What Is Vyvanse?
Vyvanse is a prescription drug, primarily used to treat symptoms of ADHD. The generic name of Vyvanse is lisdexamfetamine. It is a central nervous system stimulant. Vyvanse is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance in the U.S. because it can cause physical and psychological dependence, according to the United States federal government. Using this drug for more prolonged periods can change your brain chemistry, and make Vyvanse detox more challenging.
Vyvanse Detox & Withdrawal Symptoms
Tolerance to stimulants like Vyvanse can occur quickly, meaning that higher doses are needed to achieve the same effects. Tolerance usually leads to dependence. Dependence means that when a person suddenly stops using Vyvanse, they will likely experience withdrawal symptoms. And will need Vyvanse detox. Vyvanse withdrawal symptoms can range from moderate to severe, depending on certain factors. These factors can include how long someone used the drug, how often they used it, and whether or not they are dependent upon any other substance.
Common Vyvanse detox and withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Cravings
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Changes in mood
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Shaking
- Sweating
- Sleep disturbances
- Increased appetite
- Strange dreams
In rare cases, the symptoms of Vyvanse can become more severe and include things like psychosis or suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Vyvanse withdrawal can cause changes in mood or behavior that require professional treatment.
Vyvanse Detox & Withdrawal Timeline
The Vyvanse withdrawal timeline can vary quite a bit depending on the individual and their level of Vyvanse use. First, most people experience a crash when they’re using stimulants like Vyvanse. The crash phase occurs as soon as the effects start to wear off -which is not the same as withdrawal. A Vyvanse crash can occur when someone has used the drug only once, and they don’t have to be dependent for this to occur. Vyvanse crash symptoms, which start within a few hours for most people, can include low mood, irritation and irritability, and loss of motivation.
When you become physically dependent on a drug, you experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking it without going through a medically-supervised Vyvanse detox.
Following a crash, the actual Vyvanse withdrawal occurs. Vyvanse withdrawal occurs as the brain tries to adjust to not having the drug. For example, the brain may struggle to make enough of its neurotransmitters that are affected by Vyvanse, such as norepinephrine and dopamine. For most people, Vyvanse withdrawal begins anywhere from one to two days after taking the last dose of the drug. During this time, symptoms will usually include fatigue, depression, cravings, and increased appetite.
Within five days up to several weeks after taking the last dose of Vyvanse, withdrawal symptoms can include abrupt mood swings, aches, and pains, irritability, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and depression. For most people, the majority of the Vyvanse withdrawal symptoms will end within two weeks. Some people may experience ongoing symptoms, particularly if they used the drug for a long time. If you want to heal yourself from this, you need to eliminate Vyvanse’s dependence on your mind and body. Vyvance detox is the only process to do it.
Vyvanse Detox
The best way for most people to manage symptoms of Vyvanse withdrawal is to gradually taper down their dose of the drug during Vyvanse detox. This practice is recommended for people who recreationally abuse Vyvanse and for people who use therapeutic doses. When someone tapers down their dosage of Vyvanse slowly, over time, withdrawal symptoms are reduced or eliminated. People shouldn’t try to do this on their own without professional supervision, however. Trying to manage the symptoms of Vyvanse withdrawal without professional help can lead to dangerous complications.
Vyvanse Detox and Medications
When people are dependent upon certain drugs, like opioids or even alcohol, there are specific medications that can be given during Vyvanse detox. These medications can help reduce the symptoms of withdrawal and drug cravings. With stimulants like Vyvanse, there are currently no specific, approved withdrawal medications. Instead, when someone detoxes under medical supervision or in a professional facility, their symptoms can be treated with certain medications as they arise. For example, Vyvanse medications can include psychiatric medications or sleep aids. The ability to provide the necessary medications is one of the primary benefits of participating in a professional Vyvanse detox program before seeking addiction treatment.
Why is Vyvanse Detox Necessary for Recovery?
Detoxification is one of the first steps in overcoming drug dependency. Physical dependency is generally characterized by increasing tolerance to the drug in question, meaning that a higher amount is needed to achieve the same effects. This means people with a physical dependency on a drug may have been taking high doses for a long period.
Vyvanse Detox allows the body to rid itself of the drug itself, as well as the long-standing influence it has had on various systems of the body. The National Institute on Drug Abuse stresses that detoxification should be followed up with extended treatment, including behavioral-based therapy and medication if necessary.
Adjunct psychological therapy is often necessary to help patients make it through the withdrawal process and cope with their cravings following detoxification – an important step to remaining drug-free.
Is Vyvanse Detox Dangerous?
Detoxification is generally accompanied by withdrawal – the set of symptoms that the body experiences when long-term use of a drug is discontinued. Extreme fatigue and depression are two of the most common withdrawal symptoms in Vyvanse detox, according to the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and withdrawal from Vyvanse is generally not life-threatening.
However, getting off Vyvanse and going through withdrawal carries the risk of relapse, since some patients may find their withdrawal symptoms so distressing that they feel compelled to use the drug again to escape them.
Why Detoxing at Home Can be Harmful
A major reason not to attempt Vyvanse detox at home is the risk of relapse. Close medical supervision of the detoxing process can help patients stay on track while going through the withdrawal process. Also, in keeping with NIDA’s recommendation, undergoing a medically supervised detox can make it easier for patients to have access to therapies and medications that may make Vyvanse withdrawal easier and ease cravings once the detoxification process is complete.
It’s also important to note that withdrawal from Vyvanse can cause feelings of depression. These kinds of psychiatric symptoms can cause added distress also to the physical discomfort that already tends to occur during withdrawal. Patients experiencing this issue while detoxing from Vyvanse may wish to consult with a medical professional about how to handle their symptoms.
What to Expect During Vyvanse Detox
If you suddenly discontinue your Vyvanse use, withdrawal symptoms may set in within a day. You should discuss a strategy to wean you off the drug with your doctor. This strategy may involve tapering off your dosage by a certain number of milligrams each week. In this case, withdrawal may be delayed or diminished. If you do experience withdrawal symptoms, fatigue and depression are the most common experiences. During acute withdrawal, patients may also experience:
- Mood changes
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Aggression
- Restlessness
- Increased appetite
- Vivid or lucid dreams
In rare cases, withdrawal may also cause psychosis. Withdrawal from amphetamines is also generally associated with intense drug cravings. The greatest risk associated with quitting Vyvanse and other stimulants is usually the risk of relapse, which may occur during Vyvanse detox or long after the process is complete. Keeping up with aftercare once detox is complete–that is, consulting with doctors about managing cravings and possibly joining a support group–is an important step to staying clean.
Reclaim Your Life With Vyvanse Detox
Vyvanse addiction is a condition that can cause major health, social and economic problems that should not be taken lightly. We Level Up California can provide you, or someone you love, the tools to recover from addiction with professional and safe Vyvanse detox. Feel free to call us to speak with one of our counselors. We can inform you about this condition by giving you relevant information. Our specialists know what you are going through. Please know that each call is private and confidential.