Adderall Withdrawal Symptoms & Addiction Treatment

Adderall is a prescription stimulant medication that is used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.¹ It is characterized as a Schedule II controlled substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for its potential for misuse and causing dependence.²

Chronic Adderall use over time can make someone physiologically dependent on the drug, meaning they will experience Adderall withdrawal symptoms when they try to cut back their use or quit Adderall.^3,4

In this article, we will discuss Adderall withdrawal, addiction, and treatment.

Adderall Withdrawal

Adderall withdrawal occurs due to the development of physiological dependence on the stimulant after chronic use. Dependence is an adaptation in which someone’s body has gotten so used to the presence of a drug that they need it to feel normal, experiencing withdrawal symptoms when they cut back or quit using the drug.⁴

Adderall Withdrawal Symptoms

Adderall withdrawal symptoms may include:⁵

• Fatigue.
• Vivid nightmares.
• Increased appetite.
• Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping.
• Retardation of mental and physical activity.
• Restlessness.
• Depression.

While unpleasant, Adderall withdrawal is not often physically dangerous; however, specific psychological symptoms like depression may require monitoring.⁵

Adderall Addiction

Addiction is characterized as the continued use of a substance despite the clinically significant harm it causes to someone’s life or well-being. Addiction often occurs after the misuse of a drug. In this case, Adderall is often misused as a study drug among high school and college students, or to increase alertness in the elderly and shift workers.⁴

Adderall addiction encompasses negative changes in someone’s health or their career or their relationships, such as skipping activities they enjoy or failing to fulfill their usual responsibilities to use Adderall or recover from its effects.⁴

Addiction is a chronic, potentially devastating condition, but it is highly treatable.⁴

Adderall Addiction Help

Recovery from Adderall addiction is possible with the right support and resources. Treatment for stimulant use disorder typically incorporates multiple facets, including:

• Behavioral therapy. A combination of various types of therapy for addiction treatment, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing, is a common and effective approach in rehab.⁶
• Peer support. Whether it is through a 12-step or other type of peer-support program, building a positive, sober network is crucial for long-term recovery.⁶
• Learning about addiction and treatment, while gaining emotional and motivational insight in how to cope with their condition is a vital form of treatment for many patients.^6,7
• Treatment for co-occurring disorders. Many people with addiction struggle with other mental disorders like anxiety or depression; research shows that simultaneous treatment of these conditions alongside addiction is more effective than treating them separately.⁸

At River Oaks, treatment plans are designed to meet each patient’s unique needs using various types of addiction treatment. Upon admission, each patient will meet with our clinical team for an evaluation to learn the patient’s:⁹

• History of substance use.
• Medical and mental health conditions.
• Living environment and social situation.

This will help treatment staff make an informed choice about treatment approaches. Throughout treatment, the patient will be re-assessed and adjustments may be made to the program as their needs change.⁶

For more information about rehab admissions at our inpatient rehab near Tampa, Florida or outpatient center contact our admissions navigators at any time. Our team can help you review different options to cover the cost of treatment, including using insurance to pay for rehab.