Adderall Withdrawals in Dallas
Adderall, the popular combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, is a drug prescribed for managing various health conditions. The drug can be extremely useful when it’s used correctly, and the doctor’s dose and instructions are respected. However, Adderall abuse is very likely to develop in some individuals, particularly those who do not respect the doses offered by the doctor or those who become addicted to the medication’s effects.
Adderall is abused due to the euphoric high effect it can offer. After all, it is a stimulant drug. But while the drug is a prescription one, it also has a dark side: not only can it result in addiction, but this addiction will also be very difficult to quit.
When one has become addicted to Adderall and they try to quit, they may experience withdrawal symptoms. Managing withdrawal alone is often not possible
What Is Adderall?
Adderall is a stimulant prescription drug that is made of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. It is meant to help people with conditions like narcolepsy or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The drug can increase the levels of dopamine, a chemical in the brain that helps with attention and focus.
The medication can affect the brain by increasing the natural chemical system activity. It can also end up increasing someone’s blood pressure and raising the heart rate. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Adderall in 1996.
Even though the drug can be extremely useful when used right, it also has some hidden dangers. Basically, when someone keeps using the drug, their brain and body will start to expect Adderall regularly, as addiction forms. What makes this even worse is the fact that it will be extremely hard to give up on the drug once the person is addicted, because they will experience withdrawal.
Adderall Abuse
It is very common for someone to deal with Adderall addiction, especially if they’ve been using the drug for longer periods. While the likelihood of addiction is higher when the medication is not used the way it was prescribed, people can also become addicted when they use the drug correctly.
Adderall is addictive mainly because it boosts the dopamine and norepinephrine chemicals of the brain. This influences one’s mood, focus, and energy levels. As the individual keeps using the drug for extended periods, tolerance will build up, leading to addiction.
Adderall misuse is very common in people who are between 18 and 25 years old, according to research conducted in 2016. Many individuals from this group like to use Adderall as they think the medicine will boost their focus and help them study better.
Going Through The Withdrawal
“Withdrawal” is a term that refers to various negative symptoms that appear as a result of someone giving up on a drug when they are addicted to it. The person may either try to reduce their dose significantly or they may simply stop using the substance altogether.
Unfortunately, when it comes to Adderall, withdrawal can be very severe and requires professional assistance. The more intense the symptoms, the worse the suffering of the person is going to be. Furthermore, it makes individuals more likely to run back to the drug to relieve their symptoms.
During withdrawal, the body tries to recover from the addiction after learning to function on it. In some cases, withdrawal may even lead to suicidal thoughts.
Timeline For Withdrawals
The withdrawal will feel different for every Adderall addict, but the timeline is generally the same.
The withdrawal symptoms will appear in the first 1-3 days after someone stops using Adderall. They include fatigue, depression, and insomnia. Then, as people progress to days 4-7, a stronger wave of symptoms will hit them. They will start experiencing restlessness, anxiety, and inability to focus, and possibly insomnia.
Generally, the withdrawal will peak within a week. Starting from the 2nd week, the worst symptoms will slowly start to go away. The individual may still experience symptoms such as sadness, fatigue, and fluctuations in their sleep, but also Adderall cravings.
From week 3, the withdrawal symptoms should be gone. But in some people, it is likely for the symptoms to still be present, even if it’s been a few weeks since the last drug use. This happens mainly in patients who have a high Adderall tolerance and have been abusing the drug for an extended period.
The Withdrawal Symptoms
Adderall withdrawal will come with some very bad symptoms, which are the opposite of what you experienced during Adderall consumption. Withdrawal will be terrible in many cases and sometimes may even make the individual want to go back to using the drug.
When someone has used Adderall in a way that was not prescribed by a doctor or they’ve been using the drug for a very long time, they may feel hungover or drunk during withdrawal. However, some of the most common withdrawal symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- High appetite
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Nightmares
- Headaches
- Extended sleep periods
- Achiness
- Difficulty focusing
- Suicidal thoughts
Recovery From Adderall Withdrawals
To get the drug out of someone’s system, they will have to go through detoxification. As this takes place, the withdrawal will appear. The person needs help when this happens.
To help manage the withdrawal, the healthcare professionals will start reducing the doses gradually instead of making someone quit cold turkey. This can help avoid the symptoms.
In order to recover from the withdrawal, one may have to go through treatment, which may involve medication and psychotherapy.
How Real Deal Therapy & Wellness Can Help You
At Real Deal, we do everything we can to ensure that our patients can safely quit Adderall and manage withdrawal successfully. Our services include treatment for drug addiction, both inpatient and outpatient, but we also offer therapy to help identify triggers and teach patients healthy coping mechanisms.
We focus on all aspects that matter during recovery, which increases the chances of success.
If you or someone you know is dealing with Adderall withdrawal, do not hesitate to call for help. Receiving medical attention is of utmost importance.