Adderall Cravings and How to Prevent Relapse
Adderall is a prescription amphetamine medication used to treat attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).2 Adderall is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant drug prescribed for its therapeutic effect of increased alertness and attention.2, 3
When a person misuses Adderall over time, they may be at increased risk of developing a stimulant use disorder. As one possible diagnostic feature, stimulant use disorders may include strong cravings or urges to use the drug.1 Because of the way addictive drugs interact with our brain reward circuitry, people can also experience cravings even after long-term abstinence.5
Understanding cravings is important because relapse is common in people with stimulant use disorders, including Adderall addiction.9 This article will help you better understand what Adderall cravings are, how and when they occur, and how to prevent Adderall relapse.
What Are Adderall Cravings?
Adderall cravings are “strong desires or urges to use the stimulant,” or a learned response that can drive people to want to use Adderall again.1, 9 According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5), cravings can affect people both psychologically and physically.1
Several different triggers like being in an environment where Adderall was previously used or spending time with people with whom they used drugs, can initiate cravings. Cravings may also activate certain reward centers in the brain that can increase the desire to use Adderall.1
Cravings can include:10
- Strong, difficult-to-ignore urges to use Adderall.
- Intrusive thoughts about Adderall.
- Inability to think about anything but using Adderall.
- Distress if a person thinks about Adderall.
What Triggers Cravings?
Cravings for Adderall can be triggered by:7
- Thoughts.
- Emotions.
- Physical discomfort.
- Physical sensations like sights and scents.
- Interactions with certain people and places related to Adderall use.
- Situations that are reminiscent of when a person misused Adderall.
- Drug paraphernalia.
Why Do Adderall Cravings Occur?
Adderall cravings may occur when certain cues trigger a person to use Adderall.5 This can occur in people who just quit using Adderall and are experiencing Adderall withdrawal, or in people who have been abstinent for several years.5
Cues developed when a person misused Adderall can become linked with past drug use due to brain changes resulting from Adderall misuse.5 Cues can get so intertwined with substance use that they can trigger intense arousal and desire long after a person stops using Adderall leading to recurrent use.9
How Long Do Adderall Cravings Last?
Adderall craving length and duration depend on several factors like psychological, biological, and social factors. A person can experience cravings for Adderall while still using the drug, during withdrawal from Adderall, and even after withdrawal and treatment.5
Because of how Adderall affects a person from emotional, biological, psychological, and social perspectives, craving length and duration vary from person to person.5
How to Ease Cravings and Prevent Relapse
Since relapse is common in people misusing stimulants like Adderall, it’s important that treatment address how a person responds to triggers so they can help prevent relapse.9 Cravings can continue even after treatment; however, learning how to avoid and respond to triggers may be an effective tool for staying abstinent.9
Adderall relapse is when a person returns to using the drug after a period of abstinence.8 It is a normal part of recovery for many people and does not indicate failure.6
One way to help prevent relapse is to better understand one’s cues to use Adderall or other drugs.6 With this understanding, a person can be more aware of situations, people, and places to avoid so that Adderall cravings aren’t triggered. Many treatment modalities for substance use disorders (SUDs) encourage people to completely avoid triggers or anything related to previous substance use to help avoid cravings.9
Individualized treatment for Adderall addiction can be an important part of establishing a strong foundation for recovery and relapse prevention.4, 6 In treatment, a person may attend behavioral therapy sessions where they can learn valuable coping skills to help them manage triggers and cravings. This may include modalities like cognitive behavioral therapy that helps people recognize, avoid, and cope with triggers.6
Addiction treatment can take place in both inpatient and outpatient settings depending on a person’s needs. If you are struggling with Adderall addiction, or struggle with cravings and are worried about relapse, reach out for support. A trusted friend, your doctor, your support group, or your treatment team can help you get the assistance you need.