Popular Post Robert Westwood Posted April 15, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted April 15, 2016 I've been taking Adderall for three years. My doctor prescribed it to me shortly after I saw my teen son's grades improve from "D"s to "A"s in the classic Adderall tale. I figured since my teen son and I are similar- maybe I have ADD and I too could benefit from the drug... I was initially much more productive at work- I could prioritize like never before. At my job (in healthcare sales), I was able to draft lengthy proposals- I was capable of rapidly researching and comprehending anything. I was more confident than ever and thought my performance would skyrocket- but it didn't... It took three years for me to realize that the reason people bought from me (before Adderall) was based largely on their ability to relate to me---- And I was no longer relatable. The fun-loving, affable man I once was became hardened and bitter due to months and months of accumulating sleep deprivation. My patience withered. My temper flared. My wife told me time and again that she felt that Adderall was causing me severe anxiety and in near-paranoid fits of rage... I denied it. My face became drawn and thin. My nearly forty-year-old skin developed horrible acne- but perhaps it was worse because I couldn't stop picking and picking... A week ago, I said goodbye to Adderall forever. I was finally able to gather up all of my pills and bottle them up, seal them & trash them (as recommended by the FDA). The withdrawal has been awful, but I knew I had to quit. Every day gets better after the first day... I am a runner. Adderall made running easier and more appealing (for me), but I have always loved to run... Before I ever thought of quitting, I entered a 50 mile ultra marathon... It would have been easy for me on Adderall, but as I'm still fighting withdrawal, it's quite hard... Hell, waking up can be hard... But I'm going to do it... My race is tomorrow... 50 miles... And I'm doing it clean. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wellness2016 Posted April 15, 2016 Report Share Posted April 15, 2016 So happy for you!!!! Please tell us how it goes! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traceme Posted April 15, 2016 Report Share Posted April 15, 2016 Great attitude! May your positive spirit quicken your pace! Let us all know how it goes! You already won. Really. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LILTEX41 Posted April 16, 2016 Report Share Posted April 16, 2016 WOW!!!! That is AMAZING!!! Good luck on your race!! I've thought about doing an ultra before, but for now it's just one of those things on my bucket list. Your story is so great. I guarantee you will have a much faster recovery time from all the running. Your story is so unique because you were a runner during your time on adderall, yet all that running and you still suffered the consequences from this drug as did everyone else. I can absolutely not wait to see how much happier you are soon after being clean for some time. Again, good luck today!!!! Thank you for sharing and welcome to the site! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Robert Westwood Posted April 17, 2016 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted April 17, 2016 I did it! I awoke at 4AM yesterday (race day) and made my way to the course. The race is called the Leona Divide 50- it's not just that the course is 50 miles, but there also some sections of very steep incline for up to 6 miles! My recovery time was indeed better without Adderall, (but my energy levels felt comparitively low), that said- I know that once my body attains a new baseline, those "tired" feelings will continue to diminish. It took me 11 hours and 28 minutes to cross the finish line- I was exhausted, but I did it clean! This experience has shown me that I am capable of achieving remarkable things without Adderall. It's an unnecessary crutch for many of us who can actually function just fine without it. Once I managed to overcome the fear and unpleasant reality of withdrawal, I knew that life's true joys would eventually filter back in, and they already are after less than 2 short weeks. I have no desire to take another blue pill. The opposite, I'm growing more aware of other crutches and addictions that are clouding my ability to experience life. 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LILTEX41 Posted April 18, 2016 Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 That is AWESOME!!! You go!!!! You must be exhausted. Hope you get a massage! It's well deserved!! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemoon Posted April 18, 2016 Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 Wow. Good for you. I don't know how you did it! I was glued to my couch/bed in that stage of quitting haha 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlwaysAwesome Posted April 18, 2016 Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 WOW! I was asleep with a bag of chips at that point in my quit. Great job! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemoon Posted May 1, 2016 Report Share Posted May 1, 2016 How have you been doing since the run? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank B Posted May 1, 2016 Report Share Posted May 1, 2016 I think if I tried a 50 mile run while on adderall my heart would have exploded! Great inspiration keep up the good work. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Robert Westwood Posted March 23, 2017 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted March 23, 2017 I'm approaching one year off adderall. Looking back, the first month was quite difficult. I felt a lack of energy and I was bored. I tried to eat healthy and stay active, but it wasn't as easy without the pills. I gained about 20 pounds (about 10% weight gain). On the other hand, I sensed that colors, sounds and smells were all more vivid without adderall. I started sleeping *much* better and I started dreaming again. About 3 months after quitting, I started to get some energy back. I missed the intensity and drive- the extra boost that adderall gave me, but I had no desire to go back--- well maybe a little--- I had access to pills through my teen son, but I didn't take any of them. At this 1 year mark, I definitely have way more energy than when I first quit. Workouts aren't anywhere near their former intensity, but I have a new normal that I accept. I feel good. I'm bored at times. I lack energy at times, but I'm ok with that. I'm living life on life's terms and I feel present. I occasionally miss adderall, but I prefer the cadence of reality. I'm not angry anymore. My skin cleared up. My patience returned. I'm "me" again. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beenthere Posted April 16, 2017 Report Share Posted April 16, 2017 Way to go dude. You should be damn proud of yourself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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