Adderall is one of the most widely used drugs on American college campuses. In many cases, it’s used to help fuel late night study sessions and to increase productivity in students.
But sometimes, Adderall use can get out of control and spiral into addiction. When that happens, some people may either try to get off the drug or suffer symptoms if they don’t replenish their supply.
This article describes the signs and symptoms of Adderall withdrawal.
What Is Adderall?
Adderall is a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. These are both central nervous system stimulants, which will affect chemicals in the brain when the drug is taken.
Adderall is a pharmaceutical drug, so it’s possible to get a prescription legitimately. For example, it’s often prescribed to people who suffer from attention deficit disorder (ADD). In the case of the disorder, Adderall actually helps you to focus more.
Since it’s an amphetamine-based drug, Adderall can become addictive over time. You should only ever take it if you’ve been directed to do so by your doctor. You shouldn’t buy Adderall on the streets because you don’t know if what you’re getting is the legitimate pharmaceutical product.
Despite being a controlled drug, Adderall has some strong psychoactive effects. If you abuse Adderall, you could easily end up addicted. If you’ve been prescribed this drug, you should always take it according to the instructions your doctor has given you.
Signs of Adderall Addiction
If you suspect someone you care about is abusing Adderall, there are many telltale signs you should be on the lookout for. Someone who’s abusing Adderall might seem to be over-talkative and have a lot of energy. They might also be unusually excitable.
These kind of personality changes are especially easy to spot if the person is normally fairly introverted. You might also spot more impulsive behavior that’s out of character for them.
Someone who abuses Adderall might seem tired and lethargic. They might take a pill or excuse themselves for a moment and come back full of energy. It could result in some very strange behaviors; Adderall abusers might become manic or delusional.
When someone is misusing Adderall, they might crush the pills up into a powder and snort it through the nose. If someone you know is doing this, it’s a fairly clear sign they’re abusing the drug; if you were taking Adderall as directed by a doctor, you would never do this.
What Is Adderall Withdrawal?
Adderall is an addictive drug; this means you may experience some side effects after you stop using it. You’re particularly at risk for these side effects if you’ve been abusing the drug and taking more of it than you should have been.
Adderal helps you to focus by boosting the levels of dopamine in your brain. When you stop using it, the amount of dopamine in your brain will start to run low. This can have some undesirable effects on your body, as well as on your mental state.
If you’re taking Adderall as instructed by your doctor, you won’t necessarily have any severe withdrawal symptoms. This is why you should only ever take Adderall under the instructions of a doctor.
If you’ve abused Adderall, it’s likely that you’ll suffer from low moods and depression after you’ve stopped taking it. This is caused by the lack of dopamine in your system.
You’re likely to feel quite tired. Adderall abusers tend to rely on the drug to give them energy. So when you stop using Adderall, it will take some time for your energy levels to get back to normal.
Despite being tired, you might also have a hard time getting the right amount of sleep. You could also suffer from anxiety, irritability, and nausea.
How Long Does Withdrawal Last?
With Adderall withdrawal, there’s no definitive timeline. It depends a lot on how much you’ve used Adderall and your genetic makeup.
Generally speaking, you can expect the withdrawal symptoms to begin within a day or so. These withdrawal symptoms could last for just a few days, or they might last for weeks. If you frequently took large doses, withdrawal symptoms could end up lasting for several weeks.
Adderall Treatment
If you or a loved one has a problem with using Adderall, it might be a good idea to check in to an inpatient rehab facility. The longer an Adderall habit has been going, the more difficult it becomes to withdraw and quit.
You might experience some extreme side effects, such as hallucinations or paranoia. When you attend an inpatient rehab center, you’ll be surrounded by medical professionals who can help to alleviate the worst of your withdrawal symptoms.
When you’re going through withdrawal, there’s a huge temptation to relapse in order to alleviate the symptoms. When you’re living in an inpatient rehab facility, you’ll have round-the-clock access to the healthcare and support you need. You’ll also restrict any access you might have had on the outside to Adderall.
Not everyone can just check in to an inpatient facility. Maybe you can’t afford it or you have responsibilities you need to see to.
In this case, you could attend an outpatient rehab program instead. In an outpatient program, you live at home but go into a rehab center several times a week for treatment.
Get Treatment Today
If you’re suffering from Adderall addiction, you should try and get treatment as soon as possible. The longer you go without treatment and keep on using, the more difficult Adderall withdrawal is going to be.
When seeking help with your addiction, you should also consider getting help with any psychological issues you might have. In most cases, addicts behave the way they do because of underlying mental issues. In order to truly treat Adderall addiction, the hidden problems need to be addressed as well.
Would you like to enroll yourself or a loved one into inpatient rehab? Then get in touch with us now.