my untreated add

[msjumpy201]

I was diagnosed with add when i was about 3 or 4, and treated it on and off until i was in the 7th grade, then i just stopped taking my medications. I remember not liking how they made me feel. Im 20 now and heres my question.

I am additonally an alcoholic, and frequent substance abuser since i was about 15. Since i was 15 years old, up until today, Feburary 10th, I have ingested a minimum of 500 pills of MDMA, (3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methamphetamine), also known as Extacy, which i am assuming has affected my already untreated disorderly brain in a negative way. Ive researched the topic and common sense told me that the answer would probably be yes. I would commonly be at nightclubs for entire weekends at a time, litterally. Nonstop for 72 hours. When i went on spring break to the Bahamas for a week, I slept for about 5 and a half hours. it was a consisent ingestion of alcohol, food, and extacy for the entire time. those were only two instances though, of course.

Im 20 credits shot of an asc. in marketing, my gpa is like a 2.4 right now, and i work in a telemarketing sales office. But my constant alcohol abuse and bi monthly (nowadays) has led me to self perscribing myself a once a day, 1mg xanax pill, which has helped me tremendosly. My focus issues go away. Im alot less tense. Im strangley tense alot, have common mood swings, and i am incredibly stressed out of my god damn mind. Xanax causes relif for this, and i dont drink on it nor do i abuse it. Is it possible that xanax should be a drug that should be perscribed to me? Its helped me in so many ways, it really has.

feedback appreciated, thanks!

[Jennifer375]

I have to agree with Rory on this,, you need a drug abuse/addiction cousiler first and formost because wtih your history I would suspect it wont be long before you find yourself fighting a new addiction to xanax. You need to figure out why your so prone to abuse medications, before they destroy your liver and life.

*with hope and respect*        Jenn

[RStern]

While it sounds like Xanax is working for you - I have one major concern above all else.  Although I am not a physician - and I do not specialize in medications - I can tell you (and you probably already know) that one cannot fully understand what the right medications will be for someone who is currently "an alcoholic, and frequent substance abuser."

Again - I am sure you know that it is NOT a good idea to mix recreational drugs with prescription medication.  The effects can be very bad.  But I am guessing you know this.

So rather than come across like I am being harsh - I want to offer some support.  If you are attending school - is there a college counseling center you can go to for support?

Regardless of what is going on - as a therapist - I always let people know that "we" (medical professionals) cannot truly understand what is going on with someone who is using drugs.  We NEED a baseline level of behavior without substances, to really make a difference.

This is just my $0.02.  I have a bunch of other thoughts to share.  I hope you'll reply.

Please know - this is only informational support.

Good luck,

Rory