Morning Battles

[teenadhd]

     I desperately need help.  My 17 year old son (diagnosed with ADHD several years ago) is impossible to get out of bed in the morning.  He can literally sleep through three alarm clocks.  He has been known to break alarm clocks, too.  Trying to wake him for work or school is a constant battle.  I am so stressed before leaving for work, I'm near tears.  Sometimes it takes me five trips into his room before he'll get out of bed.  He angry if he has to wake before he wants to get up.  He can literally sleep until 1:00 P M if we'd let him.  He's going to be starting his senior year in high school in a few weeks.  I don't think I have the strength to do battle every morning this coming school year.  He's a great kid, but he doesn't go to sleep until very late and then can't wake in the morning.  I understand this is part of having adhd.  But, I need help.  He's got to be able to get himself out of bed.  There's no way he can go away to college  if he can't get himself out of bed when the alarm goes off.  And, he also forgets to take his medicine sometimes...even when I lay it out for him.  Please help me.  How can I help my son get up in the morning and become vigilant about taking his pills?  
     By the way, he takes a natural supplement.  He's now taking Attend and Extress.  We tried Stratterra, but he threw-up every morning, even on a low dose.  It also stunted his growth and we noticed anger issues popping up on Stratterra.  My husband and I don't want to use any prescription meds for him if we don't absolutely have to.  The side effects are terrifying.  Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

[teenadhd]

     Actually, the morning battles have taken place for going on two years now.  It's not just a summer thing.  This is a 365 day a year battle.  It seems as he's gotten older, it's more and more difficult to get him out of bed.  My husband says our son relies on me getting him out of bed and that's why he sleeps through three alarms.  I think that's true in part, but the ADHD also plays a big part.  
     My son says he can't make himself go to sleep at a decent time.  During the school year, he has a 10:30 curfew and he is to be in bed by 11:00 PM.  He says he can't stop his mind from racing sometimes.  Other times, he watches tv quietly until he feels tired.  But, that might not be until midnight or 1:00 AM.  Then, the morning battles begin.  
     I'm also very concerned about the fact that he simply forgets to take his pills.  They'll be right in front of him in the bathroom and he says he got up late and was running late, so he didn't take them.  Even if I leave a big note, he'll still "forget" to take them.  

[Sandman2]

  I have a 24 year old son who will sleep till noon if he gets the chance and he doesn't have ADHD.  Its got a lot to do with summer and staying up late.  Once school starts it will be real important to get into a routine.  Most schools don't deal with tardies very well.  Let them deal with the problem.  Ask him how you can help.  If he has always adapted, he probably will do it again.
  College is crazy.  My son just scheduled all this classes in the afternoon and was a very happy camper.