Stimulant Withdrawal And Detox

What Is Stimulant Withdrawal?

Stimulants affect the body’s central nervous system and increase neurotransmitter activity inside the brain. After heavy or prolonged use, the user’s brain becomes reliant on the drugs to regulate cognitive function and focus.

Over time, even someone who only used stimulants to help them study or before athletic games may develop a physical dependence on the drugs. If a person addicted to stimulants quits using them, they will experience withdrawal symptoms as their brain has to relearn how to function on its own.

Withdrawal symptoms can be both physical and psychological in nature and are usually moderate to severe. The psychological withdrawal from stimulants can be especially severe, leading some former users to relapse; others may even become suicidal or violent. For this reason, stimulant users are advised to seek professional medical help when quitting the drugs.

Symptoms Of Withdrawal

Each person quitting stimulants will have slightly different symptoms. They vary based on a number of factors, like the person’s tolerance and metabolism, as well as their history of use.

Withdrawal from stimulants is characterized by a dysphoric mood—feeling unhappy—and the presence of two or more of the following symptoms:

Those with co-occurring mental disorders and/or addictions to other substances may experience more severe symptoms, as well as a longer withdrawal process.

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Duration Of Withdrawal

Generally, symptoms present within a few hours to several days after the last use of the drug. Most intense symptoms peak about a week in. Some psychological symptoms, like depression, can last for weeks or even months after quitting. Symptoms that persist after two weeks are considered post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS). PAWS may include poor sleep, anxiety, depression, irritability/agitation, poor concentration, fatigue, and mood-swings. PAWS can last from 12-18 months depending on the individual; however, symptoms tend to decrease in severity as times goes by.

Stimulant Withdrawal Timeline

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Stimulant Detox

Detox from stimulants is safest and most successful under the supervision of medical professionals. Medical detox programs help to manage symptoms of withdrawal, making the whole process more bearable and efficient.

In general, a taper method will produce less severe withdrawal symptoms. Sometimes, addiction treatment medications, like clonidine, may be used in place of stimulants when tapering off use.

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During detox, physicians may also treat some symptoms of stimulant withdrawal with medications. For instance, antidepressants may be prescribed to help with depression and agitation and Trazodone may be used to treat insomnia. Doctors will take a patient’s symptoms, medical history and other personalized factors into consideration when developing a plan of action for their recovery.

Medical detox is available in many inpatient and outpatient rehabs.

It didn’t stop cold turkey. I was in therapy and getting help, but it wasn’t an easy process and I slipped up a number of times. Not to sound like a wimp, but getting off of any drug, even [stimulants like] Adderall, makes you feel like you have mono, the stomach flu, and strep throat all at once. Finally the whole thing just felt so pathetic that I flushed the remaining pills down the toilet.

Treatment For Stimulant Addiction

A drug treatment center will give those suffering from stimulant addiction their best chance at a successful recovery. Once detox is complete, former users will work with therapists to overcome the underlying thoughts and behaviors that led to their addiction. Treatment centers also teach relapse prevention tactics and connect patients with support groups, both of which are invaluable in recovery.

Outpatient treatment programs are also available to help stimulant users break free of their addiction. Contact a treatment provider for help finding a stimulant addiction treatment program.