How Long Do Adderall Withdrawals Last?

Adderall (the brand name for a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine salts) is a stimulant drug. It is commonly prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and is available in immediate-release and extended-release formulations (Adderall IR and Adderall XR). 

However, while Adderall is very effective at increasing focus, concentration, and alertness in people with ADHD, some people misuse or abuse Adderall for the euphoria. Many students take Adderall to boost their studying prior to examinations. When taken without a doctor’s prescription, this drug can be habit-forming and can lead to Adderall addiction. 

People who abuse Adderall (take frequent doses or use it for an extended period) can experience stimulant withdrawal if they do not have access to further doses of Adderall or attempt an Adderall detox. 

Please continue reading to find out how long Adderall withdrawal lasts, as well as some tips on managing withdrawal symptoms.

How long does Adderall withdrawal last?

Adderall withdrawal symptoms typically begin 1-3 days after the last dose and can last for 1-3 weeks or more, depending on the person’s doses and how long the person was taking the drug. Typically, the most severe symptoms during withdrawal from Adderall resolve in a week or less, but some symptoms can linger for weeks or months. 

What is the Adderall withdrawal timeline?

The first phase of the Adderall withdrawal syndrome is called the Adderall crash. It occurs after you stop taking Adderall because serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine levels drop. Symptoms during the Adderall crash include sleep disturbances, poor concentration, and increased appetite. These withdrawal symptoms are more severe if a person was taking large doses or had been using the drug for extended periods. The Adderall crash typically resolves within about a week. 

A more protracted set of withdrawal symptoms typically starts after the “crash” phase and can last for about 3 weeks. These Adderall withdrawal symptoms may include continued sleep difficulties and increased appetite, as well as fatigue, feelings of sadness (depression), and mood swings. 

The Adderall withdrawal timeline can vary from person to person depending on the Adderall dose, whether they took the drug for prolonged periods, and whether they are quitting Adderall cold turkey or gradually. The typical timeline during the withdrawal process is as follows:

• Days 1-3: Withdrawal symptoms such as cravings, fatigue, insomnia, and increased appetite.

• Days 4-7: Additional symptoms such as headache, body aches, irritability, restlessness, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating. 

• Week 2: Continued sleep difficulties, fatigue, and depression with a gradual reduction in drug cravings. 

• Week 3: Withdrawal symptoms begin to subside. However, some symptoms, such as fatigue and mood changes, may linger, depending on the severity of substance misuse. 

• Weeks 4-12: Gradual return to normal functioning after you stop taking the drug.

What is the treatment for Adderall withdrawal?

Successful recovery from a substance use disorder requires medical support. During withdrawal from Adderall, a medical detox program can help you overcome your Adderall dependence safely. 

Medical supervision not only ensures that you can stop drug abuse safely but also comfortably. There are no specific medications for Adderall withdrawal symptoms, but your medical team can prescribe antidepressants to manage symptoms of depression, pain medications for headaches and body aches, sleep aids for insomnia, and medications to manage high blood pressure and fast heart rate. 

Once the Adderall detox is over, they can offer behavioral health modalities such as therapy and counseling to help you build resilience and learn coping skills during your addiction recovery. The American Psychiatric Association also recommends group therapy, family therapy, and support groups as helpful ways to overcome an Adderall addiction.

What are the symptoms of going out of Adderall (Adderall withdrawal symptoms)?

Abusing Adderall regularly can lead to Adderall dependence, causing a person to become physically dependent on the drug. When such an individual tries stopping Adderall, they can experience withdrawal symptoms. Common withdrawal symptoms during a detox from Adderall include both physical symptoms and psychological symptoms. Adderall withdrawal symptoms may include:

• Intense drug cravings.

• Physical fatigue and exhaustion.

• Headaches and body aches.

• Increased heart rate and blood pressure.

• Intense hunger and increased appetite.

• Trouble sleeping (insomnia), restless sleep, vivid dreams.

• Severe depression.

• Difficulty concentrating.

• Irritability and mood swings.

In addition to these common symptoms of Adderall withdrawal, additional symptoms can include social isolation, anxiety, panic attacks, and suicidal thoughts. 

Does Adderall deplete serotonin?

Adderall does not deplete serotonin. Instead, it makes more serotonin available to nerve cells. This drug works by blocking the reuptake of neurotransmitters (natural chemicals) such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin in the central nervous system. By preventing their reuptake (or slowing down their removal), Adderall makes more of these chemicals available to the brain cells. 

How long does it take for Adderall side effects to go away? 

People who are prescribed Adderall by medical professionals can experience side effects such as dry mouth, headache, nervousness, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, weight loss, and changes in sex drive. Most Adderall side effects go away within a few days, although some can last for a week or two.

Does Adderall insomnia go away?

Adderall insomnia usually goes away once your body gets used to the medication after a few weeks of use. It is worth noting that the effects of Adderall on sleep can vary from person to person. Some people experience drowsiness on this medication while others experience restlessness and sleep disturbances due to the drug’s stimulant properties. 

Insomnia, delayed sleep onset, and disturbances in circadian rhythm (sleep-wake cycle) are some of the most common sleep-related adverse effects associated with stimulant medications such as Adderall.