Adderall Addiction

I'm not sure where or how to begin. I found out yesterday (for the first time) that adderall (adderrall) is addictive. I've been buying and taking it for about 2.5mths now, and based on what I've read,I believe I'm addicted. When I got my first one in late October, I was assured (numerous times) by my friend that they were not addictive, and I could take as many as I wanted. Well, I did just that,and I liked that feeling so much that I've been buying them ever since. Sometimes I take one a day, and on other days, I take 2. I actually put one under my pillow every single night so it's the first thing I reach for when my alarm goes off in the morning. It all makes sense now, but I didn't realize how much I've depending on it over the past couple of months. I'm a single mom of a 6 year old, and I find that when I take this pill, no chore is too tedious, and no problem too serious...

Well, I've decided it's time to stop. As of today (12/14), I have 20 pills left. My son is going to DisneyWorld with his dad and grandfather for a week (they leave the 23rd),and I've decided to quit then. I'm literally just going to STOP taking 'em. I understand that I'll be depressed, lethargic, irritable and all that, but is there anything else anyone can share with me that might help? Also, I understand that seeking professional help might be something some people might suggest, but this is unfortunately not an option for me...The time and resources are essentials that I lack in my life right now. I work long hours, and have no care for my son when I'm not... Thank you guys so much.

[cakegirl]

Hi, from your post, I am assuming that you are not prescribed adderall (adderrall). I am prescribed it for adhd. My doc. told me that it is only in your system for about 4 hours. I have to take 20mg. 2x a day. then afternoon I don't take it so I can sleep. However, that being said, I have abused it too. I have crushed and snorted it. that is not worth it, it works less that way, so that was just an experiment and very short lived. Anyways, I totally see how it could make you have the symptoms you listed, but they really should be short lived. I say this because I know children that take it during the school week, and then they don't take it on weekends. If the physical addiction potential is truly a factor, then how would these kid manage? I think adderall (adderrall) is VERY mentally addictive. In my experience at least. I first read about it in the new yorker magazine several years ago. I think the article is called Generation RX. It talked about the medical community possibilly prescribing it for helping people get off coke. Some on this site think it is worse than coke. I don't take mine everyday, some times I just want to rest and take a break, and my worst wd symptom is hunger. I lost weight from this drug and that is about it. Maybe I am tired, but as mothers, we need to take down time for ourselves, right? I hope this gives you a little insight, but again I have the disorder and when taken makes me calmer. Write back, OK? Good luck.

[lookingforsupport]

Thank you for responding. It was definitely reassuring to read your words and the 'matter-of-fact' way in which you stated them. You're right; I don't think those children who take breaks from the pill would be able to function if it was a physical addiction... I'd actually never thought about it that way.

I feel a lot better now... I know the first day or two will be incredibly tiring for me, but I'm sure I'll be fine... Thank you!

[jgolbe]

Hi Looking, my name's Jon, I represent a small production company based in Brooklyn.  We're working on a documentary about ADD and would like to contact you for a possible interview.  Please email me at jgolbe [at] wesleyan [dot] edu.  Thanks

[CollegeStudent23]

I've been taking adderall (adderrall) for 4 months now for school (I'm 23 years old and work full time).

I stopped taking it 10 days ago when my semester ended but I'm going to start again soon. I haven't noticed any headaches or anything, but I really really want to take it again. I feel like if I don't use it I won't be able to do anything hard or complicated.

I don't think you're going to notice any physical signs of withdrawl (withdrawal), but its definitely going to be harder to get a ton of stuff done. Just think of not being on adderall (adderrall) as going back to your old self.

p.s. (i consume massive amounts of coffee to deal with always feeling tired).

[ChasChanel]

Adderall is by far, in my opinion, the worst thing someone could ever take. I was prescribed to Adderall (adderrall) six years ago and became quickly addicted. My mother realized there was a problem when an entire bottle would be gone long before time to refill. She informed my doctor and I was taken off of it. I began to illlegally obtain it from friends, which has only spiraled into more and more problems. Adderall (adderrall) is terrible. After awhile you will become so horribly paranoid that any noise you hear will be immediately assumed to be someone or something coming to kill you or break into your house. You will develop tics that are uncontrollable and embarrassing, trust me, I know firsthand. Taking it everyday for six years has made me feel like a worthless person. I want nothing more than to be able to function like a normal person without Adderall (adderrall). Getting off of it is so difficult. Losing weight will seem great at first, but after awhile your body will become emaciated. You will only wish you could eat, and you will struggle to gain weight. Eventually, Adderall (adderrall) will become the only focus of your life and everyday will become a hunt for the drug. Psychotic behavior and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder will arise and only worsen with use of Adderall (adderrall). Please take my advice and discontinue using it asap. I promise you will be so much happier in the long run without it.

[ferretsrule]

I agree it is a bad med.
I just flushed more than 20 down the toielt.
I bought a script of 30 and started to take them for the energy.
Then I was starting to stay up all night worrying about everything under the sun.I was not eating it was truly screwing with my mind.
I have done the adderall (adderrall) thing every month for two three days at a time,this time however changed the way I feel about the drug that why they went in the toielt.

[adddieboozebag]

Well I am sitting here after being awake for over 30 hrs. I was prescribed to adderall (adderrall) 5 yrs ago when I started college and was having trouble keeping up. I had a friend who was taking it and started doing great in school, so I talked to my doc about getting on it. Unfortunately I had struggled with a learning disablity my entire life and my doctor was very open to the idea that I had also struggled with ADD and had been undiagnosed. At first I didn't have a problem @ all, I actually sold it or gave it away more than I took it. However as school became harder and harder and my nursing clinicals started to come earlier and earlier in the morning, started to take it more frequently and began to see very positive results I also started to become greedy with the drug I was once handing out like tictacs. When I was finished with school I had to study for my nursing  boards  and I was taking adderall (adderrall) habitually. Things really began to spiral out of control when I got a Night job in a Hospital on a Tele floor. The Adderall (adderrall) was a god sent, I could bust my *** for 12hrs and not even stop. When 30mg quickly became 40 then 60-80 and I started to feel constant burning and pressure in my chest did I consisder  that I truly had a problem. I had no Idea what was in store for me. This Stimulant addiction quickly fueled another addiction one that is just as deadly if not more. I started to drink all the time. Especially when I came home from working the night shift. I used the booze to come down and sleep from the adderall (adderrall), This **** really ***** you up Please don't put ur kids on it you will live to regret it big time trust me I have been there

[soulloss]

I can so relate! I'm going through this right now. I'm scared and alone cause I have to keep this a secret or ill lose everything in my life! Help!!

[aa243]

First off, most of you that are giving adderall (adderrall) such a bad name are very wrong.  The problem is you were diagnosed wrong, you didn't need adderall (adderrall) and if you did you most likely didnt have add or adhd. If you have add or adhd and take adderall (adderrall) it slows your mind down, therefore preventing day dreaming and other characteristics allowing you to accomplish tasks and memorize better.  Also if you really and truly have add or adhd it will not produce the speed like effect/euphoria that gets people addicted.  If you do your research, a very  high percentage of drug users have add or adhd. As my doctor said, the brain is wired backwards for people with this disorder and adderall (adderrall) this.  Another thing is most of you have not had previous addictions, therefore allowing you to get easily addicted to adderall (adderrall).  If you have been addicted to cocaine then you know that adderall (adderrall) doesn't even compare to the strong stimulant effects of cocaine.  I compare adderal to coffee, most daily coffee drinkers are addicted to caffeine and cant function and have withdrawals if they don't have there daily cups of coffee and the mind of someone addicted to caffeine is a mind that has not experienced addiction of HIGHLY addictive and the most addictive substances in the world such as opiates (heroin&Oxycontin) and also addicted to cocaine at the same time. I suffered with addiction primarily to opiates and cocaine and a few other drugs for 4 years and once I was prescribed adderall (adderrall) I had no urge to use anymore, as the brain begins to make better decisions distinguishing from right and wrong.  When you have had a previous addictions then stopping adderall (adderrall) or getting hooked on adderall (adderrall) is a joke compared to other drugs. Adderall (adderrall) is a very helpful drug and if taken as said on the bottle then you will enjoy a much more productive life with a low possibly of addiction.

[rrochon]

Hi, I have a daughter who is addicted to pain killers and alcohol. Are you saying that adderrall can cure or alleviate addictions? Please email me direct, because I am not on this group normally.

rrochon13 at comcast dot net.

Thanks,

****

[sueggen]

You're right. Most on this board are using the drug for the wrong reasons. Blame the docs for using for off label purposes, thus prescribing to wrong people. For those who have their children on it, remember you are their advocate, so it is important you monitor their dosage. If your child appears "flat" then dosage is probably too high. My daughter has been taking just 10mg (a day) for two years(off on weekends, summer, vacation) without any adverse effects. This drug does not work as a stimulant for those with add adhd, so if your child is presenting stimulant induced symptoms, then he/she shouldn't be on it.  I think this is what causes the addictions.

[wat2do86]

I have pretty severe ADD and I've been taking adderall (adderrall) for ten years now. I started when I was 14. The first 3 years of taking it I always followed a schedule and took one pill the same time every morning. After that I tried taking 2 a day then 3 and did that for about a year. Now during these first 4 years I was consistently using several different recreational drugs as well but after high school I stopped using drugs and  went back to regular schedule on the adderall (adderrall).
    When I started working I excelled at my job because I was taking my proper dose and it really helped me focus. Then I got promoted and my life sped up. I started taking more adderall (adderrall) to compensate and ended up running out before the end of the month. When I ran out is when my productivity would really slip. Every review I got I would be criticized for my inconsistency. I started taking a couple of days off a month just to detox and got in trouble for my attendance.
   When I met my wife life slowed down and I went back to a regular consistent schedule with taking the pill. When we got married is when life started to race and now with our newborn son I'm taking up to five pills a day just to keep up. I feel centered and focused when I take it but afterwards I feel terrible for wasting a full months worth of pills in one or two weeks. I don't want to stop taking adderall (adderrall) because it really helps me with my ADD. I just want to go back to taking it properly. I felt so much better then. The problem is that my life is so completely void of any sort of routine because of my random work schedule and the chaos of being a father that its hard to just slip back into a regular schedule.  

[Iwant2Bclean]

I abused Adderall (adderrall) for about 5 years. My Dr put me on it due to having Chronic Fatique.I was prescribed 2 10mg a day and I would run out in a week or so. The only thing I noticed when I didn't have them is lack of energy but that was the reason I was taking them to begin with. I still take it and for the most part I take it like I am prescribed but every now and again I like to have the feeling Adderall (adderrall) gives me. In my opinion there is no physical WD's from Adderall (adderrall). And I am no stranger to actual physical WD's. For 14 years I was addicted to any pain pill I could get my hands on. Good luck
Krissy