[When is a better time to quit?]

Hey man, I’m a bit late to this post, but I have some unique insight that I think could be helpful.. I quit adderall halfway through my first semester of law school, right after midterms. I was overwhelmed with fear about becoming lazy and less focused, but I made the decision to do it for myself, put my best (adderall free) self into my studies, and accept whatever happened. I ended up jumping from the middle to the top of my class. I actually did the same thing earlier on the lsat. Took a break from adderall and jumped from the 85th to the 97th percentile. I learned to take care of my body and mind, work smarter not harder, and carry a sense of well-being into my work. It was far more enjoyable but also more effective. 
 

edit: I have a lot more to share about this. Feel free to PM

[This time it's for real.]

Congratulations on 6 months!! Good for you. Keep it up 

[4 Months Off Stimulant Medications]

On 5/3/2021 at 11:02 AM, quit-once said:

Welcome to the Forum!  You have a lot of positive things going on for only being four months stimulant free.  There are lots of ups and downs in early recovery, and it sounds like you are riding it out very well.  Congratulations for quitting and I wish you continued success with your Quit.

Thanks! 

[4 Months Off Stimulant Medications]

Hey everyone, 

Just wanted to post about my experiences with this stuff. I’ve been on some form of stimulant (Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse) for several years. I started law school recently and all of the negative side effects from these medications came to a peak a few months into my first year. Here are some of the side effects I had put up with over the years: 

• extreme difficulty getting to sleep and diminished sleep quality, which in turns impairs focus, memory, willpower, nutritional decision making
• worsened social anxiety
• inconsistent focus - I would get a few hours of euphoric focus in the mornings, but could hardly focus at all in the evenings
• ED and reduced sex drive - I’m healthy and in my mid-20s, so this should not be happening 
• feelings of dullness and emotional unavailability
• more easily frustrated and overwhelmed 

Over time I had come to believe that my ability to perform and keep up all my responsibilities was dependent on my taking these medications. I had excelled as an undergraduate student, both academically and as a varsity athlete, and felt that I could not have done so without stimulants. This is because every time I tried to stop, I’d never make it last the few weeks of lethargy.

I quit 4 months ago and I’m thrilled to say that everything seems to have turned around. It was very challenging, and I feel like I had to re-learn how to study, but it was so worth it. I’m not longer able to sit and read robotically for hours without breaks, but now I am actually digesting the material, drawing connections and understanding it on a deeper level. My memory is better. I’m no longer simply regurgitating information on tests. I’m way less stressed out about my future, now that I know my skills weren’t dependent on medication. I’m far less anxious socially and I’m better able to connect with people. It takes a bit more effort to focus, but with practice it has become far more consistent and sustained. I feel more emotionally available and the sexual issues have gone away completely. 
 

Needless to say, I definitely recommend quitting if your situation sounds similar to mine. I’m happy to answer any questions about my experience. Hope you’re all staying healthy.