Maintaining abstinence from harmful substances can be difficult while in treatment and recovery. Cravings inevitably arise. Unwanted substance exposure and emotional triggers can worsen those cravings. Daily life stressors can also contribute to substance use, including self-medicating with Adderall to cope. It can be difficult to overcome Adderall addiction because of its intense withdrawal symptoms. Fortunately, medical detox therapy at Avalon Malibu can help ease symptoms and restore well-being, leading to lasting sobriety.
What Is Adderall?
According to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Adderall is a type of dextroamphetamine-amphetamine that produces an excess amount of dopamine. Dopamine is considered to be a feel-good hormone that creates increased motivation, movement, and focus.
Amphetamines are stimulants. Therefore, amphetamines have stimulating and uplifting effects. Amphetamines are commonly used to treat narcolepsy (a sleep disorder) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Because Adderall is frequently prescribed for certain conditions, it is commonly abused by students, professionals, and partygoers. People often misuse Adderall to increase their confidence, suppress their appetite, or increase their concentration. However, the drug should only be taken as advised, as misusing Adderall can lead to serious side effects. Sudden deaths have been reported in children after taking amphetamines. Additionally, adults have an increased likelihood of enduring serious cardiac abnormalities or serious cardiac conditions.
Is Adderall Addictive?
Adderall abuse can lead to substance use disorder (SUD). SUD is a treatable mental health condition that severely impairs the brain’s reward system. Any substance or process that impairs a person’s internal reward system is considered to be addictive. For example, people can develop either SUD or a co-occurring mental health condition like depression or anxiety with sustained use, which makes it harder to stop.
The effects of Adderall can be similar to cocaine. However, the onset of symptoms is typically slower and longer in duration. People generally experience elevated blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature. They also experience loss of appetite, insomnia, and overall physical exhaustion. Chronic abuse of Adderall can lead to psychosis and resemble the effects of schizophrenia. These symptoms include hallucinations, paranoia, and erratic and violent behavior. Typically, individuals with SUD will continue to misuse the substance regardless of their symptoms.
What Is Medical Detox?
Because the effects of Adderall addiction can be detrimental to both mental and physical health, a person with this addiction may want to pursue medical detox therapy. The detoxification process involves a set of interventions that help a person manage acute withdrawal symptoms. For some drugs, withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening if they aren’t managed by medical professionals. Fortunately, medical detoxification clears the toxins from the body, reduces intense cravings, and helps a person succeed in breaking a dependence on substances like Adderall.
How Can Medical Detox Therapy Help Someone Overcome Adderall Addiction?
Detox therapy can also minimize physical complications that derive from toxins in one’s bloodstream. A medical detox intervention safely manages a patient’s symptoms in preparation for addiction treatment. A person is evaluated, stabilized, and monitored to foster their transition into treatment.
For example, the evaluation process entails testing for the presence of specific substances in an individual’s bloodstream. A specialist may measure the concentration and screen an individual for co-occurring mental and physical health conditions. Once a person has successfully withdrawn from substances, this stage serves as the foundation for the initial substance abuse treatment plan.
During the stabilization phase, a specialist will assist the individual through the process of withdrawal by fully medically supporting their substance-free state. A clinician at a chosen facility may provide specific medications to support the withdrawal symptoms and familiarize patients with the next steps of treatment. For those who have completed the treatment stage, a specialist lastly prepares the individual by developing a continuum of care plan.
Adderall Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms
Amphetamine withdrawal criteria include dysphoric mood and two or more symptoms. In other words, amphetamine withdrawal can lead to many symptoms. According to The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, those who misuse Adderall and try to discontinue it can experience suicidal ideation or suicide attempts. The severity of withdrawal symptoms is often greater for older adults who have more extensive amphetamine use disorders.
Adderall withdrawal symptoms typically appear approximately 24 hours after stopping the drug. However, withdrawal symptoms can last up to three weeks or more if left unmanaged. The first phase of this syndrome is the initial “crash” that typically resolves within about a week. Additional Adderall withdrawal symptoms include the following:
- Fatigue
- Vivid night terrors
- Psychomotor agitation or retardation
- Severe dysphoria
- Melancholia
- Hypersomnia
- Intense cravings
Moving Forward With Avalon Malibu’s Luxury Detox Program for Adderall Addiction
Although the medical detoxification process is the first step to recovery, many individuals hesitate to enter detox as they fear withdrawal symptoms. Detoxification is often the most prominent obstacle in the healing process. At Avalon Malibu in California, an expert team assists clients in the drug and alcohol detox process. This team of professionals understands that each individual’s background is truly unique. They work together with clients to help them overcome their fears safely and comfortably.
Those who join Avalon Malibu’s therapeutic community receive a personalized care plan. When a person arrives at the Avalon Malibu detox center, the compassionate staff members begin the evaluation process to assess a need for medical detoxification.
Knowing that many people feel hesitant to move forward with medical detox due to co-occurring anxiety, Avalon Malibu provides a great deal of reassurance and guidance. Professional substance abuse detoxification treatment programs keep clients safe and comfortable throughout the withdrawal process.
At Avalon Malibu, our mental health and addiction treatment center in California is world-renowned for its dedication to the personalized healing of adults experiencing substance abuse disorders (SUDs) as well as mental health issues. We specialize in the detoxfication of many addictive substances, including Adderall. At our luxury detox facility in Malibu, California, we have private, mostly single rooms that are beautifully appointed. Avalon is the only treatment center in Malibu with direct access to the beach and the serene Pacific Ocean. Call us at (844) 857-5992 to learn more about our medical detox therapy program that can safely move you forward with your recovery from substance abuse with confidence and success.
