Modafinil is a drug used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. Like most central nervous system stimulants, modafinil can cause irritability, tunnel vision, sleep problems, and social awkwardness when used in high doses. People struggling with substance use disorder may snort Modafinil or sell it to buy more powerful stimulants. Only people who are able to use the drug exactly as prescribed should take Modafinil. If you believe that taking stimulants is causing more harm than good in your life, contact Crestview Recovery for help with modafinil addiction treatment by calling 866.262.0531.
Taking Modafinil
There’s the persistent rumor that the medication doubles as a smart drug. Young adults like it because it keeps them awake. Besides that, they believe that it gives them an edge in school or at work. Typically, users increase the dose to achieve these results.
However, there comes a tipping point. You suffer from sleep deprivation. You eat a lot and gain weight. Some users report developing illnesses due to insufficient rest.
Modafinil Withdrawal Symptoms
Because it’s a stimulant, modafinil withdrawal symptoms mimic those of cocaine and similar substances. You develop intense cravings because the medication increases dopamine levels. Without it, there’s a significant drop in this neurotransmitter. Initially, there’s a fleeting feeling of depression.
The mood disorder rapidly worsens. Your body became accustomed to the steady influx of the chemical. Now, it won’t release dopamine as readily. Next, there’s the fatigue.
It’s not unusual for a heavy modafinil user to sleep for several days. Even when you’re awake, you don’t feel like you’re quite there. Focusing is tremendously difficult. Similarly, you have a difficult time doing daily tasks such as household chores or going to work.
Drug Treatment for Stimulant Addiction
A modafinil addiction treatment program helps with post-acute modafinil withdrawal symptoms. Cravings will be ongoing. The temptation to go back to the dopamine boost can overwhelm you. Because dependency on this medication comes with heightened relapse risk, clinical care at Crestview Recovery addresses the reason for addiction.
Therapeutic interventions include:
- 12-Step program participation that introduces peer accountability for relapse prevention
- Group therapy to emphasize peer encouragement and addiction education
- Dual diagnosis treatment, which helps you manage co-occurring depression or anxiety
- Individual therapy is a way to talk through the steps you need to take to achieve lifelong sobriety
- Life skills rehab that provides you with actionable opportunities for dealing with work or school stresses
Some program participants find it useful to check into extended rehab. It boosts your recovery time from 30 to 90 days. The added time is of tremendous value when you’re struggling with relapse worries. Most importantly, it helps you solidify a daily routine that doesn’t include modafinil.
Does the Fear of Post-Acute Withdrawal Symptoms Prevent You from Quitting?
Post-acute modafinil withdrawal symptoms can be challenging to deal with. Because they emerge without warning, they blindside you. Almost everyone experiences them at some point. However, they do not last long.
Sure, you wonder if you would feel the rush of the dopamine release again. Moreover, tight deadlines make you think of the alleged cognitive enhancements that some claim this drug provides. If nothing else, you remember what staying awake longer than usual felt like. That said, don’t forget the many downsides that using the drug presents.
Because you work with addiction specialists in rehab, you’ll prepare for these symptoms. Managing them with mindfulness training, for example, is a good option. At the facility, you learn how to live in the moment. When post-acute withdrawal strikes, you fall back on the lessons you learned at Crestview Recovery.
Therefore, don’t let the fear of withdrawal keep you from seeking out healing. Rather, sign up for treatment now that you’re thinking about it. Look past concerns over modafinil withdrawal symptoms and plan for lifelong sobriety today. Call Crestview Recovery at 866.262.0531 to start.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.