how To Wean Off Adderall

Tapering off Adderall should only be done with the support of trained medical professionals.

How to Get off Adderall

If you are like the 0.4 million people in America who have a prescription stimulant use disorder, such as Adderall you may be wondering how to quit Adderall? Adderall contains two main ingredients that produce a central nervous system stimulant effect. This medication is often prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHA) and narcolepsy. These two main ingredients are amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. These ingredients are central nervous system stimulants that impact the brain and result in hyperactivity and impulse control. For a person who suffers from ADHD, Adderall increases their energy, improves attention and alertness, increases blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate. Additionally, it can decrease the need to sleep, reduce appetite, and improve concentration and confidence.

According to a study published in Brain and Behavior, the side effects of Adderall are often desired by high school and college students who do not suffer from ADHD, because they believe that Adderall will enhance their performance or make them smarter. Athletes believe that Adderall will help them maintain physical fitness or improve their concentration. The study mentioned that 8.1 percent of college students in America misuse stimulants, such as Adderall. The study also found that overall, stimulants do not increase IQ or enhance performance. It is actually very dangerous to take stimulants if you don’t need them because it can result in addiction, dependence, and even sudden death.

The Mayo Clinic mentioned that prolonged use of Adderall can result in addiction or dependence. Addiction is the result of a change in a person’s brain chemistry that causes a person to experience difficulty abstaining from the medication and leads to problems in the way a person functions and other areas. Dependence is when prolonged use of a medication causes the brain to change in a way where it needs the medication to function properly. When a person who is dependent on the medication stops using the drug, withdrawal symptoms will occur. If you become addicted or dependent on Adderall the best way to get off the medication is with a slow Adderall taper.

How To Get Off Adderall Without Side Effects

You should not attempt to quit taking Adderall abruptly or “cold turkey.” Doing so can result in painful withdrawal symptoms if you are addicted and dependent on Adderall. These side effects can manifest as irritability, nausea, anxiety, headaches, decreased concentration, increased appetite, agitation, sleep disturbances, tremors, aches and pains, depressed mood, impaired social functioning, strong cravings, lack of energy, vivid dreams, and relapse. Instead, a slow taper, under medical supervision can result in getting off Adderall without experiencing uncomfortable side effects. This enables a person’s body and brain to get used to not having as much of the drug in its system and learn to function without it again.

How to Wean off Adderall

How to taper off Adderall? Before beginning any type of taper regimen, a person needs to be fully stabilized meaning that they are not experiencing any signs of withdrawal. This is because if they are experiencing withdrawal symptoms the taper will not work.

Tapering off Adderall involves a gradual reduction in dose over a period of time. The exact amount that each person can reduce their dosage by should be determined by a medical professional and the needs of the patient. If the patient begins to experience withdrawal symptoms while tapering, it could indicate that they are tapering too quickly and need to slow down. Depending on each person, a taper could last several weeks to months.

Additionally, making sure you have a strong support network and seeking out behavioral therapy can greatly increase your chances of experiencing a successful taper. Spouses, family members, peers, and neighbors all play a key role in an individual’s recovery. Having family support can result in a person having increased motivation to change and experiencing fewer episodes of relapse.

Tapering can become very difficult if you start to experience any side effects. Behavioral therapy can help you learn strategies to cope with stress and identify warning signs of relapse. It can also modify your attitude and behavior related to Adderall abuse and help you identify any triggers that could result in intense cravings for Adderall.

Getting Help With an Adderall Taper

Attempting to stop taking stimulants, such as Adderall can be difficult, but it is possible. You have a greater chance of success if you speak with your doctors, create a taper schedule, learn to manage your symptoms, and learn ways to cope with the pain. If you or a loved one is suffering from an Adderall addiction, finding a high-quality rehabilitation center can help you taper off the medication.

Tapering off Adderall can be accomplished at an inpatient rehabilitation clinic or outpatient rehabilitation clinic. Rehab clinics use trained professions to help you create a taper schedule that fits their unique needs. They provide doctors to monitor your vitals and prescribe medications to ease withdrawal symptoms. Medications are combined with behavioral therapy in order to teach you ways to cope with stressful situations that might lead you back to using Adderall.

References

• 4 physical detoxification services for withdrawal from specific substances. Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Services Administration.
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• Addiction Treatment Options. Sunshine Behavioral Health.
• Behavioral Therapies. National Institute on Drug Abuse.
• Dependence, withdrawal, and rebound of CNS drugs: An update and regulatory consideration for new drugs development. Brain Communications.
• Dextroamphetamine and Amphetamine. Mayo Clinic.
• Five million American adults misusing prescription stimulants. National Institute on Drug Abuse.
• Prescription stimulants in individuals with and without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Misuse, cognitive impact, and adverse effects. Brain and Behavior.
• Tapering off opioids: When and how. Mayo Clinic.
• The dopamine dilemma-Part II. Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience.
• The relationship of social support to treatment entry and engagement: The community assessment inventory. Substance Use Disorder Journal.