I have been given three weeks to get off Adderall

[guineapigcorn]

My husband found something to let him know I have snorted Adderall.  He wants me off by the end of the year (three weeks) or leave.  I don't want to leave but I know that three weeks is not enough time for the large dose habit I have.  I have quit cold turkey many times by force and I don't recommend it.  I was like a vegetable for days and after that I was barely functioning.  I want to taper it and slowly because I don't want to feel that way again.  He doesn't believe me when I say it feels horrid for awhile.  He thinks it is all in my head.  Well, doctors have said it is psychological.  If that's true then why was it so physical?  I was so exhausted all I did was sleep.  He's comparing my withdrawal to his cigarette withdrawal.  I know they are hard but amphetamine withdrawal is something he never experienced.   I am really panicked because I'm afraid I can't do it and I love my family and don't want to lose them.  Does anyone know how long a person needs to taper off amphetamines so you feel no discomfort?

[bipolarandaddictive]

Sorry this is so late...but when I read your post I couldn't help but comment on your remark about opiates being "truly addicting".  I kicked an opiate habit years ago and there is no comparison to the two:  the amphetamine addiction has been far worse for me and the withdrawal has been far harder.  This is not to downplay the seriousness of opiate addiction, but for me it has been the hardest thing to kick.  The big problem is most rehabs won't accept you for speed addictions because they don't consider it a physical addiction.  There is a big lack of understanding about how hard it is to kick a speed problem.

[mr.lucky66]

I understand your problem and think if you want to quit , it can be done easier than a opiate which is truly addicting.

[peggy64]

what is the difference between oral and snorting?

[guineapigcorn]

My husband told me tonight that he was thinking about it and he said I could stay on the Adderall only if I took them orally and at the prescribed dose.  I was dumbfounded.  I told him that I didn't know if I could and I would think about it or if I tried and found I couldn't I would go to him and ask him to help me get off.  I am really touched and at the same time I feel like I don't deserve this chance.  I was never a liar until I touched this stuff.  I don't know if I can do it is the truth.  I don't know whether to cut my dose gradually until I get to 60mgs a day and drop the snorting until it's completely gone.  Should I try?  I really don't want to be deceitful and lie anymore.  It's too tiring and sickening.  Plus I know that it's extremely dangerous to snort.  I've always known that but I didn't want to give up the feeling and just prayed that nothing would happen to me. I really want to make him happy.  He has just done a complete 180 degree turnaround.  It's as if he has had an awakening and decided that it does somehow help me and wants to give me one more chance to prove myself.  I really don't deserve it at all, but it really does help my ADD.  It's just turned into a recreational thing.  I know that if I go back to 30mgs 2x a day suddenly, it won't work.  I'm wondering if I taper down to it will I be able to get my tolerance back down again?  Or should I just wean off and quit?  I'm really a mess when I don't take anything.  I have just screwed this whole thing up so badly.  Any suggestions?

[guineapigcorn]

Unfortunately yes.  I hate myself for it. Husband caught me by looking in my purse and found snorting paraphernalia and empty capsules.  He is furious and deeply hurt.  I hope we all get through this.  I feel lower than a curb.

[dominosarah]

I just saw your mood.  Were you snorting them again?

[nuredshuz]

have you considered going to a rehab? can you ask him if you guys can check out some facilities in  your area then make a decision to go after the holidays are over? I only recemend waiting because if you are in there during the holidays you will be soooo sad and it would suck.... you will probably try to leave.... I was in a rehab on my sons 16th birthday and I wanted to leave so bad and I did leave the next day... they (rehab)  detoxed me and I am doing the rest (after care) here at home... If you are most afraid of the detox... a rehab or detox center can help you with that and if you feel you can handle the after care on your own at home its an option for you...I hope you get clean soon so you can REALLY enjoy your kids... I have 4 kids 8-16 and I feel like I can really truely relate now to them... doing drugs makes us numb to life... I feel like I am no longer a spectator in my life, but now I am a participant and I love it!! Best of luck to you!! Kim

[Scottb3]

I dropped a serious pain med addiction 4 days ago. Just woke up and decided i was done after 3 years. It has to be your decision to stop using. If you are forced you might be able to stop but more than likely you will relapse. And when you do decide to stop you need all of the support you can get and if your ready you need to let your husband know that you need his support. My entire family knew i had a problem. I walked around in a drugged haze for years but they knew when i was ready i would make the decision and i have 100% support. It doesnt make the physical addiction any better but certainly the emotional part is easier. Good luck. You can do it if you want to.

[guineapigcorn]

Thank you for all the great advice.  I do want to stop and I don't want to stop.  I stopped for 8 months and for a week it was torture.  After that it was only about 30% better.  I still felt half alive.  If I quit will I ever feel "normal" again?  Or have my receptors been so screwed up forever?  Regardless, I know I've got to stop.  I will taper, which will be hard because I will be tempted to keep taking more, but I hate that nasty withdrawal so bad that I will do anything to avoid it.  He is there for me, he told me so, and he said that if I need to have another month, my doctor should call and let him know.  Well my doctor would never give me any ever if I told him what I did so I guess I will have to stick with the three weeks.  He is with me if I do this but if I don't he will throw me out, away from my three children.  He has enough ammunition to do it, past and present.  What makes it hard is that while taking it I did everything like I should.  No one seemed to know.  It's when someone finds something or catches me doing something that it becomes a problem.  And when I'm off of it I am a mess.  I am scared to death of this.  I really believe I can't function without them.

Thanks for your support.

[LivingPresent]

I would cut it by 10% a day, and up the coffee and redbull. Maybe even skip a day on the weekend when you can afford to be lethargic and sleepy all day. You'll still feel like crap for a while, and if you aren't on board with quitting don't expect it to be easy, and relapse is likely. If you really want to stop, count out how much you will need for the taper and FLUSH the rest right away. I did this after being on adderall for over a year, and it was like I had woken up for the first time. I could actually FEEL things, and care about other people. I felt alive again, and it seemed to only take about a week after being completely off. Good luck.

[kolo13]

Well, three weeks would be plenty of time if you had chosen it. It's just not enough time when you are being forced. An external deadline is enough to send your addict brain into full offensive mode - ramping up the anxiety and fear of withdrawal until you believe you can't survive it.That fear is a symptom of your addiction and it is possible to overcome it. I wonder if your husband is trying to do the right thing for you, you know - tough love - or is he so disgusted with your addiction that he is willing to leave you in three weeks? The disease model is hard for a lot of people to accept. Old school is that addiction is a moral failure. Do you have kids? Is there prior history with you and your husband and deadlines? Nobody should be forced into withdrawal because it is just not effective, and if you are looking for a way out with no discomfort whatsoever you will always be an addict. But if you decide that now is the time you could do it. You could get a lot of help here on this site and it wouldn't be as bad as your brain is trying to convince you it will be. You could start with Lesa's advice and then stay in touch to get further help and support. I wish you luck.

[10356]

You can do this in 3 weeks but you will still feel the tiredness and irritation that comes with speed wd.. first I would suggest you stop snorting them then cut out 1 a day till you are down to just a few.. or stop now and feel better by Christmas.. Eat Healthy Exercise.. It is not always the best way to stop being forced. maybe this time you can pick up some NA AA meeting to help you stay on track.. we miss much while high and we do not realize how much till we get clean.. I wish you well. You family is worth stopping.. lesa

[cookiechew]

Hi sorry to hear- how about your husband reads some of these messages-- I don't know the drug your snorting but all of them are the same-- If your relationship is good with the other half- he should stand by you -- but DON'T MISS UP-- I am kicking opiates-- they are all hard-- his smoking WD was hard -- but not like hard core drugs-- good luck