Controlled Adderall Use?

[TheHopefulJunkie]

I have been sober for 2 1/2 weeks now and this is the longest I have made it without my prescription I started taking adderall because it was suggested to me by my doctor. I have ADD and I am an Aspie (high functioning autism). I have relapsed twice in the past 3 or 4 months, but I finally swallowed my pride, confided in my significant other, and quit cold turkey. I can honestly say I feel "normal" again, although my immune system has been down, I am very fatigued, and a bit depressed here and there. When I decided to quit, I was going through my college finals..probably wasn't the best idea, I didn't get very good grades, but the stress of finals and the over consumption of my prescription pushed me over my limit. I will admit that when I first started taking adderall, I was not taking it every day. I only took it when I was studying or taking an exam. My grades were great and I felt like I could compete on the same level with the other classmates. I started taking my prescription daily when I broke off my engagement, I guess I used it because it got me through the odd emotional phase; as an Aspie emotions can be even more confusing than for the average Joe. That was 2 years ago. From then on I was taking more and more to fill that void, but 6 months ago I started a new relationship and he actually pointed out my "nasty adderall obsession". He has been there to guide me through my transformation and he has let me decide to quit for myself without pressure. Quitting a routine, bad or good, is especially hard for someone with Autism. Routines are what some of us rely on to go about our days. I think that has been the hardest for me, on top of the addiction.

Anywho.. My boyfriend and I are thinking about trying to control my substance intake. Since adderall does help me in limited and controlled doses. I have asked him to control when I receive a dose and for the appropriate occasions, which we have discussed with my physician. I will not know where my prescription is located and will only receive a daily dose every-other-day. That way I don't abuse the adderall, receive the benefits of it, and hopefully create a more reliable and controlled routine for myself. I am sure this plan seems flawed, but I think it may work. I am getting my refill tomorrow and I will reply to this forum to let you all know how it's working, or not, and maybe this discussion can help others as well.

If any of you have any advice, similar experiences, or other comments questions, please reply. Thank you for taking your time to read this.

-TheHopefulJunkie

[kisskiss]

I have recently stopped taking my medication-- well almost completley sober, but I weaned myself off and occasionally take 10mg max in a day. This has helped me a lot, so I'm not crashing or having a terrible come down. I feel like a small amount, on the right occassion isn't too bad. I definitley feel more "tweaked" out on adderall, even 10mg, but it's helped me come down a little better. Hope all goes well. I look forward to more post

[TheHopefulJunkie]

Thank you for your reply. I am doing 15mg at a time. I was taking 30mg twice daily as prescribed, but I'm trying to adjust to 10mg eventually. I appreciate the optimism! I hope that I may find a way to make this work, like most of you on here have mentioned, in the beginning things worked great and later it went downhill. Since the substance will be controlled, It will be harder to fall down the hill as easily. I'll keep you posted, thank you "KissKiss" for your response

[Motivation_Follows_Action]

Hi hopeful junkie,

You've been through a lot in the last 2-and-a-bit years. Welcome to the forum, it's been a life saver for me so I hope you get a chance to look around and read the articles and books and videos and comments from everyone.

Do keep us posted on how you are tapering off. I tried tapering, once. Didn't work for me - I never quit, it was just like prolonging a painful addiction. Cold turkey was the only way.

I'm interested in something you said... What did you determine are the "appropriate occasions" for using? Do you have ADHD as well as Aspergers? I don't know much about Aspergers but I've never heard of it alongside ADHD. Just curious.

[Kyle_Chaos]

Hi hopeful junkie,

You've been through a lot in the last 2-and-a-bit years. Welcome to the forum, it's been a life saver for me so I hope you get a chance to look around and read the articles and books and videos and comments from everyone.

Do keep us posted on how you are tapering off. I tried tapering, once. Didn't work for me - I never quit, it was just like prolonging a painful addiction. Cold turkey was the only way.

I'm interested in something you said... What did you determine are the "appropriate occasions" for using? Do you have ADHD as well as Aspergers? I don't know much about Aspergers but I've never heard of it alongside ADHD. Just curious.

I'm with you, cold turkey is the way to do it. We're a society of complete pussies, if we can't adjust our behavior by will power, there's always a pill that "fixes" us. I know I've got my problems, but that's who I am..and hopefully I can stay off the shit and continue to actually work on me, and my problems ..without needing the assistance of a pill.

[waronwar]

I know for me when I finally am able to really quit quit it will have to be cold turkey.

[Heather67]

Tapering is a foreign word to me when it comes to addies. So is gradual,moderation,taking as prescribed and controlled!!! I want it all,and I want it now. To each his own quit schematics... but for me happiness was a full plastic amber bottle....misery and doom was an empty one. There is no in between...never has been one and never will be one

[Krax]

I think it's the chemical mechanisms of CNS stimulants that it make it so hard if not impossible to taper off - I've never been able to do it - and it makes sense you know, I think there is sort of a mini-withdraw going on the minute one starts to wear off.