Colmes
Bluelighter
Hello everyone, I haven't been on bluelight for awhile; I decided to post this in The Dark Side, because I feel many people in this specific forum are here because of depression or life difficulties due to drug addiction, or withdrawals, or just one of the many problems any drug abuse, and dependence can cause.
I am 24 years old, and have been on and off, mostly on, ADD medication for about 2 1/2 years.
My goal in writing this, is to strongly discourage the temptation to obtain a prescription for ADHD medication, or rely on it through other sources, unless you have serious mental condition that makes functioning academically, at your job, or just keeping up with life, impossible.
I know many people have a hard time with work, I did. I was always tired, lazy, unmotivated, and I'm not downplaying people who feel similarly, but I would give anything to have never tried a single stimulant, besides caffeine.
I have tried many medications, these are just the ADD medications (most are related, some contain certain salts others do not, some contain just the most important isomer but I just figured i'd list them all) They are; Ritalin, Adderall, Provigil, Dexedrine, Vyvanse, Concerta and Focalin.
I won't go through the detail of telling you how each one completely took control of my brain (minus the Provigil, but that medication was pretty useless for whatever it is I have). There is a simple equation to how addiction, tolerance, and dependence forms with each of these medications.
It all starts with taking the pill, and coming to the conclusion "Finally, I have found the answer." Doing schoolwork and liking it, being more social & talkative (over time I learned to shut up as these drugs disconnect whatever it is that filters thoughts from the brain into words coming out of your mouth).
It increases your self confidence, gives you the energy "you always knew you were meant to have, but did not know why it was not there". basically, it was the cure, so I, and many, were lead to believe.
Looking at my list of medications you can see I obviously switched a lot. This was not because my doctor was paying me to test things out, it was because the cons began to outweigh the euphoria that comes with amphetamines and similar medications.
Abuse is almost impossible to avoid, simply because tolerance builds up as quickly as a couple of weeks from when you first try the medication. That amazing feeling you had the first several weeks of ever trying these medications, is constantly sought after. 10 mg turns into 40mg, 30 turns into 90mg, you get the point. Now, the medication often changes how you interact with people. What was once a social lubricant, now makes you quiet or aggressive, impatient, nervous, sometimes even feeling completely withdrawn from other people.
Once you notice that this drug is making your stomach constantly upset because you are now superhuman, and do not require as much food. And also that sometimes, the comedowns from the medication can lead to pretty bad depression, anxiety, and nervous- lethargy. All this coupled with insomnia leads to one conclusion, you have to quit.
Quitting amphetamines or methylphenidate compounds can prove to be extremely difficult. They sound friendly, but in all honesty, when used for a long period of time, while less neurotoxic, cause some serious damage to the natural flow of dopamine, norepenephrine, and to a lesser extent, serotonin, in your brain. While there is not a strong "physical addiction" the psychological addiction is incredible.
While it may only take about a week or two for the serious lack of energy, and depression to go away; what follows can be months...even years of desperately trying to get your interest, motivation, and happiness back...to what it was IN THE FIRST PLACE.
Please, these medications bring in billions of dollars to pharm companies all over the world. There are legitimate uses for these medications, but it is clear doctors, and parents are FAR too liberal in prescribing this Schedule II (USA) drug to people from ages 6-99 (a lot like the board game Monopoly). If you are considering asking your doctor about this drug, do a great deal of thinking, ask many questions, and consider the risks. I am sure that hundreds of thousands of people would give the same advice...just think twice. I hope this can help someone.
I am 24 years old, and have been on and off, mostly on, ADD medication for about 2 1/2 years.
My goal in writing this, is to strongly discourage the temptation to obtain a prescription for ADHD medication, or rely on it through other sources, unless you have serious mental condition that makes functioning academically, at your job, or just keeping up with life, impossible.
I know many people have a hard time with work, I did. I was always tired, lazy, unmotivated, and I'm not downplaying people who feel similarly, but I would give anything to have never tried a single stimulant, besides caffeine.
I have tried many medications, these are just the ADD medications (most are related, some contain certain salts others do not, some contain just the most important isomer but I just figured i'd list them all) They are; Ritalin, Adderall, Provigil, Dexedrine, Vyvanse, Concerta and Focalin.
I won't go through the detail of telling you how each one completely took control of my brain (minus the Provigil, but that medication was pretty useless for whatever it is I have). There is a simple equation to how addiction, tolerance, and dependence forms with each of these medications.
It all starts with taking the pill, and coming to the conclusion "Finally, I have found the answer." Doing schoolwork and liking it, being more social & talkative (over time I learned to shut up as these drugs disconnect whatever it is that filters thoughts from the brain into words coming out of your mouth).
It increases your self confidence, gives you the energy "you always knew you were meant to have, but did not know why it was not there". basically, it was the cure, so I, and many, were lead to believe.
Looking at my list of medications you can see I obviously switched a lot. This was not because my doctor was paying me to test things out, it was because the cons began to outweigh the euphoria that comes with amphetamines and similar medications.
Abuse is almost impossible to avoid, simply because tolerance builds up as quickly as a couple of weeks from when you first try the medication. That amazing feeling you had the first several weeks of ever trying these medications, is constantly sought after. 10 mg turns into 40mg, 30 turns into 90mg, you get the point. Now, the medication often changes how you interact with people. What was once a social lubricant, now makes you quiet or aggressive, impatient, nervous, sometimes even feeling completely withdrawn from other people.
Once you notice that this drug is making your stomach constantly upset because you are now superhuman, and do not require as much food. And also that sometimes, the comedowns from the medication can lead to pretty bad depression, anxiety, and nervous- lethargy. All this coupled with insomnia leads to one conclusion, you have to quit.
Quitting amphetamines or methylphenidate compounds can prove to be extremely difficult. They sound friendly, but in all honesty, when used for a long period of time, while less neurotoxic, cause some serious damage to the natural flow of dopamine, norepenephrine, and to a lesser extent, serotonin, in your brain. While there is not a strong "physical addiction" the psychological addiction is incredible.
While it may only take about a week or two for the serious lack of energy, and depression to go away; what follows can be months...even years of desperately trying to get your interest, motivation, and happiness back...to what it was IN THE FIRST PLACE.
Please, these medications bring in billions of dollars to pharm companies all over the world. There are legitimate uses for these medications, but it is clear doctors, and parents are FAR too liberal in prescribing this Schedule II (USA) drug to people from ages 6-99 (a lot like the board game Monopoly). If you are considering asking your doctor about this drug, do a great deal of thinking, ask many questions, and consider the risks. I am sure that hundreds of thousands of people would give the same advice...just think twice. I hope this can help someone.
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I'm in a similar position as you, but only in the beginning, researching and trying various options. What you say is indeed my concern. It does seem to be a common theme. 
![:\](https://bluelight.org/xf/BL_Images/Orig_Emoji/wrygrin.gif "wry grin :\")
And we all so whacky!
