My addiction - good or bad?

[Baber]

I remember the first time I was introduced to adderral - I was a sophomore in high school and it was exam time. I have a serious learning disability, which requires extra time and effort on my part to get the same or better grades than my peers. I was freaking out about how I didn't have enough time to prepare and study, and this stress lead to me being unable to sit down at my desk to actuctually study. So my mom gave me one of my brother's pills (probably 10mg Adderall). I WAS HOOKED. The material I was reading suddenly became interesting, not tedious. No longer did I catch my self at the end of a page having no idea what I just read. It was great.

When I went to college my mom began sending the pills to me.I began taking a pill when I got up, then when I studied. I soon realized that on adderall:  I took better notes in class, I ran farther on the treadmill, my reaction time was better when I played tennis, I studied harder and longer, and at bars and/or social scenes I didn't feel the need to drink as much as when I didn't take a pill before I went out. Soon I began stealing the pills from my brother.

Currently, I am working as an intern - and I realize that taking adderall helps the day go by faster - b/c I am constantly keeping myself involved and active in office business. BUT I AM NOW WONDERING....if I could ever return to life before adderall. I know this is an addiction, but is it neccessarily a bad one...unlike other addictions (pain killers, alcohol, etc) my addiction helps me to be more productive than when I don't have it. I need help figuring this out.

[Lug]

Hi everyone.  I am new to this board- or any board for that matter.  I am stepping down (trying to) from twenty percosets a day to ten a day.  Today is day two.  I screwed up yesterday and at the end of the day (around 5:00 p.m.) took a butt load of percoset.  Anyway what I am getting at is that I would like to know if anyone has tried weed for withdrawals.  Did it help? I am not having such a bad withdrawal experience- its only the 2nd day- I'm sure there is more bad feelings to come.  I am scared that I will screw up again at the end of this day or tomorrow.  Please help.  I hope I did not ask a bad question and get kicked off this board with my first post. I have searched for the answer to this question and have come up empty.  I'm looking for anything to help with what I feel is about to come. Please help.

[DrEviltimmy]

Question? I am now withdrawing from vikes day 3 using adderall to combat feeling like ****. this is a bad idea huh? What are the consequences? Also stopped temazapam last week & use ambient to sleep.
THX
Timothy

[skipper]

timmy:
welcome to the forum! 'ya know there will always be room for just one more junky here, so come on in!

i understand the logic and thinking that would lead a person to re-
sort to amphetamines on day 3 of hydro (or any other opiate) w/d.
besides the obvious problems (amphetamines are just down right obnoxious to some people), amphetamines tend to really jangle a
junky up, real bad. the obvious antidote (at least to a junky) is
to use opiates (just to take the edge off). after awhile the whole
thing turns into a vicious, tight little circle. if yoy're at day 3
in your w/d (BY THE WAY CONGRATULATIONS ON GEETING THIS FAR), i'ld
just tough the rest of it out, as you can't be too far off from
"home free."

at any rate keep posting...we need you as much as you need the rest
of us.

keep an angel on your shoulder
kip

[alexandra_r]

Welcome--I am glad that you posted.  This board has helped me a lot in the past 2 weeks or so (since I started visiting).  I am doing a w/d from vicodin.  It was prescribed to me for back pain and while I still have back pain--I was using the vicodin even if my back wasn't hurting.  So, I started a slow taper on July 1.  I don't know if you have enough percoset to w/d slowly, but I think it really helps.  I have had the willpower (this time) to taper myself, but lots of people don't and I have not in the past (10 years ago).  If you don't think you can taper yourself, I would suggest that you give your meds to a trusted friend and have them give them out to you.  I have been lowering my vicodin dose by 1/2 a pill (when I got down to 4 per day) and then stay at that level for a couple of days while my body adjusted and then lower again by 1/2.  If you don't have someone you can trust, I can give you another suggestion.  Rent a safety deposit vault that is kind of a hassle to get to and go there once a day and get ONLY the amount of pills you are supposed to have for that day.

Regarding the weed--I am from the state (California) that is civilized enough to pass a law that marijuana can be used for medical purposes.  I know some people have problems with weed, but I really never have and I have been addicted to both heroin and crack--so I know what addiction is.  I have a real take it or leave it attitude with weed and because of this, I am using it right now to help me with my taper.  I got some just yesterday and it helped me a lot.  I only smoke a tiny bit but it helps so much with relaxing and that jittery feeling (the heebie jeebies).

Good luck to you--I think you will find a lot of support here.  The people who post here all have the same problem or are concerned about someone who does and we all just want to help each other.  Good luck with your w/d--there's a lot of us here who are going through the same thing that you are right now.

[OxyDout]

don't think.........KNOW you can do this, I know you all can, I was hopeless, but i'm almost 3 weeks sober and loving life, well I feel real tired, but mentally I love life right now, I have laughed more in these past 3 days then I have in the last 3 years.  Being sober brings back real emotions!!!!!!  And yes, its anxiety, we all get it, don't even worry about it, just calm yourself down, take some deep breaths and focus on your heart rate and slowing it down, it always works for me.

[Cassie33]

Thanks so much for all your help.......I am doing a little better but I have short period of shortness of breath.....is that anxiety?  I think we all are very strong and can overcome this with a little help.......thanks to all