[Finally giving up adderall after 2 years of abuse]

You’re welcome. Hang in there! It took me several times to finally quit as well. I even quit for a yr before and got back on for 7 + yrs. If I could give you any advice it would be to quit for good. Also, for some reason our bodies pick right back up where we left off. Quitting showed me this. It doesn’t get better, there’s no full tolerance reset after a break.  Each time it just gets harder to quit. Also, I never knew it was normal to feel bad after a long period of time off meds. I just thought it was my adhd symptoms coming back so I’d get back on the meds and continue the cycle. 

[Finally giving up adderall after 2 years of abuse]

The first 3 days are pretty tough. Just keep going and rest as much as possible. Hopefully, you are able to take time off and just rest.
 

Because you were only on it for two yrs it may only take 30 -90 days to start feeling 100 percent better. Everyone is different. I was on it for over a decade. It took me almost a yr to really recover and then still had issues. I’m at 3 yrs 8 months clean and I’d do it all again to be off adderall. It’s so much better on the other side. It just takes time and sometimes more time than you’d expect.
 

 whatever it takes don’t get back on. Also, come onto the forums and read everyone’s story it will help you know you’re not alone! 

[Cleaning up the mess]

Congrats on one yr! I also had financial messes I was avoiding. It took a while to bounce back from it, but now I’m debt free and my credit score is high again.

 

 Also, now that I’m off adderall I don’t ever over spend. I use to love shopping for clothes on adderall:/  

Not just that, I would even buy unnecessary things at grocery stores. I would overspend on spontaneous purchases. Crazy how I never really blamed the adderall for that behavior back then. 

[Could my husbands personality changes be caused by this medication]

*1+years 

[Could my husbands personality changes be caused by this medication]

It’s possible it’s due to the medication. It doesn’t sound like he has been on that long. However, if he’s been on medication for 1 + 

 

it can take months to a yr to see improvement. Four days won’t likely get him back to pre medication stage. Unless, he just started it. Is it possible he’s combining the medication with testosterone or anything? Also, if he’s dependent on meds he will be more agitated wanting them back. 
 

 

[My story living with my adderall addicted wife]

She quit adderall after 12 yrs and then broke up with you? I’m a little confused by your post. If that’s the case, give it time she is going through hell. Once you’re off the adderall you go through withdrawals. It can make you question everything and very depressed. She needs someone who doesn’t get angry with her. Even if she lied to you about I’m sure she’s harder on herself than you. Give her a little time.

im still a little confused is it you or her on / off adderall? 

[Debilitating Anxiety after quitting adderall/vyvanse]

Have you tried GABA supplement any of the times you quit? That really helped take the edge off for me some days. It’s so hard once you’re back on adderall because you know what’s ahead, then life just keeps happening. 

[Approaching 1 Year - Need to vent]

Im so sorry I know how hard it is!! @sirod9I quit for a yr and got back on- keep going. @risingpheonixThe first round of quitting was in my 20s. At the yr mark I just decided that I was severely ADD. I didn’t know it was normal to feel bad after a yr. Wish I could have quit for good then, 
 

Anyways I got back on for 7 +yrs. keep going. You make a lot of progress from 1-2 yrs. I’m at 3.5 yrs now and feel great. It was worth the hell to be free of the adderall cycle, I wish I could get all those yrs back 

[Quitting For Good After A Very Perplexing Year]

As someone who also paints I can assure you when you recover your creativity will be better than before. You may paint differently, but it will be better. Your story sounds identical to mine (minus I haven’t made my art a business yet). Although, it will be incredibly tough you can get through it. I think a lot of us are creatives who didn’t have a proper outlet and got on adderall to meet society’s standards of the hustle culture. You can do this.
 

Now that I’m over 3 years clean from adderall.  I can honestly say I would have never gotten on Adderall if I understood I just needed a creative outlet. My adhd symptoms were me not fulfilling my purpose and poor diet. If you need support you can private message me! Hope you are ok today! 

[Wellbutrin after adderall abuse]

If you search Wellbutrin in the forum you can find some people who got on and off it just fine. I personally didn’t get on it after I quit so I’m not sure. I’ve read it can help people. It’s no where near as addictive as adderall, and easier get off med. congrats on quitting so young. I know it’s tough but if you stick this out you will be so much happier in the long run. Even if you ultimately take a break from school (which you probably won’t need to do)  everything will work out. 

[Ambien and Klonapin]

I did this with melatonin. Thought I could sleep through it too!
 

that’s great you are able to taper. I feel like people who taper have less withdrawal, but it takes a lot of self discipline. 
 

I couldn’t taper. I’d always find an excuse to take another half lol! It’s crazy looking back. Just shows me how much of a problem I had… Cold turkey was the only way I finally quit.  

[deleted]

you can find supplements to ease the withdrawal it might help you work? When I first quit magnesium + b-vitamins, (I tried noo tropics but in the beginning did nothing for me)  I was on it

for over a decade as well. I’m 3.5+ yrs clean. It’s just really hard in the beginning. Here is a realistic timeline since there is zero info online except this site: 

1) first 30 -days plan to be exhausted- barely able to function- this is normal. If you can break your work load down and do what’s absolutely necessary. 

2) 30-90 days you will be able to function a little more and most likely get through work (from home). However, learning how to live again without it is extremely difficult. At this stage making yourself do things you don’t want to do is the key. 

90 days -a yr+ will fluctuate and you will have many days where you feel great followed by weeks of PAWS. Keep going.
 

Once you hit a 1yr -2 yrs you truly start to heal and feel like yourself again. 

unfortunately, doctors will say it takes only 30 days to quit. This is false and a lie told to them by pharmaceutical companies. This site is a great resource!Also, it’s a process. Sometimes it takes several times before you are done for good. 

[Just Finished Day 14]

Congrats!! 

[I'm just so tired of this. I feel so defeated.]

Hang in there. One day you’ll be able to quit for good. I went back and forth for yrs trying to get off. This is the toughest addiction on the planet. I’m 3.5 yrs clean…, but I literally walked into my family members house the other day to two new adderall bottles on the counter. All I’ve been thinking about are those damn pills for days. I didn’t take any or ask for any thank god. It’s just crazy how it still has a hold on my mind. Be proud of yourself for trying again! It is not easy! 

[Old posts]

I understand what you are going through @GeorgiaRigby. That yr of contemplation before I quit for good was so hard. Have you quit yet?
 

Ill be here if anyone needs to message privately as well… ! @GeorgiaRigby @sirod9

 

Btw I’ve started taking St. John’s wort recently (on its own.) I’ve noticed my mood is much better. You can’t take with meds, but I wonder if I took when i first quit, if it would have helped some of the withdrawal symptoms. Just a though in case anyone hadn’t tried it yet! I’m taking the Gaia brand. 

[Old posts]

Yeah I’ve noticed a huge drop in interaction. I’ll try to be better about responding as well. It seemed like there were a ton of people at one point. I guess they all fully recovered? Or got back on adderall idk. I feel like a lot of new people read these posts but aren’t ready to share 

[The First 48]

I’m so impressed you were able to see it after 30 days. 

I know it’s tough, but since you only took for 30 days your withdrawal process shouldn’t be too long.  Hopefully, you will just feel like this for a couple more days or a week. I hope you feel better soon. It’s crazy how much affect adderall can have on your body in such a short time. Give yourself some serious props for not continuing it! 

[My mom has become a different person on adderall]

I’m sorry you are going through this. Is it possible she is taking more than prescribed?  She has to want to quit, unfortunately. That is the tough part.

It’s hard to say whether it’s adderall induced psychosis. Sometimes adderall can trigger OCD like behaviors that weren’t present before?  I had some pretty bizarre behaviors at the end of me using adderall. Obsessed with random projects etc. I could go on and on. 
 

I never attributed it to the meds until I got off and after several months those behaviors stopped. I was able to see clearly then. 

[8 1/2 Month Update]

I’m sorry you’re having to go through that! That’s awesome you’ve  made it to 8.5 months.
 

Hang in there. I remember the 8-12 month was bumpy for me as well. I’d get to feeling great and it would hit me out of no where. Things that really helped me during that time was doing an anti inflammatory diet. It also helped me to go back to the mindset I had in the beginning. If you don’t get much done that day it’s ok because you didn’t take an adderall type mindset. Just know deep down it will not last forever. You’re almost through the worst. Once you hit a year it really starts to get more consistently better. 

[Welp, here goes nothing….]

Thanks for sharing your story! ❤️It’s pretty inspiring. I’ve been off adderall for over 3 yrs and really struggling with looking back at all the yrs I wasted on it. Then the additional years I had to waste just healing from destroying my central nervous system. (Nothing is really a waste, of course) Trying to keep moving forward and very grateful to be off the rollercoaster.  You’re right it is a curse disguised as a miracle. 

[Mad at myself]

I’m sorry. I can’t imagine how much harder it is with adderall in the house. I have a family member trying to quit and she has the same issue. I couldn’t just take 5mg either. I’d always find an excuse to take another half or more. Im not sure about ambien or Klonopin. I’ve heard those can be hard to get off of as well, but maybe those are easier to taper? 
 

Congrats on day one w/ adderall. After a  few days you’ll be back on track. Especially, since the relapse was short. I have the same need for escape. I don’t know if it’s ever going to go away. I’m slowly making peace with that.  I’ll still find ways to escape, they are just healthier.  The trade off is instead of waking up hungover …I ran 5 miles this morning. I try to focus on the good and create space within that.
I hope you are getting some rest! Hang in there 

[Mad at myself]

On 3/3/2022 at 1:13 AM, DelaneyJuliette said:

Well fuck.  I had 80 days and then I used 5 mg.  And then 10mg... and then...  2 days I didn't pay attention to how much I took.  The good news is that this just started last Thursday, so it's just a week and I haven't gone that far down.  I can still catch myself an make this okay.  It's hard not for fall into the beating myself up category and focus on "what I fucked up" but that isn't useful bc it makes me want to say fuck it even more.  I am mad at myself.  I want a life totally free from mind altering substances.  Except for when I don't.  I think maybe I still need to do better at looking at the few parts of my life that really aren't sustainable without adderall (a too long client day that is literally a trigger every single week.)  But also I have ZERO desire to interact with anyone socially like adults without substances (esp if they are all drinking.)  Which is usually okay and I can avoid it but the other night after I broke the abstinence streak with the 5mg, I let myself "have a fun night" with some substances including adderall while my neighbors got together and drank red wine.  I just wanted to be normal feeling and with my body on substances the conversation was tolerable, even somewhat interesting.   Without it I would have only wanted to be in bed at 8pm with a book.  Which should be fine.  But UGH.  I have an upcoming trip in March for 10 days and I'm really scared.  It involves a wedding of my husband's old friends and I know I am going to want to "fit in."  Not like I care how they see me but rather I feel angry and jealous and so I decide to get myself less present in my own way.  It does make the night more fun.  But it's not in alignment with what I want long term  Ughhhh.  I really thought I had taken adderall of the menu at this point but this is the 3rd time I see the pattern of how not getting off the klonapin and the ambien kept the door open for me psychologically.  I don't know my next steps but I do know that I am not going farther down.  I never want to feel again like I felt last December before my big quit where I took a week off and holed up "sick."  I can get back up.  

Be kind to yourself! This is the hardest thing to go through.  You will get there.  This back and forth means you really are ready to quit. Have you tried throwing it all out? Or finishing what you have left and cutting off your doctor? 
 

if I had any at my house, even now

I would find a reason to take it… and I’m 3 yrs clean. I can’t have access. Ripping the substance away was the only way for me to get off it for good. Also, I had to quit drinking because it was just a never ending revolving door. Alcohol made me crave adderall.  I’m still dealing with the boredom and need for escape. I’d love to find  a cure for that. I’m back to my productivity level that I had when on adderall. My work schedule is packed again and I’m able to do it all. I’m telling you this because you can heal. I felt like I’d never get to the point where I’m at now. 

I do think trying to lighten your patient/ client schedule would help a lot? Overloading is the biggest trigger in the beginning. 

[Guidelines to end your adderall addiction from a Veteran on this site]

This is one of my favorite posts and I come back to read it all the time. It really helps!

[My story living with my adderall addicted wife]

I’m so sorry. I was in your husbands shoes. He’s able to seem normal to everyone else because they see him when the adderall kicks in? Whenever it wears off ( usually at night) our irritability is taken out on our spouses. I was very paranoid in the end. It felt so real and I didn’t associate it with adderall. The reason being that feeling lingers for weeks or months even when you are off it. Or it did for me. I’d  take “breaks” and still feel the same or worse.  I’d convince myself it wasn’t the meds since I felt the same. Now that I’m over 3 yrs off adderall my relationship has healed. I’m so much happier all around. I can see it for what it was… You can find some stories on this site and show him. It’s hard to find real info.
Doctors tell us it takes 30 days to get back to normal. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
 

Your husband is new on it. At two yrs I still felt like adderall was a miracle drug :/. I wish I quit back then. 

[Almost at 5 months]

My husband and I had a lot of issues when I first quit. Hang in there. It’s most likely temporary. A lot of it was me dealing with my low self esteem and withdrawal. The most important thing is you stay clean, so you never have to get back to this space. I wish we could pull the substance away and everything’s just great after that. We all know it’s not that easy.  There is a lot of healing.  You got this.. I know it’s so triggering at the same time!