I'm new here and hoping that this forum will help me kick my addiction with adderall.
I was diagnosed as "ADD" four years ago and prescribed concerta. I have poor attention skills, but basically I was looking to get on methamphetimines solely for the purpose of losing weight. When concerta didn't work, I opted for adderall, and have since been prescribed for three years.
Two years ago, I took 60-70 mg adderall XR on a daily basis. I dropped a ton of weight in a short amount of time and grew fond of the "speed" that came with it. Oftentimes, I would accompany my adderall with a large energy drink or other caffeine based products to increase the feeling.
I've since stopped taking so much and stick with my prescribed dose (30 XR) and save up my 10 mg d salt combo for when I run out (because I usually seem to early)
I smoke a pack a day. I've quit before while on adderall, but it would be so much easier if I dropped the drug. I recently found out my blood pressure is high (it was never high until two months ago) and it scared me to death. I'm 19 years old and should be at the peak of my health, yet I'm ruining this for vain and hedonistic reasons.
My addiction is ruining my life. I can't function without adderall. I get fatigued, hungry, lazy, and "loopy" acting. Sometimes I'm convinced that little orange capsule contains my sole. Without it, I'm unable to do anything.
I'm scared to death to quit because I know how long it takes to get back to normal and I don't want to gain weight/let my grades slip in the mean time. My goal is to go to pharmacy school and thus far I've done amazing in college. I fear that without adderall I'll flunk out.
My dad and aunt are both seasoned narcotic users, and its ruined both of their lives. I don't want to end up that way. How can I make the transition?
Any advice, suggestions, or merely encouragement are desperately needed.
hi astrid , im Anthony and im a drug addict .congradulations on taking a first step. being fresh clean myself i hate risking your life on my distorted advice. but you certainly have my full support. humbly i offer this..find a meeting in your area.( you can find one in the sticky notes at the top of this message board ) GO to that meeting.SHARE with the people you meet there. ASK for phone numbers. it can be intimidating , dont let fear get in your way..make a committment to get to 90 meetings in 90 days., there are some really awesome people on this site. they help me much. they dont know me or you but thier love for us pours through these messages.i hope this helps.much love and hugs astrid. KEEP COMING BACK..and best of luck to you . Anthonyg
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" If you have built castles in the air , your work need not be lost ; that is where they should be . Now put the foundations under them . "
Welcome Astrid, Thank you for sharing, keep coming back, NA Hugs.
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"If we do an honest examination of exactly what we are giving, we are better able to evaluate the results we are getting."Chapter 10 - Emotional Pain - NA Way of Life.
Sounds like this drug as prescribed is necessary you need to follow the prescription as noted by your doctor and stop adding those energy drinks they are not safe.
Has your doctor prescribed BP meds ? I just started taking them about 9 months ago and am dealing with side effects mostly lethargy its tough I take coffee or 25 mg caffeine just to stay awake in the afternoon, ITS TOUGH but I fight it and dont over use caffeine.
The weight issue that was my excuse for SO LONG not to stop using I put 70 pounds on the first year I stopped the last time I got clean i've now leveled off my weight finally I did the gym thing for years got into body building and did other things for muscle gain and of course that got out of control too . Today i go to the gym twice a week and I have a hobbie that is grueling to do so get plenty of workout there, I also smoke still but i stay on my BP meds daily .
Check with your doctor on all of this you might want to try a specialist the knows about substance abuse and get some help there also.
Glad to have you here and thansk for sharing with us we'll help all we can but you have to help yourself make sure your getting all you can your to young to die.
Hi ! Did you ever get off the aderall? I had a very similar addiction to yours. I finally got off of it, and have been off of it for 7 months
I went three years before i finally went cold turkey off of the aderall. For three years I tried to cut it down, but like you describe, those damn orange pills were like my soul, and i couldnt really function without them.
To get off of them, I found time when I could strategically plan for not having as much stress, pressure, and responsibilities, so my system could get used to being without them. And like NA teaches, have NO expectations of yourself. Just try to work towards the bare minimum of what needs to get accomplished until you regain your natural strength. It really does take time.
At two months off of them, I finally got through doing homework, cleaning the house, etc with out the damn pills. I had to ask family members for support too. But they were happy to help. HOWEVER--- DO NOT TAKE ANY OF THE DAMN PILLS once you actiually try to stop for real. You have to learn to function without them.
I just got through taxes without them, AND am back in school... I graduated college while using the first time.. now in grad school.
Preparing for the first test was really a test of my strength. And to be HONEST, if I didnt have a boyfriend that would have killed me had I reverted i may have went back to it.
But i did not. Instead. I started studying like two weeks ahead of time, and really put like 4 times the effort into it. I got an A!!!! yes!
And now having got through that, I really have more strenth to stay off of them because I know I can succeed without them if I try my hardest!
And its not worth it to be on them. They are an addiction, and they will ruin your life. You cant just take the prescribed dose once you like them, AND you are living life hooked and dependant on speed.
Try to take the time to get off of them when you have the chance it is worth it.
