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Taking Adderall And Dependent On It. Experiencing Withdrawals When Medication Is Stopped. Suggest A Solution?
Question: I have been taking adderall for several years now and I am fully dependent on it. I would like to stop taking it, is there anything that will help the withdrawals I experience when I do not take it?
Brief Answer:
gradual tapering of dose under supervision needed
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
Thank you for your query. Adderall contains immediate release preparations of amphetamine salts (dextro and levo amphetamine) used in treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Narcolepsy. These are basically chemical stimulants of the brain, and highly addictive.
If a patient with your complaints would have come to me, I would have taken a detailed history to find out if she had overt or covert ADHD. In those cases, I would have switched the medications to Extended release formulations (Adderall XR) and slowly switch over to Atomoxetine preparations.
If the patient does not have ADHD, rather is using the drug for recreational purpose and have developed dependence on it, then I would choose to go more carefully. I would not advise a sudden stoppage of the drug, rather, gradual tapering of the dose over a period of several weeks is needed. Depending upon response of the patient, and signs and symptoms of dependence, the entire process may take 1 to 3 months. Also,I would prefer changing the formulation to an Extended release one while tapering down the dose. Meanwhile, in case of any withdrawal symptoms like fatihue, dysphoria, listlessness, etc. I would like to provide symptomatic treatment with long acting benzodiazeines like Choldiazepoxide. Also, I would advise the patient to maintain adequate hydration throughout the process.
All these management procedures require specialised supervision under a trained personnel (like a Psychiatrist or Deaddiction specialist). Any attempt to self medicate may be harmful and counterproductive to the situation as well as life of the patient. I would strongly advise you to consult a de addiction specialist near you for work up and detailed management of your condition. On a positive note, your condition is pretty common, and provided right guidance and supervision is given, most of them are coming out of this within a period of time.
Hope I've been able to satisfy your query. If you have any further clarifications, please don't hesitate to contact me, if not, then please close the discussion and rate the same. Best of luck.
Regards,
Dr. Sourav.
gradual tapering of dose under supervision needed
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
Thank you for your query. Adderall contains immediate release preparations of amphetamine salts (dextro and levo amphetamine) used in treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Narcolepsy. These are basically chemical stimulants of the brain, and highly addictive.
If a patient with your complaints would have come to me, I would have taken a detailed history to find out if she had overt or covert ADHD. In those cases, I would have switched the medications to Extended release formulations (Adderall XR) and slowly switch over to Atomoxetine preparations.
If the patient does not have ADHD, rather is using the drug for recreational purpose and have developed dependence on it, then I would choose to go more carefully. I would not advise a sudden stoppage of the drug, rather, gradual tapering of the dose over a period of several weeks is needed. Depending upon response of the patient, and signs and symptoms of dependence, the entire process may take 1 to 3 months. Also,I would prefer changing the formulation to an Extended release one while tapering down the dose. Meanwhile, in case of any withdrawal symptoms like fatihue, dysphoria, listlessness, etc. I would like to provide symptomatic treatment with long acting benzodiazeines like Choldiazepoxide. Also, I would advise the patient to maintain adequate hydration throughout the process.
All these management procedures require specialised supervision under a trained personnel (like a Psychiatrist or Deaddiction specialist). Any attempt to self medicate may be harmful and counterproductive to the situation as well as life of the patient. I would strongly advise you to consult a de addiction specialist near you for work up and detailed management of your condition. On a positive note, your condition is pretty common, and provided right guidance and supervision is given, most of them are coming out of this within a period of time.
Hope I've been able to satisfy your query. If you have any further clarifications, please don't hesitate to contact me, if not, then please close the discussion and rate the same. Best of luck.
Regards,
Dr. Sourav.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Thank you for your response. A few more questions.
I am taking prescribed 20mg xr, twice a day. I tried giving myself a XXXXXXX vacation from it and I made it one pathetic day. I experienced extreme depression, I had zero energy, I tried going to work (I'm a cocktail server at a bar, usually work until 3am) and I made it 1 hour before having a complete emotional break down and had to leave. I have never experienced anything like that.
However, I'm also concerned with some recent reactions I have been having- that may or may not be related to the adderall. For the past three months I have been experiencing severe lower back and abdominal pain on the left side of my body. Worse during my menstrual cycle but pain is always present. Today it was nearly unbareable. For about a year now I have had a very strong pulsating sensation in my mid abdomen, and now that area is sensitive to touch. I have been getting dizzy episodes, and have been experiencing bouts of shortness of breath.
Are these things that could be related to the adderall? Or that I should be concerned with?
I am taking prescribed 20mg xr, twice a day. I tried giving myself a XXXXXXX vacation from it and I made it one pathetic day. I experienced extreme depression, I had zero energy, I tried going to work (I'm a cocktail server at a bar, usually work until 3am) and I made it 1 hour before having a complete emotional break down and had to leave. I have never experienced anything like that.
However, I'm also concerned with some recent reactions I have been having- that may or may not be related to the adderall. For the past three months I have been experiencing severe lower back and abdominal pain on the left side of my body. Worse during my menstrual cycle but pain is always present. Today it was nearly unbareable. For about a year now I have had a very strong pulsating sensation in my mid abdomen, and now that area is sensitive to touch. I have been getting dizzy episodes, and have been experiencing bouts of shortness of breath.
Are these things that could be related to the adderall? Or that I should be concerned with?
Brief Answer:
adderall withdrawal needs graded dose reduction
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
it is still not clear whether you have been prescribed adderall by a doctor, and if so for what purpose/ diagnosis.
If you have underlying ADHD, just stopping adderall without any replacement will make the situation worse. Also, these kinds of medications are to taken according to prescriptions, and taking self imposed XXXXXXX breaks are not suggested, and greatly hampers the treatment plan and response.
What you experienced was withdrawal from adderall on your XXXXXXX vacation. I would like to suggest you to consult your prescribing physician if you want to stop adderall. He will be the best person to take the clinical judgement after examining you about the rate of decrease of adderall dosage, while replacing you with other medications. Adderall is never stopped all of a sudden, to avoid such withdrawal reactions as you had experienced. tapered reduction in dose is the key to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
About you second set of symptoms (abdominal pain and pulsation), I doubt if this is caused by adderall. Moreover, worsening during menstruation may indicate some underlying gynaecological problem. I would advice you to consult a Gynaecologist and an XXXXXXX medicine specialist for a thorough diagnosis and evaluation (which may include an Ultrasonogram or a CT Scan) of your symptoms. Moreover, since the pain is severe, I would advice you to take these consultations as soon as possible.
Hope I've been able to satisfy your query. If you have any further clarifications, please don't hesitate to contact me, if not, then please close the discussion and rate the same. Best of luck.
Regards,
Dr. Sourav.
adderall withdrawal needs graded dose reduction
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,
it is still not clear whether you have been prescribed adderall by a doctor, and if so for what purpose/ diagnosis.
If you have underlying ADHD, just stopping adderall without any replacement will make the situation worse. Also, these kinds of medications are to taken according to prescriptions, and taking self imposed XXXXXXX breaks are not suggested, and greatly hampers the treatment plan and response.
What you experienced was withdrawal from adderall on your XXXXXXX vacation. I would like to suggest you to consult your prescribing physician if you want to stop adderall. He will be the best person to take the clinical judgement after examining you about the rate of decrease of adderall dosage, while replacing you with other medications. Adderall is never stopped all of a sudden, to avoid such withdrawal reactions as you had experienced. tapered reduction in dose is the key to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
About you second set of symptoms (abdominal pain and pulsation), I doubt if this is caused by adderall. Moreover, worsening during menstruation may indicate some underlying gynaecological problem. I would advice you to consult a Gynaecologist and an XXXXXXX medicine specialist for a thorough diagnosis and evaluation (which may include an Ultrasonogram or a CT Scan) of your symptoms. Moreover, since the pain is severe, I would advice you to take these consultations as soon as possible.
Hope I've been able to satisfy your query. If you have any further clarifications, please don't hesitate to contact me, if not, then please close the discussion and rate the same. Best of luck.
Regards,
Dr. Sourav.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
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