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adderall to help with energy during opiate withdrawl

I was on methadone for six months. Tapered down five milligrams every single day but towards the end I began substituting the lack of methadone with heroin for about a week. Monday was my last line of heroin and on tuesday I took three v icodins. That night my withdrawals were intense, second the same. My worst symptoms are always the wls. So on day three I was given a very small does of chlotopan.1mg I slept five hours yesterday and eight today. Im feeling much better just extremely sluggish. Was wondering at this stage in getting clean if taking an adderall (not a million) would assist with energy without prolonging the withdrawl. Has anyone tried this.
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Avatar universal
I'm prescribed Adderall and after about day 5 or so of detox from oxy, it worked wonders for the sluggish and exhausted/tired feeling that remained (which is what was making it so hard to do my job).  I say do what you gotta do.  You know your body.  Also, everyone reacts differently to Adderall and also different brands of Adderall as well...so be mindful of this.  For instance, one brand gives me anxiety whereas another brand helps me focus and get going in my day.  Even with an anxiety disorder, I still didn't feel the need to take a benzo to counteract the Adderall after detox. So, just saying...and I know this thread is old....but maybe it will help someone now - everyone is different.  The old addage that if you're addicted to one thing you'll become addicted to another, yes sometimes that is true, but sometimes not.  I have an entire bottle of benzos and I could care less really, they are only for when I need them.  Same with Adderall...just when I need it....and I needed it very much after my detox.  I have read the same story from others, of it being very helpful.  

Just check your heart, be honest with yourself and do what you think will help.  This is survival mode, once you are past the worst of the w/d and most of us need to be able to work, exercise, and all the other things people recommend to do, to get the chemicals in your brain working again.  Depending on whether or not you need Adderall in your daily life for ADD or ADHD or for whatever reason....you can stay on if prescribed or just stop or wean off if you don't need it.  I'm sure that the AA-ers and the NA-ers will disagree vehemently, but I swear it helped me - tons.
Helpful - 0
4522800 tn?1470325834
Hi & Welcome too! Please stay away from the adderral. I was on Methadone for around 12 years and when I had to start a taper I started to snort this with the Adderral so I could stretch it out..these 2 together were like my Crank days in the 70-80s. Then I would take a Klon late at night to come down. I am telling you that I am NO young chic and had used many substances throughout my Life. (Dumb)  Never had a w/ds this bad when I went c/t from all 3 back in 2012. I have w/d from the other opiates, but this combo was the worst. Each one of these meds hit different areas of the Brain, which in the long run does a lot of unbalancing on the system..Each one pulls the nervous system up or down and all around..If you get hooked and have to come off you will feel your Body/Brain pulling every which way to balance back and it takes a lot longer then just one med..Please get into some Aftercare and pick up all the info you can regarding this disease in a more scientific way too..These meds are NOT a good mix at ALL!!!
Wishing you the Best!
Bless
Helpful - 0
8590589 tn?1398849474
Flush the vicodin and start takin vitamins and go see your dr he might put u on prosac or wellbutrin for depression, but that's up to the dr.
Helpful - 0
7163794 tn?1457366813
COMMUNITY LEADER
....." I guess my body knows the difference between opiates and amphetimines, as my body has not resorted back to the intolerable...." it's been like 3 days?  You have just switched from one speed to another, that's all.  I'm real sorry to hear this b/c the people on this site DID you give an alternative.  My sister in law just recently went off of Adderall (it was prescribed to her and her dr was busted) and when I tell you she lost her mind, she lost her freakin mind for well over a year.  At this time, b/c she chose no help, she drinks 2/3 bottles of wine a day to function!  
MY OPINION, you have not done yourself any favors! And I say this with the utmost sincerest concern, for YOU!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Also would like to say without all of the advice ans kind words it would of made this that much worse. Im proud I had the courage to confess my addiction to people who understand for I understand its a battle I will be dealing with for the rest of my life. Thank you guys for everything
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I appreciate all of the kind words . I think honestly is the best policy especiallyif others are wondering the dame thing. As I said before I am on day four of opiate detox and was able to sleep eight hours last night with the help of a chlonopin.  5 hours the night before with the help of an over the counter sleep aid. Ive read amphetamines actually speed up  opiate withdrawl. Today (day 4-5) ive had no symptoms besides sluggishness and actually regained my appetite (ate. Whole lunch combo and a half of sub :) even though it was advised against I Did take an adderall in hopes of increasing my energy. Never did nor will have a problem with them since there near impossible to find by me. Im two hours in and have no side effects besides the extra energy in which I seemed I understand substituting on for the other isn't good but having to get stuff done it has done wonders with no effective. I truly believe my opiate withdrawal are gone more will this amphetamine bring me back to the he'll I chose to go through four days ago. My only explanation for the mixed results is every body is different. My body seems to know the difference between amphetamines and opiates and my body has not resorted back to the intolerableness associate with opiate withdrawl. Hope this helps people who were curious of the effects.god bless
Helpful - 0
7671414 tn?1395660495
Welcome to our forum..My doc is speed,which I took for 20 yrs(off now 17)..When I got off it and later was diagnosed with adhd,I was prescribed aderall..I only took it for a week before realizing it was to much like what I took for years and stopped.You have gotten very good advice here.Do not trade 1 for another.I have been off methadone for 2 months now.What I have gone thru in those 2 months would turn a lot of ppl back to drugs..Not me..I also have to move my Son,dinlaw and Grandson back in here.We have 2 weeks to remodel a room,put stuff in storage and get us alll in here..I am tired.I am in pain.I dont want to do anything..But,it has to be done and done without drugs..If I can do it.If we here can,so can u..Keep on going the days will get easier..Good luck..
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I know you said you never had a problem with the other drugs and don't take them enough to get addicted. I used to think the same thing,  I was on perks for 10 years never got addicted to them so after my surgery I was given oxycodone and never thought I would get addicted to them...I was wrong.   I'm prescribed adderal, it's not something to just take for energy.  Good luck
Helpful - 0
480448 tn?1426948538
There's never a GOOD time to w/d.  I've learned from reading this forum just how hard it is for people, because going through detox truly DOES put a lot of people out of commission, some for a week, some for even more, and life doesn't stop.  

I will agree 100% that the adderall is a BAD idea.  Even if it was prescribed to you, you'd be using it to self medicate away something...and that's abuse, that's addiction for you.  Like CIk said, you have to start changing your thinking.

And, most definitely, flush those vicodin!  They will almost absolutely lead to a relapse.  Addicts have to put up as many roadblocks as possible...cutting sources, confiding in someone for accountability, and getting aftercare, which includes addiction education and support.

There's SO much more to recovery and getting clean than w/ds....and quite honestly, that's ALL I hear you worrying about.  You have w/d tunnel vision, which is common, but what's important is understanding that the REAL hard work involves putting your "all" into your recovery plan to STAY clean.  Believe it or not, THAT is the hard part, and where MOST people relapse.  

This is a great forum, with loads of info and support.  Stick around, keep posting!  Best of luck with your recovery!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
To be honest the only one who truly knows of my addiction issues has been my mom. My live in girlfriend doesn't know the full extent. Never been to a meeting or even confessed to a forum. The reason I asked about adderall is because I am moving to a knew apartment on the 1st. As you know after the initial most brutal symptoms comes sluggishness and depression. I have not been able to assist my girlfriend in packing and it is the absolute worst time to be withdrawing. I have not moved from the couch although all physical symptoms has passed. I obviously need to start packing and tb ought an adderall would give me a boost I asked the question wanting to know if at this stage of my recovery would the 1 adderall make the wls start again and some of the worse symptoms associated with opiate withdrawal
Helpful - 0
7284346 tn?1402238725
You've gotten a lot of fanatic advice above from a lot of people who have been walking out this journey one day at a time... And with some substantial sobriety.  I just want to encourage you to read it all again.

My feeling is you keep redirecting the conversation... What I read is you are trying to change the way you think and feel with a drug... Any drug. It doesn't have to be your DOC.

I echo the comments above and wish you all the best on your journey
Helpful - 0
3197167 tn?1348968606
Welcome to the forum.....and to making the decision to get clean!

The thing that jumps out at me the most while reading thru this thread and your question about taking Adderall is that you are wanting to take a pill to change the way you feel.
As addicts, we actually have to start to learn to "think" differently if we want to stay drug free.  Adderall is an addictive med.....and wanting to take ANY kind of a pill to change the way we feel is addictive thinking (believe me I know....I fight that thinking ALL the time) But it would only be a temporary solution to your depression and energy.  And then there is always the possibility that it truly "might" help how you feel....and that would only reinforce taking "more" so you could continue to have more chemically derived energy.  
It doesn't matter if Adderall is not your drug of choice.....if you are admitting to being an addict.....then as addicts we have to TOTALLY stay away from addictive meds of any kind.

Your last sentence in your comment above concerns me:
" Im done with opiates for good and currently have ten vicodin that I have not touched to ease a thing."

If you are truly done....you have no need to "hang on" to those 10 vics.
We don't "need" a backup plan or a safety net....in fact, to ensure successfully STAYING clean (which is the TRUE challenge)...we need to cut off/eliminate ALL sources for addictive drugs.  That means dr's, friends, dealers, etc.  If we leave a "source" open....just in case....that "just in case" will just about guarantee a relapse in our future.  It's playing with fire....cause eventually...at a weak or stressed moment.....we have an avenue to get pills again and our addict brains will jump on it like stink on you know what!

Do you have someone to talk to about your addiction?  Have you been down this road before?  Are you getting some after care of some kind in place now?
We're glad you're here....this forum is an amazing place....we will be here to support you and answer any questions you have.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I agree with you. You are very lucky to have only a few days of hell. Think of it this way. The lack of energy is really not a bad price to pay in the big picture. I'd have traded that for the anxiety hell and wicked headaches I had for a good week (still not a bad deal to get my joy back). I couldn't sit still or sleep so I kept doing chores (folding laundry, emptying the dishwasher, organizing the bathroom drawer's). I know crazy right, but before you know it, your back in fighting shape……as long as you DON'T USE! I believe in you. Keep those minutes/hours/days going. You'll never regret it.
Helpful - 0
7163794 tn?1457366813
COMMUNITY LEADER
Ummm.... and this is just my opinion, but all you seem to be doing is trading one drug for others?  Heroin, Vic's, Adderall???  I don't think we should be getting clean by using other addictive drugs?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I feel lucky to go through only two days of he'll, just hate the sluggishness and have absolutely no energy to do anything. Im curious to know if after the wls stops does that mean the withdrawing is over and the depression left is only mental?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Been there, done that with the adrenal for attempted "easy fix". It only made my anxiety worse and then I was hunting down ativan to counteract the adrenal. The other thing it did was made getting any food down impossible and as you now for the body to heal and get thru w/d you need nourishment. Don't do it. I swear by exercise/music as a way to help get your energy and sleep pattern uprighted. Congrats for getting off the roller coaster. Keep reaching out here. Hang on tight to the rope knowing you'll soon be over the w/d and on your way to a drug free existence.
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Avatar universal
Ive never had issues with anything other then opiates. At this stage laying on my couch my only sympton is depression I guess what I wanted to know that in this stage of my withdrawl would taking an adderall makes the other symptons reappear since it is not an opiate? Never took enough adderall to withdrawl from it so I'm not worried about that just more the progress ive made eliminating 99% of the symptons. Im done with opiates for good and currently have ten vicodin that I have not touched to ease a thing.
Helpful - 0
4113881 tn?1415850276
Did a doctor prescribe the adderall? If a doctor prescribed it then follow his/her direction. If its just you wanting to take it to get some energy....Id say that's addictive behavior/thinking and a bad move.

You want to get more energy, do some light exercises like take a walk, etc.Thats a natural way to build back endurance. Sometimes you have to force yourself to do things.
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Avatar universal
ABN is right on with that post above. Feel what you feel as it happens; without more drugs to withdraw from later. Get through it and it will be over. I'm in NA. In our book is the chapter "What can I do?". The only thing it says about WD is to get clean, stop using anyway we can. They say very little else on the subject. They go on to say that we simply can't expect any further recovery if our minds and bodies are still clouded by drugs. And then they say the all important: "Recovery is an active change in our ideas and attitudes". Aftercare is all about staying clean and enjoying life on life's terms. You're on a journey. The end result is real honest peace of mind and spirit - which is in your reach right now. Keep on keeping on. You'll get there.
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Avatar universal
All symptoms have subsided besides one a day diarrhea.  Just feel extremely sluggish. Ive read of people using adderall and they swore by ut was wondering in my current state which I believe has seen the worse would. One 30mg adderall prolong and bring back some of the opiate symptons. After all it is not an opiate. Im not looking to take adderalleveryday  just would like to restore some energy.
Helpful - 0
4113881 tn?1415850276
"Was wondering at this stage in getting clean if taking an adderall (not a million) would assist with energy without prolonging the withdrawl."

You want to allow your mind and body to heal from the damage you have done to it with your drug use...naturally. Personally, I thinks a very bad idea. One thing that's helped me to be clean all these years is I actually felt every bit of my withdrawals. No crutch drugs here. Yeah it was miserable but I remember it and never want to feel like that again. To each is own...but its my opinion that taking the adderal to feel energy is the same as taking adderal to get high.
Helpful - 0
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