What you need to know about the Adderall Shortage
The current Adderall shortage started in the Fall of 2022 and is primarily attributed to a spike in telehealth prescriptions. In other words, telehealth made it far more accessible. Easier access to medication for the people that need it? Well, that’s a good thing, right? Yes, and yes. However, manufacturers of Adderall couldn’t keep up with the new spike in demand. With manufacturers already struggling with labor shortages, the surge in demand was more significant than forecasts could accommodate.
What can I do about the Adderall shortage?
So what can those affected by the Adderall shortage do while waiting for supplies to resume? First, consult your prescribing doctor and communicate your situation with them. Since there is still uncertainty surrounding when Adderall supply will resume, what can you do in the meantime? After consulting with a medical professional, here are some adjustments you can make on your end, time permitting:
Exercise for Adderall Withdrawal Symptoms
Exercise and movement can be beneficial for managing the symptoms of Adderall withdrawal. Here are some ways in which exercise can help:
- Promotes the release of endorphins: Exercise can stimulate the release of endorphins, which are natural chemicals in the brain that can help improve mood, reduce anxiety, and alleviate depression.
- Reduces stress and anxiety: Exercise can also help reduce stress and anxiety, common symptoms of Adderall withdrawal. By engaging in physical activity, you can channel your energy into something positive and constructive, which can help you feel calmer and more relaxed.
- Improves sleep: Adderall withdrawal can cause insomnia and other sleep disturbances. Exercise can help you sleep better at night by promoting the release of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep.
- Boosts energy levels: Exercise can also help boost your energy levels, especially if you feel tired or lethargic during Adderall withdrawal.
- Provides a healthy distraction: Finally, it can provide a healthy distraction from the discomfort and unpleasantness of Adderall withdrawal. Focusing on your physical activity can take your mind off your symptoms and make you feel a sense of accomplishment and pride in your progress.
Eating healthy to combat Adderall Withdrawal Symptoms
Healthy eating can be beneficial for managing the symptoms of Adderall withdrawal. Here are some ways in which a balanced diet can help:
- Provides essential nutrients: A healthy diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats can provide the vital nutrients your body needs to function correctly. Consuming those foods can help counteract the nutritional deficiencies that may result from Adderall use.
- Helps stabilize blood sugar levels: Adderall withdrawal can cause fluctuations in blood sugar levels, leading to fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. A balanced diet with complex carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats can help stabilize blood sugar levels and prevent these symptoms.
- Boosts energy levels: Eating a balanced diet can also help boost your energy levels, especially if you’re tired or lethargic during Adderall withdrawal.
- Improves mood: Adderall withdrawal can cause depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. Eating a healthy diet that includes foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients can help improve your mood and reduce these symptoms.
- Supports overall health and well-being: A healthy diet can also support overall health and well-being, which can be vital during Adderall withdrawal. By fueling your body with nutritious foods, you can strengthen your immune system, reduce inflammation, and support your body’s natural healing processes.
Note: You should speak with a healthcare professional before starting an exercise routine or making any significant changes to your physical activity levels, diet, or sleep schedule, especially if you’re experiencing symptoms of Adderall withdrawal.
If you have found this article in search of treatment options for someone that you suspect has been misusing Adderall, exploring our variety of treatment centers in your area may be a great pivot point from here.
How long does Adderall stay in your system?
The duration of time Adderall stays in your system can depend on various factors such as your age, weight, dosage, frequency of use, and overall health. Adderall has a half-life of around 10 hours, meaning half of the drug will be eliminated from your system in that time frame. However, it can take up to 5 half-lives for the medication to be eliminated from your system. This means it may take up to 50 hours for Adderall to be eliminated from your body.
It’s worth noting that drug tests may be able to detect the presence of Adderall in your system for a longer duration, depending on the type of test being used. For example, a urine test can detect Adderall for up to 2 to 4 days after the last dose, while a blood test can detect it up to 46 hours after the most recent dose.
Is it ok to take my expired Adderall?
Like all medications, Adderall has an expiration date printed on the packaging. The expiration date tells you the expected shelf life of the medicines under ideal storage conditions. This ensures patient safety as medications may lose effectiveness or become harmful after expiration. The expiration date on Adderall can come from the manufacturer or the pharmacist. It is essential to follow these dates to ensure the medication’s potency. While it is possible to use an expired prescription under a doctor’s supervision in certain circumstances, it’s essential to note that expired drugs may not be as potent as expected. Physical damage to the medication can also cause it to expire prematurely. Therefore, it is crucial to store the medicine correctly and dispose of it properly when it expires.
Is this the first Adderall shortage?
In the past, shortages have resulted from increased demand, regulatory issues, and supply chain disruptions. To break it down, we’ve separated the effects of the previous Adderall shortages into silos, explaining how each primary level of the Adderall supply chain has been disrupted. Some of the primary factors affecting Adderall shortages in the past are discussed below.
How Adderall Shortages affect the Supply Chain
Manufacturer Level: At the manufacturer level, the previous shortages of Adderall have been attributed to several factors, including regulatory issues and production problems. In 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cited two major manufacturers of generic Adderall for failing to meet the agency’s quality standards. The citations resulted in the companies reducing or halting production of the drug, leading to a shortage of supply. Generic Adderall shortages and Brand Adderall shortages are typically equally affected. Since it’s often the branded Adderall producer that is manufacturing the drug for private labels, it might be worth asking your pharmacy if the Adderall branded medication is available as well. Granted, this will come at a higher price.
Pharmacies: Pharmacies also feel the effects of any Adderall shortages. Some pharmacies will have difficulty obtaining the drug from manufacturers, leading to delayed filling of prescriptions. As a result, some pharmacies will limit the amount of Adderall they dispense to patients or switch them to alternative medications.
Consumers: The Adderall shortages significantly impact consumers who rely on medication to manage their ADHD symptoms. Some people have had to switch to alternative medications that may be less effective. Others have said paying higher prices for the medicine when available cause financial strain.
The previous shortages of Adderall have also led to the purchase of medication from unauthorized sources, such as online pharmacies or illegal drug dealers. As a result, this poses a significant risk to the health and safety of these individuals, as the quality and purity of the medication cannot be guaranteed.
What if there is another Adderall shortage?
While that is certainly a possibility, manufacturers are expected to rebound soon. They are expected to adjust their course to accommodate the increasing demand for Adderall. The ongoing question has been, when will this happen? It continues to be a topic of increasing concern and will remain at the forefront of medical news.
To Adderall, or not to Adderall
Suppose you were considering talking to your doctor about starting Adderall. In that case, you might encounter delays in filling your first prescription, but you should still take that first step. There’s never been a better time to explore what could be causing ADHD issues.
Overall, the Adderall shortage has significantly impacted the population, from the manufacturer level to pharmacies to consumers. Efforts including increased production and regulatory oversight are underway to move past the deficit. In the meantime, patients must work closely with their healthcare providers to manage their ADHD symptoms and find alternative treatments. It is also essential for consumers to obtain prescriptions from licensed pharmacies. This means avoiding purchasing medicines from unauthorized sources, to ensure the health of the consumer.
