Adderall is typically prescribed for people with ADHD to help them focus. When used as directed, it can work very well, and it might even help protect against addiction. People using Adderall as directed to treat ADHD typically take a low enough dose that missing a few days isn’t too big of a problem, although they may have difficulty concentrating during that time. However, Adderall is an amphetamine and is often misused. Students frequently use it to cram for finals, finish projects, and generally be more productive. Some people use Adderall to keep them awake so they can drink longer, similar to how some people use cocaine. Misusing Adderall in these ways can lead to addiction. Students who rely on it for productivity often find themselves in a vicious cycle of studying late, then taking more Adderall to keep themselves going the next day. If you’ve developed a dependence on Adderall, quitting can be challenging. Here’s what you can expect.
Acute withdrawal
The severity of symptoms depend on how much you’ve been using and for how long. During the first few days after your last dose, you will probably feel like you’re under water. You will probably feel fatigued and sluggish and have trouble concentrating. You may be unable to sleep or you may sleep a lot. Since Adderall suppresses appetite, you may suddenly find you’re hungry all the time. After that, you are likely to start having emotional symptoms. These might include anxiety, irritability, depression, panic attacks, and inability to feel pleasure. You may have violent or suicidal thoughts. Starting therapy, either individually, in a group, or both as soon as possible is a good idea.
Post-acute withdrawal
The acute symptoms should subside after a week or two. After that, cravings might become intense. Psychological symptoms like anxiety and depression may persist for a while, sometimes as long as 18 months. In the months after quitting, it’s important to address these issues in therapy and possibly with medication. Often, depression and anxiety are co-occurring conditions and not just the result of post-acute withdrawal. Fortunately, quitting Adderall is not physically dangerous. The greatest danger comes from the possibility of agitation and suicidal thoughts. What makes quitting so challenging are the lingering effects of withdrawal–the depression, the poor concentration, the lack of energy, and the general feeling that you’ll never have fun again. With good treatment and adequate support, these will eventually pass if you stick with it.
If you’re struggling with substance use, Recovery Ways can help. We offer intensive outpatient treatment as well as residential treatment. Recovery Ways is a premier drug and alcohol addiction treatment facility located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Our mission is to provide the most cost-effective, accessible substance abuse treatment to as many people as possible. Request information online or call us today at 1-888-986-7848.
