Concerta Withdrawal Symptoms, Timeline & Detox Treatment Options
Concerta, which is well known by the name “Ritalin,” is commonly used to treat ADHD. Unfortunately, while it’s extremely helpful to those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, it also has a high potential for abuse. Many people use Concerta recreationally because of the “high” it produces. For those with ADHD, the drug does not produce these effects and instead helps to aid concentration.
A substantial percentage of young people abuse Concerta, which may lead to addiction. In additon to taking it for the “high” that it produces, many people use it as an appetite suppressor. Concerta withdrawal can be dangerous, so if and when you decide to stop taking Concerta, it’s best to do so under medical supervision.
Withdrawal from most substances will come with side effects. For the best chances of success, a medicated detox can be beneficial. Detoxing from Concerta may also require additional treatment if you have an addiction to the drug. Determining whether you have a Concerta addiction is very important before deciding to stop using the drug.
What Are the Symptoms of Concerta Withdrawal?
If you have stopped taking Concerta, you may have noticed side effects. Even those who take the drug as prescribed can experience withdrawal symptoms. If you take Concerta to treat ADHD, your ADHD symptoms will likely return after you stop taking the drug. This is the case even when tapering off.
Those who go “cold turkey” will usually experience even greater withdrawal symptoms. To minimize withdrawal symptoms, a medical professional should assist you on your journey to quit Concerta.
These are some withdrawal symptoms you may experience:
- Irritability. You may feel in a bad mood and snap or argue with loved ones more than usual.
- Panicking. Panic attacks are common and can be scary if you’ve never experienced one. You may feel uncontrollable panic suddenly, or something may trigger it.
- Extreme tiredness. As the stimulant leaves your body, it is normal to feel extremely tired. You may have difficulty staying awake and find it hard to concentrate.
- Night terrors. As the drug alters the chemical balance of your brain, you may experience night terrors. Vivid or strange dreams are also possible.
- Depression. As you withdraw from Concerta, the level of dopamine in your brain will decrease. This can lead to mood changes and leave you feeling very down.
- Psychosis. Although psychosis is rare, it happens. People experiencing psychosis may develop false beliefs or audio and visual hallucinations or become delusional.
Detoxing from Concerta with professional support can make withdrawal more manageable. If you’re ready to stop taking Concerta, contact us to see how we can help.
What Causes Concerta Withdrawal?
Addicts can find withdrawing from Concerta challenging. This is because of the way addiction takes hold of our brains. Many people think of addiction solely as a physical feeling. However, this is more likely the description of a dependence.
Dependence on a drug can happen to anyone who takes it; it’s a physical dependence related to your brain chemistry. However, an addiction includes a physical dependence and a psychological dependence formed around the use of the drug.
How Long Does Concerta Withdrawal Take?
Although withdrawal from Concerta can be complicated for some people, it isn’t for everyone. The withdrawal process can be manageable with the proper guidance and support, and the symptoms you experience may decrease significantly.
Those who abuse Concerta may find withdrawal more complex than those who take a prescribed amount for ADHD treatment.
Those who abuse Concerta may find that they experience extreme tiredness in the initial stage of withdrawal. They may also find controlling their thoughts and behavior difficult and experience mood swings. It is also common to find it difficult to focus when you withdraw and have headaches.
Mood swings can intensify after the initial 24 hours. It is common for people to experience a range of withdrawal symptoms over the first four days, including depression and anxiety. Some people find that their withdrawal symptoms become less severe by day 5, although it can take two weeks or more to feel “normal” again.
For those with an addiction, giving up Concerta can bring a lot of feelings to the surface. Simply withdrawing from the drug is just the start of addiction treatment. Addiction is a disease that requires continuous management.
If you abuse Concerta and have seen effects in many areas of your life because of it, a treatment program is the best course of action. A treatment program provides a comprehensive approach that tackles all areas of addiction to help you avoid relapse.
Many people underestimate the true hold an addiction can have. There are often various habits and behaviors that have led to someone having an addiction. These should be addressed through therapy and support from professionals.
How to Safely Manage Concerta Detox
Medical detox allows someone with a drug dependence to remove a substance from their body in the most comfortable way. For addicts, the detox is the first stage of their recovery. However, for those with a dependency without an addiction, the detox can still come with unpleasant side effects.
Your experience of detoxing can vary depending on many factors. These include the amount of Concerta that you use, your history of addiction, and your overall physical and mental health. For some people, withdrawal can be very tough.
This is especially true if they’ve abused the drug for a considerable time. Long-term Concerta abuse may lead to delusional behavior or psychosis, suicidal thoughts, or thoughts of harming others. This means withdrawing without support can be very dangerous for these individuals.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Choosing a medical detox is a good idea if you have concerns about your relationship with Concerta. A detox with medical supervision will not fix an addiction, but it is the first step to treating one. After detoxing, you’ll have a support network that will help you avoid relapsing.
For many stimulant addicts, there is a lot of therapy needed to help them adjust to life without the drug. It’s useful to be around other addicts and discuss experiences in group therapy, as well as address psychological issues in individual therapy.
If you think you have an addiction to Concerta, you must get the help you need to quit safely. Addiction is very complex, and simply detoxing from the drug is not enough. An addict requires ongoing treatment and therapy to manage the psychological impact their addiction has on them.
Although it can be tough admitting that you have an addiction to Concerta, doing so will give you the best chance of living a life free of drugs. Seek help for your addiction and regain control of your life.
If you have recognized you have a problem, and you want to access the right support, then you’re already one step ahead. You can call Zinnia Health today at (855) 430-9439 with any questions you may have.
Related Articles
- Concerta Use Disorder Treatment
- Concerta and Alcohol Substance Abuse
- What Are the Side Effects of Concerta Abuse?