Coping with an Adderall Comedown
“Coming down” from an addictive substance can be very uncomfortable. This is one of the reasons that keeps many people from getting sober in the first place; they want to avoid this level of discomfort from withdrawal. Of course, putting off coming down from a substance is only going to make things more intense and difficult in the long run. For those struggling with Adderall addiction specifically, this is why it can be helpful to learn healthy ways to cope with an Adderall comedown.
Understanding Stimulant Use Disorder
Stimulant use disorder remains one of the most prominent addictions in the United States. This includes addictions to readily obtainable stimulants (like nicotine or caffeine), illicit stimulants, and prescription stimulants, like Adderall.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “Stimulant use disorders are a major public health concern in the United States, with more than 5 million people age 12 and older reporting past-year cocaine use, nearly 2 million reporting methamphetamine use, and almost 5 million reporting prescription stimulant misuse in 2019.” These are not insignificant numbers, and a large percentage of them include individuals struggling with Adderall addiction.
Understanding how Adderall affects the brain’s neurotransmitter systems, particularly dopamine and norepinephrine, is crucial to recognizing why misuse leads to addiction. Adderall increases the availability of these neurotransmitters, leading to enhanced focus and energy. However, this heightened neurotransmitter activity also creates a chemical dependency, making it difficult for users to stop without experiencing withdrawal symptoms, commonly referred to as an Adderall comedown.
Understanding Adderall Addiction
Adderall is a prescription medication that can help address challenging symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. However, more and more people are misusing and abusing Adderall to achieve desired effects.
Many people begin using Adderall as a “tool” to help them focus on big projects or cram for intense exams. While Adderall may appear to “work” for a short period, there are many more negative side effects to misusing Adderall than there are benefits. One of the main risks of misusing and abusing Adderall is that it increases the risk of developing an Adderall addiction.
Other side effects of Adderall misuse and addiction include:
- Physical issues like excessive headaches, high blood pressure, and increased heart rate
- Emotional issues like feeling “stressed out,” anxious, or depressed
- Mental problems like trouble concentrating or trouble remembering things
- Feeling “spiritually unwell, including feelings of loneliness, hopelessness, and uselessness
- The potential for acquiring co-occurring mental health disorders
Coping With an Adderall Comedown
Another major issue with Adderall misuse and Adderall addiction is that an intense Adderall comedown can surface after each use. Coping with an Adderall comedown can be very taxing. This is because amphetamines, like Adderall, change the way the chemistry of the brain works, especially when they are used in ways other than prescribed.
Avoiding other stimulants, such as caffeine and nicotine, during the comedown period is crucial to reducing symptoms like insomnia and anxiety. Staying hydrated, eating healthy, and getting mild exercise can also alleviate some of the symptoms.
As stated in the online publication titled Amphetamine by Doctors Martin and Le, “Chronic exposure to amphetamine, particularly methamphetamine, at recreational doses has shown to destroy dopaminergic terminals in the striatum through a variety of mechanisms, including oxidative stress and excitotoxicity. The resultant blunting of the physiological dopamine response can further potentiate abuse.” Knowing this, it makes sense that there will often be a significant Adderall comedown as a result of Adderall addiction. Also, this change in brain chemistry further inhibits people from wanting to come down from Adderall at all.
There are ways to make an Adderall comedown more manageable. This includes drinking plenty of fluids, getting lots of rest, replenishing vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and eating nutritious foods. However, perhaps the best way to cope with an Adderall comedown is to reach out for professional help.
Timeline of an Adderall Comedown
The timeline for an Adderall comedown can vary, but here is a general guide to what you can expect:
- Within Days 1-3: Exhaustion, intense cravings, feelings of depression, and increased sleep (though often of poor quality).
- Within 7-10 Days: Body aches, headaches, mood swings, paranoia, trouble concentrating, and trouble sleeping.
- Weeks to a Month: Lingering effects such as fatigue, cravings, and mood swings, with gradual improvements in mood and activity over 1 to 3 months.
Understanding this timeline can help you better manage your expectations and prepare for the withdrawal process.
Adderall Comedown: The Benefits of a Professional Detox
People may minimize coming down from Adderall. However, this is a dangerous thing to do. Most people don’t have to “come down” after taking a substance, so when this does happen, it is time to consider that there may be a problem.
Professional detox is not just about managing the physical symptoms of an Adderall comedown; it also addresses the psychological risks, such as severe depression and suicidal thoughts, that can occur during withdrawal. Professional detox is the easiest and safest way to manage an Adderall comedown. Not only does detox ensure that an individual comes down from Adderall effectively, but it also empowers them to stay off of Adderall. Ultimately, as with other substances, detoxes can greatly reduce the chances that someone may relapse from an Adderall addiction.
A professional detox can also help ensure that an individual takes the next right steps for recovery. It is much easier to transition to a residential, partial hospitalization, or intensive outpatient program (IOP) from a professional detox than detoxing at home and seeking out services on one’s own. A detox center is also a great way to connect with people who have also gone through the same thing. Meanwhile, connecting with others can be vital for lasting recovery.
The Importance of Long-Term Recovery With The Phoenix Recovery Center
At The Phoenix Recovery Center, we believe in long-term recovery over short-term “fixes.” This is why we create long-term recovery plans to help our clients recover long after leaving our treatment center. This includes the option for our clients to form and join recovery alumni groups.
Here at The Phoenix Recovery Center, we believe in a recovery that is going to give our clients the lives that they have always wanted and wished for. Recovery is possible. We know this because we see it happen at our facility every day.
It can be highly beneficial to know what an Adderall “comedown” often looks like and why it is important to connect with recovery professionals to avoid unwarranted physical pain and emotional trauma. Meanwhile, there are many ways to manage an Adderall comedown as it occurs, such as drinking lots of fluids, talking to others about withdrawal symptoms (including therapists), nutrient replenishment, and allowing rest to happen. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with mental illness, addiction, or both, we can help you get on the right road to recovery right away. For more information about how to recover from Adderall addiction, please reach out to The Phoenix Recovery Center today at (801) 438-3185.
