Hello, as is common with ADHD I have struggled with an addiction to stimulants since an early age. My normal routine is to be sober for 2-4 years and then struggle for about a year. Well my year is up again and I need to quit hitting it so hard.
This time instead of going cold turkey I’m thinking about returning to my Adderall RX. It really helps. I know some say if you are an addict don’t do it, and some say that a moderated therapeutic does really helps.
I would love to hear your thoughts IF you have experience with addiction and recovery. Hopefully those without this experience will realize there conjecture is just conjecture.
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mrb3000
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Get to an addictions specialist and spell out what's going on. They can't "report" you, you'll have confidentiality.
And no, it is not common to my knowledge that people with ADHD abuse stimulants. Nope--the research summaries I've seen says this is not true. Yes, people with ADHD are at risk for addictions of all kinds but not particularly to stimulants from what I understand.
So open up and tell your doctors EVERYTHING. Yes, awkward for three minutes, but doctors and therapists need to know exactly what's going on.
I had a different addiction/compulsion and things didn't improve until I called up a specialist, who was really good. I had to spill the beans, tell all and it felt FANTASTIC to finally do so and to have another brain helping me figure out the next steps.
You don't want to try to break your addiction alone.
Thanks for the response. I’ve been going to therapy for years being out of pocket people who “specialize” in addiction. Dr. Holloway the psychiatric pioneer for a DD seems to think that untreated ADHD and addiction go hand-in-hand. I might’ve been misleading using the word Adderall I don’t have a doctors and I don’t get a prescription for my drugs but I can’t weigh out 40 mg amphetamine/methamphetamine into the same dose that a doctor would prescribe for somebody with ADHD. More like 20mg morning and lunch. I don’t know why am on here cause I’ve already decided what I’m gonna do.
the ones I’ve gone to in the past I’ve not been very helpful. I would like to try SMART recovery, but they don’t have meetings in America seventh largest city so they would have to resume. I think I’m gonna try the local narcotics anonymous group. They have a pretty good meeting but I’ve only been twice because I’m still high.
But everyone enters those meetings still deep in their addiction. That's typical. Go anyway! You can do it. You don't wait to clean up before going to a good meeting.
Dr. Edward Hallowell and other ADHD cite research that shows: people with untreated ADHD (diagnosed or undiagnosed) have higher addiction rates than people who don't have ADHD. One reason why is seeking to self-medicate.
By the way, Adderall is a mix of amphetamine salts, but methamphetamines are not part of that formula. I think I heard from a couple of experts that methamphetamines release too much dopamine too fast to be regulated, which is why they are so highly addictive.
Dopamine treats the deficiency that causes ADHD in many people. (In my case, I'm treated better with a medication that acts on norepinephrine.)
There is potential for abuse with Adderall and other amphetamine-based stimulants, which is why Vyvanse has been a preferred medication. (It is much less likely to be abused, because of it's particular delivery mechanism.)
It's always best to seek treatment from a doctor or psychiatrist. Think of a doctor as a partner with you in finding the best treatment. They adjust medication and dosage based on need. Yes, cost is a big factor, but self-medicating still puts you at risk of addiction.
I wish you the best with beating addiction, and with finding good support to help you to stay sober.
I am not really in a position to teach chemistry but Adderall is a singular molecule D-amphetamine the fact that it is in a salt vs base form is irrelevant. Vyvanse is the same thing except it is a pro-drug meaning it gives your body the precursors and your body has to convert it into the same d-amphetamine. D-methamphetamine is certainly used to treat ADHD among other disorders. rxlist.com/desoxyn-drug.htm
I know that methamphetamine is used as a treatment in some circumstances, and your definitely seem to know a lot more about the amphetamine types of stimulants than I do. But I also know that methamphetamine addiction can have terrible results for a person. (Some people I've known had been addicted to it. They got sober before I met them. Then one of them started using again. They are such good people, so it was hard for me to witness the effects. That experience just makes me concerned for you.)
Lots of love and care for the anxiety generated by the rational ambivalence everyone suffer in these cases: with or without medication. Apart from anger, sadness and other emotions that undoubtedly appear. For me, investing in emotional well-being has always been important to grow in the vicissitudes of life and to be aware of our vulnerabilities as people, beyond ADHD or addiction. This time the cycle does not have to be like the previous ones, you have more strength and resilience. Good luck and support!!
Hey Luis, thank you for this. It hits hard. I think if I just had some emotional well-being I would not be half as bad. But I am starting to get in touch with them and learned to not be afraid of them. I cried for the 1st time in 21 years in April and my emotions have been getting heavier ever since. I have a patern of sobriety for 4-5 years and then something in life happens that I don’t have the emotional intelligence for and I struggle for a year and repeat. This is the 6th cycle like this. I’m ready for the permanent exit from this cycle. I think my emotional well-being would play a huge part.
My pleasure! God, how hard it must have been to retain suffering all this time. I think that crying is the way and if it is accompanied by people, sports and good nutrition, better. Hugs
Your best bet is to see an addiction psychiatrist (fellowship trained in addiction medicine in addition to psychiatry). You really need expert care and a full diagnostic evaluation to know what exactly you have and how you should ideally be treated. If you don't have insurance, you might qualify for a sliding scale payment plan at a local community mental health center or medical school psychiatry department. I hope you find someone who can help! Best wishes to you.
why does it seem like the people that responded to this do not take stimulants 😂 and are trying to give advice on something they know nothing about??? So weird.
I take adderall. I actually am prescribed the instant release and the XR- extended release for all of you who don’t take stimulants but are so interested. I am supposed to take the instant release in the morning and XR abt 2 pm. However, I am in the same boat as you.. if I run out if adderall it is a nightmare- I am not able to function. I like can’t get up- it’s like narcoleptic. And we know why…
I understand where you are coming from. I have gone to intensive outpatient programs for drinking… and I’m drinking again. With these things I tend to “overshoot”… and at this time, I don’t want to give either up. Which sucks - I wish I a highly functional adult that was addicted to healthy eating lol or something healthy…
Through my experiences, I recommend NA. Or, you can go to AA… addiction is addiction and 12 step meetings are 12 step meetings- they just change a few words when everyone recites the pre-amble at the beginning… and “it works if you work it”. Having the support of people that understand makes it easier
Quitting anything is very hard lol but don’t give up… I’ve gone a few years not doing anything and go back to the not great version of myself…
I commend you for your honesty.
Something that has helped, let’s say for drinking- is replacing the drink with something else- like club soda maybe with a splash of that liquid stuff you add to water- I forget what it’s called…
I feel like for a stimulant- vitamins help … alpha Lipoic acid, L-carnitine. B-12 is great. Lysine… these are things I have taken in the past even adding to my stimulant when it stops working bc our bodies get used to the stimulant and it just doesn’t work like it used to lol I highly recommend these supplements- look them up. ***
I wish you the best of luck. It’s a journey. You can do it.
Hey TJ, thanks for the reply. I appreciate the perspective. There is a good NA group that I am going to try to start going to. I have given myself the month off to recover from this and my girl who does not use has agreed to move in and help me with this. She is an amazing distraction. We have been trying to replace dopamine with dopamine. Meaning we are having sex 2+ times a day. We are on day 5 and it is working very well. When I need to get back into a routine I think I am going to need to get back on a stimulant. I'll look into the nootropics as well. I have been waiting to get sober for more than 6 months so that I can try microdosing.
I forgot to add your RX sounds interesting. I was taking the same but the XR in the morning to last all day and the instant release in the afternoon so that it would wear off in time to sleep at night. Funny thing, but I never nap as hard as when I have just taken the instant release.
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