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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by CareBear04 on February 1, 2005, at 20:28:27
hey everyone,
i'm not sure, but i think i'm addicted to adderall. i've taken lots of prescription drugs in schedules II-IV and have never felt emotionally attached to a drug. i've taken adderall for about six months and now take 50-60mg a day. i'm at a point where i can't even feel the stuff anymore, but i'm afraid to stop taking it, afraid that my supply will run out, afraid of becoming depressed and in as black a mood as ever. i'm tolerant to the dose i'm at, but if i don't take adderall, then i feel cranky and depressed and just generally in a bad mood. my dose is 30mg in the morning + 10-20 in the afternoon. i've been taking 40 or so in the morning, then more in the afternoon. i have enough adderall in store that i can increase the dose like this.i talked my pdoc into switching me to concerta for awhile in the hope that i can reduce my tolerance to adderall. i had concerta once before and found it much less effective than adderall, but when i took it today, it worked much better than adderall. is this a workable solution?
in the longer term, how do i get off these stims? i need them for attention and focus and alertness. now that i'm on them, it seems impossible to get off. i'm diagnosed as BP II with the worst episodes being black and suicidal depressions. not only that, when i don't have adderall in my system, i don't have enough energy to carry out even the simplest functions. so i'm really afraid of discontinuing. i tried tapering down a few months ago, but that was unsuccessful.
is amphetamine withdrawal really painful? what are the risks? is there any way to lessen the pain and emotional effects of withdrawal? please let me know... thanks!
Posted by Festus on February 2, 2005, at 0:42:25
In reply to amphetamine addiction, posted by CareBear04 on February 1, 2005, at 20:28:27
Amphetamine WD,s are unlike other drug WD,s in as much as they do not supress your CNS,like Opiates and Benzo,s,etc.Therefore you pretty much experience the"Blahs",like being real tired or out of it.They can cause some depression so hope you got some Prozac or something.They can actually be good if you can have a few days in which to just relax in your bedroom and watch TV,sleep and maybe rent some good movies and eat popcorn and stuff.I take Dexedrine and every 3 weeks,I,ll go 3-4 days without it and just "crash" in my room.I feel a little achy sometime but Motrin helps or I use a heating pad.It may not be nearly as bad as you may think,if you prepare with some of the "pampering methods"to ward off the Blahs.Festus
Posted by CareBear04 on February 2, 2005, at 1:02:54
In reply to Re: amphetamine addiction, posted by Festus on February 2, 2005, at 0:42:25
thanks, festus. that's pretty much what i've heard about amphetamine withdrawal-- that it's unplesant, but not physically dangerous. unfortunately, i'm also on high doses of the downer drugs like xanax, klonopin, and percocet. i guess it's a matter of tapering off of them one at a time, but i wish to God that i'd never been prescribed these things. sounds like you have experience, so i hope you're well.
Posted by man_oh_man1977 on February 3, 2005, at 0:34:34
In reply to Re: amphetamine addiction » Festus, posted by CareBear04 on February 2, 2005, at 1:02:54
Hi. I too are struggling with the amphetamines, big time! At first, I would just pop a bunch and enjoy the buzz. But then, one night a friend a I decided to snort adderall. Now i am on Ritalin, but it's the same difference. I really need a stimulant to function, but I go on these benders where sometimes I won't sleep for 36 hours. And I "waste" so much of the medicine that I have to totally ration my month's worth of pills so I don't run out. My psyschologist is encouraging me to tell my pdoc; he thinks that because they affect your dopamine levels that I might just need something that has a similar effect without being so dangerous. I have no problem telling my pdoc (I see him on the 9th); he is not going to take away my "drugs"; he's very understanding. But, I am happy to see this thread and know that other's are in the same boat. I can go on and on about the benefits I reap from this abuse, but it's just petty rationalizations to make me feel better. I know it's a problem, I'm ashamed of myself and I wish I could stop. I've done very well quitting other substances, but this one is really tricky. I can go for a couple of days taking my prescribed dose, and then I am back to my habit. Anyway, if anyone has insight on this matter... for instance, the dopamine thing, that would be great. Some support, too :(
Oh, and what is Concerta? Is it in the same class of drugs? Ok, thanks...Man-oh-man
Posted by CareBear04 on February 3, 2005, at 1:51:35
In reply to Re: amphetamine addiction, posted by man_oh_man1977 on February 3, 2005, at 0:34:34
hey man_oh_man!
concerta is extended release ritalin. i can't take regular ritalin because of big highs and lows, but the long-release concerta works well for me.
i've survived high doses of downers for years, even opoid narcotics, but uppers seem to be my downfall.
i have no idea whether we've depleted dopamine stores or not. i really hope not. i hope it's just the case that some time off from the drug (painful but temporary) will reduce our tolerance and allow us to retake the drug again with better efficacy. thanks for replying!
This is the end of the thread.
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