Adderall withdrawal treatment

Help for Adderall withdrawal includes detox, assessment and treatment. No medications exist for Adderall withdrawal yet. Learn more about possible future medicines and recommended therapies for Adderall withdrawal treatment here.

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Is Adderall detox safe?

Yes, Adderall withdrawal is safe and rather routine. In fact, stimulant withdrawal from medications like Adderall is not usually associated with medical complications or problems. Plus, there is usually no intense discomfort experienced during withdrawal. Instead, the main factor during Adderall withdrawal is time.

The most effective way to treat stimulant withdrawal involves time. Brief medical supervision can help as you stop taking Adderall (especially if you were taking high doses over time). But once you establish a period of abstinence from Adderall, things get easier. Adderall withdrawal timelines will vary by person, dosage and frequency of use, but usually last from a couple of days (acute symptoms of a “crash”) to a few weeks/months. In fact, stimulants like Adderall are notorious for the duration and re-appearance of withdrawal symptoms after time. Delayed withdrawal is common, especially after heavy and chronic Adderall use.

Acute Adderall withdrawal treatments

If you are being treated for withdrawal symptoms for Adderall and plan to enter a treatment center following detox, there are a few things that you can expect. First, as you stop taking Adderall, supervisors will want to be sure that you are no longer taking it and/or they want to know if other drugs are in your system. So, they will initiate a blood test or urinalysis schedule.  Then, you may undergo a few evaluations to address other possible issues. This is because treatment of stimulant abuse requires a comprehensive assessment of your psychological, medical, forensic and drug use history. Doctors are looking for other medical conditions that are often present in stimulant users:

  1. psychiatric disorders
  2. stimulant-associated compulsive sexual behavior

Immediate crisis situations will be addressed and you will be educated on what is happening in your body. Often, people who detox from Adderall need large meals and are often confrontational, aggressive or violent.  Also, euphoric recall is often present during acute and intermediate withdrawal time frames, so be aware that you will need to learn how to cope with cravings during withdrawal and detox.

Intermediate Adderall withdrawal treatment

The most effective way to treat Adderall withdrawal involves establishing a period of abstinence from the drug. This is why intensive outpatient treatment is recommended to help you stop taking Adderall. During this time, specialists will help you avoid cue-induced cravings and other drugs. But as stimulant withdrawal symptoms wane, you should seek an active rehabilitative approach that combines substance abuse treatment with support, education, and changes in lifestyle.

Medications for Adderall withdrawal

  1. Antidepressants
  2. Neuroleptics
  3. New medications developed for stimulant withdrawal (clinical trials only)

Currently, scientists have not developed medicines for treating stimulant withdrawal, as they have for opiate withdrawal (methadone, clonidine or buprenorphine).  Although no medications are currently proven to be effective for stimulant withdrawal, researchers are investigating the possible clincial results of bupropion, which has helped people stop smoking. And a study in Thailand found mirtazapine helpful for reducing symptoms associated with amphetamine withdrawal.

Nonetheless, doctors do try to treat some of the symptoms of Adderall withdrawal using complementary therapies. For example, symptoms of insomnia and may be treated with diphenhydramine 50 to 100 mg, trazodone 75 to 200 mg, or hydroxyzine 25 to 50 mg at bedtime. And antidepressants often help too. Why?

Because the risk of a profound dysphoria (depression, negative thoughts and feelings) is present in people coming off stimulants. This may include suicidal ideas or attempts. In fact, the period of depression experienced by amphetamine users is more prolonged and may be more intense than even cocaine users. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can be prescribed for the depression that often accompanies amphetamine withdrawal. Furthermore, pharmacological intervention may be necessary during stimulant-induced drug states. For example, neuroleptics can help control stimulant-induced psychosis or delirium.

Tips for Adderall withdrawal

Do you have any experience withdrawing from Adderall? Leave your tips here. Also, your questions and comments are welcomed below. We would love to hear from you!

Reference sources: SAMHSA TIP 33: Treatment for Stimulant Use Disorders
Detoxification and substance abuse treatment: physical detoxification services for withdrawal from specific substances
The Search for Medications to Treat Stimulant Dependence

Treatment of acute intoxication and withdrawal from drugs of abuse from VA [dot] gov
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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