Concerta Detox

What Is Concerta Detox?

When someone is suffering from addiction, they need to continue taking their drug to feel normal. Although someone with ADHD could benefit from Concerta, the drug should never control someone’s life. Concerta detox (or detoxification) is a vital first step in recovery from Concerta dependence. Detox takes place when a person completely stops using an addictive substance. Detox is often uncomfortable and painful. The process may even be dangerous because of withdrawal symptoms, some of which are severe and shock the nervous system. Ideally, patients should undergo detox under medical supervision.

Understanding Concerta

Concerta is a Stimulant which doctors prescribe to patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a condition which interferes with the ability to concentrate and control impulses. ADHD affects people of all ages. Concerta is one of several brand names for the drug Methylphenidate, which causes the brain to release more dopamine and norepinephrine, two neurotransmitters which enhance focus and attention. Most ADHD patients with a Concerta prescription take the medication once a day as a tablet, usually in the morning. Doses vary from patient to patient. Concerta may cause a variety of side effects, including headaches, trouble sleeping, dizziness, and nausea.

Concerta is a Schedule II controlled substance. This means that the federal government has classified the drug as a potential source of drug abuse and addiction. Although Concerta is legal medication which helps many people with ADHD live and thrive, some people have abused the drug by taking it for fun, to increase their academic performance, or to suppress their appetite to try to lose weight. Repeated exposure to Concerta will cause the brain to develop a tolerance. When a person’s nervous system becomes accustomed to Concerta, a person will experience withdrawal when they stop using it.

Concerta withdrawal is also called a “Concerta crash.” Since Concerta increases the amounts of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, a person who regularly uses Concerta and then stops may feel uncomfortable when their brain returns to its pre-Concerta neurotransmitter levels. To avoid the symptoms of withdrawal, the user may continue to use Concerta, a habit which characterizes dependence. Eventually, dependence on Concerta may escalate into addiction, a serious and debilitating condition.

Concerta Withdrawal And The Detox Timeline

Withdrawal symptoms are an inevitable part of Concerta detox. Withdrawal symptoms range from relatively mild problems, such as nausea and fatigue, to more serious conditions, such as severe headaches and intense feelings of hunger. Most symptoms of Concerta withdrawal are psychological. They include anxiety and panic attacks, psychosis, nightmares, and depression. Additionally, when someone stops using Concerta, the symptoms of their ADHD will return.

In fact, managing resurfaced symptoms of ADHD can be one of the most difficult parts of Concerta detox. There are some ways to manage the symptoms of ADHD without medication; behavior therapy can help, and many treatment centers offer this service. Getting proper amounts of sleep and physical exercise can also help regulate mood and combat ADHD symptoms; it may be easier for an individual to sleep and exercise properly in an inpatient treatment center, where time may be carved out specifically for these activities. Finding new ways to deal with the hurdles of ADHD is not the only challenge of Concerta withdrawal, however; users should also be wary of the symptoms of a Concerta crash.

During the first 24 hours of Concerta detox, the symptoms of a Concerta crash will begin. The initial symptoms are usually tiredness, headaches, and difficulty with concentration, a rebound symptom of ADHD. After about two days, the symptoms intensify and the patient may begin to experience depression. The withdrawal symptoms begin to lessen after the fourth full day of detox as the body readjusts to operating without Concerta. After two weeks of detox, most patients have overcome Concerta dependence. Nevertheless, patients should continue to use therapy and support groups to avoid relapse in the subsequent months.

The Time To Recover From Concerta Addiction Is Now

ADHD is challenging and Concerta may be helpful, but once the drug becomes addictive, it’s time to banish it from your life. People remain dependent on Concerta because they continue to use it. It is not easy to quit, but freeing your brain and your body from Concerta is important for living a life free from addiction.

Fortunately, there are recovery centers all throughout the country which specialize in helping their patients detox from Concerta and other addictive medications. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction to Concerta, contact a dedicated treatment provider today for more information about what steps you can take to combat your addiction.