How to Fight Diet Pill Withdrawal Symptoms

Diet pills are potentially addictive, and some can cause uncomfortable, but rarely life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, when stopped. Prescription stimulants designed for weight loss, such as phentermine, or pills that are sometimes abused for the desired weight loss side effects, such as dextroamphetamine or methylphenidate, are among those diet pills abused. Fortunately, there are several ways to combat withdrawal from diet pills, whether the drug was prescribed or obtained illicitly.

Instructions

• 1

  Call your doctor and let her know you are in withdrawal from diet pills or related prescription stimulants. Even if you obtained your drugs illegally, a health-care professional usually will not alert authorities unless you stole a prescription pad from her office or committed another act of fraud. If you do not have a doctor, consider visiting a local health clinic.

• 2

  Research an inpatient treatment program if you are experiencing a severe case of withdrawal from diet pills. While the National Institute on Drug Abuse has no medical recommendations for detoxing from prescription stimulants, it does recommend individual and group support for people recovering from such addictions. You can find such a program by calling your doctor, visiting a health clinic, contacting a local church or using the federal government's Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator. After your research, join the program if you feel formal rehab if necessary.

• 3

  Attend meetings of Narcotics Anonymous or SMART Recovery for emotional support during diet-pill withdrawal, even if you opt not to go into inpatient treatment. Peer support from those who have been through similar experiences can help stop the psychological desire to go back to prescription drugs.

• 4

  Make an appointment with a therapist or counselor. Individual psychotherapy to combat drug withdrawal and addiction is recommended by the Mayo Clinic. If you do not already have a therapist, you can usually find one through your doctor or employer, church, Social Services or your local health clinic. Talking about your feelings during withdrawing from diet pills may help you.

• 5

  Ask your doctor or therapist about whether a psychiatric evaluation may be necessary in your case. Untreated mental health issues can lead one back into diet-pill abuse. If suggested, visit the recommended psychiatrist and answer his or her questions about your past honestly. If a health-care professional recommends medications such as antidepressants as the result of such an evaluation, be sure to take them as directed.