One of the main reasons why people don’t seek rehab for Adderall addiction is because they’re afraid of withdrawal. Fearing withdrawal is normal because of the discomfort that it causes. However, people can take comfort in the fact that withdrawal doesn’t last forever. If that’s the case, how long do Adderall withdrawal symptoms last? And when should you seek Adderall addiction treatment?
What Is Adderall?
Adderall is a prescription medication that is commonly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. It can also be prescribed for narcolepsy and in some cases, depression. Adderall works by affecting neurotransmitters in the brain called dopamine and norepinephrine. These chemicals play an important role in regulating your mood and controlling your behavior.
This drug is a central nervous system stimulant, which means that it increases the activity of these neurotransmitters in the brain. This helps improve attention span and focus while decreasing feelings of restlessness or hyperactivity.
A doctor may prescribe Adderall to treat ADHD in older children, adolescents, and adults. The doctor will usually start with a low dosage of the medication and gradually increase it based on your response to treatment.
Although Adderall is considered safe when taken as directed by a doctor, it can have several side effects that may include appetite loss, stomach pain, headache, anxiety, or mood changes. It is important to talk to your doctor about any side effects that you experience. If you have any concerns about taking Adderall, be sure to speak with your doctor.
In general, doctors don’t just prescribe Adderall alone. Usually, people have to engage in some kind of social or psychological therapy at the same time. The goal isn’t for them to stay on Adderall forever. After all, the drug can lead to addiction.
Why Do People Abuse Adderall?
If people don’t have ADHD, Adderall affects them differently. Taking it gives them intense focus and extra energy. For that reason, many students abuse Adderall while they’re in college. They use it as a study drug for late-night cram sessions before big tests.
Others use Adderall as a party drug. It gives them large amounts of energy to keep them up for hours. With that said, Adderall withdrawal symptoms can occur when people stop taking the drug. The longer they take Adderall, the more likely they are to experience these side effects.
Abusing Adderall can also lead to other problems. For example, it increases the risk of developing an addiction, especially if you take large doses for a long period of time. Not only that, but regularly abusing Adderall may cause anxiety and depression as well as problems sleeping.
What Are Some of the Symptoms?
The withdrawal symptoms that occur with Adderall abuse are uncomfortable. However, this drug withdrawal doesn’t usually cause life-threatening side effects. Some of the most common ones include:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Panic attacks
- Suicidal thoughts
At the same time, people still shouldn’t try to detox without professional help. Doing that often results in relapse.
How Long Do Adderall Withdrawal Symptoms Last?
Now that people understand more about the drug, it’s time to answer the main question. In general, these symptoms last about four weeks. People start to feel the onset of withdrawal at around the 24- to 72-hour mark. After that, the withdrawal symptoms peak in about a week.
Of course, this timeline differs depending on the individual — the longer that people take the drug, the more intense that the withdrawal symptoms become. Likewise, they’re likely to experience the side effects sooner.
Don’t Let Adderall Ruin Your Life
Don’t let not knowing how long do Adderall withdrawal symptoms last keep you from getting help. Detox from Adderall, and then get rehab at Crestview Recovery. We can determine the root cause of your addiction. Our team will create a custom treatment plan using services such as:
- Group therapy and individual therapy
- Holistic treatment
- Intensive outpatient program
- Dual diagnosis treatment
Don’t let withdrawal keep you from getting the treatment that you need. Learn more about how long do Adderall withdrawal symptoms last. Get further information about our programs when you contact us at 866.262.0531.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
