Written by:

Medically Reviewed by:

Dr Mateen Durrani – MBBS, DPM, MSc, BCPsych

Last Updated:

March 5th, 2025

Stimulant Detox and Withdrawal | Timeline and Treatment

Are you struggling with physical dependence on stimulants? If so, you’re not alone. Stimulant addiction is very common and can be difficult to overcome on your own. However, there are stimulant detox centres which can guide and support you in giving up stimulants altogether. That’s where Primrose Lodge comes in. We offer a professional stimulant detox programme that can help you overcome your addiction and regain control of your life.

What is stimulants detox?

Stimulant detox is the process of quitting stimulants and allowing the body to rid itself of these drugs. This is essentially done by waiting out the withdrawal period until the body has metabolised the drugs and they are no longer present in the system.

What are the benefits of stimulants detox?

While detox is not a cure for stimulant addiction, as recovery is a lifelong journey which requires dedication and resolve, stimulants detox is a vital first step on that journey which will help to clear the substance from your body and the clouds from your mind. This will enable you to focus on the other aspects of your condition and overcome your dependence on stimulants once and for all.

First and foremost, detox will help you to break your physical dependence on stimulants so that you no longer suffer from the negative effects it has on your health.

Second, stimulants detox is a crucial first step in overcoming a reliance on stimulants as once you have dealt with the physical aspect of your dependence you can then go on to stimulants rehab and address the psychological aspects.

Third, stimulants detox will mean you will no longer experience physical cravings for stimulants which can be incredibly uncomfortable and a constant distraction.

How to undergo stimulants detox safely

The safest and most effective way to complete stimulants detox is at a professional detox centre like Primrose Lodge. Here, you will be under the care of experienced and qualified medical staff who can monitor your progress and provide support and treatment.

Upon admission to stimulants detox at Primrose Lodge, you will undergo a full medical assessment to ascertain the overall state of your health, the length and extent of your stimulant use and whether you are at risk of any complications during withdrawal. If this is the case, special arrangements will be made including 24/7 observation and support from our medical team.

The dangers of stimulants home detox

Some people try to detox from stimulants at home but there are a number of reasons why this is dangerous:

Stimulant cravings can be very strong and without support, they are more likely to eventually overcome you and result in a relapse. This can be very dangerous after a period of abstinence because your tolerance to stimulants will have lowered and you are more likely to overdose.
Stimulant withdrawal symptoms can be severe and sometimes even be life-threatening. This is especially true if you have been taking high doses of stimulants for a long period of time.
Without professional help, it can be difficult to know when your body is actually free of stimulants. This can lead to a false sense of security and can result in you relapsing when stimulant withdrawal symptoms or cravings suddenly flare up.

What are the most common stimulant withdrawal symptoms?

There are a number of physical and mental stimulant withdrawal symptoms that you may experience during detox, including:

Fatigue
Depression
Anxiety
Irritability
Difficulty concentrating
Headaches
Muscle aches and pains
Insomnia
Dizziness
Decreased cognitive ability
Hyperactivity
Increased heart rate
Hallucinations
Nightmares

All of these can be incredibly unpleasant which is why having professional help is so important. At Primrose Lodge, our medical team will do everything they can to help you with these symptoms and signs of stimulant withdrawal so you can complete your stimulants detox safely and in comfort.

A typical stimulants withdrawal timeline

Everybody experiences stimulant withdrawal differently depending on factors such as your age, state of health and the level of your physical dependence. Stimulants can take a long time to completely leave your system but here is a general timeline of what you can expect:

Days one to three

During this period, in addition to strong cravings for stimulants, you may feel tired but unable to sleep, anxious, depressed and experience pains throughout your body. Hallucinations, paranoia, and panic are possible in the most severe cases.

Days four to ten

At this stage, your cravings are likely to become very intense but other stimulant withdrawal symptoms should lessen in severity. However, you are still likely to feel tired and generally down with little energy or enthusiasm.

Days eleven to seventeen

From day eleven onwards most of your stimulant withdrawal symptoms should be fairly mild but you may still suffer from insomnia or tiredness. Mood swings are also likely as your body gets used to functioning without stimulants.

Day eighteen onwards

While many people will have all but completely recovered from stimulant withdrawal by this stage, some may still experience stimulant withdrawal symptoms for weeks or even months. This depends on what type of stimulant you were taking (benzos, in particular, often have a very long withdrawal timeline), your level of dependence and how fast your body is able to clear the substances. However, you should now be in a much better physical and mental condition to move on to the next stage of recovery.

Which stimulants require detox?

Using any stimulant has the potential to create a physical dependence so it is always important to be careful when using any stimulant, legal or otherwise. In addition to illegal stimulants, at Primrose Lodge, we provide detox programmes for four prescription stimulants:

Adderall detox

Adderall is prescribed as a stimulant for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and works by increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain. Detox is necessary when someone has been taking it for a long time or in high doses as they will have built up a tolerance and will experience stimulant withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking it suddenly.

Focalin detox

Focalin detox is used to treat people who have become physically dependent on Focalin. This is a stimulant that is very similar to Adderall and has many of the same potential side effects. Focalin detox is necessary to help people withdraw from the drug safely and comfortably.

Ritalin detox

Ritalin is a central nervous system stimulant that is most commonly prescribed for ADHD. It works by increasing levels of dopamine in the brain, which can lead to feelings of euphoria and increased energy levels. If you have become physically dependent on Ritalin, stimulant detox is necessary to help your body adjust to functioning without it.

Vyvanse detox

Vyvanse is a newer stimulant medication that is similar to Adderall. It is most commonly prescribed for ADHD and can also be used to treat binge eating disorders. The physical dependence on Vyvanse can be very strong and so professional stimulant detox is necessary to help you withdraw from the drug safely and effectively.

Common fears about stimulants detox

Many people who are dependent on stimulants are reluctant to seek help because they are afraid of the detox process. Here are some of the most common fears and concerns that we hear:

I’m afraid of what will happen during withdrawal

The thought of going through stimulant withdrawal can be very daunting but it is important to remember that stimulants detox is only the first stage of recovery. At Primrose Lodge, our team of medical and mental health professionals will be with you every step of the way to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible.

I’m afraid I won’t be able to cope without stimulants

If you have been dependent on stimulants for a long time, it can be hard to imagine life without them. However, stimulant detox is just the first step on the road to recovery. Once you have completed detox, you will be able to move on to the next stage of treatment where you can learn how to live a happy and fulfilling life without stimulants.

Going to stimulants detox will affect my job or family

Some of our clients are worried about the stigma of going to stimulants detox and the effect it will have on their job or family. At Primrose Lodge, we understand the importance of discretion and our team will do everything they can to protect your privacy. Who you tell about going to detox is completely your decision and no pressure will be put on you to disclose this information to anyone if you don’t want to.

Do I need stimulants detox?

There are various questions to ask yourself which will help you to establish whether or not you need to detox from stimulants:

Do you feel like you need to take stimulants just to get through the day?
Are they having a negative impact on your life?
Are you finding it hard to cut down or stop using them?
Do I experience stimulant withdrawal symptoms when I haven’t taken any?

If you have answered yes to any of these questions, it is likely that you will need to detox from stimulants.

Why choose Primrose Lodge for stimulants detox?

At Primrose Lodge, we have helped many people overcome their dependence on stimulants and we are here to help you too. Our team of medical and mental health professionals will support you through every step of the process. Primrose Lodge has the highest quality accommodation and facilities as well as a private gym and regular family visits.

Alongside the stimulant detox process, you will also undergo stimulant rehab treatment to address the psychological aspects of your condition. This will usually involve a stay in Primrose Lodge’s residential rehabilitation centre where you will receive expert support and care as you begin your journey to recovery.

Want to learn more about what we offer? Get in touch with Primrose Lodge today and we will be happy to explain our stimulants detox programmes and how to get started.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if I need stimulants detox?

There are various signs that can point to the need for stimulants detox including:

Feeling like you need to take stimulants just to get through the day
Continuing to use stimulants despite the negative impacts
Experience stimulant withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop taking them
Taking prescription stimulants for longer or in higher doses than prescribed
Obtaining stimulants illegally such as buying illicit drugs or doctor shopping for prescription stimulants

Is stimulants detox dangerous?

Detoxing from stimulants without professional help can be very dangerous. Stimulant withdrawal symptoms can include severe depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. This is a major reason why you should never attempt to detox from stimulants at home, even if you feel like you can handle the process on your own. Primrose Lodge is a safe and supportive environment where you can detox under the care of our experienced medical team who will ensure that you are as safe and comfortable as possible.