Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 63951

Shown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Adderall- How addictive is it?

Posted by Mike Rubinsek on May 22, 2001, at 23:57:17

I have seen many messages praising Adderall, but only a few mentioned the tolerance that sets in or simply getting hooked on it. I was prescribed it this morning (which explains why I'm still up) and I'm wondering has anyone tried stopping taking it? Do symptoms return? Is it like withdrawing off of heroin, or was it no big deal? Let me know, thanks!

 

Re: Adderall- How addictive is it? » Mike Rubinsek

Posted by kazoo on May 23, 2001, at 2:59:49

In reply to Adderall- How addictive is it?, posted by Mike Rubinsek on May 22, 2001, at 23:57:17

It's only addictive as you don't want it to be.

Use caution when using any amphetamine product.

I speak from personal experience(s).

kazoo

 

Re: Adderall- How addictive is it?

Posted by Mike Rubinsek on May 23, 2001, at 5:38:41

In reply to Re: Adderall- How addictive is it? » Mike Rubinsek, posted by kazoo on May 23, 2001, at 2:59:49

> Thanks, Kazoo. Let me ask you another one. Let's say that you take it exactly as prescribed (20 mg 2x/day) That's 40 mg. I realize that tolerance will set in and it will take more to make me feel 'normal' eventually..Just want to know what you think about non-abuse of it. In your opinion, is it safe to take it basically forever,as prescribed, because I understand that symptoms usually return when especially adults stop taking CNS stimulants. Have you ever taken Adderall, ritalin, dexedrine etc.? I appreciate you taking the time answer my questions! You are one of the cool one's out there!

 

Re: Adderall- How addictive is it? » Mike Rubinsek

Posted by Mitch on May 23, 2001, at 12:54:14

In reply to Adderall- How addictive is it?, posted by Mike Rubinsek on May 22, 2001, at 23:57:17

When I was taking it for ADD, there was some insomnia and mild euphoria for about a week, then that dissapeared and I remained attentive through the day without euphoria-then slept ok. Your dose may be a little higher than you need.

> I have seen many messages praising Adderall, but only a few mentioned the tolerance that sets in or simply getting hooked on it. I was prescribed it this morning (which explains why I'm still up) and I'm wondering has anyone tried stopping taking it? Do symptoms return? Is it like withdrawing off of heroin, or was it no big deal? Let me know, thanks!

 

Re: Adderall- How addictive is it? » Mike Rubinsek

Posted by kazoo on May 23, 2001, at 12:59:12

In reply to Re: Adderall- How addictive is it?, posted by Mike Rubinsek on May 23, 2001, at 5:38:41

> > Thanks, Kazoo. Let me ask you another one. Let's say that you take it exactly as prescribed (20 mg 2x/day) That's 40 mg. I realize that tolerance will set in and it will take more to make me feel 'normal' eventually..Just want to know what you think about non-abuse of it. In your opinion, is it safe to take it basically forever,as prescribed, because I understand that symptoms usually return when especially adults stop taking CNS stimulants. Have you ever taken Adderall, ritalin, dexedrine etc.? I appreciate you taking the time answer my questions! You are one of the cool one's out there!

^^^^^^^
I don't feel very "cool." In fact, I'm really not.

Also, I'm no expert in these matters. I just draw on my own personal experiences. I've taken, at one time or another, all those drugs mentioned, including some which were yanked off the market declared by the AMA as "irrational mixtures" (a stimulant and depressant combination). I never had a problem with any of them but I, too, was aware of the "potential" for habituation.

As always, medicine, when used within the proper perspective works wonders. A problem arises when the "wonderment" wears off and you start to increase the dose to get the same effect (or "kick"); however, this may or may not happen. Drugs work on an individual to individual basis.

What I think you're doing is worrying about this too much, and you shouldn't. Take the medicine the way the doctor wants you to and keep him informed of any changes in your behavior that may cause you to do otherwise.

You'll be alright.

kazoo

 

Re: Adderall- How addictive is it?

Posted by Mike Rubinsek on May 23, 2001, at 13:12:42

In reply to Re: Adderall- How addictive is it? » Mike Rubinsek, posted by Mitch on May 23, 2001, at 12:54:14

>Hey, thanks for letting me know that your insomnia wasn't long-term..By the way, were your pupils dilated when on Adderall, and if so, how did you explain that to people?


When I was taking it for ADD, there was some insomnia and mild euphoria for about a week, then that dissapeared and I remained attentive through the day without euphoria-then slept ok. Your dose may be a little higher than you need.
>
> > I have seen many messages praising Adderall, but only a few mentioned the tolerance that sets in or simply getting hooked on it. I was prescribed it this morning (which explains why I'm still up) and I'm wondering has anyone tried stopping taking it? Do symptoms return? Is it like withdrawing off of heroin, or was it no big deal? Let me know, thanks!

 

Re: Adderall- How addictive is it?

Posted by Mike Rubinsek on May 23, 2001, at 13:18:24

In reply to Re: Adderall- How addictive is it? » Mike Rubinsek, posted by kazoo on May 23, 2001, at 12:59:12

> > > Thanks, Kazoo. Let me ask you another one. Let's say that you take it exactly as prescribed (20 mg 2x/day) That's 40 mg. I realize that tolerance will set in and it will take more to make me feel 'normal' eventually..Just want to know what you think about non-abuse of it. In your opinion, is it safe to take it basically forever,as prescribed, because I understand that symptoms usually return when especially adults stop taking CNS stimulants. Have you ever taken Adderall, ritalin, dexedrine etc.? I appreciate you taking the time answer my questions! You are one of the cool one's out there!
>
> ^^^^^^^
> I don't feel very "cool." In fact, I'm really not.
>
> Also, I'm no expert in these matters. I just draw on my own personal experiences. I've taken, at one time or another, all those drugs mentioned, including some which were yanked off the market declared by the AMA as "irrational mixtures" (a stimulant and depressant combination). I never had a problem with any of them but I, too, was aware of the "potential" for habituation.
>
> As always, medicine, when used within the proper perspective works wonders. A problem arises when the "wonderment" wears off and you start to increase the dose to get the same effect (or "kick"); however, this may or may not happen. Drugs work on an individual to individual basis.
>
> What I think you're doing is worrying about this too much, and you shouldn't. Take the medicine the way the doctor wants you to and keep him informed of any changes in your behavior that may cause you to do otherwise.
>
> You'll be alright.
>
> kazoo
>
Kazoo, you ARE a cool dude(or dudette?) just for answering me. You definitley got my point...I do NOT want to be addicted to anything anymore. Did the pot,alcohol, and barbituates in college..and living for nothing but your next high just totally sucks. By the way Kazoo, mind telling me what you take now and how you are feeling?

 

Re: Adderall- How addictive is it?

Posted by Mitch on May 23, 2001, at 23:21:50

In reply to Re: Adderall- How addictive is it?, posted by Mike Rubinsek on May 23, 2001, at 13:12:42

Mike, given that you are taking 40mg/day I wouldn't be surprised that your pupils are dilated! No, the max I ever needed to take for ADD was just 5mg in the morning-that's it. I know that others need more. I would be careful staying on a high-dose (that is if you do not really need it-just take the min. of what you need), because of the hypertensive and cardiac effects of the amphetamine salts. Also, if you are not careful, you could get dopamine depletion or sleep-deprived which could trigger psychosis or seizures.

> >Hey, thanks for letting me know that your insomnia wasn't long-term..By the way, were your pupils dilated when on Adderall, and if so, how did you explain that to people?

 

Re: Adderall- How addictive is it?

Posted by Mike Rubinsek on May 23, 2001, at 23:32:31

In reply to Re: Adderall- How addictive is it?, posted by Mitch on May 23, 2001, at 23:21:50

> Mitch my man, you are the resident M.D. on call. Thanks for that advice. After last night's all-nighter, I only took 20 mg today and the last one at 1pm...And It feels soooooo good to be drowsy now. I'm definitely calling my doc tomorrow (of course I couldn't today..golf day)and only going to take 20 mg in two doses. Hey thanks for taking the time to give a shit about a complete stranger..very cool

Mike, given that you are taking 40mg/day I wouldn't be surprised that your pupils are dilated! No, the max I ever needed to take for ADD was just 5mg in the morning-that's it. I know that others need more. I would be careful staying on a high-dose (that is if you do not really need it-just take the min. of what you need), because of the hypertensive and cardiac effects of the amphetamine salts. Also, if you are not careful, you could get dopamine depletion or sleep-deprived which could trigger psychosis or seizures.
>
> > >Hey, thanks for letting me know that your insomnia wasn't long-term..By the way, were your pupils dilated when on Adderall, and if so, how did you explain that to people?

 

Re: Adderall- How addictive is it?

Posted by jerz on May 28, 2001, at 23:17:01

In reply to Re: Adderall- How addictive is it?, posted by Mitch on May 23, 2001, at 23:21:50

> Mike, given that you are taking 40mg/day I wouldn't be surprised that your pupils are dilated! No, the max I ever needed to take for ADD was just 5mg in the morning-that's it. I know that others need more. I would be careful staying on a high-dose (that is if you do not really need it-just take the min. of what you need), because of the hypertensive and cardiac effects of the amphetamine salts. Also, if you are not careful, you could get dopamine depletion or sleep-deprived which could trigger psychosis or seizures.

> > >Hi... My 15 year old daughter takes Adderal (20 mg in am and 10mg after school) for ADD. Her pupils are dilated sometimes, but not always. She never seems 'hyper' as you would expect from an amphetamine. It just helps her to focus on her work while in school. We plan to stop over the summer and start up again in September.

If anyone asks about her pupils, she just says 'they get like that sometimes, not sure why'. Of course her teachers are aware of her med status.

Jerz


>
> > >Hey, thanks for letting me know that your insomnia wasn't long-term..By the way, were your pupils dilated when on Adderall, and if so, how did you explain that to people?


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