderall withdrawal, seek Adderall addiction treatment today.

Here’s a general Adderall withdrawal timeline:

• Days 1-3: Initial crash. When the drug is stopped, the body will start to react. This could lead to symptoms like fatigue, depression, and increased appetite. The most intense withdrawal symptoms usually occur during the first few days.
• Days 4-7: Continuation of withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms like fatigue, irritability, and poor mood might continue.
• Week 2: Some of the acute symptoms may begin to lessen, but psychological symptoms like cravings, mood changes, and sleep disruptions might persist.
• Weeks 3-4 and beyond: For some people, several weeks after stopping Adderall, they may continue to experience mood swings, fatigue, and cravings. In severe cases, these symptoms might persist for several months.

Remember that each individual’s experience with stopping Adderall will be unique. Factors such as the length of use, dosage, individual physiology, and whether or not other substances are being used can significantly impact the withdrawal timeline.

If you’re considering stopping Adderall, it’s essential to do so under the supervision of a healthcare provider to ensure safety and manage withdrawal symptoms effectively.

What are Some Adderall Alternatives?

There are a variety of alternatives to Adderall. The efficacy of these Adderall alternatives will depend on your individual body chemistry, as well as factors like dosage.

Some Adderall alternatives include:

• Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) — These medications are also stimulants used to treat ADHD. They have a similar effect as Adderall but may be better tolerated by some individuals
• Atomoxetine (Strattera) — This is a non-stimulant medication used to treat ADHD. It works differently than Adderall by specifically targeting norepinephrine, not dopamine.
• Guanfacine (Intuniv) and Clonidine (Kapvay) — These are non-stimulant medications originally used for hypertension but found to be beneficial for some people with ADHD.

There are also non-pharmaceutical alternatives to Adderall.

These can include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) —  This type of therapy can help individuals with ADHD learn to better manage their symptoms.

• Neurofeedback —  This is a type of biofeedback where individuals learn to alter their own brain activity.

• Exercise — Regular physical activity can sometimes help reduce symptoms of ADHD.

• Dietary changes —  Some individuals may find that certain food additives or lack of certain nutrients can exacerbate ADHD symptoms, so dietary changes may help.

It’s important to note there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to managing ADHD. Some people benefit from therapy and simple lifestyle changes, others require medication, and many find a combined approach works best. Work with your healthcare provider to find what is the best approach for you.

Adderall Abuse Treatment at Aliya Health Group

If you or a loved one are struggling with Adderall withdrawal, you don’t have to face it alone.

We at Aliya Health Group seek to be a beacon, resource, and partner for those struggling with Adderall addiction. We offer affordable and compassionate treatment for addiction to stimulants like Adderall, with treatment centers all over the country.

Before starting treatment with us, you’ll start with our medical detox program. There, our expert staff will assist you or your loved one in managing Adderall withdrawal symptoms as you clear the drug from your system.

After detoxing, proper treatment can begin.

There are several different approaches to treating Adderall addiction, including:

Residential Treatment

After successfully completing medical detox, you’ll transition to residential treatment, also known as inpatient treatment. There, you’ll receive medically-assisted treatment and dual diagnosis treatment to deal with any cravings or co-occurring mental health issues you may be battling.

In addition to individual and group counseling and medication management, you’ll also have access to leisure activities and family support services.

Partial Hospitalization

A step down from inpatient care but with more structure than conventional outpatient programs, a partial hospitalization program offers a good balance for those looking to ease back into normal life. Clients can receive care five to seven days a week for a number of hours each day, returning back to their homes in the evening.

This way, they can recover without putting their daily lives on hold, receiving intense therapeutic interventions like group and individual therapy, skill development, and medication management as necessary.

Intensive Outpatient Treatment

Clients undergoing this program participate in intensive therapy sessions, meeting three to five days a week, with each session lasting three hours. This level of care is a step down from partial hospitalization, requiring less time commitment.

IOPs offer participants the ability to continue their employment or academic obligations, receiving support and therapy as needed as they prepare to reenter society.

Outpatient Care

Finally, there’s outpatient care. Outpatient care allows clients to receive care without neglecting their responsibilities at home. It also tends to be significantly more affordable than higher levels of care.

Start Your Adderall Recovery Journey Today

If you or a loved one are thinking of seeking treatment for addiction to Adderall but have questions, call us at 888-965-3085 or contact us here. Our highly qualified staff will be happy to assist you.

 

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