Adderall for cocaine/meth addict???

[Girl27]

My bestfriend is a recovering (2 1/2 months clean) cocaine and crystal meth addict (among other addictions as has a typical addictive personality)  who has been seeing a phsychiatrist for a little over a month now. My PROBLEM  is I am seriously QUESTIONING this doctors approach to treatment. He hasn't ever suggested any type of NA or AA and now he has presribed him Adderall (adderrall) (with a a diagnosis of Adult Adhd)!!  WHY ON EARTH WOULD would you ever prescribe a highly addictive stimulant to someone who is addicted to stimulants?? Now perhaps the ADHD diagnosis is correct (hints the addictive personality,etc.) but EVERYTHING i have read on Adderall (adderrall) says "you should not take Adderall (adderrall) if you have a history of drug and/or alcohol abuse". Also, we have consulted another psychiatrist who agreed. It's not like he's been 2 years sober, it's only been near 2 months! A stuggling 2 months at that! I am so worried, please help.

[sweeterin]

I've had an adderall (adderrall) prescription for about five years now.  I continue to use it when I feel that I really need it (i.e., can't possibly finish a paper without it), but otherwise try to stay away from it due to my past experiences with it.  My feeling is that it's a nasty, nasty drug.  It's very easy to build a tolerance to it - after not too long the low doses don't work anymore.  I was taking 45 mgs up to 4 times a day... and I've known people who have had to take more in order to feel the effects.  When I was taking 45mgs at a time, I found that if I didn't take it I felt lethargic, depressed, and unable to concentrate whatsoever.  But then, when I did take it, I had tremendous headaches.  I decided to quit cold turkey and had horrible, horrible withdrawals.  

Adderall (adderrall) is a drug that they don't know much about, but it's a stimulant just like cocaine and meth that can cause many, many health problems that can land people in hospitals.  (Adderall (adderrall) = methamphetamine salts.)  

You are right that this psychiatrist's prescription of adderall (adderrall) is inappropriate.  

If you can, encourage you friend to try to conquer his addiction on his own.  The only thing I've found that works at all for me as a substitute is caffeine.  Coffee and soda can actually be pretty effective stimulants - just remember to drink plenty of water as they can also be dehydrating.

Good luck.

Your friend is lucky to have you in his life.
Best,
E

[JoJo437]

Indeed, Adderall (adderrall) is a very dangerous and highly addictive drug, however, please do not readily dismiss it before you consider the following.

ADHD, especially if left untreated, is a disorder that can cause severe emotional, social, legal and physical (health) problems. This is true in both adults and children. Have you ever wondered why your friend became a drug addict in the first place? I mean people don't just wake up and decide that; "Today is the day that I'm going to destroy my life with cocaine and crystal meth.!!"

Low self esteem, rejection and feelings of inferiority are all very commonplace in people with ADHD, especially if they remain untreated until adulthood; and that is why that many people who have ADHD have a history of some form of substance abuse, whether it is with alcohol or some other form of drug.

You must understand that ADHD restricts the amount of dopamine that is produced in the brain, and it is dopamine that allows us to feel good or happy in our lives. Needless to say, that having chemical control (Adderall (adderrall)) over how much dopamine your brain produces is very dangerous for any person for obvious reasons. But you must also consider the possibility that your friend was using illegal drugs because of this dopamine deficiency as well.

You must consult a third, or even forth, doctor before taking him off Adderall (adderrall). If you were to withdraw the Adderall (adderrall) and as a result his dopamine levels fell to below average or normal levels again (which they most certainly would), you risk throwing him into a full blown "RELAPSE" with the coke and meth. Understand, your friend may need Adderall (adderrall) not as a drug to be different, but as a drug to be normal!!!

Adderall (adderrall) may help your friend to reclaim his/her life as it has with so many others; and if you are concerned about him/her abusing it, as you should be, there are alternatives such as supervised administration. Your friend can be given 1 pill per/day as prescribed his/her doctor. The prescription can be held by you, a friend, a family member, his/her doctors staff, a counselor, a sponsor, or some secret third party that no-one knows about.

I am a recovering alcoholic who currently takes Adderall (adderrall) and who is also enrolled in cognitive therapy for my ADHD. I hope to one day retire the drugs completely as well. I did not begin taking Adderall (adderrall) until I was over two years sober however, but that two year period was hell as I was constantly battling against this dopamine deficiency in my brain (bad moods-irritability-resentment-fear).

I am somewhat comfortable, yet hesitant, in taking Adderall (adderrall) because I understand today that my alcohol abuse was directly linked to my ADHD, and Adderall (adderrall) is a management tool that I use to cope with my disorder while alcohol was something I used for a totally different reason. That is to say that I used alcohol to hide from life, I use Adderall (adderrall) to live it!!

Through cognitive therapy, which your friend should definately be involved in, I am learning to raise the dopamine levels in my brain naturally and without any drugs at all. I'll repeat that "YOU CAN LEARN TO RAISE THE DOPAMINE LEVELS IN YOUR BRAIN NATURALLY THROUGH COGNITIVE THERAPY".

This process, however, takes time and many hours of disciplined effort before you see the results, but you will see them if you stick with it!

In closing, you friend is definately in a sticky situation in that giving addictive drugs to a recovering drug addict seems ridiculous at first, however, please allow for the possibility that he/she may need this drug to gain a foolthold on his/her situation. Also, drugs taken under a doctors care and supervision for a bona fide medical disorder is different from buying stuff from slippery-pete down at the local tavern for a Saturday Night rush.

If drug abuse begins, the doctor can withdraw the prescription. In the meantime however, If your friend is;

1. Taking a modest, doctor recommended, amount of Adderall (adderrall) to deal with ADHD symptoms:
2.

[JoJo437]

"Sorry-finger hit "Post Comment" in error" continue....
2. Is enrolled in cognitive therapy with the intention of eliminating, or minimizing, the drugs use entirely.
3. Is pursuing support through NA or AA or some other support group and is;
4. Surrounded by loved ones, family and friends for support and monotoring...

Depriving him/her of Adderall (adderrall) may not be helping him/her, but may in fact be pushing him/her back towards the edge of insanity.

This is just food for thought.

[woozy]

Well, it's known that meth and coke destroy dopamine receptors yet it's not well known if the brain recovers completely though it's likely different for any individual. My concern is that your friend's abuse has caused a depletion of dopamine and NOW has symptoms of ADHD. Anyone who knows the addictive personality, knows that it takes tremendous resolve to overcome an addiction, like you JoJo. You remained sober for 2 years before seeking out treatment. And alcohol is a depressant rather than a stimulant, and I don't think it hammers the dopamine receptors nearly as effectively as coke and meth. I would really be hesitant to prescribe adderall (adderrall) to someone so recently out of woods so to speak. There are other medications that address ADHD without the high abuse potential, for instance Wellbutrin, or Strattera, and Wellbutrin mildly boosts dopamine also. When I was prescribed Adderall (adderrall), my doctors tried both Wellbutrin and Strattera first and then screened me for addiction vigorously before prescribing this drug. I would say, like JoJo, one must first show a commitment to not abusing drugs before one gets a prescription for Adderall (adderrall). I personally think it's a bad idea at this juncture. An addictive person is often treating themselves for many things..either concurrent with ADHD or not. Though I do think, on the other hand, that if your friend starts abusing the drug it may become apparent fairly quickly. But my husband has abused adderall (adderrall) in the past and has managed to snowball me by just toughing it out to the next prescription. There's nothing like a future guaranteed high to keep you focused and determined while going through withdrawal. And my husband as very bad ADHD..which doesn't seem to be helped by Adderall (adderrall) any more. And he will abuse drugs given the opportunity, so I don't think Adderall (adderrall) was a miracle cure for him at all. So, after that tangent, I will just say I think that doctor is being a bit reckless, to put it mildly, and I don't blame you for your concern.

[trebby]

I have been trying to research all the "ADHD" drugs since my son has been prescribed "Vyanase" for ADHD with effects much like those of cocaine. I have found out that Ritalin and most of these drugs have the same amphetamine salts used to make meth. I can just imagine the future of our children being introduced to the drugs so early. The pharmaceutical companies and the drug dealers are making a killing out of killing our future. Its such a tradegy and it is legal!!!!

[olgie]

Okay. Adderall (adderrall) IS highly addictive. I am prescribed to it, but I still think I am more addicted to it. But not out of control and the benefits I get are greater, almost enought to override the addicting properties. But anyway.. don't freak out about what the doctor is doing. It makes sense. Hard to explain. But if the body was chemically addicted to meth and cocaine, the worst thing you can do is completely stop taking the drug, because your body goes out of balance. To fully recover the addiction, you need to take it one step at a time and Adderall (adderrall) is great, because it is kinda like giving the body a low dose of cocaine, to let the body less dependent of the the harder drugs, before completely quiting.

[Forgiven070x7]

I am a recovering addict with severe ADD and I take 40mg of Adderall (adderrall) XR daily.  ADD that is properly diagnosed and treated, the treatment will help the symptoms that we used to self medicate. No one with true ADD can become addicted to this stimulant because it does not act as a stimulant in an ADD mind. I can take my medication, eat then take a nap. I asked my doctor why it effects me that way and the opposite way in my 10 year old son. He says it responds differently in adults. I am living proof. Before being diagnosed and treated ( while in recovery) I had a .93 GPA in college. I just gradated with honors with a 3.5 GPA and have been treated for ADD a little over a year. It is three fold just like my addiction.... I can not only get well through medication. I have to modify my behaviors and undergo cognitive therapy as well. It can be done.

[daveycrocket]

i am in a similer situation as your friend, and i must say it all depends on his/her future intentions for the use. as i have had adhd since middle school i had crapy grades/work history/social life while "sober" i have abused every drug ive ever herd of and am now nearly 9 months sober. i started taking aderall two  months sober and its worked great, but i also tried abusing stratera (Strattera) a month "sober"(snorted it...DONT DO THAT LOL) if he functioned well without drugs then he may be trying to abuse them, some doctors will give you whatever they think you want to make a buck. but if he cant manage his life sober then he may need drugs. bottom line is, you have to remember that it is his choice, in my hatered of drugs i didnt like my best friend on concerta, but again, he needed it seriously. just keep an eye on him/her... and comunicate. if he handles his life then it may be just what he/she needs.

[bounceback]

You have a good grasp on brain chemistry it seems. I would like to recommend Life Extension magazine at

http://www.lef.org/magazine/index.htm

Just type dopamine into their search engine and you will be amazed and pleasantly surprised by the science. I use a lot of different drugs for a lot of different reasons. I more often use vitamins, supplements, antioxidants and herbs. It is all about chemistry and balance. Life Extension Magazine is like my bible.

I have two rules I live by when medicating:

1. What goes up must come down or you will burn out. What goes down must come up or you won't pay the bills.

2. All things in moderation

I use to take Mau Huang to get through finals in college. I would also take L-phenylalanine with vitamin b complex (the ingredients in 5 hour energy shot). This would create mega epinephrine that the Mau Huang would release. the synapses kept firing fast and steady. My mind was ravines. I could not put down the books. Before I found these crutches I was pretty lame. I made C's and D's in High School. I daydreamed constantly. I had no discipline.

When finals were over and I had my A's I would take Valerian root to relax and sleep for the whole weekend. When I needed the Mau Huang again it didn't take much. Any drug can burn you out and you will become resistant to it. The body is striving for balance, life requires charges and retreats. Use the drugs and herbs when you need them but don't be a user. Replenish the body with supplements and rest.

My A's helped me get to a retired life in Hawaii. Now I have a  compressed spine (lumbar stenosis) from my active athletic life style. I am taking Norco which is 10 mg of hydrocodone (opiate narcotic) with the  minimal amount  of acetaminophen 325 mg. Tylenol will destroy your liver so I take Milk Thistle to repair my liver.

The narcotic won't hurt you much but it is addictive. So I take my Norco for three or four days and get my work done. Then I go off the pain pills for two days and lie on the beach with a couple of Coronas. I go through mild withdrawal but I don't crash and I don't have to keep taking more pills to get the pain relief.

To use drugs and not be an addict means that you are in control of the drugs. The only way to do that is to go through mini withdrawals and let the body purge gently. Life is like a Ferris Wheel. Enjoy the ride and allow for ups and downs. The right amount of the right drug at the right time can improve your life. But take breaks from all of them.

The hardest drug for me to control is prescription marijuana. So I put my husband in charge of that. He has strict instructions from me to only give me one dose every few days while we watch the sunset. It works better that way, providing a complete and total relief from physical and mental pain. If I take it everyday it doesn't do that. Caffeine is by far my worst addiction, I only have one cup of espresso in the morning but I break my own rule and do it every day. I have a glass of red wine with dinner a few times a week.

Addiction is like the kid that can't stop eating candy on Halloween and then gets sick, every Halloween. I was that kid, and my parents didn't help me, but my husband does. He teaches Thai Chi. Now that I am over 50 I can have two chocolates out of the box and then put it out of sight. I still can't leave the box open in front of me, and I won't go a day without coffee unless I run out, and if I do the headache hurts like hell.

I came to this site out of curiosity. A friend gave me an Adderall (adderrall) because I was crying from the pressure of cooking Christmas dinner and wrapping presents. We should have just gone out for dinner and got those gift bags, but the Adderall (adderrall) did the trick. It felt just like the Mau Huang extract I use to take in college. Sure enough,  Adderall (adderrall) is Methamphetamine is Ephedra is Mau Huang is an ancient Chinese herb (or close enough). It's been going on for 1000's of years. Happiness, a long life, and many children...and happy holidays too.

I was diagnosed with ADD as a child. My parents refused to give me drugs. I drove them crazy and ate way too much candy. I got D's and F's in elementary school. They were tolerant, so is my husband. My teachers and employers never were. Maybe I will add Adderall (adderrall) to my pantry with the hot sauce and garlic. Maybe it would help me finally get that PHD after I get my x stop implants.....LOL.... Maybe life starts at 60.

[LetaB]

   I just wanted to winess to the fact that Adderall (adderrall) is completely nonaddictive to those of us that truly suffer from ADD. I am 44 and diagnosed with ADD and Bipolarism. My B.P. is very depressive in it's nature so my psychiatrist allows me to continue taking the Adderall (adderrall) which I have taken for 10 years. I have gone off of it many times because of lack of funds, lack of interest, etc. and, although I functioned less efficiently and got way less done I never had cravings for it.

[yelsea]

I agree with you. I was addicted to Adderall (adderrall) (I stole them from a friend) before I even tried cocaine. Once I started cocaine I realized it was a lot better, and my friend was starting to get suspicious anyway. It doesn't have the exact same affect, but it definitely gets you high in the same "up" way, and was a good substitute for me when I couldn't get a hold of coke. There is also a come down from Adderall (adderrall) that might make him want to go use coke to pick him back up.
When I put down cocaine, I was prescribed Wellbutrin to help my dopamine reactors adjust and help me with depression, which I had been self medicating for a long time. I felt invincible on this stuff. It was amazing. I took six right away (six is my lucky dosage with everything...) when I was only supposed to take one. I got sick, obviously, and my mom (whom I live with) now gives it to me when I am supposed to take it because I can't be held responsible with the stuff. I have a little over 8 months of using nothing but scripts as they have been prescribed, but I know if my mom left me with that bottle of Wellbutrin for a weekend, that stuff would be gone. I say that to tell you, even when this guy has 2 years... that doesn't mean he won't get high if he talks himself into it. Addicts are very good liars, even to ourselves.
I mildly overdosed on rall once and it's very similar to being dope sick. For now, tell him about that because it ***** SOOOOOO MUUUUCH. The difference between Wellbutrin and Adderall (adderrall), though, is that you have to keep increasing your dosage with rall because your body becomes used to it. I've taken the same amount of butrin I've been prescribed from the beginning and it still works well. I take a pill in the morning and one in the afternoon, but they also have slow release which is good if he's apt to crush or cook, because you can't separate the slow release from the drug.
I wish the best for your friend. I definitely suggest a new doctor, but in the end it will be his decision. Unless he is a minor. Let him know that you care about him and you don't want to see him get bad again. Knowing that someone cares can do wonders when you are actually ready to quit. If he's not ready, he probably won't care at this moment, but he will know in the future that you want to help.
Good luck, and don't let it bring you down.

[kas50]

If that  Dr. knew he was an addict and still prescribed the Adderall (adderrall), that Dr. is a complete idiot and completely out of touch with reality. take it from one who knows!

[dkpoto]

The beginning of this discussed whether a former cocaine/meth addict should take Adderall (adderrall). My answer is no, because Adderall (adderrall) is in the family of stimulants and can easilty be abused, just like Ritalin and Concerta.


For more information on Adderall (adderrall), try http://www.adhd-information-exchange.com/Adderall-Prescription.html.

[bonfanti]

Adderall is VERY addictive. Whether or not the prescription you are referencing is appropriate I do not know. You should be proud of yourself for being concerned about your friend. In this case, it seems like the medical professional is trying to ween your friend of of cocaine/methamphetamine by having them take adderall (adderrall). This sounds kind of like what methadone (also addictive, although less than heroin) is supposed to do for heroin addicts. What I can tell you is that adderall (adderrall) is basically a less powerful form of cocaine/methamphetamine, and in my opinion is just as addictive. For this reason, I would encourage your friend to stop taking adderall (adderrall) as soon as they feel that they can do it. Even though I am not a licensed medical practitioner, I can say with 100% confidence that I would NEVER prescribe adderall (adderrall) to someone who is suffering from addiction (any kind). I knew for a fact I was not ADD/ADHD the first time I took adderall (adderrall). One 10 mg pill made me feel like I was king of the world. For people who actually have ADD/ADHD and can benefit from adderall (adderrall) it has a calming effect. Indeed, many people are prescribed adderall (adderrall)/ritalin who do not need it, and this is a major problem. It is also true, as stated by others on this forum that your body develops a tolerance to adderall (adderrall) relatively quickly. As a result, it is typical for prescription amounts to increase rather than decrease (which seemingly the doctor is trying to do here for your friend). In my opinion, this is a slippery slope. Amphetamines are very dangerous and highly addictive in ANY form, and adderall (adderrall) is no exception. As someone who has struggled with addiction, I would say the best forms of treatment are personal/spiritaul/support system. The bottom line is once an addict always an addict. Again, pat yourself on the back for being concerned about your friend. Do not be shy about talking to him/her about their problem. Let them know that they are not alone, and that millions of people are going through the exact same thing that they are. There is hope, but this is something that your friend will need to deal with their entire life. The adderall (adderrall) is just another fix, and they should be wary of using it as a crutch. For now, they should do what the doctor says, but I strongly feel that the prescription of adderall (adderrall) in order to ween a cocaine/meth addict of said drugs is highly dubious at best. BEST, bonfanti.

[allmymarbles]

Is it possible your friend did not tell his psychiatrist he had been addicted to the very thing he is prescribing? Or is he one of those doctors who actually enables addicts? After all, people like Michael Jackson ware aided by a "doctor."

[Sandman2]

Lot of really interesting comments in this forum.  Since the original post was 2 years ago, it would be nice if Girl27 ever responded.  Still its interesting to read the comments - some good personal observations here.