Question from a new member: What are the most important benefits of quitting adderall?

[nobody000]

This may sound like a dumb question given the focus of the site, but I am just wondering how everyone felt after quitting adderall after sustained use. 

I've taken it on and off for almost a decade now and am debating quitting. Would love to hear people's success stories, and the key things that they've both gained and lost when looking back on quitting. 

 

Thank you! 

[sirod9]

hi there - I am 8.5 months clean, so I am new in my recovery, but below are my "gains/losses" from quitting so far.

Gained:

•  peace of mind
• self respect/deeper love of myself
• ability to attend ayahuasca ceremonies (I could not do this when taking adderall)
• ability to work on myself and grow as a person
• sounder sleep
• was able to save my relationship
• my sanity
• I'm a lot better with managing my money
• was promoted at work
• 15 pounds, lol

Losses:

• the ability to numb my emotions
• ability to escape into the void
• not sure what else
• The false sense of control
• The ability to completely become engulfed in work. though I wasted a TON of time on trivial things and towards the end, my use was ruining my focus. I literally almost quit my job. I very well paying, good job.
• housecleaning (I pay someone to do that now)

Honestly, most of what I lost were illusions anyway. 

[dolssa]

On 4/21/2022 at 6:15 PM, sirod9 said:

• the ability to numb my emotions
• ability to escape into the void
• not sure what else
• The false sense of control

Holy shit... the numbing of emotions is crazy. I didn't even realize that's is partly why I continue using. so thank you for saying this I needed to see it in words. I mean I knew intuitively that is what was going on but I just said nahh I'm fine. but to see someone else experience this also it is a wake up call. can I ask how you coped with this?? I think one of the main reasons I relapsed at a year was energy levels being low and just feeling sad. I guess therapy is the right answer lol

[sirod9]

17 hours ago, dolssa said:

Holy shit... the numbing of emotions is crazy. I didn't even realize that's is partly why I continue using. so thank you for saying this I needed to see it in words. I mean I knew intuitively that is what was going on but I just said nahh I'm fine. but to see someone else experience this also it is a wake up call. can I ask how you coped with this?? I think one of the main reasons I relapsed at a year was energy levels being low and just feeling sad. I guess therapy is the right answer lol

Hi Dolssa - The way I got through the last year has been acceptance. Acceptance of myself, how I feel, how I look, and my situation. The tendency to control the situation and beat myself up was still there, but I did not fall into that trap all the way. Just halfway : b. If you allow yourself to be exactly the way you are, today and your mind begins freaking out, telling you something is wrong, just keep coming back to acceptance. It will get better, but not right away.

You can't smell the roses if your all unhappy about the way you feel. 

[risingpheonix]

On 8/10/2022 at 8:57 AM, sirod9 said:

acceptance. Acceptance of myself, how I feel, how I look, and my situation.

This is so wonderful and helpful. Thank you for sharing this.

[DelaneyJuliette]

I have so much to say about this.  But not enough time to write it all.  

Off adderall

I can achieve a sense of calm and inner peace

I can discern what is a priority and what isn't

I don't talk "at" people and I am more curious about actually observing my surroundings and attuning to others.

 

On adderall: 

Don't have to be scared I'll suddenly get too tired to finish the day

My morning anxiety ab facing the day is gone 

I can get tasks done that otherwise sit on my to do list for years 

 

This is just a little fraction of thoughts; i have much more, but i dont have time to write more now