Am I becoming addicted to ADDERALL???

[Michael009]

I've taken Adderall occasionally over the last two years or so (I do not have a prescription, have a couple friends with prescriptions -- please don't give me **** about this!). I'm a sophomore in college and took the drug for studying starting my senior year, then very briefly for a few occasions after that. But in the last month, for some reason I got cravings for it. I didn't associate the cravings with my needs to cram study time like I had before. But because this last month was setting up for finals, I bought 5 from my friend, took them for some tests, bought another 10, took those for papers, then bought 2 more yesterday. I have no idea where this came from, just started needing them up a lot lately. I don't think I can be completely addicted at this point, this is all so recent. The cravings are strong, and when they started I hadn't taken them for a long time in the first place!! Basically, I've taken a lot recently and try to have them as much as possible. When I don't have any, I have no physical withdrawals but mentally I don't feel too good.

What do you think?

[Michael009]

I haven't been on Adderall for a while now, I feel like my whole body (and mind) has slowed down in a return back to normal. A friend gave me two 10 mg Valium earlier today and it worked very well. I don't believe I will have a serious Adderall problem, especially at this point, considering my sources are out. For the future, I will watch myself and restrict the use either to studying or just pure abstinence.

PS: I also take Tramadol, have been on that for about two years. Prescribed 8 a day by my doctor but take about 6.

[flmagi]

My drugs of choice were opiates so I'm not familiar with the drugs you've been taking. Although many years ago (many, many yrs) I was taking "Black beauties" for quite a while. The older folks may remember them.   I don't remember any withdrawal effects when I stopped them, mental or physical. I just stopped taking them because they were making me really loco. There were also other drugs I had "flings"with, and just stopped, never looking back. Guess I never took them long enough to get addicted. I have never had an addictive personality until the past 5 years.
The amphetimines do have physical dependency & withdrawals, just not as long or as bad as opiates. BUT the mental dependency of the uppers, I hear/read are a major problem and can continue for a long, long time.
Your best bet is to keep away from all this stuff, because one day, one of them is gonna grab hold of you and your life will never be the same.

[Michael009]

I am also taking Amitriptyline, an anti-depressant but in my case for back pain. Would that factor into helping people stay off the speedy type drugs? Just curious. And amphetamines have no physical dependency and withdrawal? That's weird, my psych professor said they are terrible. I keep hearing different things. Thanks for your wonderful info, guys.

[Michael009]

I am staying away from it at this point, going back to normal. I think now Adderall was just a fling, I was going through a stressful time and it made me feel like Superman to get through it. After speculating this after the past month, I wouldn't call it addiction -- although I could have been heading there, make no mistake on that.

It was a weird short time for me, I've never heard of or seen that before in anyone I know. Do you (or does anyone) know what you would call that? A short intense fling with the drug before moving on and going back to normal again, losing interest???

[worried878]

adderall is an amphetamine...mentally addicting like crack and cocaine..like crystal meth...not physically but mental is the worst part of any addiction..u have caused ur brain to depend on the drug/perhaps/to produce dopamine artifically and depression and fatigue are the usualy wd feelings for this type drug..u can help combat that with exercise and amino acids like tyrosine...WButrin is an AD many take for dopamine probs...good luck and stay away from the speed

[Michael009]

Does anyone got some other advice? flmagi, do you?

[flmagi]

Smart decision. Good for you.  Keep posting on the forum if you need any support. We're here to help.

[Michael009]

Since I'm not physically dependent yet I'm just going to quit while I'm ahead. I just spoke to my friends, both won't be able to supply me any Adderall for about a month and I have no other hookups. Probably a good thing.

[flmagi]

I'm not very familiar with this drug, but there will be more people on soon that can help answer your questions.
Sounds to me, that you are at this point mentally addicted and probably soon will be physically.
Hang in there, people will be along soon.