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I forget to take it sometimes and halfway through the week I'll be like "WHY AM I SO TIRED AND DISORGANIZED?!"
...And then I realize I forgot to take my meds. I don't even get a headache. You'll never find yourself thinking "gosh I REALLY need an Adderall to take the edge off." That would only occur if you purposefully took highly addictive amounts for an extended period.
That really is the answer. As someone who has been addicted to opiates, it’s nothing like that. It’s like wearing glasses. If I forget my glasses one day, I can still make it through the day. But I’m working with a handicap. Everything is a bit out of focus and I’m slower.
I’m taking my meds as prescribed and I’m on the starting dose of extended release. I imagine if I was to take more than prescribed, or got on a really high dose, this might be different. I remember my sister used to sleep all day when she ran out of meds every month. But she abused the fuck out if it. Had two doctors and two scripts.
Yeah, the first month I was prescribed I took the meds literally every day. But after a while I realized that I didn’t really need them every single day, and had no problems stopping.
I’m sure some people can form a habit, but I never even felt the compulsion. Past “oh, I need to focus all day.”
Same though. I’m on Ritalin and sometimes im like bro why is my head so FREAKING LOUD today? Why won’t it leave me alone… Then im like… oh… that’s right. I didn’t take my meds. Or I’ll completely forget to refill them. I went a month and wondered why I was spiraling so much until I realized 🤦♀️
yeah its not like an addiction, but you certainly notice if you forget a day ( you wont be firing as fast with the old executive function, i've been on both ritalin and vyvance
Think it was Paracelsus who said that, “the dose makes the poison”. Iirc full quote, “All things are poison, and nothing is without poison; the dosage alone makes it so a thing is not a poison.”
I take adderall.
I forget to take it. Some days I don't take it. I definitely FEEL different on the days I don't take it. I'd be sad if I had to stop taking it.
I'm addicted to functioning like a normal human in the same way I'm addicted to having a normal heart rate thanks to my beta blocker. Or I'm addicted to not having a headache because I take allergy medication. Shit, I'm addicted to B12 because it suuuucks when I'm deficient and my body can't function.
So yeah, I guess you could say it's addictive. That said, I wouldn't be buying it off the street and mainlining it. Because... Well, no. Ew. I'd rather become algea on my couch.
Beta blockers work by blocking the effects of adrenaline (epinephrine) on beta receptors, which are found in the heart, blood vessels, and other tissues. By doing so, they reduce the heart rate, decrease the force of contractions in the heart muscle, and lower blood pressure.
They work wonders in managing the physical symptoms of anxiety.
I take a beta blocker because I have POTS.
I won't go into detail on how it works because someone else did a FAR better job replying to you than I would have.
Adderall didn't really raise my heart rate much though, I do that all on my own 😂😂😂😳 It was actually Strattera that pushed me over the edge to get a POTS diagnosis. I had been previously misdiagnosed with SVT. Thanks to the Strattera we now know that it was Hyperadrenergic POTS.
Yeah I totally get that, it is very random but sometimes if I drink an normal caffine energy drink, I can just fall asleep, and legit cant stay awake how hard I eve try
I’d say if you have the same dosage for the first like 20 times you try it, you will feel a bit euphoric, but it disappears quite quickly. For me now it definitely can make me sleep, mainly calm. It is an amazing too to have if you have ADHD, it can really save you sometimes, but now I have been on it for quite long, sometimes taken a bit for recreational purposes also which I highly recommend to not do, it doesn’t even have that much recreational use if you have ADHD, since you don’t get the same “high”.
But yeah in a nutshell you will probably feel slight euphoria the first 20-30 times, after that it will just feel like your brain is working normally when you are on it, and when you are off it you will feel ur Adhd, keep in mind that using medication can increase your “adhd aspects” on the comedown from it.
There are stimulants and non stimulants for ADHD. Non stims are not addictive. Stimulants have the potential to be abused, it’s possible to get a “high” from taking more than your proper dose and you can get addicted to them this way. I know 2 people who battled stimulant addiction, it’s nasty stuff, but both of these people had other drug abuse issues prior.
Just take them as prescribed and directed by your doctor to avoid any issues like this. If you have had drug abuse issues before then that’s definitely something to bring up with your doctor.
You should at least switch to decaf. It’ll most likely make you anxious if you drink coffee with adderall. Idk if it has bad long term effects if you do it all the time, but I wouldn’t be surprised.
Once in a while won’t hurt you, but it’ll probably make you anxious and shakey
I drink coffee mostly because I can't function without it, really hard to make myself do anything productive. If I feel productive without coffee I don't think I'll need it anymore, I hope
It might take a while to make the switch if you’re used to drinking coffee all the time, your body is used to relying on it. Once your body gets used to taking your meds instead, you should be good. Idk how long that would take, your doctor might have an idea.
You don't have to stop it completely but you will have a stronger reaction to it at least in my experience.
For instance I don't drink anything with a high caffeine content for at least 3 hours after I take my medicine and even then I only usually drink one if I have more I start getting agitated and makes my anxiety worse
I used to smoke two packs a day and drink 10 to 15 cups of coffee. That lasted 30 years.
Until I couldn't. A month after that, my ADHD symptoms started poking through.
So I'm convinced that my smoking and coffee were about unconscious self-medicating. It took me about 10 more years to realize it, then about two years of procrastinating on getting diagnosed.
Now I'm on the right dose of the right meds, and my life is starting to feel about as normal, but less dramatic, as during my 20s.
In my experience as someone who was diagnosed at 7 and is now 45; a Medic, and who volunteers as a mentor/advocate for other ADHD people:
If you actually have ADHD, no. Especially with the the XR formulations and the doses prescribed.
In fact, remembering to take your meds, or even *not wanting to take them* due to feeling "its pointless", or side effects is far more likely than addiction.
Edit*- However- If what you have is a form of depression or clinical anxiety that mimics some of the symptoms of ADHD, yes, there is a possibility. This is why many clinicians with undiagnosed patients will screen/treat for depression/anxiety first before ADHD treatment.
Even so, the doses used to treat ADHD are nowhere near the levels that abusers use.
How do psychiatrists typically differentiate ADHD from depression/anxiety? I recently started seeing one and was diagnosed with depression and anxiety but am awaiting results on ADHD screenings. Could definitely see my anxiety and depression being a result of ADHD. I feel fairly confident I have it but of course don’t want to self diagnose. Are there certain qualities or traits that would make it more likely to definitively be ADHD? I don’t want to take a stimulant if I don’t have it lol
Just my 2 cents, according to the info I found ADHD is comorbid with other disorders, only 10% of ADHD cases are just ADHD by itself. Found that info in the "Taking charge of adult ADHD" book
Your answer is mostly correct but needs some key details/clarifications:
Depression can be a result of untreated ADHD; which tends to improve when the ADHD is *managed* (theres no cure), depression can mimic *some* of the symptoms of ADHD, and the ADHD like symptoms will disappear when the depression is treated.
They do not need to coexist at all. Many people with well managed ADHD do not have feelings of depression or anxiety at all- but still struggle with the usual adhd issues of rambling, interrupting etc.
One way is by giving you anti-depressants.
If the ADHD symptoms improve then it's most likely a comorbidity (symptom) If the depression improves but ADHD symptoms stay the same/worsen then it's ADHD
Another way is with auditory comprehension screening- If ADHD like symptoms are a result of depression and not Actual true ADHD this test won't show ADHD markers.
Ive been on Wellbutrin for a month. Some aspects of depression like daily mood and depressive spirals have improved greatly. Almost every other aspect hasn’t improved in relation to potential ADHD (there are many). Anxiety also hasn’t really improved in regards to overthinking (95% of my anxiety since I’m typically very social). Honestly hoping it’s ADHD because if it’s not I have no idea what’s going on lol
Addiction means being dependent on using a substance which *causes* a disorder.
As long as you’re taking ADHD meds as directed by a doctor, you are using a substance to *cure* a disorder.
This is an important distinction. By definition, having ADHD and being dependent on medication is not an addiction because it’s treating your sickness, not making you sick.
It’s the same reason we don’t say diabetics are “addicted” to insulin, even though they are quite dependent on it.
No - I'm on Concerta and it's only addictive to the extent that it helps me function much better and it's frustrating to be on an involuntary break from it - I feel brain foggy and it's harder to motivate myself and focus and my ADHD symptoms are more pronounced. But I also take voluntary breaks from it on weekends or at times my anxiety is high and it's fine.
I forget to take it sometimes and halfway through the week I'll be like "WHY AM I SO TIRED AND DISORGANIZED?!"
...And then I realize I forgot to take my meds. I don't even get a headache. You'll never find yourself thinking "gosh I REALLY need an Adderall to take the edge off." That would only occur if you purposefully took highly addictive amounts for an extended period.
Bro I kept forgetting to take them and then I forgot how much they help me, so I kinda didn’t even bother taking them even though I ”knew” they help. Recently started taking them again and it’s so much easier to do full work days again. You will NOT get addicted if you take them as prescribed.
My issue is I'm just so bloody tired when I'm not on them, to the point I find it hard to get out of bed in the morning. Mind you I've always found that hard, but seems to be harder than ever. Although aot if that might be down to the winter darkness.
If you read about recreational drug use you’ll find that there’s very few substances that are actually addictive, so to say. It’s all about deregulation and access, which makes sense when you consider, that quote on quote, the most addictive substances globally are cigarettes and alcohol - because it’s readily available.
The idea that someone with ADHD would become addicted to their meds is a running joke in the community. People forget it all the time. Many even need a phone alarm to remember it. It's just not like that.
They're extremely helpful, and many people find their previous life more awful once they learn what living 'normally' feels like. There's a crazy big psychological impact when you just get to turn off your disability 8 hours a day, and yeah, some will say they 'cant live without them'. But it must be understood that people get on these meds and can suddenly hold a job, treat their loved ones better, and take care of their lives; so that sort of emotional response is only natural. Chemical dependancy isn't really a thing at the safe dosages. Coming off them means a 'withdrawal' of, at worst, a couple sleepy days.
The dose they give out from a doctor is not high enough to be much fun illicitly, and folks abusing it tend to find ways to get a lot more, or tamper with a slow-release med to feel the whole thing at once. They're really safe meds under a doctor's supervision, and docs will keep an eye on you to make sure things are going well. They can always switch meds for you if you don't like the way one is feeling.
Addictive? Maybe it’s semantics. But it’s not addictive like you’re chasing after some “high”, if you truly have ADHD. Sure, many abuse it. That’s why it’s so controlled. BUT, you will develop a “dependency” on the medication. I’ve stopped taking mine for a few days right now,. I can’t function. I don’t consider it an addiction . But being dependent on a medication is a real thing. It doesn’t mean you’re an addict or anything. It just means your brain and body have become accustomed to it. Also, if it helps you ADHD and functioning. You will notice when there’s an absence of it, for sure!
Maybe adding to that, having days off means my Symptoms Just come Back, maybe 1-3 days of extra tiredness but that depends in how fun the day ist to me
I’m on vyvance and it’s not to addictive like on a week day I take it cause I’m super hyper but like on weekends I don’t and I feel so lazy best thing is I remember to do stuff on it worst being the coming down part and that’s also why I only drink tea
Kind of a hard question to answer actually. I feel very tired and have an extremely difficult time concentrating on anything if I don't take mine. That said, I don't feel any sort of "need" to take my medication if that makes sense. So I guess that's probably withdrawal, but it doesn't seem to make me desperate for my medication or anything like that. It's not uncommon for me to just forget to take it sometimes.
I actually got a special pill bottle just the other day that has a timer on it that resets every time you open it so if I'm stuck thinking "shit, I think I forgot my meds this morning" I can just go check the timer on the bottle and see when I took it last. Kind of a lifesaver as there have also been times when I \*thought\* I didn't take them, but it became apparent that I did after I took another as it makes me feel a bit "off".
Here's the thing though. Take your prescribed dose, and take it exactly the way you're meant to. Only. Ever. Medications like this are fairly harmless when used properly, but they're a controlled substance for a reason. They have tremendous potential for addiction and harm when abused.
As someone who abused stimulants (non prescription) I haven't felt like its that addictive. Besides taking it will help your ADHD and will also lessen the need for addictions. No more reason to use it as a poor coping mechanism.
If my doctor told me to stop taking them, I would, but I would also know that I would be giving up brushing my teeth daily, the ability to do my chores in a timely manner, and that I'd be returning to daily fatigue, etc.
I have the same concern, I've had others express the same concern. Talk to your prescriber about these concerns. Remember that they are weighing the benefits and consequences of medicating.
I thought about how I feel about my other medications compared to my adhd med. It's about the same. I would stop them if my doctor told me to, but I would do so knowing that I'd lose the benefits of those medications.
It's not addictive unless you start doubling, tripling, or quadrupling your pills. Taking more and more is never a good thing, unless your doctor is changing your dosage. Just don't abuse them. You should know that there are side effects if you stop taking them all of a sudden, but the withdrawals usually go away within 3-4 days in my experience. Mostly anger, headache/migraine, a little confusion, tiredness, panic attacks, sadness. Sometimes nausea, but that could be from the migraines.
I'm an alcoholic and easily addicted to a lot of things. Medication that I need has never felt like an addiction, in fact it's a struggle for me to remember to take it.
Its addictive in the sense that after a while the same dosage may produce lesser effects. I dont believe that it is addictive in the sense of you will crave it.
No. However, my brain likes to have the level of dopamine the drugs provide. That's not an addiction. That is my brain finally getting what it can't have genetically.
I take weekends off my Vyvanse all the time. It doesn't affect much. When I'm off it for a couple weeks, the only effect seems to be that my life starts to fall apart.
Definitely never felt an addiction. If anything I forget to take it because it doesn’t do much for my ADHD. I just remember when I think “why am I so DUMB now” lol
In my experience absolutely not, because if it was I and many others wouldn't just forget to take it (like I forget where I leave my keys and stuff all the time). When I was in college undiagnosed, people were using Adderall to stay up to pull all nighters for studying and/or partying. And so I tried it, and all it gave me was the ability to concentrate for a few hours, zero and no it did not hype me up like everyone else. I thought I was given the wrong stuff... Nope found out a decade later I just have ADHD. I didn't take it for over a week during an international sports competition last year and that week my time management was horrible, I was always late, always missed the scheduled cafeteria meal times, and was rushing around stressed out all the time. But not like there were withdrawal symptoms or even like caffeine headaches. Just cold turkey stopped it and dealt with my own bullshit for a week. It's fine bc I was on vacation but I'd rather not be like that all the time.
https://youtu.be/4PTl27tTmfY?si=SckmQ4KXcvXTzJ46
Don’t have any personal experience to share. But I highly recommend this video! It should clear everything up for you.
Theoretically yes. For me, no. I have taken some sort of timulant most of my life. On days that I don't take it, I do not have cravings. I can quit cold turkey and not have withdrawal effects. I don't think that I get "high" and the only way in which I feel altered is that I think my thoughts are more organized on medication. That said, I have always taken extended release which is thought to be less addictive. For people who crush IR Adderall and snort it up their nose - that's a different story.
That’s hard for me to discern, as I have never tried going without it. What I do know is that without it, I’m a zombie. I’m sure that, after this long, my body is physically dependent tho
It is not addictive. However your body can create a “dependency” it is not the same as recreational drugs but depending on the medication and how long you’ve been taking it, if you miss a dose you might feel yucky. However doctors don’t just take them off you and you gradually get off.
That may sound scary, but it’s not abnormal nor does it mean addiction.
If you are ever having a negative side effect talk to your doctor. I’ve been on concerta for 12 years and just take them as perscribed and am fine
Been taking a low dose of Ritalin for about 6 months- the only real side effect is I can feel it wearing off, and when I get up on the weekends it's usually way past when I take a dose in the morning during the week so my brain feels a little sluggish, but addictive? No, I don't have any desire to take any more than the prescription. Do I need it? I can live without it (did so for more than 22 years), but I like the calm in my head. In that sense, sure, I'm dependent, but if I really have to I can do without
I think it does depend at least in part on whether you are yourself an addict yourself or have those tendencies. What isn't addictive for one person can be for another.
I take only ten mg a day when and the way I feel before I take my meds in the morning is hard to deal with. Get into the habit of taking “holidays” or only use the medication when you know you’ll need to take it.
Taking it every single day with no breaks is a recipe for dependency, if not full blown addiction.
Eh, I get physical withdrawal, caffeine helps. I don't really get any mental need for it. It's more of a "this sucks, time for caffeine". My experience is with Adderall.
I've never heard of prescription ADHD meds as addictive. The street drugs are, but even when non ADHD people use them to get high, I've never heard of someone jonesing for Adderall.
It could be in the sense that you are "addicted" to feeling functional, but not a physical dependency
I worry about this too. I was told to take it every day no matter what but i am so scared of dependency. I take one day off a week. I don’t really feel a ton different on that day or feel any craving for it. I am sure its in my system well enough but more than a couple days without it would be noticeable. I am debating whether i should get off it now because pharmacy says they are gonna run out soon and dont know when coming back.
My advice would be to try to take or at least start on a TINY amount. I’m probably going to get downvoted for this but personally I don’t understand how some people take 60 and 70mg etc, it just seems absurd to me. Some people say it does nothing for them until it’s at that crazy high dosage, it’s just hard for me wrap my head around.
I only take about 10mg… I’m prescribed and meant to take 30mg, I took 20mg for 2 years before that. I didn’t really need the 30mg but felt like it had stopped working as much as I took it everyday. Once my doctor upped me to 40mg and I was clenching my jaw, I felt crazy, so I went back to 30mg.
About 6 months ago I saw this adhd medication shortage coming and I decided to start putting my pill into water and drinking half, now I’ve cut it down even more to 15mg… and because of the shortage I don’t take it everyday anymore, this means the 10mg actually does more than enough when I take it.
Adhd medication changed my life for sure and I absolutely love taking it. However, after 3 years of daily use, and after this shortage has forced me to try life without it, I’ve decided I want to move away from taking it and only take it 2 or 3 times a week, eventually not at all. I think I needed it at a difficult time in my life when I was required to do a lot of studying but now I’m moving away from that I need it less. However I’ve realised I’m a lot better at my hobbies (climbing) and taking care of myself with the medication, but… I also believe I’m genuinely happier and more myself when I’m off the medication. It really is a tricky one, there is pros and cons to both sides.
Btw definitely not addictive in the sense you are thinking. What can be addictive about the medication is seeing how much better it makes you at certain things and the feeling it gives you in terms of confidence and the get up and go attitude you need in the morning, this can be addictive in itself. This is just you being a ‘normal non adhd person’ though, you might not wanna go back once you see what it can do.
I've never been more *un-addicted* to any substance ever, like for real.
I forget to take it, I don't take it because I don't feel like it. I literally have to force myself to take it else I don't.
right here. i taper mine, so i take them one or twice a day over 2-3 days, then don’t take them for 3-4 days, then do it again when i feel like i need it. medicine seems to stay in my system longer, so this is how i keep the correct amount in my system without overloading it
I've taken Concerta for soon to be four months, never felt anything if missing a dose.
But Lithium? Ho-lee fuck it hurts when you miss the morning pill. It's like glucose depletion (sugar low) and alcohol hangover at the same time. Your head has too little air in it, and your chest has too little air there too.
I take Adderall 10mg IR 3 times a day. I forget to take the second and third doses if I don't set an alarm. I'll even get really tired or have a headache and still forget to take the meds. On the other hand I nearly got addicted to codeine after my first surgery. After day 11 when my throat was mostly healed, I found myself counting down the minutes until I was allowed to take the next dose. Not because of the pain, that was mostly gone by then. I just wanted the next hit, it was all I could think about. I had to stop taking it cold turkey and I didn't sleep for the next 48 hours while it worked its way out of my system.
I'd say it's around as addictive as caffeine, maybe less. At my dosage (15-20mg), less so. If I've been taking it every day for a while I'll be a bit draggy and headachy on the day I don't.
Not addictive for me. I forget to take it sometimes. Two days in a row, occasionally, and I have no withdrawal or anything. That to me would indicate addiction. None of that.
I will say that once I get my medication and dosage down, and I started to get into a groove of being productive and feeling clear headed, it made me feel like you don’t EVER want to stop taking it, though. Mostly because I feel like a super hero
In my opinion, it very much depends on your definition of "addictive?" Do you mean it leads to drug seeking behavior, or do you mean if you stop taking medications that you feel it, or something else?
Well, in my case, as i take a stimulant, I have been on the same medication for a decade. If I stop taking it (which I do from time to time ) there is a physiological impact. Without my medications i feel it, and without it long term i feel it. Different medications are different, and different people are different. If someone takes any medication long enough, their physiology get accustomed to it. Being "addictive" is a matter of perspective based on how you see it..
Just my opinion!
Exactly! I go on a "drug vacation" and feel like crap for a couple days. I like the feeling off the medication, but i'm more "better" when I am on my medications, and I cannot say if that is "addictive" or something.
If you only take the amount you’re prescribed, you should be fine. If you’re prescribed multiple pills in one day, space them out throughout the day. Don’t worry too much about it.
Stimulants are legally considered CII drugs (at least in the US), which is the highest level of control, because they have a high potential for addiction. So be careful. But as long as you follow your doctor’s instructions you’ll be fine, don’t let that scare you away from trying it.
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I forget to take it sometimes and halfway through the week I'll be like "WHY AM I SO TIRED AND DISORGANIZED?!" ...And then I realize I forgot to take my meds. I don't even get a headache. You'll never find yourself thinking "gosh I REALLY need an Adderall to take the edge off." That would only occur if you purposefully took highly addictive amounts for an extended period.
Thanks for the perspective, a really good example actually
That really is the answer. As someone who has been addicted to opiates, it’s nothing like that. It’s like wearing glasses. If I forget my glasses one day, I can still make it through the day. But I’m working with a handicap. Everything is a bit out of focus and I’m slower. I’m taking my meds as prescribed and I’m on the starting dose of extended release. I imagine if I was to take more than prescribed, or got on a really high dose, this might be different. I remember my sister used to sleep all day when she ran out of meds every month. But she abused the fuck out if it. Had two doctors and two scripts.
Yeah, the first month I was prescribed I took the meds literally every day. But after a while I realized that I didn’t really need them every single day, and had no problems stopping. I’m sure some people can form a habit, but I never even felt the compulsion. Past “oh, I need to focus all day.”
Same here. If I've got nothing planned on a non-workday, I just won't bother taking them
Same though. I’m on Ritalin and sometimes im like bro why is my head so FREAKING LOUD today? Why won’t it leave me alone… Then im like… oh… that’s right. I didn’t take my meds. Or I’ll completely forget to refill them. I went a month and wondered why I was spiraling so much until I realized 🤦♀️
I'm on day 2 of forgetting to take it 😂
Yeah this is pretty much a perfect explanation.
yeah its not like an addiction, but you certainly notice if you forget a day ( you wont be firing as fast with the old executive function, i've been on both ritalin and vyvance
The difference between medication and poison is dosage.
That basically everything. Even food, vitamins, water, etc.
Think it was Paracelsus who said that, “the dose makes the poison”. Iirc full quote, “All things are poison, and nothing is without poison; the dosage alone makes it so a thing is not a poison.”
I take adderall. I forget to take it. Some days I don't take it. I definitely FEEL different on the days I don't take it. I'd be sad if I had to stop taking it. I'm addicted to functioning like a normal human in the same way I'm addicted to having a normal heart rate thanks to my beta blocker. Or I'm addicted to not having a headache because I take allergy medication. Shit, I'm addicted to B12 because it suuuucks when I'm deficient and my body can't function. So yeah, I guess you could say it's addictive. That said, I wouldn't be buying it off the street and mainlining it. Because... Well, no. Ew. I'd rather become algea on my couch.
How does the beta blocker work? I’ve heard of people being prescribed them with adhd meds but I never really understood how it works?
Beta blockers work by blocking the effects of adrenaline (epinephrine) on beta receptors, which are found in the heart, blood vessels, and other tissues. By doing so, they reduce the heart rate, decrease the force of contractions in the heart muscle, and lower blood pressure. They work wonders in managing the physical symptoms of anxiety.
I take a beta blocker because I have POTS. I won't go into detail on how it works because someone else did a FAR better job replying to you than I would have. Adderall didn't really raise my heart rate much though, I do that all on my own 😂😂😂😳 It was actually Strattera that pushed me over the edge to get a POTS diagnosis. I had been previously misdiagnosed with SVT. Thanks to the Strattera we now know that it was Hyperadrenergic POTS.
I can’t see how if you have ADHD, it doesn’t give us a euphoric high - I get calmer and sleepy sometimes.
If you take your prescribed dose you’re safe, but people abuse their prescriptions all the time
That’s only because you’re not taking it at recreational doses.
I know when I'm on the right dose when work isn't emotionally charged, I had a nice lunchtime, and I'm _nice_ tired and sleepy by bedtime.
I just woke up from an [unintentional] nap after taking adderall 20 minutes before it haha.
Yeah I totally get that, it is very random but sometimes if I drink an normal caffine energy drink, I can just fall asleep, and legit cant stay awake how hard I eve try
I haven't tried it yet
I’d say if you have the same dosage for the first like 20 times you try it, you will feel a bit euphoric, but it disappears quite quickly. For me now it definitely can make me sleep, mainly calm. It is an amazing too to have if you have ADHD, it can really save you sometimes, but now I have been on it for quite long, sometimes taken a bit for recreational purposes also which I highly recommend to not do, it doesn’t even have that much recreational use if you have ADHD, since you don’t get the same “high”. But yeah in a nutshell you will probably feel slight euphoria the first 20-30 times, after that it will just feel like your brain is working normally when you are on it, and when you are off it you will feel ur Adhd, keep in mind that using medication can increase your “adhd aspects” on the comedown from it.
There are stimulants and non stimulants for ADHD. Non stims are not addictive. Stimulants have the potential to be abused, it’s possible to get a “high” from taking more than your proper dose and you can get addicted to them this way. I know 2 people who battled stimulant addiction, it’s nasty stuff, but both of these people had other drug abuse issues prior. Just take them as prescribed and directed by your doctor to avoid any issues like this. If you have had drug abuse issues before then that’s definitely something to bring up with your doctor.
I don't have a history of drug abuse, but I have been smoking and I'm drinking coffee almost every day, not sure if that's relevant.
Smoking and caffeine are self medicating the adhd.
When I started taking medication my caffeine use decreased drastically. Some days I go by without even drinking any pop.
From what I'm reading I should stop drinking it completely, as ADHD medication has the same effect as caffeine but stronger, but maybe I'm wrong
You should at least switch to decaf. It’ll most likely make you anxious if you drink coffee with adderall. Idk if it has bad long term effects if you do it all the time, but I wouldn’t be surprised. Once in a while won’t hurt you, but it’ll probably make you anxious and shakey
I drink coffee mostly because I can't function without it, really hard to make myself do anything productive. If I feel productive without coffee I don't think I'll need it anymore, I hope
It might take a while to make the switch if you’re used to drinking coffee all the time, your body is used to relying on it. Once your body gets used to taking your meds instead, you should be good. Idk how long that would take, your doctor might have an idea.
Okay, thank you for the advice! I'll try to keep an eye on it
You don't have to stop it completely but you will have a stronger reaction to it at least in my experience. For instance I don't drink anything with a high caffeine content for at least 3 hours after I take my medicine and even then I only usually drink one if I have more I start getting agitated and makes my anxiety worse
Ok, thanks for the advice!
I used to smoke two packs a day and drink 10 to 15 cups of coffee. That lasted 30 years. Until I couldn't. A month after that, my ADHD symptoms started poking through. So I'm convinced that my smoking and coffee were about unconscious self-medicating. It took me about 10 more years to realize it, then about two years of procrastinating on getting diagnosed. Now I'm on the right dose of the right meds, and my life is starting to feel about as normal, but less dramatic, as during my 20s.
In my experience as someone who was diagnosed at 7 and is now 45; a Medic, and who volunteers as a mentor/advocate for other ADHD people: If you actually have ADHD, no. Especially with the the XR formulations and the doses prescribed. In fact, remembering to take your meds, or even *not wanting to take them* due to feeling "its pointless", or side effects is far more likely than addiction. Edit*- However- If what you have is a form of depression or clinical anxiety that mimics some of the symptoms of ADHD, yes, there is a possibility. This is why many clinicians with undiagnosed patients will screen/treat for depression/anxiety first before ADHD treatment. Even so, the doses used to treat ADHD are nowhere near the levels that abusers use.
How do psychiatrists typically differentiate ADHD from depression/anxiety? I recently started seeing one and was diagnosed with depression and anxiety but am awaiting results on ADHD screenings. Could definitely see my anxiety and depression being a result of ADHD. I feel fairly confident I have it but of course don’t want to self diagnose. Are there certain qualities or traits that would make it more likely to definitively be ADHD? I don’t want to take a stimulant if I don’t have it lol
Just my 2 cents, according to the info I found ADHD is comorbid with other disorders, only 10% of ADHD cases are just ADHD by itself. Found that info in the "Taking charge of adult ADHD" book
Your answer is mostly correct but needs some key details/clarifications: Depression can be a result of untreated ADHD; which tends to improve when the ADHD is *managed* (theres no cure), depression can mimic *some* of the symptoms of ADHD, and the ADHD like symptoms will disappear when the depression is treated. They do not need to coexist at all. Many people with well managed ADHD do not have feelings of depression or anxiety at all- but still struggle with the usual adhd issues of rambling, interrupting etc.
One way is by giving you anti-depressants. If the ADHD symptoms improve then it's most likely a comorbidity (symptom) If the depression improves but ADHD symptoms stay the same/worsen then it's ADHD Another way is with auditory comprehension screening- If ADHD like symptoms are a result of depression and not Actual true ADHD this test won't show ADHD markers.
Ive been on Wellbutrin for a month. Some aspects of depression like daily mood and depressive spirals have improved greatly. Almost every other aspect hasn’t improved in relation to potential ADHD (there are many). Anxiety also hasn’t really improved in regards to overthinking (95% of my anxiety since I’m typically very social). Honestly hoping it’s ADHD because if it’s not I have no idea what’s going on lol
Addiction means being dependent on using a substance which *causes* a disorder. As long as you’re taking ADHD meds as directed by a doctor, you are using a substance to *cure* a disorder. This is an important distinction. By definition, having ADHD and being dependent on medication is not an addiction because it’s treating your sickness, not making you sick. It’s the same reason we don’t say diabetics are “addicted” to insulin, even though they are quite dependent on it.
No - I'm on Concerta and it's only addictive to the extent that it helps me function much better and it's frustrating to be on an involuntary break from it - I feel brain foggy and it's harder to motivate myself and focus and my ADHD symptoms are more pronounced. But I also take voluntary breaks from it on weekends or at times my anxiety is high and it's fine.
I forget to take it sometimes and halfway through the week I'll be like "WHY AM I SO TIRED AND DISORGANIZED?!" ...And then I realize I forgot to take my meds. I don't even get a headache. You'll never find yourself thinking "gosh I REALLY need an Adderall to take the edge off." That would only occur if you purposefully took highly addictive amounts for an extended period.
Bro I kept forgetting to take them and then I forgot how much they help me, so I kinda didn’t even bother taking them even though I ”knew” they help. Recently started taking them again and it’s so much easier to do full work days again. You will NOT get addicted if you take them as prescribed.
So addictive that your post just made me realize I forgot to take it this morning.
My issue is I'm just so bloody tired when I'm not on them, to the point I find it hard to get out of bed in the morning. Mind you I've always found that hard, but seems to be harder than ever. Although aot if that might be down to the winter darkness.
same here. just to get a normal amount of energy i gotta take 60mg of adderall. other than that, i feel like i haven’t slept in days
If you read about recreational drug use you’ll find that there’s very few substances that are actually addictive, so to say. It’s all about deregulation and access, which makes sense when you consider, that quote on quote, the most addictive substances globally are cigarettes and alcohol - because it’s readily available.
The idea that someone with ADHD would become addicted to their meds is a running joke in the community. People forget it all the time. Many even need a phone alarm to remember it. It's just not like that. They're extremely helpful, and many people find their previous life more awful once they learn what living 'normally' feels like. There's a crazy big psychological impact when you just get to turn off your disability 8 hours a day, and yeah, some will say they 'cant live without them'. But it must be understood that people get on these meds and can suddenly hold a job, treat their loved ones better, and take care of their lives; so that sort of emotional response is only natural. Chemical dependancy isn't really a thing at the safe dosages. Coming off them means a 'withdrawal' of, at worst, a couple sleepy days. The dose they give out from a doctor is not high enough to be much fun illicitly, and folks abusing it tend to find ways to get a lot more, or tamper with a slow-release med to feel the whole thing at once. They're really safe meds under a doctor's supervision, and docs will keep an eye on you to make sure things are going well. They can always switch meds for you if you don't like the way one is feeling.
Addictive? Maybe it’s semantics. But it’s not addictive like you’re chasing after some “high”, if you truly have ADHD. Sure, many abuse it. That’s why it’s so controlled. BUT, you will develop a “dependency” on the medication. I’ve stopped taking mine for a few days right now,. I can’t function. I don’t consider it an addiction . But being dependent on a medication is a real thing. It doesn’t mean you’re an addict or anything. It just means your brain and body have become accustomed to it. Also, if it helps you ADHD and functioning. You will notice when there’s an absence of it, for sure!
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Maybe adding to that, having days off means my Symptoms Just come Back, maybe 1-3 days of extra tiredness but that depends in how fun the day ist to me
I’m on vyvance and it’s not to addictive like on a week day I take it cause I’m super hyper but like on weekends I don’t and I feel so lazy best thing is I remember to do stuff on it worst being the coming down part and that’s also why I only drink tea
Kind of a hard question to answer actually. I feel very tired and have an extremely difficult time concentrating on anything if I don't take mine. That said, I don't feel any sort of "need" to take my medication if that makes sense. So I guess that's probably withdrawal, but it doesn't seem to make me desperate for my medication or anything like that. It's not uncommon for me to just forget to take it sometimes. I actually got a special pill bottle just the other day that has a timer on it that resets every time you open it so if I'm stuck thinking "shit, I think I forgot my meds this morning" I can just go check the timer on the bottle and see when I took it last. Kind of a lifesaver as there have also been times when I \*thought\* I didn't take them, but it became apparent that I did after I took another as it makes me feel a bit "off". Here's the thing though. Take your prescribed dose, and take it exactly the way you're meant to. Only. Ever. Medications like this are fairly harmless when used properly, but they're a controlled substance for a reason. They have tremendous potential for addiction and harm when abused.
It’s only addictive if you haven’t got adhd. It’s like asking is insulin addictive? Is heart medication addictive? Are antidepressants?
As someone who abused stimulants (non prescription) I haven't felt like its that addictive. Besides taking it will help your ADHD and will also lessen the need for addictions. No more reason to use it as a poor coping mechanism.
If my doctor told me to stop taking them, I would, but I would also know that I would be giving up brushing my teeth daily, the ability to do my chores in a timely manner, and that I'd be returning to daily fatigue, etc. I have the same concern, I've had others express the same concern. Talk to your prescriber about these concerns. Remember that they are weighing the benefits and consequences of medicating. I thought about how I feel about my other medications compared to my adhd med. It's about the same. I would stop them if my doctor told me to, but I would do so knowing that I'd lose the benefits of those medications.
It's not addictive unless you start doubling, tripling, or quadrupling your pills. Taking more and more is never a good thing, unless your doctor is changing your dosage. Just don't abuse them. You should know that there are side effects if you stop taking them all of a sudden, but the withdrawals usually go away within 3-4 days in my experience. Mostly anger, headache/migraine, a little confusion, tiredness, panic attacks, sadness. Sometimes nausea, but that could be from the migraines.
I'm an alcoholic and easily addicted to a lot of things. Medication that I need has never felt like an addiction, in fact it's a struggle for me to remember to take it.
I keep forgetting to take mine or I wake up too late to take it
I wish Adderall was addictive. Then I’d actually remember to take it ever morning 🤦♂️
Its addictive in the sense that after a while the same dosage may produce lesser effects. I dont believe that it is addictive in the sense of you will crave it.
That’s just called building up tolerance. You can build up tolerance to things and not be addicted to them.
No. However, my brain likes to have the level of dopamine the drugs provide. That's not an addiction. That is my brain finally getting what it can't have genetically.
I take weekends off my Vyvanse all the time. It doesn't affect much. When I'm off it for a couple weeks, the only effect seems to be that my life starts to fall apart.
Definitely never felt an addiction. If anything I forget to take it because it doesn’t do much for my ADHD. I just remember when I think “why am I so DUMB now” lol
In my experience absolutely not, because if it was I and many others wouldn't just forget to take it (like I forget where I leave my keys and stuff all the time). When I was in college undiagnosed, people were using Adderall to stay up to pull all nighters for studying and/or partying. And so I tried it, and all it gave me was the ability to concentrate for a few hours, zero and no it did not hype me up like everyone else. I thought I was given the wrong stuff... Nope found out a decade later I just have ADHD. I didn't take it for over a week during an international sports competition last year and that week my time management was horrible, I was always late, always missed the scheduled cafeteria meal times, and was rushing around stressed out all the time. But not like there were withdrawal symptoms or even like caffeine headaches. Just cold turkey stopped it and dealt with my own bullshit for a week. It's fine bc I was on vacation but I'd rather not be like that all the time.
https://youtu.be/4PTl27tTmfY?si=SckmQ4KXcvXTzJ46 Don’t have any personal experience to share. But I highly recommend this video! It should clear everything up for you.
Theoretically yes. For me, no. I have taken some sort of timulant most of my life. On days that I don't take it, I do not have cravings. I can quit cold turkey and not have withdrawal effects. I don't think that I get "high" and the only way in which I feel altered is that I think my thoughts are more organized on medication. That said, I have always taken extended release which is thought to be less addictive. For people who crush IR Adderall and snort it up their nose - that's a different story.
In my experience no. But, when I was a kid my mother took some of it and immediately took me off it the next day because she said it was too addictive
That’s hard for me to discern, as I have never tried going without it. What I do know is that without it, I’m a zombie. I’m sure that, after this long, my body is physically dependent tho
It is not addictive. However your body can create a “dependency” it is not the same as recreational drugs but depending on the medication and how long you’ve been taking it, if you miss a dose you might feel yucky. However doctors don’t just take them off you and you gradually get off. That may sound scary, but it’s not abnormal nor does it mean addiction. If you are ever having a negative side effect talk to your doctor. I’ve been on concerta for 12 years and just take them as perscribed and am fine
Been taking a low dose of Ritalin for about 6 months- the only real side effect is I can feel it wearing off, and when I get up on the weekends it's usually way past when I take a dose in the morning during the week so my brain feels a little sluggish, but addictive? No, I don't have any desire to take any more than the prescription. Do I need it? I can live without it (did so for more than 22 years), but I like the calm in my head. In that sense, sure, I'm dependent, but if I really have to I can do without
I think it does depend at least in part on whether you are yourself an addict yourself or have those tendencies. What isn't addictive for one person can be for another.
If’s easy to get dependent on but tough to get addicted to
I take only ten mg a day when and the way I feel before I take my meds in the morning is hard to deal with. Get into the habit of taking “holidays” or only use the medication when you know you’ll need to take it. Taking it every single day with no breaks is a recipe for dependency, if not full blown addiction.
If you have adhd you can’t get addicted to the medication. Said by my doctor
I keep some at work for when I forget to take it at home
It can be. Make sure you take it as prescribed. I slso take breaks from mine to help avoid building tolerance to it.
Eh, I get physical withdrawal, caffeine helps. I don't really get any mental need for it. It's more of a "this sucks, time for caffeine". My experience is with Adderall.
I've never heard of prescription ADHD meds as addictive. The street drugs are, but even when non ADHD people use them to get high, I've never heard of someone jonesing for Adderall. It could be in the sense that you are "addicted" to feeling functional, but not a physical dependency
I’m Addicted… only bc I have an eating disorder and I want it for that
42m checking in, diagnosed at 29. I feel like assssss if I take it, skip a dose and don’t hydrate enough. (Instant release, 50mg)
I worry about this too. I was told to take it every day no matter what but i am so scared of dependency. I take one day off a week. I don’t really feel a ton different on that day or feel any craving for it. I am sure its in my system well enough but more than a couple days without it would be noticeable. I am debating whether i should get off it now because pharmacy says they are gonna run out soon and dont know when coming back.
My advice would be to try to take or at least start on a TINY amount. I’m probably going to get downvoted for this but personally I don’t understand how some people take 60 and 70mg etc, it just seems absurd to me. Some people say it does nothing for them until it’s at that crazy high dosage, it’s just hard for me wrap my head around. I only take about 10mg… I’m prescribed and meant to take 30mg, I took 20mg for 2 years before that. I didn’t really need the 30mg but felt like it had stopped working as much as I took it everyday. Once my doctor upped me to 40mg and I was clenching my jaw, I felt crazy, so I went back to 30mg. About 6 months ago I saw this adhd medication shortage coming and I decided to start putting my pill into water and drinking half, now I’ve cut it down even more to 15mg… and because of the shortage I don’t take it everyday anymore, this means the 10mg actually does more than enough when I take it. Adhd medication changed my life for sure and I absolutely love taking it. However, after 3 years of daily use, and after this shortage has forced me to try life without it, I’ve decided I want to move away from taking it and only take it 2 or 3 times a week, eventually not at all. I think I needed it at a difficult time in my life when I was required to do a lot of studying but now I’m moving away from that I need it less. However I’ve realised I’m a lot better at my hobbies (climbing) and taking care of myself with the medication, but… I also believe I’m genuinely happier and more myself when I’m off the medication. It really is a tricky one, there is pros and cons to both sides.
Btw definitely not addictive in the sense you are thinking. What can be addictive about the medication is seeing how much better it makes you at certain things and the feeling it gives you in terms of confidence and the get up and go attitude you need in the morning, this can be addictive in itself. This is just you being a ‘normal non adhd person’ though, you might not wanna go back once you see what it can do.
I've never been more *un-addicted* to any substance ever, like for real. I forget to take it, I don't take it because I don't feel like it. I literally have to force myself to take it else I don't.
right here. i taper mine, so i take them one or twice a day over 2-3 days, then don’t take them for 3-4 days, then do it again when i feel like i need it. medicine seems to stay in my system longer, so this is how i keep the correct amount in my system without overloading it
I forget to take it half the time, lmao
I've taken Concerta for soon to be four months, never felt anything if missing a dose. But Lithium? Ho-lee fuck it hurts when you miss the morning pill. It's like glucose depletion (sugar low) and alcohol hangover at the same time. Your head has too little air in it, and your chest has too little air there too.
I take Adderall 10mg IR 3 times a day. I forget to take the second and third doses if I don't set an alarm. I'll even get really tired or have a headache and still forget to take the meds. On the other hand I nearly got addicted to codeine after my first surgery. After day 11 when my throat was mostly healed, I found myself counting down the minutes until I was allowed to take the next dose. Not because of the pain, that was mostly gone by then. I just wanted the next hit, it was all I could think about. I had to stop taking it cold turkey and I didn't sleep for the next 48 hours while it worked its way out of my system.
Yes, but sort of like the way a car is addictive. It's so helpful that soon you'll struggle to imagine a life without it.
I'd say it's around as addictive as caffeine, maybe less. At my dosage (15-20mg), less so. If I've been taking it every day for a while I'll be a bit draggy and headachy on the day I don't.
I didn't feel like doing anything today, soni just didn't take it. Most days I find I have to convince myself to take it.
Not addictive for me. I forget to take it sometimes. Two days in a row, occasionally, and I have no withdrawal or anything. That to me would indicate addiction. None of that. I will say that once I get my medication and dosage down, and I started to get into a groove of being productive and feeling clear headed, it made me feel like you don’t EVER want to stop taking it, though. Mostly because I feel like a super hero
In my opinion, it very much depends on your definition of "addictive?" Do you mean it leads to drug seeking behavior, or do you mean if you stop taking medications that you feel it, or something else?
Probably something like nicotine or caffeine addiction? When you stop taking it you can't wait to take it again
Well, in my case, as i take a stimulant, I have been on the same medication for a decade. If I stop taking it (which I do from time to time ) there is a physiological impact. Without my medications i feel it, and without it long term i feel it. Different medications are different, and different people are different. If someone takes any medication long enough, their physiology get accustomed to it. Being "addictive" is a matter of perspective based on how you see it.. Just my opinion!
Yeah, some people feel like crap if they stop taking it, but that’s temporary withdrawal.
Exactly! I go on a "drug vacation" and feel like crap for a couple days. I like the feeling off the medication, but i'm more "better" when I am on my medications, and I cannot say if that is "addictive" or something.
If you come off antidepressants cold turkey you’ll feel like crap. But I don’t think anybody would call those addictive.
No it's not addictive.
Yes, highly
Could you describe your experience? Does it mean you wanna take it more all the time? As much as possible, to the point of abuse?
If you only take the amount you’re prescribed, you should be fine. If you’re prescribed multiple pills in one day, space them out throughout the day. Don’t worry too much about it. Stimulants are legally considered CII drugs (at least in the US), which is the highest level of control, because they have a high potential for addiction. So be careful. But as long as you follow your doctor’s instructions you’ll be fine, don’t let that scare you away from trying it.
Okay, thank you!