Adderall is a type of prescription drug that is often abused. Young adults between 18 and 25 are the demographic group that is most likely to misuse or abuse Adderall. Among college students, Adderall has acquired a reputation for being the “study drug.” Many people who misuse Adderall end up struggling with dependence or even addiction. Learning how to stop Adderall addiction is a process of treatment and personal growth.
Serenity Grove is a leading Adderall addiction treatment provider in Athens, GA that helps people overcome substance abuse every day. Call 844.904.3485 to learn more about Adderall addiction treatment near you.
What Is Adderall?
Adderall is a prescription drug. It is classified as a stimulant. Doctors often prescribe it for treating ADHD, narcolepsy, and other sleep disorders. Taking Adderall increases attention, wakefulness, and energy. It can help people focus and complete tasks. That is one reason it has garnered the “study drug” label among college students. One study found that approximately one-third of college students reported misusing Adderall at some point.
Abusing Adderall for a long period of time can damage the body and brain. For starters, people who abuse Adderall often experience crashes in between using the drug. This is when the drug’s effect wears off, and the body is left at a deficit, unable to function properly. Other dangers of Adderall abuse include anger issues, constant anxiety or panic, paranoia, and even hallucinations. If you or someone you know is struggling with Adderall addiction, seeking professional help and understanding how to stop Adderall addiction is crucial for recovery.
The longer someone uses Adderall, the more likely they are to experience withdrawal symptoms either between uses or when they try to quit. Adderall withdrawal symptoms include:
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Difficulty concentrating
How to Stop Adderall Addiction
Stopping an Adderall addiction is often difficult. Quitting cold turkey can be extremely uncomfortable, even dangerous. The best way to overcome an Adderall addiction is through professional treatment.
The recommended way to cease Adderall usage is through tapering. The process of tapering means using smaller and smaller amounts of a drug to allow the body to adjust over time. Perhaps the best way to get off of Adderall is by conducting a medical detox. Medical detox at a professional treatment center is a safe, reliable way to stop using Adderall.
An effective detox tends to involve implementing several helpful things. First, it is essential to stay hydrated and eat healthy meals during detox. In addition, since detoxing from Adderall can involve mental health struggles, it is important to be surrounded by support and opportunities to engage in activities that bring joy. And while there are no specific medications designed for use during Adderall detox, many people are aided by prescription antidepressants or sleep aids.
Signs and Symptoms You May Need Adderall Addiction Treatment
The following are signs and symptoms of Adderall addiction:
- Increased Tolerance: Needing more of the drug to achieve the same effects, indicating physical dependence.
- Withdrawal Symptoms: Experiencing unpleasant physical or psychological effects when not using Adderall, such as fatigue, depression, or sleep disturbances.
- Excessive Use: Taking Adderall in larger amounts or over a longer period than intended.
- Failed Attempts to Cut Down: Persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to reduce or control Adderall use.
- Time Spent Obtaining Adderall: A significant amount of time is spent obtaining, using, or recovering from the effects of Adderall.
- Neglect: Neglecting social, occupational, or recreational activities due to Adderall use.
- Continued Use Despite Problems: Continuing to use Adderall despite being aware of persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problems likely caused by the substance.
- Risky Use: Using Adderall in physically hazardous situations or continuing its use despite having ongoing physical or psychological issues exacerbated by it.
- Cravings: A strong desire or urge to use Adderall.
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Our Adderall Addiction Treatment Programs
We offer Adderall addiction treatment across multiple levels of care, from detox to aftercare. In addition, since Adderall addiction is often linked with co-occurring mental health disorders—especially attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)—we can treat Adderall addiction during our dual-diagnosis treatment program. This is critical because according to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 21.5 million adults in United States have both a substance use and mental health disorder.
Common Effects of Adderall Addiction
People may begin taking Adderall to experience its positive effects. Yet over time, these positive effects tend to be overshadowed by numerous side effects. Some common Adderall addiction effects are:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Hallucinations
- Tremors
- Fatigue
- Migraines
Adderall addiction treatment is designed to address these negative impacts alongside pushing toward full recovery. It’s also important to note that not everyone with an Adderall addiction experiences all of those side effects. They may only have one or two, or the side effects could change during their addiction.
What To Expect During Adderall Addiction Treatment
Addiction treatment programs follow different levels of care so that you can build your recovery skills gradually. Therefore, you’ll start at higher levels of care and then get less professional support as you go. You can expect the following levels of care during Adderall addiction treatment:
- Detox: The first step to any addiction treatment program is a drug and alcohol detox. During detox, you’ll go through withdrawal symptoms, which appear soon after you quit using Adderall. The acute phase of these symptoms last about one to two weeks and can be mild to severe.
- Residential Rehab: After detox, you may have lingering, but manageable, withdrawal symptoms. However, you are still in the early stages of recovery and are at a high risk of relapse. Residential treatment programs keep you safe from distractions and triggers so you can focus on your recovery.
- Partial Hospitalization Program: It’s important to continue seeking treatment after residential care. During a partial hospitalization program (PHP), you’ll attend treatment for about 6-8 hours per day, 5 days a week. Unlike residential rehab, you’ll get to return home each day.
- Intensive Outpatient Program: Once you finish a PHP, you’ll be ready to move on to an intensive outpatient program (IOP). This program is similar to PHP, except you won’t be in treatment for the entire day. That way, you can resume your daily life while still getting a significant amount of support.
- Outpatient Program: Our outpatient program is great if you are advanced in your recovery and need only a few hours of support each week. During outpatient rehab, you’ll see a therapist at least once per week or more, depending on your needs.
- Aftercare Program: Developing an aftercare plan is vital to your long-term recovery from Adderall addiction. Our aftercare program includes several services for continuing care, such as individual therapy, family counseling, and group therapy.
The Importance of Adderall Addiction Treatment
Adderall addiction treatment can be an important step on the road to recovery for those struggling with substance abuse. Seeking help is the first step in getting back control over your life and health, and there are numerous benefits to be gained from pursuing professional treatment, including learning how to stop Adderall addiction and reclaiming a sense of balance and well-being.
The most notable benefits of Adderall addiction treatment include:
- Improved physical and mental health, with a decrease in damaging physical and psychological side effects
- Potentially life-saving interventions such as detoxification and counseling
- Increased likelihood of staying sober long-term by developing the skills needed to cope with cravings and triggers
- Reduced risk of relapse due to additional support from peers or support groups
- A more positive outlook on life, as your relationship with the drug can be reframed and managed
- Positive changes in relationships, such as rebuilding broken ties or improving existing ones
Ultimately, seeking professional help is one of the most important steps you can take to overcome substance abuse. With a supportive team, you can regain control and make the positive changes needed for lasting recovery.
Find Adderall Addiction Treatment Near You at Serenity Grove
Serenity Grove is a leading provider of Adderall addiction treatment in Athens, Georgia. For many people, detox is just the start. Real and lasting change often occurs during long-term drug rehab. Our clinicians are here to help you determine the best structure and treatment plan for your needs. Call 844.904.3485 or fill out Serenity Grove’s online contact form to learn more about our Adderall addiction treatment program and how we can help.