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Over 930 million Oregon adults reported receiving mental health treatment in 2022. In many cases, there are prescription medications involved with mental health treatment plans. Despite this, there are still many misunderstandings about these medications, how they work, and if they’re safe.
As one of the oldest non-profit rehabs in the state, our team at Serenity Lane has seen how these misunderstandings can evolve into treatment avoidance, substance use, and more. Today we’re going to talk about Adderall, Adderall comedown, and how this medication impacts your health.
The term “comedown” when in reference to Adderall refers to the physical and behavioral symptoms that occur whenever someone stops taking Adderall.
In other words, it’s simply a nickname for withdrawal.
This isn’t something that just anyone will experience. Withdrawal doesn’t happen after a single use, or even after occasional use. It also isn’t exclusive to those with substance use disorders, people who’re prescribed Adderall can experience withdrawal, too.
Withdrawal is entirely natural and occurs because of how efficient our bodies are. When we regularly ingest and engage with a substance that alters or influences part of how our body functions, it will adjust to that. When you then remove that substance, your body will notice and start the process of adjusting to it not being there. This period and the symptoms that come with it are what’s known as withdrawal, or physical dependence.
You can have withdrawal or physical dependence without having a substance use disorder. What separates the two is how you react to withdrawal.
The symptoms that come with Adderall withdrawal are both physical and behavioral. While not everyone will experience withdrawal to the same degree, knowing all of the signs can help you spot it.
The common side effects of Adderall comedown include:
Adderall is a stimulant medication that is used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. Its generic name is amphetamine and dextroamphetamine and it also comes in an extended-release form known as Adderall XR.
While Adderall is a controlled substance, meaning there are certain steps and tests that have to be conducted before someone is prescribed it, that doesn’t mean it is innately unsafe. It is approved by the FDA for ADHD and narcolepsy treatment.
The important part about controlled substances is understanding the risks that come with them. Stimulants, in particular, have an extra risk for those who have pre-existing heart conditions. They also can lead to physical dependence. Physical dependence doesn’t mean you have a substance use disorder, but rather that if you stop taking the medication suddenly you’ll experience withdrawal.
Doctors and medical professionals are aware of these risks and will work with you to ensure that this medication is right for you.
When measuring how long a substance is in your body, the medical field uses the term “half-life.” A half-life is how long it takes for half of a substance to be processed through your system. To explain it simply, if you had 10 units of a substance in your body, and its half-life was one hour, after an hour you’d still have 5 units left in your body.
There are different factors that can influence how long Adderall stays in your system. The most common factors include other substances, medical history, age, and genetics. Overall, it won’t influence the half-life greatly, but it can increase or decrease it to a degree.
It’s important to note that not feeling the effects of a substance doesn’t mean it’s no longer in your system. In the case of Adderall, the duration of effects is 4-6 hours for the immediate release form, or 8-12 hours for the extended release form. Despite this, on average, the half-life of Adderall is 10-13 hours.
Ultimately, there isn’t a difference between a comedown and withdrawal for Adderall as they’re two words to describe the same experience.
Why, then, do some people use the word “comedown” instead of just calling it withdrawal?
Some of this can stem from a misunderstanding of what they’re going through, while other times they’re simply more familiar with the colloquial language instead of the clinical one.
The term “comedown” simply relates to how a person stops feeling the effects of Adderall, which generally causes heightened energy and euphoria. The lack of Adderall, while not being directly responsible for feelings of fatigue and sadness, causes these symptoms due to the absence of the prior. In other words, they “come down” from their high.
Withdrawal management is all about awareness of your situation and the risks involved. If you go into it knowing what you’re up against, you’ll know what steps to take to ensure your safety.
Overall, it’s not recommended that you manage withdrawal alone, as the chance of return to use without support increases. Being in the care of medical professionals also helps manage and even negate negative side effects, ensuring your comfort and setting you up for success in your healing.
However, here are a few tips for how you can manage withdrawal. These also apply even if you are in treatment or managing your withdrawal with medical help.
If you’re managing Adderall comedown and are looking for a path out, there are options available for you here in Oregon. Finding a quality treatment for Adderall addiction is key to your long-term success in recovery.
No matter your history with mental health or substance use, there is a path forward for you, and you don’t have to walk it alone. There are medical professionals who are committed to providing quality care, backed by compassion, to make sure you achieve your goals.
Here at Serenity Lane, we offer the full continuum of care for all who walk through our doors. With specialty programs designed for medical professionals, first responders, and more – we work with you to craft a treatment program that suits your needs. Don’t wait to start your journey, give us a call at 800-543-9905 today.
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