Adderall withdrawal signs

Adderall withdrawal signs include increased heart rate, depression, extreme fatigue, and dissatsifaction with life. More on identifying Adderall withdrawal here.

4
minute read

Think a loved one is withdrawing from Adderall (amphetamine salts)? Planning to withdraw from Adderall yourself? If so, continue here to learn more about Adderall withdrawal signs and how they will affect you. If you still have questions about chemical dependence on Adderall or getting help for Adderall addiction after reading the full article, leave your feedback in the comments box below and we will get back to you personally as soon as possible.

Signs of Adderall withdrawal

When do signs of Adderall withdrawal manifest? Onset of side effects from Adderall withdrawal will appear shortly after your last dose of Adderall has worn off. These symptoms usually peak 48-72 hours afterwards when they are at their worst. It is during this time that you run the risk of seizures, fatigue, depression and increased heart rate. How long do signs of Adderall withdrawal last?

Withdrawal periods affect each person differently, but in general, withdrawal symptoms can last several weeks to several months depending on your level of dependence and how you stop taking Adderall. Once you have taken care of the physical symptoms, you may still have to battle drug cravings and psychological need fro Adderall (especially if you think you may have an addiction to Adderall). These effects make it hard not to take Adderall again so you don’t have to feel the effects of withdrawal.

Overall signs of Adderall withdrawal include:

  • abdominal pain
  • anxiety
  • depression
  • drug craving
  • dysphoria
  • fatigue
  • increased heart rate
  • insomnia
  • mood swings
  • paranoiapanic
  • seizures

First signs of Adderall withdrawal

The first signs of Adderall withdrawal can be the most painful and the most uncomfortable. You can expect them to happen quickly after Adderall has worn off in the body. You can begin to see signs of withdrawal a few hours after missing a dose. These symptoms can peak in about 24 hours and last for another couple of hours before they even out. But once you get through the first signs of withdrawal you have made it past the worst. For people who abuse Adderall, they can also expect to see signs of withdrawal after Adderall has worn off. The first signs of Adderall withdrawal include:

  • abdominal pain
  • flu and cold like symptoms
  • nausea/vomiting
  • seizures

Early signs of Adderall withdrawal

Early signs of Adderall withdrawal will continue to appear after acute withdrawal has worn off. For the next couple of weeks, signs of withdrawal mirror flu-like symptoms. You can also expect to feel fatigue and have a hard time with your sleep schedule. This is the time you generally experience psychological signs of withdrawal. These signs can last for a couple of weeks before your body comes back to normal. If you are tapering your Adderall dose, the withdrawal period may take longer. But the signs of Adderall withdrawal are generally less severe and intense during a taper. Early signs of Adderall withdrawal include:

  • anxiety
  • depression
  • panic attacks
  • trouble sleeping

Late signs of Adderall withdrawal

For the most part, Adderall withdrawal resolves within a month’s time. After a couple of months, your body will have regulated the chemistry in the body. It will no longer feel like you need Adderall to function. However, ADHD symptoms can come back. Plus, you may still experience mood regulatory issues that continue to affect you. Furthermore, people who abuse and are addicted to Adderall may still have to contend with drug cravings and triggers that spike their need for the drug. This late sign ofAdderall withdrawal affects your brain’s and its need to use amphetamines again for pleasant effects.

Signs and symptoms of Adderall withdrawal treatment

How do you treat the signs and symptoms of Adderall withdrawal? There are several options and you will have to treat your Adderall withdrawal signs at every stage of the process. You can think of your withdrawal process as being in three stages; acute, middle, and late signs of withdrawal. You can seek medical professional help as well as medications that can assist in aiding withdrawal. Below are the stages and possible ways you can treat the signs and symptoms of Adderall withdrawal:

Acute: During this phase, Adderall withdrawal is at its most painful. Here, nausea, vomiting and the more severe signs of seizures and any heart problems are possible. During this phase you may think of withdrawing at a detox facility. They can help monitor and administer medications for any signs of complication. You can also be in a treatment facility. They can not only help with detox but also address the other points in the withdrawal process.

Mid term: This phase lasts for a few weeks. You can expect to feel fatigue and experience lethargy. Abdominal cramps and feeling generally under the weather are also expected. You may also experience signs of depression and anxiety. You can treat most symptoms with over-the-counter medication that can help take care of the cold and flu like symptoms. Sometimes doctors may recommend and suggest medications for depression or anxiety.

Late: After a couple of months, your body should be back to normal. However, resurgence of withdrawal signs may manifest. Most of them will be attached to your mood. You may still have issues with fatigue and sleeping in general. You will need to get yourself on a sleeping schedule and things like exercise and alternative therapies like acupuncture can help you to ease signs of withdrawal that come up.

Questions about Adderall withdrawal signs

Still have questions about Adderall withdrawal? Post your comment below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Reference Sources: NIDA: Stimulant ADHD Medications: Methylphenidate and Amphetamines
National Institute of Drug Abuse: Prescription and over the counter medications 
ADP: Stimulant Withdrawal 
NCBI: Withdrawal from chronic amphetamine
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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