Adderall, a prescribed stimulant for narcolepsy, Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, comes with its share of health risks when taken consistently over prolonged periods of time.

Stopping Adderall and coming down suddenly can cause a mental and physical “crash.” According to Healthline, this crash usually comes with a host of unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

Read: How Adderall Affects The Brain, Boosting Energy And Focus

WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH?

After taking Adderall frequently, a tolerance builds up and it takes larger and more frequent doses to get the same effects as before, Addiction Center reported. Withdrawal is a result of the body trying to function by itself without the drug.

SIGNS OF WITHDRAWAL

Many different signs of Adderall withdrawal may be present in someone who has recently stopped taking the drug after a prolonged period of use. Amphetamines.com reported that common symptoms include fatigue, depression, sleep disturbances, mental fog, increased appetite, vivid dreams, suicidal thoughts, irrability, and agitation.

“Without the drug I felt stupid, unable to focus or follow a thought through to completion,” former Adderall addict and writer Kate Miller wrote in the New York Times in 2013.

“I was shy, and unwilling to initiate conversation. The witty, articulate woman I once was seemed to no longer exist. I felt dumb, out of it. I spoke slowly because it took immense effort to gather and express coherent thoughts,” she explained.

Read: Adderall's Effect On Your Brain: Whatever Obscure Benefits There Are, It's Not Worth It

HOW TO HANDLE THE CRASH

According to a 2009 study, there are no drugs that can effectively treat withdrawal from amphetamine, which is one of the components of Adderall. However, eating nutritious foods and getting regular exercise may help ease withdrawal symptoms, Healthline reported.

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