Stimulants Nah, youre not addicted

[mungus]

Just heavily dependent.

Im not trying to debate the differences, technical or otherwise, between addiction and dependence, they can be miles apart. I've been taking Adderall for ADHD everyday for 8 years. 30mg XR, 4/day, it was 6/day for about a year until the insurance company said WTF. The big question is am I addicted to amphetamines? Point being, generally speaking, what's the difference between using Adderall under the care of a doctor everyday and using crystal meth because you can everyday?

I know what happens if I stop. Im done. Check please. I cant function without the buzz. "There is no buzz." says my current MD. "I have many patients that say it isnt working unless they get the buzz." said the last one. When I'm in the zone, I can sit at my computer working for a long time. When I'm not, Im useless, dont even wanna get outta bed. A few years ago, it stopped working for some reason. I lived in my PJs for almost 7 months. Under my bed. And it hasnt worked for attention deficit in a long time. I'm distracted by air. In the last 5 years, my short term memory has evaporated. I dont remember where I parked my car. Sometimes I forget what Im saying before I finish the sentence. Im oblivious to doing so many basic routine things. If my dick screwed on, I'd leave the house without it. Its gotten to the point where Im borderline dangerous - its good news for everybody that I dont work in a missile silo in Montana.

The one thing that has been a constant in my life for 8 years is the amphetamines, without which I cant do anything. I dunno, sounds like Im addicted.

 

[suessmayr]

Assuredly you're addicted, dependent, call it what you want. The difference between you using uppers under a doctor and someone using it illicitly is minimal, apart from the obvious difference in strength between aderall and ice. Why are you still using it if it's stopped working? Man, it sounds like you should really think about getting clean...

S

 

[Cane2theLeft]

In the Diagnostic and Statistics Manual-IV-TR, they label addiction as 'substance dependence' so there is confusion about what the difference is. Physical dependence is when the body becomes used to a drug and needs it to function normally, this is not the same as addiction and happens with many drugs that are not recreational such as blood pressure medication, nasal sprays, etc.

Substance Dependence/Addiction is diagnosed by the criteria below.

Criteria for Substance Dependence

A maladaptive pattern of substance use, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by three (or more) of the following, occurring at any time in the same 12-month period:

(1) tolerance, as defined by either of the following:
(a) a need for markedly increased amounts of the substance to achieve Intoxication or desired effect
(b) markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of the substance

(2) Withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following:
(a) the characteristic withdrawal syndrome for the substance (refer to Criteria A and B of the criteria sets for Withdrawal from the specific substances)
(b) the same (or a closely related) substance is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms

(3) the substance is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended

(4) there is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control substance use

(5) a great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the substance (e.g., visiting multiple doctors or driving long distances), use the substance (e.g., chain-smoking), or recover from its effects

(6) important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of substance use

(7) the substance use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the substance (e.g., current cocaine use despite recognition of cocaine-induced depression, or continued drinking despite recognition that an ulcer was made worse by alcohol consumption)

Specify if:

With Physiological Dependence: evidence of tolerance or withdrawal (i.e., either Item 1 or 2 is present)
Without Physiological Dependence: no evidence of tolerance or withdrawal (i.e., neither Item 1 nor 2 is present)

OD isn't here to diagnose you so I'm going to close this. If you'd like to discuss that further, please feel free to PM me.

EDIT:

Re-opened by OP's request