LILTEX41

How are you doing? Hope you are going strong!

Johnny 5, great advice!! Asilve, I can relate with everything you've said and I hope that you take what I'm about to say to your very inner being. I am not a doctor, however, I've been in your shoes. I've tried almost every drug there is besides heroin. I was addicted to adderall for six years. I was a crazy person on adderall and everything was a 1,000 times worse when I had it running through my veins. I felt like every problem and/or situation was too much to handle. Life felt like it was unbearably hard towards the end. It made me paranoid, anxious, OCD, and as if the world was caving in on me (this was when I'd taken too much and hadn't slept on top of poisoning myself with alcohol and pot). When I'd finally ween off of it for maybe a week, I'd become lethargic until I could get my hands on the next prescription/dose what have you. This is a terrible way to live and you will not have a clear head until you are completely detoxed from everything. My suggestion to you is to quit everything cold turkey for a month. Sleep, eat healthy, and try some exercise once you have a little energy back. You will feel like a new person. I lost friends in the midst of my addiction as well. I wasn't myself anymore. I was a prisoner to drugs and alcohol and they came first over all others. Your friends and family will come around again once you get "You" back. Right now they are most likely scared of you or for you b/c they don't know what's going on or how to help you. Seriously, I like what Johnny said about getting a new group of friends if necessary...joining a group, or something along those lines. Feel free to email me privately if you want to talk. Best wishes to you! Erin

Johnny 5, great advice!! Asilve, I can relate with everything you've said and I hope that you take what I'm about to say to your very inner being. I am not a doctor, however, I've been in your shoes. I've tried almost every drug there is besides heroin. I was addicted to adderall for six years. I was a crazy person on adderall and everything was a 1,000 times worse when I had it running through my veins. I felt like every problem and/or situation was too much to handle. Life felt like it was unbearably hard towards the end. It made me paranoid, anxious, OCD, and as if the world was caving in on me (this was when I'd taken too much and hadn't slept on top of poisoning myself with alcohol and pot). When I'd finally ween off of it for maybe a week, I'd become lethargic until I could get my hands on the next prescription/dose what have you. This is a terrible way to live and you will not have a clear head until you are completely detoxed from everything. My suggestion to you is to quit everything cold turkey for a month. Sleep, eat healthy, and try some exercise once you have a little energy back. You will feel like a new person. I lost friends in the midst of my addiction as well. I wasn't myself anymore. I was a prisoner to drugs and alcohol and they came first over all others. Your friends and family will come around again once you get "You" back. Right now they are most likely scared of you or for you b/c they don't know what's going on or how to help you. Seriously, I like what Johnny said about getting a new group of friends if necessary...joining a group, or something along those lines. Feel free to email me privately if you want to talk. Best wishes to you! Erin

Trey, I'm happy to hear I'm not alone. I'm a big fan of color.

Ok, well that sucks. They took off the video. Anyhow, let me know what happens. You don't have to be on drugs and it sounds like you don't need them b/c you're totally awesome without them!

Suni, You are so smart for 14! I'm so happy you found this website. God, you remind me of me. I hate that your parents are doing this to you, but people don't understand adderall. Maybe you should ask them to try one for themselves and see if they think it's fair they are basically forcing you to take a tranquilizer. I'm serious. Be honest with them and tell them what you are feeling. Tell them there are alternatives to treating ADD without medication. For example, I just googled it and here's the first site I found: http://health.msn.com/health-topics/adhd/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100145250. I think most and all parents just want the best for their children and maybe right now they feel they are doing the right thing, but they need to know the pain it is causing you. Maybe you could ask to see a counselor (one who is pro-medication free) and they'd be able to help. I can't wait for Mike to post on this. He always has incredible advice. Whatever you do, don't give up on you! You sound like such a fun loving person. I'd hate to see someone like you sell your soul to adderall for parental approval. You should watch this video clip on this website by MTV. Let me go find it and I'll post it in sec.

I'm not posting pics, but I finally finished all of it. Just wanted to share.

All, I really doubt anybody cares, but I am SO excited by my accomplishment I just had to share. I finally just got off seroquel and lamictal. I've been on these drugs for the past 4 months (along with being adderall free) and they did the polar opposite of what adderall did. Now that I am clean and free of them I have energy back....FINALLY! I thought my issue was that I was just sheer screwed without adderall. I am here to tell everyone that is not the case!! I am just as capable off adderall as I was on it, it just takes a little more required effort/motivation. The reward is that I know I achieved the same end result, but that it was all my own doing. Yay! Why do I bring this cleaning project up? Well, not only am I proud of what I've achieved, but I can't believe the difference in the way I feel. I was always spotless on adderall. These past 4 months my apartment has become a dishoveled mess. I remember hearing that a disorganized environment leads to a disorganized mind or something of that nature. Anyhow, I think it is especially important for anyone with ADD to be as organized as possible. I can't seem to think straight when I look around and see clutter. Today, I'm going to take it one step further and clean out my kitchen and bathroom shelves. This is not exactly the way I dreamed of spending my days off, but I know for sure that the next month will be total bliss once everything is in perfect order. Oh yeah, and the shortcuts I used yesterday was 1. Made a list of everything I needed to do and buy to get organized (bought and assembled a shelving unit and storage bins) and 2. Told my friend I'd send before and after pics that night as my motivating factor (which I did). I think I'll post pics on this topic later and use that to motivate me today. Wish me luck!!

Wow! Congratulations!! So happy for you! How are you feeling?

I feel like my confidence level just dropped off the face of the planet. I spent 7 hours yesterday trying to fill out a stupid application and I got one stupid question done!! 1! I've been waiting for 2 years to get into this program (never thought I stood a chance) and this past Monday the VP calls to tell me he's going to nominate me like I asked. If I get in this program, I'll pack up everything I own, put all of it in storage, and then travel for a year and half abroad for my company. I will have no expenses. They will pay for everything. All my money will go straight to my bank account, I'll get to travel for free, and I'll meet high ups within my company and make a name for myself. It's an opportunity of a lifetime. I am dying to get in the program. My old boss did it and just recently came back to train my station. Also, if I get in it, I'll be able to move back home to Ohio and have a job waiting for me after the 1.5 years abroard. Is it normal that it would take someone 7 hours to fill out one question for something like this? I feel like I'm already giving up because my mind is telling me there is no way I'll be able to handle a job like this on my own with my scattered ADD brain. If I get accepted into this program I'll leave in August. Is it too early in my recovery to take on a challenge like this? I think about the end of it too and what would be required of me. I'd come back to the US and then travel 50% of the time nationally. I'd be responsible for going to our locations, giving presentations (i'd be a consultant), and working witht the managers/supervisors to improve their processes and work flow, etc. Is it possible to take on something like this without adderall after 6 years of being hooked? I honestly don't know. I keep telling myself don't expect too much of myself too soon. I just need to stay clean. I was thinking of my friend last night who has ADD worse than me and is now doing extremely well. She never took adderall or add drugs. Over the years I've noticed her abillity to overcome the disorder. Today she's a successful nurse/sales rep and has a beautiful house and married to a good guy. Anyhow, I'm rambling. I have to go to work. Any input is greatly appreciated!

Trey, Yes, I've struggled with these my whole life. I find it extremely challenging to stay focused on something and follow it through till completion unless I have it written in front of me and mapped out every step of the way. When adderall came....it felt like I finally found the answer to all my problems. God, I really need support of someone free from it tonight. I'm trying to fill out this application for my job and I'm going crazy. I've been working on it for like 7 hours and I've answered one question.

Wow, Australia! So cool. I'm in Texas and yes it's very awesome, but I may be on a global journey here soon if things pan out at work for me. Keeping my fingers crossed, but I think I have a really good chance of getting into this traveling program through work. Very exciting! So are you adderall/dex free already? If so, how many days?

Trey, You are a gifted writer! What do you do for a living? Thanks for sharing your story. Where are you from?

My come down from adderall was actually always wonderful. I know that seems weird, but as long as I had about 3-4 days to lay around and sleep however much I needed, I was fantastic. I was usually so tweaked out by the end of a prescription I'd actually find myself looking forward to being off of it for a few days. However, I do remember getting insane anxiety when I'd be close to the end of my prescription. There were times when I actually ran out of it 2 weeks early....those were the worst times. What is a normal withdrawal period like for you? I was always depressed while on it, but loved it b/c it took my depression away by tuning into whatever task was in front of me. I usually became happy again when it was out of my system as in I could laugh and actually not have to force fake smiles.

Just got back from the dentist. He's advised me to go see a TMJ specialist. I have an appt. set for next week. The past week my TMJ has been excruciating. My jaw pops and cracks and it actually hurts too much to eat. This leads me to question it. Where is this coming from? I had a crown done a couple weeks ago. It was my very first crown. The dentist said my bite is ok. He thinks they aggravated the TMJ by the long period of holding my mouth wide open. Why did I have to get a crown? - Adderall Has my jaw been disintegrating over the years on adderall? Um yeah. Oh wait, there's more. Could This Be Causing Your TMD Symptoms? Frequent Drug Use. The use of amphetamines, such as cocaine, is known to increase parafunctional activity such as teeth clenching and grinding. This may add to an underlying TMD problem or increase the incidence of a problem occurring. I honestly can't believe just how much of my life has been impacted by this drug. I'm going to make a list of all my adderall consequences below. Hope to hear back from everyone on this. I want to know what consequences you've all experienced as well. Here we go... 1. Loss of Relationship - 5 year relationship/engagement called off 2. ER/Hospital/psych ward trip 1 - medical bills (2 weeks off work) 2009 3. Automobile accident - slammed into median/blew out four tires - 2010 4. ER/Hospital/detox - medical bills (2 months off work std) - 2010 5. Medical problems (dental/TMJ) 6. Horrible withdrawal period from bipolar/schizo meds. (I am neither, but the rehab doc prescribed me meds for these conditions based off my symptoms of adderall overdose). I am so sick and tired of being doped up on drugs I don't need, I stopped them abruptly and now suffering the consequences. Not fun. I really hope this is the last consequence of my adderall use. I think my list here is pretty solid. Anyone?

I found both of these articles last night and thought I should share..... http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/overcoming-the-loss-of-motivation-that-follows-a-surge-of-productivity/ http://www.successconsciousness.com/chapters/will-discipline-chapter1.pdf

Being that I had the day off, I read this post and went to see the movie an hour later. WOW, yeah I agree with you guys! The writer had to have come across adderall - for real! At first I was starting to feel unhappy in the beginning when the guy cleaned up his place and wrote his novel in four days. I was thinking, god I miss those adderall days as I was reflecting on the fact I'd just left my slightly messy apt. and got into my slightly messy car to abandon all my chores to see a movie. LOL I don't want to ruin it for anyone else, but I was a tad disappointed and confused by the ending. For anyone else who hasn't seen it - go check it out!

Withdrawal should only last today and maybe tomorrow. Just consider it a minor slip and keep plugging forward! Hey, I relapsed four times in 2 years after trying to quit. Just remember if you were to "go back out" you don't know when you'll "come back in". How many more days, months, weeks of your life do you want to waste chained in addiction to some pill? You got up to 70 days on your very first attempt to quit! That's a huge success! Celebrate it, be thankful you got through it, and learn from your relapse what triggered it and how to prevent another relapse going forward. It's progress...not perfection. Do not beat yourself up for it. You came here and shared your dillema with us. That's a great sign! I think you know exactly what you need to do and you can do it! It's funny, but just today on my way to work I was thinking about adderall. And, btw I'm not trying to take away from your post, but I'm hoping what I'm about to share with you might help. So anyhow, I was reflecting on the fact that the old old old me (from 6 years back) is here again now because I feel messy, lazy, and somewhat scattered brained. HOWEVER, what I learned from being on adderall is the fact that I AM smart and am capable of so much when I apply myself diligently. Previously, I kicked ass in my job b/c of adderall work wise, but socially I was a total trainwreck b/c I was constantly jittery, sleep deprived, paranoid, and constantly on edge. I realize now that since I'm a supervisor now my people skills are actually my best quality and if I were still on adderall I would probably be failing my team miserably. I think about my relationships today and how much they've improved and that all and all my life is sane now. I'm okay and I know that no matter what I will eventually get to a place I never even dreamed I could without adderall. I'm going to be a balanced individual in every way possible. Every day I don't take adderall, I am over joyed by the accomplishment alone. You will feel so good about yourself in the end when you can look back and say you fell, but then got right back up and wiped the dust off to keep running. Good luck my friend!! Erin

Cassie, I know exactly what you mean. I not only gave up adderall, but I was put on a number of downers (seroquel, lamotrig-something, and celexa). Talk about not being motivated! All I did was sleep for like the first two months. I hated it b/c the side effects of the new meds made me a zombie. Somehow, I've managed to get by and today I have 126 days clean. I know it sucks and it's hard as hell to hang in there, but I'm telling you, DON'T GIVE UP. The dawn is almost near. It will get easier, but give yourself as much time as you need to be lazy and unmotivated. It's not that we won't ever be productive or highly successful again, but there is a serious amount of time required (IMO) that is needed to get you to that point. Don't push yourself too hard. Everyone's journey is different. I am SO GRATEFUL for every single day I have clean (hence why i check my clean time everyday to know how many days I have). I don't know if you read my story or not, but this is my 4th attempt to quit adderall for good. I'm telling you - it NEVER gets better, only worse and worse. I was on it for 5 years straight and then once I moved away on my own wound up in the emergency room twice within about a year. Just hang in there and keep coming here to post how you're doing. I'm struggling with being tired, unmotivated to workout, and over eating. I was borderline anorexic while being an adderallic and now I'm struggling with my compulsiveness for food since I'm clean and sober from all alcohol and drugs. I know eventually I'll be able to fix that too, but for right now I'm putting one foot in front of the other to help get me to that point someday. I have every intention in the world of running marathons again, being a health nut, and achieving whatever it is that I decide I want (I haven't quite figured it out yet either), but I know the last thing on earth I need to do is go back to adderall. That would be like running back in the opposite direction and having to start all over again. I mean think about it this way. Do you want to be on adderall your whole life? Do you want to be alone and miserable? I used to think the problem was my ex. I realized in the end it was my addiction to adderall. We lived together 5 years and were engaged. He's now in Ohio and I'm in Houston. I promise you don't want to lose the love of your life for this drug. Stay clean now and live a happy fufilling life. You still get a second chance. Best wishes, Erin

How about a clean time counter. Here's a link to one. http://www.rewritables.net/cybriety/counter.htm

Matt, Your reasons for abusing adderall are identical to mine. I have add and social anxiety. I'm also a recovering alcoholic and addict. I've noticed a lot of people on this site may not have actually been addicted to adderall. I thought Mike gave you some really great advice, but I wanted to take it a step further in case you find that you can't control (or lose all willpower) when trying to moderate your intake. For alcoholics/addicts it is said that we have an allergy; that the phenomenon of craving is limited to our class and never occurs in the average temperate drinker. If you find yourself having a severly hard time controlling your intake please know this may clearly be another issue all together. It is never too early to get help before it consumes you. Best of luck to you and keep posting how you're doing. Take care! Erin

Jessie, Wow, we are only one day apart in our clean time from adderall!! That's awesome! I feel the same way about the whole "non-productive" feelings you're having. I'm actually laying on my couch now dreading the thought of getting up to do chores and thinking about pushing them back towards the end of the day. However, I keep telling myself that all I have to do our the necessities at this point. It feels like I finally have a new understanding of how this whole doing chores things without adderall might feel (i hate them!), but this is normal. This is how most normal people feel too. Our normal (or what we considered normal for so long) is superman/woman. I feel like my powers were taken away and not I just have to retrain my brain to do all the same stuff again without adderall. I'm with you. It sucks! But eventually it will get easier the more time we spend normal/not high and today this is the only thought that keeps pushing me to get through another day at times. Thanks for your post! Erin

Yes, I craved sweets non-stop. I also found food more appealing than ever. Every time I was ever on adderall, I lost a ton of weight and ate barely anything. I love how wonderful food tastes again. I'd say it took a good month before I felt like it was truly out of my system. It felt really good to eat and sleep again after I was off of it. I'm now @ 4mos. clean and feeling better than ever. I still crave sweets, but not anything near like I did when I first stopped everything. You'll level out. I still have adderall using dreams though. Hoping those will go away with time. Erin

How are you doing Jess? Hope to hear from you!