Is Jornay PM a better option for someone with a tendency to abuse adderall?

[AngelEyesTx]

Adderall is great when I take my prescribed 30mg dose, but occasionally I double or triple my dose in attempts to combat depression symptoms. Sometimes I’ll take more later to put off the crash, and then I don’t sleep and function so poorly for the next couple of days that I might as well be unmedicated.

I’ve tried A LOT of antidepressants to no effect, so I don’t think treating the underlying depression is a real option for me. I’d love to try electromagnetic shock therapy or ketamine infusions but I can’t afford either. I know I function much better when properly medicated for the ADHD, but sometimes I’m so desperate to escape the depression that I can’t resist the dopamine rush I get from upping my dose. Before adderall my ADHD symptoms just worsened the depression, so I need to find a treatment that I’m less likely to abuse. I also have a major issue with sleeping through my alarms and dragging in the mornings so I’m hopeful Jornay would help with that too. Anyone know if it might be better than adderall for someone like me? Even if you don’t know, but have any advice at all for what I’m dealing with I need all the help I can get.

[BlessedLady]

If you are prone to abuse stimulants I do not see what changing to a different stimulant is going to do. Have you talked with your doctor about the most recent anti depressants ? Have you tried different combinations of anti depressants?

[BarefootHeathen]

Vyvanse helped me. I did the same with my adderall. But it made me feel like I needed to because coming down from it was rough. I don’t feel like that with vyvanse. It doesn’t have that instant drop like adderall. And it also helped clear the fog even when it wasn’t during its peak effectiveness. I would give it a shot if you haven’t already tried it. It was life changing for me and is the only one I can take that feels sustainable.

[Slmndrs]

Have you had a proper in-lab sleep study done that can test for UARS in addition to conventional sleep apnea?

Insufficient sleep can make ADHD (and depression) worse. That might be another angle to attack this from if that’s a possibility

[Incomplete_Thoughts]

Wow, you're really going through some hard stuff right now. I would honestly recommend seeing a therapist. It seems like the big problem you're having is the depression. The question I'd ask myself is, if I don't have Adderall and I'm feeling super depressed and desperate. What would I turn to? If the answer scares you or is an I don't know therapy would give you something you can turn to.

[wtfadhd]

hey AngelEyes Tx,

u r definitely on the struggle bus. thanks for being so real n raw about what u are going thru. there is a huge movement going on right now in which the MH/ psychiatist field is coming forward stating that there was never sufficient research to support idea that depression is due to low or misfiring serotonin n chemical stuff. its fascinating. big pharma is not happy about this.

the book unf*ck your brain gave me this insight that depression results when people are wired to “ give up”. vs anger n addiction in which people are wired to keep fighting for their happiness.

you are truly fighting for your happiness❤️. dont beat yourself up for doing whatever ya gotta do to make your brain feel good. obvi its not working n putting ya in a tail spin, but hey, u havent given up!

i dont have the answers for ya. but im confident u will figure this out n find ur lane.

[d_jemme]

You need to speak to your psychiatrist and change up your meds.

Honestly, this is how my 'self-medication' pattern went - for many years I didn't realize I was firing dopamine the way we do and so guess who had a nice meth problem. It made me feel like queen of the world (until it didn't).

[KK_1981]

I know this post is old but I happened to come across it after being on both, Adderall & Jornay PM. (The first response I read to your post made me want to cringe. I just don’t get it when people give advice if they clearly lack any direct knowledge or experience on the subject… I don’t mean for this to come off as judgement!! 😌)

By now, you may have tried it already and if so then I’d love to hear an update! From my exp, it would be difficult to “abuse” Jornay like IR stimulants often are or can be. It’s not something you can take a little more of that will kick in… We’re talking about a 10-12 hour delay in onset. I recently started at 60mg and have tittered all the way up to the dose. Also, I do still take a 20mg IR in the aftn if/when needed. Not everyone needs to do this, but I have been on stims for well over 25 years so I have a high tolerance as it is, but I’ve also had a noticeable decrease in the effectiveness of my meds during my 40’s due to hormonal shifts/changes so it doesn’t work as it used to.

[ADHDRocker]

I believe so in my experience. Despite trouble with past meds, my ADHD is simply too dangerous and unpleasant to not treat with a stimulant. I have to take a stimulant. I’ve taken Jornay for 3-4 months now. unlike almost all other stimulant formulations, is designed in such a way that targets the symptoms with minimal to no euphoric effect. I mean when there is a will there is a way and one could technically abuse it, but as my doctor said, they won’t get much out of it except insomnia or mania. Vyvanse was good for me for 3 years until I randomly had trouble with it. I have a history of substance issues in younger years.