The Adderall Crash and How to Manage it

Adderall
Adderall is a central nervous system stimulant. It acts to speed up the transmission of electrical and chemical signals throughout the central nervous system. It is primarily used in the treatment of ADHD symptoms such as inattentiveness and hyperactivity while increasing attention span. Adderall does this by boosting the effects of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. That means it can be habit forming, so it's use should be carefully monitored by your health care provider. Using Adderall without a prescription or a doctor’s supervision can be dangerous. Adderall is a federally controlled substance. It's use can lead to dependence and can be abused. You should not take this medication if you have high blood pressure, heart disease , or hardening of the arteries. People with hyperthyroidism or glaucoma should also avoid Adderall.

When you are first prescribed a stimulant medication like Adderall, your doctor will put you on a low dosage and slowly increase it until the desired effect is achieved. This ensures you are taking the lowest dosage of the medication necessary to treat your symptoms. Lower doses are less likely to cause withdrawal symptoms should you decide to stop taking it. Adderal should be used at regularly scheduled intervals, most commonly in the morning. If you use Adderall at night, you may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.

If you want to stop taking Adderall, do so under the supervision of your doctor. Abruptly stopping the use of stimulants such as Adderall can cause a "crash", leaving you feeling sluggish and out of sorts. When you stop taking Adderall, you may experience temporary withdrawal symptoms such as trouble sleeping or extreme fatigue. These symptoms usually go away soon after you stop taking the drug.

Withdrawal
Withdrawal symptoms are usually experienced by those who are abusing Adderall and taking too high a dose. These symptoms include sleep disturbances, anxiety and irritability, intense hunger, panic attacks, fatigue, depression , lack of energy, phobias, powerful cravings for more of the drug, and even suicidal thoughts. Though not everyone experiences these withdrawal symptoms, a slow tapering off may help you avoid them altogether.

If you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms, talk with your doctor. The amount of time that withdrawal symptoms occur depends on the dose and how long you’ve been taking Adderall. Your doctor may want to monitor you for a few days or a few weeks, depending on your needs. There is a significant risk in returning to drug use in the first few days after stopping. Your doctor will also want to monitor you for signs of depression or thoughts of suicide. In some cases, antidepressants may be prescribed. During your withdrawal time, eat right and engage in physical exercise . Keeping a regular sleep schedule can help if you have trouble sleeping. Do a calming activity before bedtime. Go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning. Turning off all electronics in the room may also help your ability to sleep.

Other Risks of Adderall
Chronic use of Adderall may give one a sense of euphoria, Which may lead to addiction . Other side effects of chronic use include hyperactivity, irritability, insomnia, changes in personality, and severe skin conditions.

Taking amphetamines like Adderall during pregnancy can cause premature birth or low birth weight. Babies born to mothers taking amphetamines may experience withdrawal symptoms.

In children ages 6-12, the most common side effects are insomnia, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, fever, and nervousness.

In teenagers being treated with Adderall, the most noted side effects are abdominal pain, nervousness, insomnia, appetite loss, and weight loss .

Adults taking Adderall most commonly experienced weakness, appetite loss, nausea, anxiety , dry mouth, weight loss , headache, agitation, insomnia, dizziness, rapid heart rate, diarrhea, and urinary tract infections.

In addition to these side effects, Adderall interacts with other medications. Talk to your doctor about any and all medicines, supplements, or vitamins you are taking before taking Adderall. Never take more than is prescribed and never take it without a prescription. Should you desire to stop taking Adderall, cope with the crash by doing so under the supervision of a doctor, and following their guidance.

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