Stimulants How can an addict use amphetamines in moderation

[johnwight]

Hello. I am an addict, and my drug of choice is DXM and other dissociatives. I have tried many drugs in the past, including amphetamines, opiates, benzos, alcohol and psychedelics, but the only ones I used regularly were DXM, cannabis, and psychedelics. The only drugs that ever got me extremely addicted were DXM, and sedatives, but I have been diagnosed with Polysubstance Dependance.

I have taken amphetamines many times in the past and never got addicted to them. Now I have access to Vyvanse, and I have been entertaining the idea of taking it not more than once a week, at low doses. I feel like I have developed a strong sense of self-control and willpower. So what I want to know is: can an addict who's drug of choice is dissociatives and psychedelics use an amphetamine like Vyvanse at low doses in moderation? If so, how would I go about doing this? Is there anyone else here that has a history of drug abuse/addiction that has successfully used amphetamines in moderation? Tell me how you did this...

 

[AromaticNitrogen]

Amphetamines are a slippery slope. So far as poly substance abuse is concerned, I share the same diagnosis. I also have a family history of amphetamine dependence. This being the case, I successfully used amphetamine to boost my grades in college and have intermittently used methamphetamine. I have never found myself craving either.

My advice is to use amphetamines for a clearly designated purpose. Getting through a 12 hr shift or completion of a project. Do not allow yourself to use amphetamines for the sake of using amphetamines. Try to remain goal and purpose oriented. Should you find yourself veering from this mindset, back off for a week or two to collect yourself. If addiction and dependence are truly weighing on your mind so heavily, the best thing to do is probably stay away from these substances. Should you decide against this, if your source is a friend, ask them to limit your access to the substances.

I hope this helps.

 

[sekio]

It's possible, but amphetamines are well documented to be habit forming. Vyvanase is tempered by the fact that it is a chemical time release and can't really be snorted or injected. Even so, there are stories of people getting addicted to it regardless. If you treat it as a tool and not as a recreational activity or means of making your life/work more interesting, you could probably use it responsibly. If you're using it as a party drug, you'll find it quickly loses efficacy.

 

[lodestar]

I believe it depends a lot on what you mean by moderation. If you have continual access to Vyvanse by a prescription I don't see much of a way or a reason to completely cut usage. If you have a 30 day supply of 70mg Vyvanse and you refill every month there will always be the same amount of available unless you throw some away or rid of it in another matter. Soo it would only make sense to refill your prescription at a later date or find a way to get yourself to rid of the excess in some way. You can always split your daily pill to try and match the task(s) at hand to fit the need or just take a "vacation".

I also believe Vyvanse offers some ability that isn't normally available without the drug in your system so it doesn't make much sense to completely stop usage rather try to decrease tolerance and retain the noticeable effect.

 

[dopemegently]

For a true addict to attempt to use a habit-forming drug "successfully" ie in moderation, I'd say from past experience that would be very difficult; it would require a fundamental change in the way you use drugs, not to mention exercising self-control, which is far easier said than done. I've said I'm going to use this or that substance sparingly, therapeutically, et al....well, it never turned out well in the past. But, I do believe it's possible to change a persons habits and behaviours on a cognitive level, so I'm not saying it can't be done - just tread carefully, OP; speed can be pretty damn addictive IME.

 

[caseface99]

Yeah, for a true addict, trying to use any substance in order to get high in moderation sounds like a bad idea.

 

[belfort]

^^i agree for most part but i do know quite a few former heroin aaddicts that do drink and smoke weed occasionally..one pops adderal on the rare occasion so it can be done ..

 

[tricomb]

Popping an adderall on the rare occasion doesn't really apply to this, nor would I really count occasional use of cannabis anything to be proud of as far as being able to moderate oneself.


If you need to ask how to use something in moderation...... My gut tells me you already are having doubts and that you can't use amphetamines in moderation. Street speed, or pharma-speed, you'll end up on one or the other and amphetamine addiction is extremely ugly...... take it from someone who's extensively abused crystal. I never found any appeal in abusing something shitty like adderall but it floats some people's rafts...

 

[Tommyboy]

Amphetamines are a slippery slope. So far as poly substance abuse is concerned, I share the same diagnosis. I also have a family history of amphetamine dependence. This being the case, I successfully used amphetamine to boost my grades in college and have intermittently used methamphetamine. I have never found myself craving either.

My advice is to use amphetamines for a clearly designated purpose. Getting through a 12 hr shift or completion of a project. Do not allow yourself to use amphetamines for the sake of using amphetamines. Try to remain goal and purpose oriented. Should you find yourself veering from this mindset, back off for a week or two to collect yourself. If addiction and dependence are truly weighing on your mind so heavily, the best thing to do is probably stay away from these substances. Should you decide against this, if your source is a friend, ask them to limit your access to the substances.

I hope this helps.

I agree with this. In addition to that, my advice would not to re-dose the drug. If you begin chasing or trying to extent the high then that's addictive behavior that indicated that you can't use it in moderation. It will also increase tolerance a lot which adds to the addiction.

 

[adder]

I've been addicted to opioids and benzodiazepines for ~9 years now. I used to seek peace of mind rather than speed up myself. I quit classic opioids, got on maintenance, lowered my clonazepam dose to 0.5mg a day... And guess what? Since I quit classic opioids (morphine, heroin, hydromorphone etc.), I've been using stimulants a lot more - amphetamine, cocaine, even mephedrone recently, although I can remember how I used to hate it. Stimulants are very tricky, for me straight amphetamine produces much less pronounced effects than morphine does (I mean the difference in intensity). Yet I would end up snorting amphetamine for a week or two. How is it possible if I always wanted to calm myself down? There were always too many thoughts in my head at the same time. Somehow, amphetamine (especially dexedrine alone) have some calming effect. Ah, well, sometimes I think I would be healthier still taking morphine than being on maintenance and binging occasionally on stimulants.

 

[TweakFace]

I am an addict as well and when I was younger I was all about the downers like opiates and never messed with amphetamines. Then I finally gave in and started experimenting with adderall. It's indeed very addictive and can pull you under fast. I was using meth shortly after my adderall run. just my 2c

 

[WordOnRoad]

IMO vyvanse sucks in comparison to adderall. I wouldn't even bother taking it because of the risk involved considering your diagnosis.

 

[fawnyawn]

it seems to me that some of us love our uppers, and others can't get enough of the warm fuzzy feeling that opiates give us. as far as amphetamines go, the fact that we can be productive on them and act like a normal, social human being makes justifying frequent use a whole lot easier. I'd suggest the same as what's mentioned above - using only for a certain purpose. that being said, the majority of suggestions are to use only to get a big task done/get through a busy or long day, etc. personally, I like to do the opposite - use only when I can have a whole day to do whatever the hell I want, crash at night, and have the next day to recover. usually ill do enjoyable activities like paint, read, mess around on the computer, walk the dog, but mainly draw.

this way I don't feel like I'm going to need stims whenever i have a big project or long day ahead of me, but this could definitely lead to using more often if you have more free time than not. it depends on you, really, and your preferences. other things are obvious - sleep, eat, drink water, and take your vitamins.
in the end, it all depends on your willpower when it comes to whether or not you can use stims recreationally. for some of us that urge to redose and keep the energy and productivity going is just too hard to resist.

reading 'The Dark Side' threads relating to amphetamines is a great way to fight urges / snap you into wanting to have energy and be productive without the amphets - that's the best avoidance method I've found so far.
good luck,
Fawn

 

[Ksa]

Among drugs, amphetamines, especially Dexedrine/vyvanse is what has the most effect on me, I mean, it really hits me in the carrot pretty good. Other drugs, although the effect is different, it's more moderate. If you never had it before you're in for a long run. It's like nothing else. Assuming that you have addiction traits and being addicted is not what you want, it's the worst possible substance to try.

It feels like falling in love and kissing the girl of your dreams, but you're just sitting in your room staring at the walls...you don't understand what's going on. What could be causing this? All sorts of things go through your head, is this real? You get what I mean.

 

[JT_5]

As a now sober addict whose been through multiple drug treatment centers as a resident and a member of a 12 step program that attends 7 meetings a week I will tell you that it's not possible. If you have been diagnosed with any substance dependency you can not only use the substance on which you are dependent safely but any substance whatsoever. In the program other members refer to switching substances in an attempt to control use is called "switching seats on the Titanic" you're going down no matter what. Another unfortunate fact about substance dependency is that its the only disease that tells you that you don't have it. Eventually substance abuse will do one of three things to you: Put you in a jail, an institution, or a coffin. The disease is progressive, chronic, and terminal. Good luck, i'll pray for you.