Adderall Withdrawal & Detox

The National Library of Medicine states that the combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine used to make Adderall is part of a prescribed treatment program to control symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children three years of age and older.

Adderall is also prescribed to treat narcolepsy in adults and children 12 years of age and older. Although Adderall is part of a group of stimulants designed to increase alertness, attention, energy, blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing rate, it is unfortunately easily misused.

Some side effects of Adderall can be serious and require emergency medical treatment. These include:

• Speech problems
• Dizziness
• Weakness of the arm or leg
• Seizure
• Numbness of extremities
• Motor or verbal tics

• Teeth grinding
• Depression
• False beliefs
• Suspicious of others
• Hallucinating

Symptoms of Adderall overdose may include the following:

• Restlessness
• Confusion
• Aggressive behavior
• Feelings of panic
• Hallucination
• Fast breathing
• Uncontrollable shaking
• Fever
• Dark red or cola-colored urine
• Muscle weakness or aching
• Tiredness or weakness

• Depression
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Fainting
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Upset stomach
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Seizures
• Coma

Adderall misuse may cause sudden death or stroke, especially in individuals with heart defects or serious heart problems. Adderall may slow children’s growth or weight gain.

Stimulants, like Adderall, are the top three most common types of prescription drugs to be misused. Prescription drug misuse can occur in many forms. Generally, Adderall misuse can entail taking a higher dosage of medications than was prescribed, taking medications that were not prescribed to that individual, or taking a combination of medications that can produce negative downstream impacts like a substance use disorder or overdose. 

Adderall, even when taken as directed, may cause side effects, including the following:

• Nervousness
• Headache
• Changes in sex drive or ability
• Painful menstrual cramps
• Dry mouth

• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Weight loss

A study released in 2018 found that 5 million U.S. citizens were misusing prescription stimulants such as Adderall. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services scientists looked at annual averages. They learned approximately 16 million U.S. adults used prescription stimulants in the preceding year, with only 11 million doing so as medically appropriate. Of the 5 million citizens who misused them, 400,000 (2.1%) had prescription stimulant use disorders. The article analyzed data from the 2015 and 2016 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA).

Prescription stimulant use without misuse, misuse without use disorders, and use disorders were all higher among adults with major depressive episodes, suicidal ideation, and substance use problems. More than half (56.3%) cited cognitive enhancement, such as alertness and concentration, as the reason for misusing prescription stimulants, although research has shown that cognitive improvement from prescription stimulants is minimal and often inconsistent.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) scientists who authored the article suggest actions should be taken to expand safe, evidence-based treatment for ADHD that reduces the chance of unused stimulants available for misuse. Clinicians can also screen for and identify adults with an increased risk and motivations for prescription stimulant misuse.

When Adderall is taken as prescribed, the risk of addiction is low. However, it is frequently misused. Street names include bennies, black beauties, crosses, hearts, LA turnaround, speed, truck drivers, and uppers.

When used to get high, stimulants cause a person to feel excited, very alert, and have increased energy. As street drugs, they come as pills that can be swallowed, injected, smoked, or inhaled through the nose (snorted).

Some people misuse amphetamines, like Adderall, to help them stay awake on the job or to study for a test. Others use them to boost their performance in sports. Adderall affects the body through increased alertness, attention, and energy; increased blood pressure and heart rate; narrowed blood vessels; increased blood sugar; and opened-up breathing passages.

Drinking alcohol while consuming Adderall masks the depressant action of alcohol, further increasing the risk of alcohol overdose and elevated blood pressure. 

Abruptly stopping Adderall can lead to the following withdrawal symptoms:

• Depression
• Tiredness
• Sleep problems

If taken in high doses, Adderall is extremely dangerous. It can cause high body temperature, irregular heartbeat, heart disease, and seizures. Long-term use can lead to heart problems, psychosis, anger, and paranoia. Other health-related problems include the risk of HIV, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases from shared needles.

There are no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications at this time to treat stimulant addiction, such as that experienced with the misuse of Adderall. Behavioral therapies that have helped treat addiction to cocaine or methamphetamine may be useful in treating prescription stimulant addiction, according to the NIDA.

Restored Path Detox offers a safe way to navigate Adderall withdrawal through treatment by caring medical professionals, including counseling and support. We are with you every step of the way as you return to health.

A typical Adderall withdrawal timeline is between three days and several weeks. Once your Adderall withdrawal and detox are complete, our professionals will provide you with a therapeutic plan and tools to regain your life.