Vyvanse Detox Symptoms, Timeline, Medications and Treatment
What is Vyvanse?
Vyvanse is the brand name for a drug called lisdexamfetamine, which belongs to a class of drugs known as substituted amphetamines.
These drugs are central nervous system stimulants, often used to treat ADHD. Vyvanse is also sometimes used to treat binge eating disorder.
Why is Detox Necessary for Recovery?
Detoxification is one of the first steps in overcoming a 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 to a drug may have been taking high doses for a long period.
Detoxification 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.
Detoxification should be followed up with extended treatment, such as behavioral therapy and medication.The National Institute on Drug AbuseThe 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 Detox from Vyvanse 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 in order to escape them.
Why Detoxing at Home Can be Harmful
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A major reason not to attempt detoxification 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.
Medically-Assisted Detox and Withdrawal
It is suggested that you gradually decrease your Vyvanse dosage over time, rather than stopping usage abruptly.
Vyvanse withdrawal symptoms may be most severe if the drug is discontinued abruptly after a long period of high dosage, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggests that medical professionals gradually decrease dosage over time--a process called tapering--rather than abruptly cutting patients off. Sometimes, tapering off the drug is the only intervention necessary.
Doctors may choose to prescribe medication to help with withdrawal symptoms, but research has shown that they're generally not very effective.
On the other hand, tapering off Vyvanse use under medical supervision is thought to greatly reduce the risk of severe withdrawal symptoms. In case these symptoms do occur, clinical or behavioral therapy may be employed to help patients cope with their symptoms.
What to Expect During Vyvanse Detoxification
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 detoxification 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.
In the case of a Vyvanse dependency, detoxification is one of the first steps to becoming drug-free. If you need help finding a suitable Vyvanse detox treatment program for yourself or a loved one, please call 1-888-993-3112Who Answers? today.
How Long Does Detox Last?
How long detoxification lasts may depend on the tapering schedule you and your doctor choose. You should be prepared for it to take several weeks to go off the drug entirely.
Without a tapering method, withdrawal symptoms may set in within 24 hours. They may then last for 3 or 4 weeks.
The first week of any amphetamine withdrawal tends to be associated with the most severe withdrawal symptoms and is known as the crash period.
Vyvanse Detox Treatment
In general, detoxification for most drugs can be conducted either in an inpatient or outpatient program.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment tends to be recommended for people who have been taking lower doses of the drug and are likely to experience milder withdrawal symptoms. Outpatients will come and go, visiting their facility only to receive treatment.
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment, on the other hand, is generally considered best for people on higher doses or people with pre-existing psychiatric conditions or concurrent medical issues, as their withdrawal symptoms may be worse. Inpatients are admitted into their facility until their treatment is complete.
If you go into an inpatient program, you may have additional options to think about. Some inpatient drug treatment facilities cater to particular groups or needs.
Some examples include women-only or LGBT-friendly facilities, luxury facilities, or programs designed for business executives or other specific groups.
Therapy
You may experience depression or other mood changes and may need to be carefully monitored, particularly in case suicidal tendencies arise. Behavioral therapy and psychiatric treatment are options that may be available to help you cope with withdrawal.
Choosing the Best Vyvanse Detox Center
Deciding between inpatient and outpatient care is one of the first steps in choosing a detox center.
Consulting with a medical professional can help you decide which course of action will work best for you, and will likely depend on how long you've been taking Vyvanse and at what dosage.
Cost
Cost may be a major factor in deciding on a program.
This may be especially true if you're looking into inpatient programs, which are likely to be more expensive than outpatient programs and also may offer a greater variety of services.
Talk to your insurance company, if applicable, about what kind of coverage you qualify for.
Psychiatric Services
Particularly if you have a preexisting psychiatric condition that may be exacerbated by withdrawal, you may wish to look carefully into the psychiatric services offered by different programs, or specifically look for a program that focuses on dual diagnosis treatment and recovery.
Consult the American Society of Addiction Medicine for help finding addiction specialists to contact for a private evaluation and advice on what to look for in an addiction treatment program.
