Lizzie

I love this! I'm almost at 5 months. Nice to hear there's some light at the end of the tunnel! Great job Nicole! You should feel very proud of yourself!

I needed to read this today! Its been 3.5 months and since I quit and I haven't been able to get back some of the things I use to love. Ive also gained 10 lbs which isn't helping with the depression. Anyway... thanks for the post. It's important that I remind myself this is temporary.

Why not tell her both? It's refreshing finally being able to be honest with doctors now that I'm clean and not hiding anything. Also, I feel like doctors need to know what this medication can do to people. Mine was shocked when I told her about the manic episodes and anxiety. Previously, I just said whatever I had to for her to write the rx.

I was encouraged by this story. I come here to read about people changing for the better after quitting. Do yourself a favor and get rid of the pills asap. It's a big step in the process.

North Carolina

This inspires me! Thanks so much for this post. I'm entering 3 months now. Hearing stories from other people dealing with the same thing really help. Congrats on one year!

Mer, I literally have the same story. im the same age too. I remember feeling really scared when I decided I needed to quit. It all got better once I ripped the band aid off. I'm 2 months now and I'm in love with my new self! No more anxiety, no more mood swings. My husband and I have never been happier. All in all I'm just more enjoyable to be around. It has been the best decision of my life. I know you can do it!

I just spoke with Nirma on the phone! It felt nice telling my story to someone who cares. I suggest others do the same! This documentary could really help people!

It isn't easy, I get it. My plan was to go off and be 100% in a month. I realize now, it won't just come to me. I have to work for it. Try walking first thing in the morning for an hour. Listen to some good music or a podcast. Take your dog ( if you have one. ) I've started doing this everyday and have seen significant improvements in my mood & motivation. It's also helped me shed a few of the lbs I gained. Get on a strict diet. I just started the ketogenic diet, but there are plenty of options available. I found a trick that helps me to get shit done. Everyday I list the things I did that were productive as I finish them. Yesterday, I had the day off. I listed- 1- walked dog 1 hour 2- made a healthy breakfast 3- watered garden 4- read for 20 minutes 5- finished resume 6- went to store 7- ran 1 mile 8- made & ate healthy dinner 9- Unloaded and loaded dishwasher Anyway, you get the point. This really helps me. I use one sheet of paper for the whole week. I can see on my bad days, the list is much shorter. This reminds me that I can get better, but I have to work for it. I have to do things even if I don't feel like it. The less time I have to sit around and think the better.

Life is so much better as a "normal" person! Stay strong, keep your recovery process as positive as possible. No going back! Your not alone. Congrats!

It is a slow but incredibly rewarding process. My favorite part has been rediscovering my personality that had been concealed by pills for 15 years. Go easy on yourself, lots of Netflix and chill time!! You will love life so much more. Hang in there & congrats!

What you need at this point is an addiction specialist. Psychiatrists just want to prescribe without getting to the root of the problem. You got this! Keep us updated on your recovery.

Great job! Welcome to your new life! Rest as much as you can the first few week & don't be hard on yourself. It's a long journey, but it gets a little better each day. It's the most rewarding thing I've ever done. Most people go through life not figuring out who they really are & what makes them happy. You will not be one of those people anymore! Good for you!

I hate to say it, but the mood swings and emotional instability will just get worse if you continue taking it. It is not for long term use, don't lie to yourself. I took it 15 years and never wanted to admit it was the culprit for my roller coaster emotions. I've been off it for almost 2 months and my real personality is so much better. Make the change, you can do it. It will be hard, but totally worth it.

I'm not in CA but I'm 1.5 months clean and never thought I could function without adderall. Message me if your interested and I can give u my #.

Liltex you are amazing. That play the tape forward thing is the prospective I needed to get me through today. Thanks so much

Omg! Thanks so much for this post. I've read it 3 times and it gave me motivation to go for a run yesterday. I loved the "weird adderall projects" part. Lol, I totally know what u mean.

I just got rid of my remaining pills and went cold turkey. To me, tapering of would just delayed the inevitable and I wanted to start on my recovery asap. 4 days after I quit I made an appt with my doctor and told her I didn't ever want to be prescribed this medication or anything similar ever again. I confessed to her the side effects I was experiencing, which I had always kept secret from her. 2 weeks into recovery I ripped up my remaining scripts. Now I have no choice but to live adderall free. It's been a little over a month and I've never been happier. The storm in my brain is finally over. My motivation is still non existent, but everyday it gets a little better. I'll take peace and happiness over false motivation anyway.

I also find myself reading more now that I've been off it for 1 month and 2 days. Like you, I didn't think I would be able to read or write anything off it. Now my brain craves reading, it has been a great tool for my recovery. But you have to find it inside you to start. Like I read in a previous article, you won't "feel like it" at first.