Rehab for Adderall Addiction

Importance of treating Adderall addiction & when to seek treatment

Adderall provides stimulant effects that are similar to meth. Over time, frequent users of Adderall develop a tolerance for the drug and cannot function in their day-to-day lives without it. (2) Adderall abuse and addiction should be taken very seriously. Some doctors theorise that Adderall addiction will soon become the ‘new opioid crisis’. (3)

Individuals experiencing the symptoms an Adderall addiction should seek professional help. Some common signs of a substance abuse problem include social withdrawal, financial troubles, secretive behaviour, exhaustion, relationship problems, a decline in personal hygiene, an increase in the frequency of using the medication and impulsive behaviours. (2)

People who recognise any of these symptoms in themselves should consult with a medical professional immediately about their prescription use. Overuse of any prescription drug can have long-term side effects on an individual’s mental and physical health.

When an individual is addicted to Adderall, they may find it hard to quit due to their body’s dependence on the medication and the brain damage the drug may have caused. (4) Often Adderall addiction is treated with a combination of medical detox and therapy. Medical detox is used to soothe painful withdrawal symptoms and increase the chances of a full recovery.

Executive/luxury rehab programmes for Adderall addiction

If money isn’t an issue, some individuals prefer to enrol in an executive or luxury rehab programme for their Adderall addiction. There are many positives to enrolling in a luxury rehab programme. Private and luxury clinics only deal with addiction issues, so all medical staff is highly experienced in handling substance abuse clients.

Luxury rehab programmes often include residential accommodations. An in-house detox and treatment programme has been proven to be more effective as it removes the person suffering from addiction from the temptations in their daily lives. Luxury rehab can cost as much as £5,000 per day. (5)

What Happens in Adderall Rehab?

The process of Adderall rehab will vary for each person, with some having a quick recovery and others taking a long journey. All Adderall rehab programmes start with an assessment from doctors who determine the right mix of medication and therapy for each client.

Next, individuals go through detox under the supervision of medical staff. Withdrawal can include physical and psychological symptoms and is often painful. After the withdrawal stage, the medical staff will guide the individual through their therapy (individualised, group or family sessions) along with learning programmes that teach how to cope with addiction.

Acceptance of the problem

The best chance for a full recovery is if an individual has admitted to themselves that they have a problem. Families and loved ones can attempt to have an intervention and explain their concerns. In the UK, people cannot be forced into rehab. Clients must admit themselves and are also able to leave at any time.

Most doctors don’t agree with forcing addicts into treatment. (6) When an individual is battling an addiction, unfortunately, that addiction takes priority over all else. That is why they need to make the mental shift themselves to get help and stop their substance abuse.

Rehabilitation

After detox, clients will go through the rehabilitation process. Rehab includes intensive therapy (which can be individual or group-based) that examines the underlying issues that caused clients to turn to substance abuse. (5) Clients will choose to participate in rehab in an outpatient, inpatient or partial hospitalisation format. Often, doctors will make a recommendation on which form of rehab they feel is best for the person.

Outpatient programmes are generally recommended for people with short-lived addictions. Inpatient programmes are ideal for individuals with a problematic home situation, and partial hospitalisation programmes are for people who require around-the-clock medical supervision.

Educational programmes can teach clients to understand their addiction, the signs of relapse and how to ask for help. Many clients will choose to participate in support groups after rehab. Support groups can be a support system and feel like a community of like-minded individuals helping each other.

Family therapy is not mandatory but is recommended if a client plans to lean on family members for support or if their family is in any other way related to their everyday life or the development of their addiction. Family members are encouraged to participate in therapy sessions to better understand their loved one’s addiction and learn how to support them once they leave rehabilitation.

Intensive outpatient programmes still receive all the rehab components they would participate in if they were an inpatient client. Clients engage in various forms of therapy and counselling, as well as medical treatment if applicable. Typically, after the intensive outpatient programme is successfully completed, the client will transition to ongoing care and recovery.

In times of difficulty in life, doctors and therapists can sense the signs of relapse. A support system can help individuals acknowledge their temptations and provide recommendations to avoid these urges. If a relapse happens, that’s okay. The important thing to understand is that the person should act quickly. The shorter a relapse period is and the faster the client checks themselves back into therapy, the easier the recovery process will be.

How Is Medication Used to Treat Addiction?

Medication can help individuals recovering from addiction to stay sober. Many clients will relapse due to intense withdrawal symptoms that are difficult to cope with. Certain medications can mimic the effects of addictive drugs such as Adderall, relieving withdrawal cravings and symptoms. Some medication will be prescribed for pain management as well since withdrawal symptoms can include seizures and muscle aches. (4)

Medication is not prescribed for every client. The longer the substance abuse went on, the more intense the withdrawal symptoms will be. So, long-time users are the most likely to receive medication during their rehabilitation treatment.

Antidepressants are also commonly used in Adderall addiction treatment. After a person stops using drugs, their body cannot produce the natural amounts of happiness-inducing chemicals in the brain, and depression often sets in. Antidepressants can help to relieve feelings of sadness until the brain can produce happiness-inducing chemicals on its own again.

• Mirtazapine (Remeron)
• Bupropion (Buproban)
• Gabapentin (Fanatrex)
• Vigabatrin (Sabril)
• Baclofen (Kemstro)
• Topiramate (Topamax)

Psychotherapy can help clients understand what drove them to abuse Adderall and learn techniques for avoiding temptation in the future. Staying sober is a lifelong journey, and therapy can provide clients with a place to discuss tough times in their lives and help them get through sudden life stresses without turning to Adderall again.

Another form of coping-focused psychotherapy is skills development groups. These groups teach many foundations that people recovering from addiction can lean upon for the rest of their lives. Common skills that are taught include ways to refuse offers of drugs, how to cope with urges to use and how to avoid triggers for use.

All psychotherapy focuses on personal growth. Individuals who have struggled with a substance abuse addiction have to battle their self-destructive behaviours. They need to learn how to resist the temptation to relapse, relearn how to function in society as a sober individual and learn how to see a purpose in life without drugs. Individual therapy can tackle these issues on a personal level, so the client feels confident in their new life.

A common form of practice in exploratory psychotherapy is ‘free association’, in which the client says whatever comes to their mind when hearing certain words or noises. This unlocks the unconsciousness, allowing the therapist to understand inner motivations. Exploring the dreams of the client is also a common practice for exploratory therapy.

This form of therapy often helps clients improve their self-esteem, self-awareness and mood regulation as they become more in tune with themselves.

The most common types of therapy for Adderall addiction treatment are individual therapy and family therapy. Each client needs to explore the motivations and triggers behind their addictive behaviour in one-on-one sessions with a counsellor.

• Fitness therapy
• Group therapy
• Holistic therapy
• Individual therapy
• Meditation
• Music therapy
• Psychodynamic therapy

The Recovery Process

Typically, the recovery process is grouped into two categories: maintaining abstinence and the advanced recovery stage.

The first 90 days of continuous abstinence are considered the ‘early stage’, after which clients go into their ‘maintaining abstinence’ stage. After rehabilitation, the maintaining abstinence stage focuses on follow-up counselling and avoiding relapse. The tools the client learned in rehab will be tested, allowing them to succeed in their sobriety if used properly.

Continued therapy can help to address these feelings of hopelessness. Lastly, clients will have to re-establish themselves within society. They’ll have to fix broken relationships, earn back trust, find new purpose, find work and become a functioning member of society.

• Empowerment
• Social inclusion
• Coping skills
• Giving meaning

Adderall rehab programmes vary in length from person to person. A lot of factors have to be taken into consideration, including how long the client has been addicted and how heavily they were abusing the medication. Other factors to consider are co-occurring medical or mental health conditions, any previous rehab programme history and the support system surrounding the client.

Often, when the individual is assessed before entering the rehab programme, they are given a range of how long the estimated treatment will take. However, dedication to the treatment can shorten the period. Typically, Adderall rehab programmes are split into 7-day, 14-day, 28-day, 30-day, 60-day and 90-day programmes.

Citizens in the UK covered by the NHS programme are eligible for free rehab treatment at certain facilities. However, these facilities often have long waiting lists and non-customisable treatment plans.

Additionally, some individuals may see shrinkage in their friend circle once they embrace a clean lifestyle. Joining a support group allows individuals to meet new people who also want to have a sober life and are interested in participating in sober activities.

A support group allows individuals to know they’re not alone, get support when they go through difficult emotional times and be held accountable for their actions by other people who care. (12)