Why does it calm me down?

[beentrying2quit]

Like my name says...I've been trying 2 quit for quite some time....I'm now on my 9 try this week..LOL.  ANyway...I notice that even when I take half a pill I calm down.  I realize this is probably my addiction but noticed that the major ingrediant in A.D.D. mdication is a narcotic.  I notice this in my son....when I give him his meds he becoms calm and realxed.  Any correlation?

[anotherfinemess]

The drugs for ADD have what's called a paradoxical effect on kids, meaning they have the opposite effect.  Ritalin, Adderall, they are all stimulants which, paradoxically, have a calming effect on kids.   In high schools, kids sell their ADD drugs, because for some kids they do act as a stimulant, and some kids actually use them for cramming for tests or for weight loss.

[marcatj]

... and to answer your original question, no - they are different drugs - there is no correlation.

[marcatj]

Yeah, Ritalin and other ADHD meds don't have opiates in them... it does have speed (anphetmines) like mentioned above, and the theory is that it works differently for kids - and adults - with ADD/ADHD as it slows down the thinking, vs. a person without ADD who it would speed up.  Has to do with brain chemistry, etc..

I think the 1/2 pill a day probably does mellow you out - but my guess is at least half if mental at this point.  As well, opiates mellowed me out - I didn't worry about stuff when I had a buzz, why wouldn't I mellow out?  And the opiate of course makes you feel "positive".... they give you a "spring in your step" so to speak.

Altho if you're only taking 1/2 a pill a day, you're probably only getting that "buzz" for a short time.

Try not to convince yourself you need that pill... you don't.

[Savas]

Well, loratab is a narcotic, has an opiate base.

Focalin is an amphetamine. Which for some reason, acts to "calm" children. Guess kids are different creatures from us "human" adults afterall! :)

So you're taking two different drugs, but getting the same result. Both are habit forming, but I won't speak on the focalin and your son, as I'm pretty ignorant of children's pharmacology in this respect.

the loratab is a problem, though. You probably do have an addiction now. Originally it would have done exactly what you describe, but if you keep taking an opiate, your brain stops producing natural opiates and endorphins. Many addicts reach a point quickly where they're just "maintaining".

     This is becuase you stop getting the additional "boost" from the drug, and you're just doing "replacement therapy". So you're medicating just to be "normal". When you stop, you will have a period of feeling awful until your body/brain begins to produce these chemicals naturally.

Now...there is a condition called opiate deficiency syndrome. A person is born with insufficient endorphin/opiate production. But it's not that common. AND, there are ways to "jump start" the brain into proper natural production of these substances, without taking drugs such as loratab.

[beentrying2quit]

I'm taking half of a 10/500 Lortab.  About 5 minutes after taking one I begin to relax, calm down and feel positive...this feeling only last an hour or so.  I realize this is part of the addiction.  I've never been tested but know I have adult A.D.D. just like my son.  I may have mis-spoke earlier about A.D.D. meds having narcotics but it is something VERY similar.  

My son is on a drug called Focalin and the results are staggering.  When he takes one he is able to focus and stay on task...much like me after taking a Lortab.

Thanks for your responses.  

[Savas]

Ugh...A.D.D. diagnosis are so "in" today. I'm not saying your son doesn't have it, but you notice the trend towards diagnosis of a problem into a "neat little package" that comes with an expensive med to solve all your problems? And these med's are almost always addictive? I'd guess only one in ten kids with A.D.D. really have it. I'm sure I would have been diagnosed with it as a kid, and I didn't have it, I was just bored and had a surplus of energy.

Which medication is it? ridalin, by the way, acts as an "upper" for adults, while it's a "downer" for kids.

[bettie1976]

If youre talking about taking half a pill of an opiate to which you are addicted (which I think you are) then I understand. It used to calm me down just having em in my purse or just having them period. When Id start running low Id panic. Its the whole addiction behavior thing again. Youre right.

I didnt realize that add meds had nacotics in em. great docs, thanks for getting millions of young americans hooked on narcotics early. way to go! *sarcastic face*

[justlikeyou]

brain chemistry

http://mindboosters.libraryonhealth.com/read.php?id=319d40363b85ee60554ea4b3f&chapter=6

[phillybgood]

Im not quite sure what the question is . Half a pill of what? A.D.D Meds? I would like to try and help with your question, but Im not sure what it is.