Adderall Withdrawal: Symptoms, Timeline, and Treatment

Adderall withdrawal can happen if you stop taking your ADHD medication. Dependence on the medication can happen to anyone who has been using it for an extended period of time, even people who take it exactly as directed.

If you suddenly stop taking Adderall, it may lead to what is often referred to as an Adderall "crash." The Adderall crash is like an intense mini-withdrawal. It typically begins within several hours of your last dose and can continue for one or two days. Most people experience physical and mental exhaustion along with a markedly depressed mood.

Adderall misuse can also contribute to a risk for addiction, which can lead to withdrawal symptoms when people try to quit. This article discusses the risks and symptoms of Adderall withdrawal, as well as the treatments that can help.

Adderall Withdrawal Symptoms

Some of the most common symptoms of Adderall withdrawal can include:

• Adderall cravings 
• An unusually slow heart rate  
• Depressed mood
• Extreme fatigue
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Headaches
• Increased or decreased appetite
• Insomnia or hypersomnia
• Irritability
• Jitteriness
• Mood swings
• Problems thinking or concentration
• Slowed movements or reflexes
• Vivid or unpleasant dreams

It is important to remember that Adderall withdrawal is different for everyone. Some people are able to stop taking Adderall with mild symptoms or no symptoms.

Your withdrawal experience will depend on a number of factors, including the nature of your Adderall use. If you have a stimulant use disorder (Adderall addiction), then there will be additional issues to contend with in the weeks following your last dose.

The initial withdrawal syndrome can be severe. Withdrawal may affect your ability to function normally and fulfill your responsibilities at home, school, and work.

Example Timeline

• Days 1-3: Extreme fatigue and depressed mood
• Days 3-5: Symptoms intensify - fatigue, depression, irritability
• Days 5-7: Symptoms start to taper but may still feel moody, mildly depressed, and have difficulty socializing
• 3-4 weeks: Most, if not all, withdrawal symptoms should be gone
  

What Causes Adderall Withdrawal?

Adderall is a combination of the two stimulants amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. They work in combination to increase activity in the central nervous system, which results in a more alert state.

Adderall also increases the activity of two neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) in your brain: norepinephrine and dopamine. Dopamine is responsible for activating your brain’s reward system. Norepinephrine is responsible for boosting your alertness, focus, and cognitive functions. Both play a role in mood regulation.

During long-term Adderall use, your brain gets used to the increased activity of these neurotransmitters. Withdrawal symptoms occur because your brain is experiencing what it believes to be low levels of dopamine and norepinephrine.

Triggering Depression

A depressive episode can have long-lasting effects, such as bringing up painful or traumatic thoughts, feelings, and memories. You may also have to contend with the consequences of failing to meet your responsibilities during withdrawal. This may include problems at work, school, or home.

Severe depression is a lot different than just feeling sad. You may experience any of the following:

• Feelings of emptiness or hopelessness
• Loss of interest in activities that normally bring you pleasure, such as sex or exercise
• Extreme irritability or frustration
• A complete lack of energy or excessive tiredness
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Feelings of anxiety
• Feeling like you’re moving, thinking, or talking slower than usual
• Intense self-criticism or a sense of worthlessness 
• Feelings of guilt and regret
• Eating too much or too little
• Problems thinking, focusing, or making plans
• Unusual aches and pains
• Thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts

Because your brain is reacting to low levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, the withdrawal symptoms are not limited to depression.

One recent study found that changes in brain chemistry during amphetamine withdrawal might make people more sensitive to stress. This may explain why things that normally wouldn’t bother you feel extremely annoying or frustrating during withdrawal.

How Misuse Contributes to Adderall Withdrawal

Adderall misuse is most common among people ages 18 to 25. Adderall use can be daily or intermittent. Some people take Adderall under a doctor’s supervision to treat ADHD, while others acquire it illicitly or intentionally misuse it.

When it comes to withdrawal, the context actually doesn’t matter too much. Anyone who has been using amphetamines for an extended period of time can experience withdrawal symptoms.

Adderall withdrawal symptoms often appear within the first few days after the last dose and typically last from three days to several weeks, but you may have lingering psychological symptoms and cravings.

Treatment for ADHD Withdrawal

Unfortunately, there are no medications currently recommended for the treatment of amphetamine withdrawal, but there are some things you can do to reduce your discomfort. With the help of your doctor, you may want to consider the following medications:

• Anti-anxiety medications: Although these drugs are usually not recommended, especially not in the long term, they may provide some relief for the first few days of withdrawal. If you are experiencing intense irritation, aggravation, or aggression, talk to your doctor about getting a week’s worth of a long-acting benzodiazepine like clonazepam (Klonopin).
• OTC pain relievers: If you are experiencing bad headaches or body aches, consider an over-the-counter painkiller like aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), or Excedrin. 
• Sleep aids: If you are having trouble falling or staying asleep, you may want to talk to your doctor about a prescription sleep aid like Ambien or an OTC antihistamine like Benadryl. 
• Antidepressants: If you start taking them in advance, antidepressants might help prevent lingering, post-withdrawal depression, but they have not been shown to reduce acute symptoms of withdrawal. 
  

Coping and Relief for ADHD Withdrawal

Other things you can do to ensure a smooth and safe withdrawal experience include:

• Seeking social support: Asking someone you trust (like a sibling, parent, or friend) to check in on you from time to time to make sure you’re OK. 
• Taking time off to rest: Planning to take some time off of your daily responsibilities and obligations. Give yourself some time to rest and recuperate by taking a few days off from work, school, and studying. 
• Dealing with cravings: Look for ways to stay distracted if you find yourself experiencing cravings.
• Staying hydrated and nourished: Drinking plenty of fluids and eating healthy meals. You need to replenish your body with vitamins and electrolytes. 
• Seeking comfort: Preparing for a depressed mood by surrounding yourself with things that bring you joy or peace, even if those things are just ice cream and a good Netflix binge. 
• Staying active: Exercising to encourage the release of natural feel-good neurotransmitters.
  

Adderall Withdrawal Warnings

Adderall is generally considered to be safe for home withdrawal. Unlike other drugs with complicated withdrawal syndromes, such as alcohol and benzodiazepines, withdrawing from amphetamines is unlikely to trigger any serious medical problems.

The problem with Adderall withdrawal is that it can be a bit unpredictable. It’s hard to know in advance whether you will experience intense depression or extreme irritation.

It could be helpful to talk to a doctor about your plans to quit. Your doctor may be able to give you both short- and long-term support.

Long-Term Adderall Withdrawal Treatment

Long-term treatment for amphetamine withdrawal will depend in part on the nature of your amphetamine use. If you were taking Adderall for ADHD exactly as your doctor prescribed, then you probably won’t need any long-term treatment at all.

If you’ve been misusing Adderall for some time, you would benefit from a comprehensive, long-term addiction treatment plan.

All drugs of addiction affect dopamine in some indirect way. Stimulants have a direct effect on your dopamine receptors, which basically gives them VIP status in your brain’s reward system. This means that your brain is going to have a lot of trouble resisting cravings.

The leading treatment for amphetamine addiction is behavioral therapy. Two types have proven effective, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and contingency management (CM).

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy: During CBT, you work with a therapist or counselor to identify and manage your drug triggers. You learn to modify the negative thought patterns that have led you to misuse Adderall in the past, such as believing you can’t ace a test or write a paper without Adderall.
• Contingency management: CM is a type of therapy that capitalizes on your brain’s desire to stimulate its reward system. Basically, you work with a counselor to improve your behavior and your counselor rewards you for your successes. For example, when you study for a test without Adderall, your counselor might reward you with a gift card for coffee and donuts.

It is also important to understand that because your brain is craving stimulation of its reward system, you are at risk of developing other substance abuse problems or behavioral addictions. People use all sorts of things as a substitute for amphetamines, including other drugs, nicotine, gambling, shopping, and sex.

Working with a therapist or addiction counselor will help you maintain long-term abstinence from Adderall and a healthy balance in other areas of your life. 

Resources

There are many in-person and online resources you can seek out if you or a loved one are dealing with addiction or withdrawal.

Most colleges have excellent counseling and behavioral health services. Check out your school’s website for more information about the services they offer and how to make an appointment to speak with a counselor.