Adderall is considered a central nervous system stimulant. Typically prescribed to treat ADHD, it is widely abused with a high dependency rate for people who become addicted. Quitting Adderall is challenging but possible. With the right information, resources, and support, an individual can overcome addiction to Adderall and live happily and healthily in recovery.
Quitting
When a person is considering whether to quit Adderall, it is best to seek the advice of the treating medical doctor. The drug may be medically necessary and any individual who seeks to stop using it, especially cold turkey, needs to consult a physician about possible withdrawal symptoms, detox, and treatment protocols.
Slowly reducing the amount of Adderall in the system (tapering off) is better than quitting cold turkey. It is not advisable to just stop taking the drug altogether as it can cause health complications that can be dangerous including seizures, extreme depression, and paranoia. Acute withdrawal symptoms occur which are more severe if not done slowly over time and with proper care. The brain and central nervous system become flooded with neurotransmitter chemicals which trigger “rebound” effects and cause unnecessary discomfort for the individual.
Withdrawal
When an individual decides to just quit Adderall cold turkey, withdrawal symptoms will be intense, uncomfortable, and last quite a while. The onset of withdrawal begins within 3-6 hours after medication leaves the system and symptoms peak around 48 hours after the last dose. This will continue for a few days but withdrawal symptoms can carry on for several weeks as the amphetamine leaves the body’s system. Cravings, psychological symptoms of withdrawal, and a reoccurrence of ADHD and sleep issues can occur.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of withdrawal from Adderall may include the following and depend on the individual:
- abdominal pain
- anxiety
- depression
- drug craving
- dysphoria (dissatisfaction with life)
- fatigue
- increased heart rate
- insomnia
- mood swings
- panic
- seizures
There are risks associated with quitting Adderall cold turkey, some of which include:
- cardiac arrest
- coma
- death
- depressed heart rate
- extreme fatigue
- loss of consciousness
- psychosis
- seizures
Treatment
There is help available to deal with withdrawal and tapering off of Adderall. If an individual is concerned about quitting cold turkey, the best avenue is to contact Hired Power or another treatment center to provide proper medical supervision through withdrawal. A detox clinic can help assess the risks and help treat them without inappropriate risk to an individual’s health (seizures, depressed breathing, and coma).
Hired Power has treatment programs for quitting Adderall under medical supervision. Contact us today to learn more about them and to begin a road to recovery.
Call us at 800.910.9299 for more information.
