Adderall withdrawal side effects can be uncomfortable to say the least, especially when this drug is taken for medicinal purposes. People affected by ADHD and narcolepsy may be prescribed Adderall to help correct for existing chemical imbalances in the brain. Unfortunately, the prolonged use of the drug can cause Adderall withdrawal side effects to develop over time.
When used for recreational purposes, the likelihood of experiencing Adderall withdrawal side effects increases considerably as widespread brain chemical imbalances become progressively worse with continued use.
As there’s no current treatment available to address Adderall withdrawal per se, finding relief for Adderall withdrawal side effects entails treating individual symptoms as they arise. For long-term recreational users, replacing depleted vitamins and nutrient supplies may also help a person find some relief.
Adderall Withdrawal Side Effects
Withdrawal effects develop in response to the brain’s demand for larger doses of Adderall. Prolonged use of the drug trains brain cells to depend on the drug’s effects. When this happens, brain cell processes start to malfunction in the absence of needed amounts of the drug.
According to the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Adderall withdrawal side effects typically take the form of:
Changing your diet can help you cope with Adderall withdrawal symptoms.
- Fatigue
- Loss of interest in daily affairs
- Drug cravings
- Headaches
- Angry outbursts
- Mood swings
- Restlessness
- Appetite loss
As far as recreational use goes, withdrawal effects become much more intense as a result of the widespread chemical imbalance caused by excess drug use.
Relief for Fatigue Effects
Long-term Adderall use will likely bring on feelings of fatigue that persistent for days at a time. Adderall works as a stimulant-type drug, speeding up most every major bodily process. Not surprisingly, these effects burn up precious energy supplies. Couple this with the loss of appetite most people experience when on the drug and energy levels can only but plummet with long-term use.
Making it a point to start eating a healthy diet can go a long way towards relieving Adderall withdrawal side effects. Foods to eat on a daily basis include –
- Lean meats
- Healthy carbohydrates
- Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish
- Green vegetables
Medication Approaches
While no specific treatments exist to treat Adderall withdrawal, physicians and treatment programs can administer medications to help alleviate certain Adderall withdrawal side effects, according to the New York State Office of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Services. Medications commonly used include:
- Propranolol
- Antidepressants
- Benzodiazepines
All three medications help the brain to better regulate chemical processes in one way or another. Both benzodiapzepines and Propranolol work towards reducing a person’s anxiety levels. Antidepressant medications help alleviate the depression symptoms that so often accompany withdrawal.
Natural Supplements
Prolonged Adderall use will eventually deplete the body’s essential vitamin and nutrient supplies. Natural supplement products can help make up for the damage done and provide some needed relief from Adderall withdrawal side effects.
Vitamins and nutrients to consider include:
- B-complex vitamins
- Milk Thistle
- Potassium
- Goldenseal
Replacing depleted nutrient materials helps brain and body repair processes along in terms of supporting the damaged chemical processes that result from long-term Adderall use.