In 2023, Adderall was the most prescribed stimulant in the United States. Adderall is prescribed to treat ADHD and narcolepsy, and can be very helpful for some people. It’s also misused by some for its energizing and mood-elevating effects.
If you’ve taken Adderall for a long time and then stop taking it, you might notice some discomfort. Is the Adderall to blame? It’s possible! Adderall withdrawal does exist, though typically when taking higher doses of the medication for an extended period of time. Let’s learn more about it.
How Adderall Withdrawal Affects the Body and Brain
Adderall does its work in the brain, but the brain controls every area of your body. Because of this, you can experience both physical and mental withdrawal symptoms.
Mental Withdrawal Symptoms
The most common Adderall withdrawal symptoms are psychological. You might experience:
- Irritability
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Difficulty concentrating
- Trouble sleeping
- Suicidal thoughts
- Nightmares
Physical Withdrawal Symptoms
Adderall withdrawal isn’t known for strong physical symptoms outside of fatigue. That being said, it’s certainly still possible! Aches and pains are the most common, especially headaches and muscle aches. Increased appetite is also common, so weight gain might occur.
Why Do Adderall Withdrawals Occur?
Withdrawal from any substance occurs because the body becomes used to the substance being in its system. It adjusts accordingly, relying on the substance to produce important brain chemicals. Adderall raises dopamine levels, which influences how you feel pleasure and satisfaction when finishing a task. It also influences norepinephrine, which helps with focus, memory, and mood.
When you take Adderall for a long time, especially in high doses, your body produces less norepinephrine and dopamine naturally. When you go long enough without taking Adderall, you’ll feel the effects of those lower neurotransmitters. Eventually, your body will try to adjust to compensate for the lack of Adderall and get your neurotransmitters back in working order. This causes the withdrawal symptoms you’re likely familiar with.
Your body relying on a substance or medication to function properly is called physical dependence. This is not the same as an addiction to the substance, but the two often go hand-in-hand.
How Adderall Withdrawal Is Different From Withdrawal From Other Substances
Because all substances impact the brain differently, withdrawal from them is different, too. Even withdrawal from other stimulants could feel different than withdrawal from Adderall. All types of withdrawal have a few things in common, though. The length and strength of withdrawal symptoms always depend on how much of the substance you use and how long you’ve been using it, no matter the substance. It’s also possible to experience withdrawal symptoms for a long time, though the liklihood varies.
See the chart below for some more comparisons.
| Substance | Similarities | Differences |
|---|---|---|
| Other stimulants (cocaine, methamphetamine, etc.) | Restlessness, fatigue, increased appetite, depression, trouble sleeping, cravings. Typically not life-threatening, and medical detox programs usually aren’t necessary. | Illicit stimulants often have a faster and stronger “crash.” Psychological effects of withdrawal are harder to manage. Depression can be severe and increased risk of suicide is a concern. A doctor won’t help you taper off of cocaine or methamphetamine, and visiting an addiction recovery center might be appropriate for help managing symptoms and stimulant use. |
| Opioids | Restlessness, insomnia, muscle aches, cravings. Typically not life-threatening. Tapering is recommended. | Opioid withdrawal is an independently recognized health condition, and medication is often prescribed for it. Opioid withdrawal comes with significantly more physical symptoms than Adderall withdrawal, and people often return to using opioids to avoid symptoms. Overdose rates are higher during/after the detox period than any other time. Opioid detox programs are highly recommended. |
| Benzodiazepines | Anxiety, trouble concentrating, brain fog, trouble sleeping. Psychological symptoms are likely. Typically not life-threatening. Tapering is recommended. | Long-lasting withdrawal symptoms are more likely, and physical dependence happens more quickly. More physical symptoms, seizures, and hallucinations might be present. It is vital to only lower benzodiazepine dosage with medical supervision, because even small changes in dosage can cause severe withdrawal symptoms. Benzodiazepine detox programs are recommended. |
| Alcohol | Anxiety, irritability, headache, trouble sleeping, confusion | More physical symptoms, including digestive problems, seizures, and a rare condition known as delirium tremens. Can be life-threatening depending on severity. A medical professional may prescribe medication to help with alcohol withdrawal. Alcohol detox programs are highly recommended. |
An Estimated Adderall Withdrawal Timeline
Adderall withdrawal impacts everyone differently, so we can’t offer a definitive timeline. That being said, there are some patterns we commonly see. It’s laid out in the chart below.
| Time Period | What’s Happening | Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 48 hours | Your body is just starting to realize Adderall isn’t in your system anymore and adjusting accordingly. This is the “crash” period. | Fatigue, increased appetite, mood swings, depression, irritability, trouble concentrating, insomnia, cravings |
| 4 to 9 days | Your body is continuing to adjust. Symptoms are typically the worst at this point. | Any of the above symptoms, body aches, anxiety, lack of motivation |
| 1-3 weeks | Symptoms typically subside by this point, but some symptoms are more likely to linger than others. Physical symptoms will fade. | Brain fog, fatigue, depression, mood swings, mild cravings |
| 3+ weeks | While rare, some people might experience a longer withdrawal period. It’s still possible to recover fully, but you’ll need additional treatment and support. | Brain fog, fatigue, depression, loss of pleasure, sleep disturbances |
If Adderall Withdrawal Affects Everyone Differently, What Factors Impact the Timeline?
We’re still learning about the science behind Adderall withdrawal and stimulant use disorders, so it’s once again difficult to say for sure.
These are the factors we know can impact the length and severity of Adderall withdrawal:
- The strength of the Adderall dosage
- How long the person took Adderall
- How often they took Adderall
- How suddenly the medication was stopped
You also might experience Adderall withdrawal differently depending on how physically healthy you are, your genes, and if you have any additional mental health concerns. For example, someone with a chronic illness may have a harder time detoxing from Adderall, which will cause their withdrawal to last longer.
Keep in mind that none of this is set in stone or guaranteed to happen. If you took two people who had the same patterns of using Adderall, they would still experience withdrawal differently.
Are There Stages of Adderall Withdrawal? What Are They?
There aren’t official medically recognized stages of Adderall withdrawal. Treatment for withdrawal focuses primarily on how many hours it takes for someone to feel the symptoms. Because everyone experiences Adderall withdrawal differently, this can be hard to pin down.
There is one term associated with Adderall withdrawal that you could consider its own stage: the “Adderall crash.” This is when individuals first start feeling withdrawal symptoms, often not long after their dose wears off. Those negative effects can set in quickly, and because they’re such a contrast to how you feel when Adderall is in your system, it can be jarring. This is why it’s called a “crash.”
Are There Medications That Help With Adderall Withdrawal?
There are no specific prescription medications recommended to treat Adderall withdrawal, though a medical professional might prescribe something depending on your unique situation and health history. They might prescribe an antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication if mental health symptoms are the worst part of your withdrawal. If you have insomnia, a sleep aid might be helpful.
Otherwise, over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help with physical withdrawal pain. Don’t take any prescription medication that wasn’t prescribed to you to try to treat your own Adderall withdrawal. If it’s serious enough for you to reach that point, it’s time to contact a health professional and think about getting treatment for a stimulant use disorder.
“Cold Turkey” vs. Weaning: Which Is Better?
Adderall withdrawal symptoms are significantly more likely when suddenly stopping Adderall use, also known as “quitting cold turkey.” Weaning off Adderall is the optimal course of action.
If you were prescribed Adderall, don’t try to cut down on it by yourself. Talk to your prescriber to develop a plan to reduce your dosage safely. If you weren’t prescribed Adderall, it’s still best to work with a health professional as you stop taking it. Your best option is treatment at an addiction recovery center. This way, you’ll ensure the withdrawal process passes as smoothly as possible. They’ll also set you up for long-term success in a life without Adderall.
Getting Treatment for Adderall Withdrawals in Orange County, California
Because Adderall is a prescription medication, it might feel “safer” to take. Truthfully, misusing any medication or substance comes with risks. Prescriptions are meant to be taken with the oversight of a doctor, and Adderall is no exception.
No matter how it “should” be taken, misuse still happens, as does the withdrawal that frequently accompanies it. It’s uncomfortable, and can cause a cycle of pain and Adderall use that only reinforces itself.
There’s a way to break out of that cycle. Treatment for Adderall addiction is available, and it can empower you to take your life back.
Pacific Sands is an addiction recovery center in Orange County, California. We pride ourselves on our attentive, individualized care. We take the time to really get to know all of our clients, and collaborate with them on treatment plans to ensure they receive the best treatment possible. All clients get their own private rooms and have constant access to our skilled staff. At Pacific Sands, your needs are our top priority, and we want to support you in your recovery. Ready to get started? Call 949-426-7962 today.
Pacific Sands: The First Step Towards a New Life
