If you have been on an amphetamine prescription, you cannot merely stop taking the drug but will instead require medical help for a safe ending to your use of the medication. If you have been abusing amphetamines or know someone who has, call 800-816-1059(Who Answers?) now to find treatment options that will fit your particular needs.
Why Can’t I Just Stop?
Stopping your amphetamine medication without the proper treatment can be dangerous and lead to serious physical and psychological consequences. As stated by the Center for Substance Abuse Research, the crash that comes after high-level use of amphetamines is associated with
- Depression
- Extreme fatigue
- Anxiety
- Sleep problems
Even if you were not abusing your medication, these issues may still occur. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary that you always consult a doctor and do not end your use of the drug suddenly.
According to the National Library of Medicine, detxoamphetamine and amphetamine, the two drugs that make up Adderall, must not be stopped suddenly without talking to your doctor, especially if you have “overused the medication” but even if you haven’t.
How Can I End My Amphetamine Prescription Safely?
Explain to your doctor why you want to stop taking your prescription.
There are a number of steps you will have to go through in order to safely stop your amphetamine use and end your dependence on the drug. Even if you were not abusing amphetamines, if you have been taking them for more than a few weeks, you are likely dependent on them and will need time to slowly withdraw from this dependence.
- Talk to your doctor about your desire to stop your amphetamine medication. Explain exactly why you want to do this and make sure to tell them
- If you have been taking your medication in higher doses, in a different way, or more often than you were prescribed to
- If you have been experiencing painful, uncomfortable, or upsetting side effects associated with the drug
- How long any problematic effects associated with the drug have been going on
- If you would like to have the condition you were taking the drug for to be managed in another way
- Make sure your doctor understands everything affecting your decision. Decide together how you will begin to withdraw from your amphetamine medication.
- If you have been taking the drug as prescribed, you will likely be weaned off it slowly, receiving lower and lower doses to ensure that you do not experience withdrawal effects and that you can safely end your amphetamine use.
- If you were abusing the drug, you will require addiction treatment as well as medications that can treat issues like depression and cravings.
Seek Treatment Now
It is always important to talk to your doctor if you are ready to stop using amphetamines, whether your use has become dangerous or not. Still, addiction treatment will be necessary if you have been abusing the drug in high doses. Call 800-816-1059(Who Answers?) today to find rehab centers that will cater to your situation and help you put an end to your substance abuse.