ADHD meds and addiction - ADD / ADHD Message Board

addprogrammer · 03-25-2009, 01:13 PM

If you have or ever had addiction problems and suspect or know you have ADHD, here is what you MUST do:

1. See a psychiatrist.
2. Be brutally, painfully honest with pdoc.
3. If pdoc prescribles a stimulate, NEVER up the dose without approval.
4. If you violate 3, you must rat on yourself immediately.

Let's assume case 4 to illustrate perfect test if you have a psychiatrist or a bozo shrink working on YOUR brain.

You: Doc, I took a couple three, four extra Adderalls. I need help.

Doc: Why?

You: Well, I wanted to party Friday night and I was feeling low.

Doc flames you and sternly warns you not to do it again or you lose your meds.

OR

You: I was working, couldn't focus, afraid I'd lose job.

Doc: Next time please ask first. Then he adjusts your dose.

If your doctor responds any other way FIRE THE IDIOT on the spot and go find yourself a psychiatrist.

Your job is to be brutally, painfully HONEST.

Doc's job is to believe you and remedy you.

Do like I told you and won't have to worry about readdiction.

I have spoken. Let it be written. Four years worth or hard earned wisdom FREE. Appreciated it.

I got to work. See you'll later.

Bob

janewhite1 · 03-25-2009, 01:28 PM

As always, Bob, your clear sight is appreciated.

Mistyeyze · 03-26-2009, 05:14 PM

Bob I was under the impression that adderall is NOT addictive, and can be stopped at any time with out withdrawl, etc? Is this accurate?

I was also told Lexapro was not addictive, and that was BS, I had physical withdrawl from Lexapro and it lasted MONTHS -- the brain zaps people don't get informed about are very real, I know I went through it.

I told my doctor I did not want to take anything that could cause physical withdrawl!

janewhite1 · 03-26-2009, 06:07 PM

ADHD theraputic dosages should not produce significant withdrawl symptoms. You might experience headaches, drowsiness or increased ADHD symptoms for a couple days after quitting, but that's it. Like giving up, say, 2 cups of coffee a day.

If one were to increase the dosage far beyond the theraputic range, however, the addiction potential gets downright nasty.

addprogrammer · 03-26-2009, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mistyeyze

Bob I was under the impression that adderall is NOT addictive, and can be stopped at any time with out withdrawl, etc? Is this accurate?

I was also told Lexapro was not addictive, and that was BS, I had physical withdrawl from Lexapro and it lasted MONTHS -- the brain zaps people don't get informed about are very real, I know I went through it.

I told my doctor I did not want to take anything that could cause physical withdrawl!

Mistyeyze,

Physical addiction means our bodies exhibit disease like symptoms when the substance is abrutly discontinued. Lexapro is physically addictive. Adderall is not. Ask any doctor for Lexapro and you got it.

Why the Schedule II on Adderall? Adderall is prone to abuse because too much produces euphoria. Euphoria feels good. Some people, if not most people, can develope a craving for the pleasurable feeling. The craving is psychological addiction and can be exponentially more difficult to break than physical addiction. Some drugs such as morphine come with both types of addictions.

Adderall at therapeutic doses does not produce euphoria. If taken strictly as prescibed the risk of psychological addiction is very low. Some of us such as myself at one time abused methamphetamine because we have ADHD. Can we take Adderall and resist the urge to take more? Yes. I do it. How? I do what I posted. I am brutally honest with my pdoc. He's good. He trusts me. He believes me. He remedies me. My ADHD is nicely managed and I'm NOT addicted to anything except chocolate ice cream.

Bob