Adderall: Should I or Shouldn’t I?

It's speed. Do you have an addictive personality?

I’m actually also on Adderall and Cymbalta and Adderall changed my life, no question.

I can only speak for myself but I felt the drawbacks outweighed the benefits.

do live near a uni or a competitive high school and want a seasonal job?

r3 Could you expand on your experience(s) a bit more?

I take Ritalin instead because I had the impression that it was less addictive, less “speedy,” and less likely to become a weight loss crutch. But this was based on a vague general impression over ten years ago.

It’s been good for me, I wish I had the opportunity to take it while I was still in HS or college. I am definitely not addicted - I often forget to take it. But if I catch myself losing focus at work, then I remember.

I suspect that if my ADD had been addressed while I was still young I would not have developed some of the bad habits that I did. But that’s water under the bridge.

OP - are you a big consumer of coffee? Before I realized what was going on I used to unintentionally self medicate with caffeine and I’ve noticed this habit in others with ADD behaviors.

It makes you focus but it doesn’t necessarily make you focus on what you need to (ie, work or studying). I remember taking an adderall and then “zoning in” on social media for hours. The drug itself made me feel like a meth addict—I barely ate but looked ugly gaunt, not healthy skinny, I picked at my skin, I had racing thoughts and a racing heartbeat and major paranoia. It was actually kind of awful.

OMG LOOK! A SQUIRREL!

I agree very much with the last two paragraphs of R6.

I was skeptical like OP, but when I went on ADD medication I suddenly realized how much I needed it, how it felt to be like a normal person. It was so much easier to get through the day, and to have a productive day. I was smart and had goals before, but it seemed like I spent so much time trying to find misplaced things that I would forget what I was looking for until I came full circle again, starting three different projects and finishing none, showing up to appointments on the wrong day, missing them on the right day, not having the right document,.

"Day late and a dollar short." It sucks to have untreated ADD.

It's worth a shot, OP. If you need it, you'll probably know pretty quickly. If you hate it, there's milder but effective stuff, like Wellbutrin. Or it may turn out that your doctor's wrong and you don't need anything. But if you have ADD and don't know it, these medications can be life changing.

(R6): my coffee consumption is moderate (2 cups in the morning). I’m not sure if I have an addictive personality. I did my share of party drugs in my twenties but managed to never go Also gave up alcohol pretty effortlessly when I started on Duloxetine.

OP again: managed never to go overboard…

I haven't been on ADD meds (except Wellbutrin, of which I am now fully tolerant so it "doesn't work" anymore) for several years.

I drink a pot of coffee by 10am have two or three or four cans of (high caffeine) Pepsi Zero over the course of an afternoon.

I just got drastically better insurance this month and I am getting on regular ADD meds again. I can't wait to get my shit together.

ADD is not even a medical diagnosis. It’s outdated. The entire thing was always a bunch of bullshit brought to you by pharmaceutical companies.

ADD is an outdated term and no longer a medical diagnosis, though it is often still used to refer to a certain subset of symptoms that fall under the umbrella term, ADHD.

Patients with these symptoms may have what clinicians now call Predominantly Inattentive Type attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Well, whatever it is, people who have it are greatly helped by medication and/or behavior therapy.

OP just wants to lose weight.

Enjoy your heart attack, OP!

I agree 100% with response number 9. My kids were prescribed it for ADHD and as I was listening to the doc I was like, shit, that's my problem. I mainly only take it on days when I really need to get things done but it is great for me.

if one uses wellbutrin, they should try to get the name brand... the generics are proven to be less effective, and yes, growing resistance does happen. The ideal used to be a cocktail cycle; an interval of 3, 6, 9 months of out of the year.. slowly brought on, slowly switched out for a secondary to help reduce some of its side effects or really, more the side effects of other medications that need to be transitioned out. Plus it's off label uses towards smoking cessation and binge eating cessation.

OP, I believe your psychiatrist's pharma rep believes you have ADD. 😉😉

I've seen Wellbutrin mentioned here a few times (also been mentioned by several of my docs). Anyone care to share the good, bad and ugly about Wellbutrin?

I took adderall off and on for about 6 months then couldn't deal with it any more. The first few hours - miracle drug. I was so focused, it was unbelievable. I would be more productive and keenly hyper focused than anyone. Then, after a few hours when it would start to wear off, I'd feel horrible - like a combo of flu coming on, mixed with a bad hangover. I tried all the strategies to counteract it. Drink a lot of water before, during, after - didn't help. Drink protein shakes a few hours after taking it - nothing. It was dreadful.

[R21], did you ever try a lower dose? Decreasing the dosage might reduce/extinguish the side effects of the drug wearing off.

While taking ADHD meds you may experience an onset of tics if you have an underlying tic disorder. Know your family history.

r20 oh, apparently the name brand has been discontinued. . . pity.

As I've mentioned it's a popular transition or alternate medication because of it's low cross interactions with other medications and less severe (misnomer, it has serious potential side effects on its own) side effects than other meds prescribed for whatever it's being prescribed for. It can be thought of as a maintainer or base line drug in terms of mental health... when patients choose to stop taking it, it's usually because it's effects are subtle and longterm rather than instantaneous and overwhelming. (However, people around them usually have insight to know whether they've missed a couple doses. So, it's doses should be gradually built up or reduced than going cold turkey, as such can lead to anxiety, irritability, paranoia and other intrusive thoughts, even among those prescribed it for non mental health reasons.)

Most common side effect is it fucking with cholesterol levels and blood pressure, also affecting sleep patterns, eating habits, decreased libido (yet with increased erections for some males; all boned up but no interest), urination difficulties / dehydration / kidney strain, increased allergy sensitivities, and the usual dyskinesia.. there's loads more potentials but those are the more frequent run-ins.

I took it as an adjunct to anti-depression medication (bupropion/Wellbutrin) and I thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. Attention, focus, drive.

One of the side effects is lower back pain. If a medication has a 0.05% incidence of a side effect, I'm there, and I'm used to that. But ultimately, because I already have a chronic disease that affects muscles and movement, the back pain overruled the benefits.

Maybe I should try splitting pills and lowering the dosage. (Again.) Sometimes if you're on a lot of medications it's easy to give up before you've tried all the usual permutations.

I would encourage anyone to try it if its been suggested by a trusted medical professional. You have nothing to lose.

OP, I without question, have ADD.

It presents in my inability to finish projects.

I’ve been off Adderall for over a year now, & while I’m adjusting surprisingly well, it’s has been really rough, in certain aspects.

I go through good days & some bad days.

I have gotten much better at focusing on finishing tasks and projects at work, yet I still struggle with finish personal projects at home. The inability to focus for long periods of time, bleeds into what I consider to be very important aspects of anyone’s life, including my own, such as finances, being well organized at home, personal time management, etc.

I am scheduled to see a psychiatrist in a month or so, in order to check in on how I’m doing with my current and only medication, which is an anti-depressant

We will evaluate how things are going then, & see if I’ve managed to improve my time management within the next 30 days.

One thing I will say is this:

I had a huge struggle being on time for work, appointments, or anything, really. I’ve improved considerably in this area, & arrive to work and appointments on average, 20 to 30 minutes before the expected or appointed time. So YAY! Progress, not perfection.

Good luck OP. I get it. ADD sucks and holds some very bright & talented people back from reaching their true potential.

[quote]Anyone care to share the good, bad and ugly about Wellbutrin?

It can make you more susceptible to seizures.

OP - I started taking it 15 years ago. It has been almost miraculous, the effects it has had.

You can ask for a time released version by the way.

You may find yourself a bit "speedy" at the start of the therapy but that chills out.

It has effects such as heightening focus but ALSO meta processes - such as what is worth focusing on and what is not. The latter effect was the most beneficial. Also if you have any mild OCD it can give you distance you to reflect on purpose and utility.

Plus, it can just give you energy because it is speed, yes.

Good luck!

My sister was put on medication for ADHD and since then she's had a really noticeable mouth twitch.

R22 I was actually on the lowest dosage, if I recall!

Yeah, Everyone I know who's gotten on it, including me, has a great honeymoon period. Your weight drops, your house is cleaner, your grades are better, your boss is in love with your work. You feel fucking fantastic. Until you don't. One day that shit turns on you and you start focusing on stupid shit, you look unhealthy, you get scatterbrained, you turn into an asshole and snap at everyone. It's meth. It will eventually fuck you up. One of my friends is having full on psychosis right now after 15 years on Adderall.

Good luck getting it filled, OP. There’s a nationwide Adderall shortage.

I've just started on the lowest dose of generic Wellbutrin and waiting for it to take effect, which I understand is six to eight days. Staying away from alcohol almost totally, and trying to reduce caffeine.

My doctor said I wouldn't have to stairstep off once I finish the bottle since I'm already at the lowest dosage. Or maybe I will continue with it. The side effects above tend to be more prevalent starting with the higher dosage.

OP, this is r2. I didn’t have a chance to flesh out my answer so thought I would now.

When I look back over my life, I clearly had many signs of ADHD, whether it’s considered a dx or not: an inability to function similarly to my peers, e.g., went for years without car insurance because I couldn’t be bothered, and a lack of executive function. My thoughts were never linear and I could never pinpoint what was wrong with me and why I was different than everyone else. I interrupted people constantly, acted impulsively, and just “could never get my shit together” even though I eventually got two bachelors degrees and a masters. I often - very often - had people tell me that I was “too much”: too much energy, too much movement, just too much.

After a week or two on adderall, I finally felt what it was like to think clearly, linearly, and “normally”. It was so eye-opening to me and also heartbreaking, since I feel like I lost so much of my potential before my dx.

Anyway, YMMV but I’m happy to answer any other questions you or anyone else may have.

How old were you when you were diagnosed, R33?

Are any of the posters diagnosed with ADD and depression and seemingly other conditions in therapy? Or is it the brain chemistry needs meds belief?

^^^^written by a therapist needing More patients.

huh???

The speed/medicine is psychoactive. The symptoms of the condition, then treatment and improvement, can overlap with other conditions. Deal with a PSYCHIATRIST if you can. It's their field. Not a GP. Obviously someone can have more than one condition and the shrink should try to manage and treat several if there are several presenting.

If you don't "believe in" psychiatric medicine, or using psychoactive drugs for conditions such as depression, anxiety, attention disorders, etc,, then do NOT take psychiatric medicine and do not see a shrink. Go to church. Find some good work to do, and muddle through. I believe in better living through chemistry BUT one needs a good psychiatrist to manage this and thus the MEANS to pay for such, and the access to such an expert.

R38 Works for Pfizer.

I only found out after we began a relationship my ex is addicted to Adderall. Of course the relationship began with the typical honeymoon period but over the next year and a half I saw more and more signs of addiction. It is prescribed by his primary care physician, who I also discovered has a reputation for playing a bit fast and loose with prescriptions.

If he forgot to take it he crashed. Mentally, physically and emotionally. His typical mornings began with nonstop chatter. Also being a narcissist, the nonstop talk about himself, his problem, what he had to address for that day. It quickly became exhausting just to be on the phone, additionally there was constant drama, most of which was self created. Another warning sign was the rages directed at everyone from a driver, his dog, his family or myself. All of which became more and more terrifying. Adderall also contributed to his compulsive behaviors. Shopping, sexual. The problem with the sexual compulsiveness (I originally thought I had found someone with a normal but high sex drive as myself) was webcamming (whether I was there or not. Mostly not I found out ). He could not cum, began one vicious cycle.Seeking that elusive orgasm, he would WebCam, if he could not come, then came depression and frustration, and the cycle would begin again.

He is self-employed and claimed the Adderall enabled him to stay focus, on task and get work done. Except when it didn’t. It was as easy to become focused on just about anything but work, rather than being able to maintain any kind of balance in his life. So even with a self imposed deadline, you might find him starting a new project around the house that would then take up the next three or four days until completed. Then the realization he was behind with work was another vicious cycle.

The. shit really hit the fan in the last few months and I could see that the Adderall was not working and the violent outbursts hit the point I began to be afraid for his own safety but also mine. Any attempt to try to discuss alternate treatments, or therapy resulted in another screaming rage or the justification that this was the only medication which worked. When he was at a trade show and shoved a customer I knew a line has been crossed which only confirmed by own fear it would only be a matter of time that I would be the receiving in.He also exhibited more and more paranoid behavior.Ultimately he decided the relationship was not working for him and he spent too much time focusing on that and not on work, but in reality I’d basically stepped back and began to distance myself. I think that I was no longer into indulging and reenforcing the Narcissism was the final straw for him. It only took me about three days to realize I dodged a major bullet. I have no hard feelings, I wish you know but I grew up with a parent who is mentally ill but who also suffered from prescription addiction and song the same patterns although his was not as extreme. The highs The lows.The crash.

My suggestion would be if it is something on acetate, hopefully it’s prescribed by a psychiatrist and not a family doctor

R40 Many of those actions and behaviors have ZILCH to do with Adderall, and your nonexpert diagnosis that he is "addicted to Adderall". He sounds bipolar not to mention other psychological disorders.

Also how did you last even a month with such a basketcase?

It's not easy but I had drs offering me ADD meds for YEARS. Probably more like decades (teens-thirties). I'm taking as few meds as possible for a whole bunch of things, but I had to supplement the substances, and getting into non-drug therapies were the most stabilizing thing I've found. I did neurofeedback, and got into yoga and meditating. When I started the word meditation made my blood boil, but after a few years the change is HUGE. I still use medications, and try to keep them to a minimum.

Be careful with meds, read about their history, origin and original intention of use. Drs will throw anything with 'useful' side effects at you as long as it's cheap and not monitored.

Also, some of the posters here are doing WAY too much caffeine.

R34

I was around 40 years old. I’m 56 now.

That’s interesting, R43. My age and the age I began using ADD meds are similar to yours. Are you female, by chance?

R41 I agree he’s definitely bipolar. I said addicted because due to shortages , forgetting to get refills, a switch from a one a day time release dose to a twice a day prescription (which failed, according to him ,not giving him the same “boost”) all exacerbated the negative behaviors. When he was without, it resembled withdrawal. Including physical complaints which may or may not have been related but it did seem to be a recurring pattern.

There was also Xanax every night to sleep. There were times when he would mix the two up and yet refused to simply use a daily pill box to keep his meds straight. Whenever a person is not compliant with taking medications , I put that down as addiction. Or is no longer getting the same results and yet refuses to consider a change in medication, I think that suggest addiction. If he couldn’t remember whether he took one in the morning sometimes he take half of one or another one, just in case.

An earlier poster likened it to speed and that’s the exactly the impression I got from this nightmare of a relationship.

I saw my mother exhibit similar behaviors with her medications, I had a lifetime of dealing with that, the last 25 years dependent on opioids. There was an earlier issue with her with methadone and she did go through withdrawal in the ER. Subsequently my father left and she became my burden. Even though we did not live together, by the end, I felt like I was dating my mother. Similarly as her medication would wear off her mood changed and it was impossible to even have a discussion with her, which is exactly where I found myself with that one too.

I think my point probably should have been more about being cautious about the prescriber and the tendency to use a medication as a crutch or excuse. I also have friends who take it on an “as needed basis” and I question that approach also. And by as needed, when they feel like they need just that little extra push to address anything from something work related to studying for an exam.

R45^ Nurse Ratched

You have a right to discuss your lurid tales, R45, but I don't see it as helpful info to some average Joe Schmo who is considering a daily Focalin, etc. due to ADHD.

R47 Is their research that shows it actually works, with few side effects?

You'll soon need sleeping pills to come off the highs like the ever-popular Ambien and then be on a speed-sleeping pill cycle, and in a few years lose your fucking mind like everyone else doing this.

R40 Sounds like the guy needed lithium rather than a stimulant.

(The Ugly:) I'm not going to sugar coat this -- I'm finding it highly suspicious that so many adults are suddenly being diagnosed with ADHD. There's actually been a huge explosion just in the last 2 years. Of course, some are legit people in need that feel through the cracks as children, but still. Another suspicious thing about it is how Adderall has become the go to when there's multiple different types of meds for it. Yet a lot of these newly diagnosed want Adderall specifically...

Another thing to be cautious of is the overlap with other mental disorders, like being bipolar. Taking stimulants for bipolar is very dangerous and the two conditions overlap in many ways, which is why it shouldn't be left to a GP. I'm seeing so many people start these meds from a GP or call in doctor, it's crazy. Another fact about ADHD; a majority should see the condition decrease with age, which adds more suspicion to doctors handing it out to people that are middle aged. Like if you got through college, hold down a decent job, you need to ask how those meds would change your life. Unless you're getting into car accidents frequently, or reprimanded for not getting your work done, I'm not really seeing how suddenly taking Adderall is necessary. One more thing to consider for someone over 30 -- Adderall is not a good long time med as you age. They're supposed to monitor for things like the heart because no surprise, having 40 yr olds on stimulants for years might not be good for it.

I'm not saying that about you OP, just starting my thoughts about the rise in adult cases in general.

(The Bad:)

There's now ongoing shortages, especially if certain brands like TEVA because that's how much they can vary in side effects when you get generics. Due to it being a narcotic, in the same class as opioids, you need to be careful about keeping them labeled when you travel, or it could land you a charge of attempting to distribute (don't ever keep lose pills on you). It's also a bitch to plan around the due date because they don't allow early refills -- only on the day they are out, can you refill it. It also can't be a repeat script -- you must call it in every month. Depending on the prescriber; you may have to do pill counts and or piss tests every few months.

As others pointed out, if you take it without a clear goal, it'll make you hyper focus on anything -- meaning dicking around watching YouTube, or playing a game. You must have tasks ready to go. Another thing is that if you take it daily for long enough, you will notice when you don't take it. I suggest only taking it AS NEEDED, not daily if not necessary. Trust me, you'll feel like you are the walking dead without it if you are used to it.

If you don't want your Adderall, I'll take it.

(The Good:).

If you genuinely need it, yes you'll notice an improvement. Unlike antidepressants, it doesn't need to build up to work. The first 6 months, you'll have a low appetite, will lose weight, and feel like you gained the stamina of 2 or 3 people (compared to your default self). You will be able to power through those tasks you dread and for many, it helps relieve depression. Naturally focusing on important tasks will improve your life, along with the energy gained.

More bad/ ugly though, because nothing in life is free; the weight loss stops after your body gets used to it and you can easily go back to your starting weight. Even the energy will eventually decrease unless you keep adjusting the dose upward. A positive is that you will keep the attention part of it. It at least you should.

There's a reason they don't just give obese people stimulants full time -- everyone I know that started them and lost a bunch of weight, ended up going back to their old selves in a year, except for those that kept taking more and popped them all damn day. Doses too high can actually make you look like you do have ADHD too -- with tics, not sitting still, and being a scatter brain. I noticed that in people that didn't seem to need it, but we taking it to gain an edge in life. Always backfires eventually.

If you're genuine OP, I can't stress enough to go to the right person for it. A professional that actually does all the testing. If honestly say that about any meds anyone is thinking of getting on since you are committing to taking and depending on a daily med for life. It's also not a complete crutch -- it's one tool out of many . There are ways to modify your behaviors to make life easier. I know, it comes across as cheesy, but I mean it.

As someone that takes it, I found that taking days off has kept me from developing a dependency. I take it maybe 3 days a week vs every day. At first I did everyday, but if I'm not doing anything, why bother? It's kept me from having to increase it too. It can also stifle creativity (at least I think so), therefore when I want to do something like paint, or whatever, I don't like feeling locked in like I'm just trying to power through a project. I also avoid it on days I get severe headaches (makes it worse).

I'm not going to lie, I get very very nervous about the construction with it because I seen similar patterns with opioids. They were given out a little too freely and when the people that shouldn't have had them became addicted, well... Let's just say a lot of genuine patients paid a price too. That's why we're seeing cancer doctors reducing scripts in half, or hospitals making people beg for pain relief, even after major surgeries. It really sucks when meds get too abused and they go after doctors and their patients.

Anyway, i wish you good luck no matter what you and your doctor decide. If you do try and it changes your life for the better, I say it did what it was supposed to do.

I was on adderall for 10+ years. I also have high blood pressure.

After the supply shortages I faced last year (with the accompanied withdrawal symptoms, I switched to a non-stimulant ADD — OP, please consider your options.

(R45)—I appreciate your observations and those of others who replied. I am “genuine” and, at this point, I’m leaning toward not taking the meds. Among other things, there is still a shortage and my local Walgreens (Palm Springs) is unable to provide an e.t.a. I’m also 67 years old and, based on what others have shared, it seems ill-advised to become dependent on a drug that potentially carries nasty side effects. Again, thanks to all for your collective wisdom.

Great thread. I take St Johns Wort, which helped after a home invasion 7 years ago. But not the same as you, sorry OP.

67? Time to lay off the speed. What kind of doctor prescribes it to a patient that age?

There are some long-worded posts on this thread.

There are older people on ADD meds who have been on them all their adult lives. I'm not saying it's ideal but it's not unheard of.

What's the non-stimulant ADD prescription? Does it work well and does it make you gain weight or cause kidney problems? I was looking for one awhile back and IIRC one or both of those were symptoms.

But on the flipside, to those who are poo-pooing medication, etc-- living with untreated ADD has awful side effects, too. There are real consequences for relationships of all kinds, career and health-- and that greatly reduces a person's quality of life. At some point, a person decides they'd like a shot at a few decades of 'normal life', without the chaos, that maybe 20 years present and engaged would be better than 25 years a complete mess to to themself and to everyone around them. It's a burden to my loved ones, I know.

People telling you it isn't real and all you need to do is meditate or just put your keys and wallet in the same place every day or just need to keep a notebook with your to-do list-- it doesn't work that way. The breaker is flipped to off in that part of the brain. If you don't know, you really don't know.

Milky Loads is on Bill Maher!

the worst mistake anyone can make is over analyzing whether they should take psychiatric drugs. You have a psychiatrist. They have made a recommendation.

You try it and you see how it works with your body chemistry over a recommended period of time. You communicate with your psychiatrist as to how you are feeling and let them know of any side effects. Then they may decide to play with your dose. You then see how you feel.

I have a friend who waited about 15 years to try adderall. He'd sometimes bring it up. He was concerned about this that and the other thing. He eventually tried it, it worked for him, he now uses it and is far more functional.

R62 yes I made the recommendation upthread. The issue seems to be many people do not have the means to access the regular care of a psychiatrist. Or do not like psychiatrists.

There was a girl I worked with that became addicted to it, and GOD HELP YOU if you became her center of focus when she was taking it.

Also, there was a time none of her pharmacies nearby was able to fill her script, and you’d think THE WORLD ENDED.

It also made her more productive, but the quality of her work dropped off SIGNIFICANTLY…

I’d question if you have to take it long term.

Short version: Do not take it. Not worth it at your age, OP.

Get a second opinion.

It’s very hard to get off of.

Some of you have a terrible illness known as diarrhea of the keyboard.

In fact many humans do not get addicted to "additive substances". So again, trial the med under treatment by a shrink.

“Given the potential for abuse, and the fact that one of the drug’s side effects is depression, the Japanese health care system is unlikely to advocate for it. When patients in Japan are diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, they are prescribed Concerta, which employs the amphetamine substitute methylphenidate, which has lower rates of addiction and abuse.“

R44 I prefer the term “uterus haver”.

“Methamphetamines are almost always associated with addiction, but meth is, surprisingly, very chemically similar to Adderall and other prescription stimulants. “

I’ve been on the same lowish dose of Adderall for over a decade and have gone for a month or two without it at various times, including six weeks this past November/December. I didn’t pick at my face or burglarize a pharmacy to get more. It’s not as addictive as many would have one believe, IMO. I function better and my thoughts are clearer. There is a use for this medication, period. ^^^

Meth was developed by Nazis to help Nazis kill freedom-loving soldiers and Jews and Gypsies. Adderall is meth so if you take it you are Worse than Hitler but you'll soon be a degenerate desperate addict and lose everything and go to prison and die, so no biggie about being a Nazi I suppose.

R73, I understand. But there actually isn’t international agreement among doctors that it’s safe. I think that’s why so many people will still ask questions even if they’ve already gotten a professional opinion.

r41 victims of "narcissists" often have hysterical stories about the lengths their abusers go to, exaggerated to wire hanger extremes.. and their social jerks affirm all their beliefs as long as they continue to see narcissists everywhere but if they no longer do, then they're declared to have "fleas" and shunned.

r51 structural shifts to work environment and home life, akin to:

Adderall will turn you into a junkie whore!!

r78 well, they were posting on here.

case in point.

checkmate.