Do You Need Medical Detox for Adderall Withdrawal?
Adderall is a commonly prescribed medication to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. While it can be helpful to manage the symptoms of this condition, it’s a potent medication that can be habit-forming. If someone who has taken this combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine for an extended period of time suddenly quits taking the drug, they can start to experience Adderall withdrawal symptoms that can lead to a “crash” just hours or days later. That’s why many people turn to medical professionals or experts at a Florida drug detox center to quit taking this medication successfully.
Table of contents
» What Are the Common Symptoms of Adderall Withdrawal?
» How Long Do Adderall Withdrawal Symptoms Last?
» Is Adderall Withdrawal Dangerous?
» What Role Does Outpatient Treatment Play in Stimulant Withdrawal?
» Key Takeaways on Adderall Withdrawal Symptoms
» Resources
What Are the Common Symptoms of Adderall Withdrawal?
Many possible Adderall withdrawal symptoms can start once someone suddenly quits taking the medication – even if they’ve been taking it as prescribed. This happens because their body develops a dependency on the drug, and when it’s suddenly no longer in their system, they’ll start to struggle with this missing ingredient. Withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Intense cravings to take more Adderall
- Mood swings or feeling depressed
- Fatigue and insomnia
- Difficulty concentrating or focusing on things
- Slow heart rate
- Appetite changes (hungrier or less hungry than normal)
- Headaches
- Feeling irritated or jittery
- Slow movements
- Upset stomach
- Tremors
- Intense or vivid dreams
- Possible thoughts of suicide
- Feeling unmotivated
These symptoms can range from minor and uncomfortable to severe and distressing, and everyone will respond differently to this period of time as their body gets used to no longer having the drug. This is because Adderall is a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, two different stimulants, that stimulate and boost activity in the central nervous system. These effects help the person improve their focus and decision-making, which can be significant symptoms of ADHD.
However, over time, their brains become used to the presence of these stimulants and make adjustments to how they function with this medication. Once they’re no longer taking it, their brain will struggle for a while to adapt back to this new normal way of functioning.
How Long Do Adderall Withdrawal Symptoms Last?
The kinds of Adderall withdrawal symptoms someone can experience after suddenly taking this stimulant medication can vary from emotional distress, sleep problems, difficulty concentrating, appetite changes, and even a slow heart rate. If you’re wondering how long these Adderall withdrawal symptoms will last, most people can expect the peak to last for several days and fully dissipate over the next several weeks or about a month.
Here’s a closer look at what to expect:
- One to three days after quitting Adderall: Onset of feeling extremely tired and depressed.
- Three to five days after quitting Adderall: Withdrawal symptoms will intensify during this period, and can include things like continuing fatigue and feeling depressed, irritated, or anxious.
- Five to seven days after quitting Adderall: Withdrawal symptoms will start to become less intense at this point. During this period of withdrawal, the person can still be experiencing mood swings, irritability, and somewhat depressed. They will likely not feel like socializing and might prefer to isolate at this point.
- Three to four weeks after quitting Adderall: Withdrawal has basically ended at this point, with most or all possible symptoms gone and the person returning to a normal state.
Is Adderall Withdrawal Dangerous?
Adderall withdrawal happens because the person is used to an increased level of dopamine in their brain (due to the effects of the stimulant medication and how it works on neurotransmitters and receptors). If they suddenly quit taking the drug, their brain needs a little bit of time to readjust and get back to normal.
A lowered level of dopamine can cause many different withdrawal symptoms, including feeling tired, depressed, irritated, and unable to concentrate or focus on the task at hand properly. Not everyone who takes this medication will experience withdrawal once they quit. Primarily, this will happen if someone has been taking high doses of the drug for an extended period of time.
While Adderall withdrawal typically isn’t considered to be dangerous, it can last for several days, and symptoms can linger for several weeks. It can be a highly distressing experience for people who struggle with these physical, cognitive, and emotional changes as their brains readjust to the absence of this drug. That’s why it’s helpful to talk to your doctor about options for quitting Adderall in a way that will make withdrawal less intense or even prevent it entirely, such as slowly tapering off the drug by lowering the dosage a little at a time over the course of several weeks or months until you can successfully quit without these symptoms.
One potentially dangerous aspect of Adderall withdrawal is that this experience can make someone feel highly anxious, fatigued, irritated, moody, and even depressed, and depression is a serious thing to watch out for because, if it gets bad enough, the person can struggle to function and might even start thinking about suicide. Before quitting Adderall, talk with a doctor or get help from an addiction treatment center that can help you get through this period of time safely and more comfortably.
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What Role Does Outpatient Treatment Play in Stimulant Withdrawal?
While there isn’t a specific treatment for Adderall withdrawal, and there aren’t specific medications to treat this withdrawal process, experts can help people get through this period of time by coming up with a planned strategy to quit the drug. This can include slowly tapering off the drug to prevent withdrawal, as well as getting help from professionals at a medical drug detox program to keep them comfortable and safe as their body weans off the drug for the first several days or about a week.
Outpatient treatment can also help people at this time by providing them with emotional support and guidance, as well as assistance with resisting cravings to use the drug again, to keep them on track as they get through the worst of possible withdrawal symptoms over the first week after quitting.
Key Takeaways on Adderall Withdrawal Symptoms
- Adderall is a brand name of the combination of stimulants dextroamphetamine and amphetamine.
- This drug is commonly prescribed to treat ADHD symptoms.
- While the medication is effective in helping manage ADHD, it can be habit-forming and has the potential for misuse.
- Someone who has taken a high dose of the medication for a long period of time can experience intense and distressing Adderall withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly quit.
- Slowly tapering off the drug or getting help at a medical detox program can help people get through the worst of withdrawal symptoms.
If you’re struggling with your use of stimulant medications like Adderall and worried about withdrawal symptoms, WhiteSands Treatment can help. Our experts know how to guide you through this brief yet critical period and give your body time to adjust to this new normal. We can help you figure out your best options for drug rehab, including getting you answers to questions like how long a person stays in rehab for treatment. Call us at 877-855-3470 today to get started on the path toward your better future.
Resources
- WebMD – Adderall Withdrawal: What You Should Know
- National Library of Medicine – Treatment for Amphetamine Withdrawal
- Drugs.com – How Long Does Adderall Withdrawal Last?
- Verywell Mind – Adderall Withdrawal: Symptoms, Timeline, and Treatment
- MedlinePlus – Dextroamphetamine and Amphetamine
If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.
About the Author
Jackie has been involved in the substance abuse and addiction treatment sector for over five years and this is something that she is truly eager about. She has a passion for writing and continuously works to create informative pieces that not only educate and inform the public about the disease of addiction but also provide solutions for those who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.
