Just because a doctor prescribes a drug does not mean that it’s safe. That’s doubly true if you’re using a drug that was actually prescribed to someone else. Prescription drugs are dangerous, and trying to kick them without medical support can be deadly — even when it comes to drugs like Adderall. Adderall withdrawal is intense, but do you need medical detox? Read on to learn the pros and cons.
What Is Adderall & What Are The Side Effects?
Adderall is called an innocent “study drug” when the reality is that it’s an amphetamine — just like meth. Chemically, meth and Adderall are very similar and they have similar side effects: like heart attack, stroke, and serious mental issues. Not surprisingly, ER visits connected to Adderall went up 650% in recent years, according to one study, as Adderall became more popular.
What Happens In Adderall Withdrawal?
With all that in mind, if you’re ready to quit Adderall there are a few things you should know. First, it’s not easy. Adderall impacts the brain’s neurotransmitters, so depending on how long and how much of the drug you’ve been using, your entire system will be rocked by removing Adderall from the mix.
One to two days after your last dose, withdrawal symptoms will start. These will be both mental and physical: from depression and irritability to nausea, cramps, vomiting, and fatigue. They will last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on your use and your own physical state.
Is Adderall Withdrawal Dangerous?
Adderall withdrawal is not as dangerous as withdrawal from alcohol or benzos. You’re not likely to have a heart attack or stroke during the process — although nothing’s out of the question when you put your body through such a shock. It’s more likely to be similar to heroin detox: brutally uncomfortable, with the added danger of depression and potential suicidal tendencies.
Do I Need Adderall Detox?
Going to a professional detox facility can have so many benefits. First, a professional team will work with you to make sure you are as comfortable as possible during the process — even prescribing medication if appropriate. Second, you’ll have a great crew looking out for you 24/7, bringing you water, making sure you’re eating, and generally taking care of all the shit your mom stopped doing for you a long time ago. Detox pretty much always sucks, but professional detox can make it suck less.
What Happens After Adderall Detox?
What happens after detox is up to you. You’re totally free to leave and go right back to normal life, if you want. If you do that, though, you’ll probably find that the same people, places, and things that made you want to use before are still there and still tempting you to pick up. Residential addiction treatment or an intensive outpatient program can help you work on the issues lying underneath your drug use. If you’re ready to get clean, addiction treatment will get you there. Even if you’re not sure, treatment can help explore your past traumas and get tools to deal with them better in the future.
Not sure whether your drug use really qualifies for treatment? Give us a call. Our team has been there themselves and seen it all, and we can walk you through the pros and cons of getting help. Trust us, there are a lot more benefits than drawbacks. We’ll prove it to you.
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Getting Clean & Sober at Home
Today, more than 75% of hospitals and healthcare providers offer access to telehealth treatment, with 29 states having gone so far as to enact telehealth parity laws, which force insurance companies to reimburse patients for telehealth at the same rates as they would for in-person treatment.
If you’ve been thinking about getting clean and sober, or if you’ve been wanting to work on and strengthen the recovery you already have, it’s never been easier to do it through telehealth.
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