Vyvanse is a prescription drug that’s used to treat people who have a type of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) known as Attention Deficit Disorder. The medication is also used to help people with other mental or behavioral disorders cope with their symptoms. Vyvanse is not an opioid or a benzodiazepine, but it does produce similar effects when you take it.
Vyvanse withdrawal can be uncomfortable, so you should know how long the detox lasts before you stop taking this drug. Being aware of what to expect during this time will make it easier for you to manage your symptoms and avoid common pitfalls that come with discontinuing any drug abruptly. Let’s take a look at some facts about vyvanse withdrawal and how long it lasts.
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What is Vyvanse?
Vyvanse is a prescription medication that’s commonly used to treat people with a type of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) known as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). It’s also used to help people manage symptoms of other mental and behavioral disorders, such as binge-eating and opioid addiction. Vyvanse is not an opioid, but it does produce similar effects when you take it.
People use Vyvanse to help them stay focused and on task, get less distracted by outside stimuli, and be less impulsive when making decisions. Vyvanse is a central nervous system stimulant that’s used to increase energy, attention span, and motivation. It’s also used for weight loss, binge-eating, and decreasing a person’s desire for opioid use.
How long does Vyvanse withdrawal last?
There are a few factors that can affect the length of time you’ll need to detox. The first and most important one is how long you took Vyvanse before you decided to stop taking it. If you were taking this medication for a short period of time, you might not experience any withdrawal symptoms at all.
Anyone who uses Vyvanse for an extended period of time, however, might experience withdrawal symptoms even after a short period of cessation.
The quantity of Vyvanse in your body at the time you stop taking the drug can also affect the length of time you’ll experience withdrawal. If you’re taking higher doses of this medication, it may take you longer to detox from Vyvanse than it would if you were taking smaller doses. You might experience more severe withdrawal symptoms if you’re taking large doses of Vyvanse.
Vyvanse Withdrawal Symptoms
The symptoms of Vyvanse withdrawal may vary from person to person. In general, though, you may experience some or all of the following symptoms when you stop taking Vyvanse:
- Anger or aggression: If you’re experiencing Vyvanse withdrawal, you might become angry or aggressive.
- Anxiety: Taking Vyvanse might help you manage feelings of anxiety, but coming off the drug may lead to feelings of anxiety as well as a worsening of any anxiety disorders you already suffer from.
- Craving: If you’re addicted to Vyvanse, your body may crave the drug while you’re detoxing. You might experience intense cravings that you’ll need to learn how to control.
- Depression: If you’re taking Vyvanse to treat a mood disorder, you might experience a relapse of your depression symptoms when you come off the drug.
- Disturbed sleep: You may have trouble sleeping and experience insomnia or other sleep disorders as you detox from Vyvanse.
- Headaches: Withdrawal from Vyvanse might cause headaches in some people.
- Irritability: You might become irritable or angry when you detox from Vyvanse.
- Lack of focus: It’s common to feel unfocused and less motivated while detoxing from Vyvanse.
- Trouble concentrating: You may have trouble concentrating and remember things while coming off Vyvanse.
Tips for Managing Vyvanse Withdrawal
If you decide to withdraw from Vyvanse, there are a few things you can do to make the process easier:
- Take smaller doses: You might be tempted to stop taking Vyvanse cold turkey. If you’ve been taking this drug for a long time, though, it’s best to taper off your dosage first. This will help you avoid severe withdrawal symptoms.
- Find an activity: Stay busy by engaging in an activity that requires your full concentration, such as drawing, painting, or writing.
- Get plenty of sleep: Getting enough sleep will help you deal with any symptoms that come up during the withdrawal process.
- Eat healthy foods: Healthy, nutritious foods will help you cope with the symptoms of Vyvanse withdrawal.
- Reward yourself: Stay motivated by rewarding yourself at the end of each day once you’ve gotten through the withdrawal symptoms.
Important notes about Vyvanse withdrawal
Vyvanse withdrawal is uncomfortable, but it’s not dangerous. You won’t die from detoxing off this drug. That being said, it’s important to remember that Vyvanse withdrawal is real and that it affects people differently.
There’s no way to know exactly how long it will take you to detox from Vyvanse or how severe your symptoms will be. That depends on the factors listed above.
If you have any co-occurring disorders, you may need to taper off Vyvanse slowly to avoid severe withdrawal symptoms. It’s best to talk to your doctor about the best way to taper off this medication if you’re dependent on it.
Bottom line
Vyvanse withdrawal is a normal and expected response to discontinuing this medication. It’s important to know what to expect during this process so you can prepare yourself for the symptoms you may encounter.
Withdrawing from Vyvanse may be uncomfortable, but it’s not dangerous. It’s important to remember that you won’t die from detoxing off this drug. With the right support, you can get through the withdrawal process and begin the healing process.
