My first psychiatrist didn't care one way or the other that I was skipping medication on the weekends. My second psychiatrist ... well, let's just say, good riddance. My current psychiatrist (whom I like) was highly displeased when he found out that I don't take my meds 7 days/week. When he questioned me, I explained:

- I'm afraid of developing a tolerance. (I'm currently Rxed 30-40mg/day and wish I could get by with less. I don't want to go any higher.)

- I began pharmacological treatment as an adult, so my point of reference for what is "normal" is my usual spacey and scatterbrained self. It feels different when I'm medicated. Not unpleasant, but I don't 100% feel like myself when I'm on Adderall.

- Medication primarily benefits my studies and work. I don't typically do this 7 days/week, so I don't fully realize the benefits of medication when I'm not studying or working. (Admittedly, without my meds, I'm far more likely to miss my freeway exit, forget my appointments, lose track of large blocks of time, etc.)

- I often go out on the weekends, which frequently involves alcohol. It sucks trying to explain why I've become a teetotaler.

My psychiatrist wants me to take Adderall daily, as if it were a vitamin. He's a big believer in routine, and thinks that a regular daily dose will help me maintain a more regular schedule all-around. He listened to my concerns but didn't think much of them.

I'm curious what your thoughts are? Does anyone else skip days, or take a lower dose certain days? Do you think the benefits of daily dosage outweigh any concerns? Thanks in advance for sharing.

(p.s. apologies if this question has been posted before)

Some people find that they are less humorous, spontaneous, creative or easy going when they take meds.

I found they made my muscles tighter, too. (e.g. problems with headaches, neck pain)

My doc never mentioned anything about skipping days, so i take it every morning.

I used to skip days but then I wondered why I would want to not be able to concentrate better every day, so now I take it 7 days a week, but I take less on the weekends.

My daughter used to take it every day because the doctor told me you shouldn't go off of it on the weekends and summers because she couldn't sit still and he thought it would be better than people crabbing at her for something she can't help. Her wiggling didn't bother me or her and it was causing a cough that would clear up when she was off of it long enough. Also she quit growing when she was on it all the time. She is catching up now. They should listen to you because you don't want to mix alcohol with adhd meds.:( Also she would develope a tolerance to the meds and we had to keep uping them. Since I have been taking her off of them whenever possible, we haven't had to up her meds at all. Good luck , and remember , you know how you feel better than anyone else. Keep researching , thats how I found this site when trying to make sense of her problems.:)

(Admittedly, without my meds, I'm far more likely to miss my freeway exit, forget my appointments, lose track of large blocks of time, etc.)


I just took 2 days off my Adderall and was very quickly reminded why I take it daily. I think you're going to get very different opinions on this one because regardless of dosage everyone has different levels of 'impairment'.

For some meds help clear the clutter out of your mind so it's possible to focus on one thing long enough to finish a task. [ie. To study or finish that project you've been putting off]

For others (I've recently discovered this includes me) my "normal" unmedicated self wasn't a very good fit for the most basic things I need to get done. I can't count the hours/weeks/months worth of time and opportunities I lost out on and I don't want those regrets anymore.

I still agree there are days when I know my ADHD (creativity) will come in handy and I can plan ahead accordingly, but if it's drug tolerance your worried about I would suggest doing some more research to make sure you're focusing on the intended 'effects' (productivity or less impulsive/hyperactivity etc) and not the "feeling" you used to get when your drugs kicked in which may not be the same.

This is my 'serious' answer but if you're interested in my personal opinion I'd say it's a lot more in sync with "The Matrix" but that's a whole other can of worms that we can open up later:D

I usually take mine on the weekends as well. The main negative to skipping days is that side effects may be worse when taking the medication less regularly (i.e. the first day you take it after taking a break). If I do skip a day, I do find that it works a bit better for me the next day though. Nothing earth shattering though.

Personally, I find that it works best for me to skip at least two days per week, mainly to reduce the development of tolerance as much as possible and maintain effectiveness over time, but also because I tend to feel burned out if I take it for too many days in a row without a break. This involves some compromises in functionality on some days, but I don't see any other viable alternative for me; I need to have some time to let my brain rest and recharge in order to function at all.

Skipping 2 days a week keeps my tolerance down and reminds me of what I'm normally like. On the weekend I usually drink alcohol and I end up drinking too much if I'm on my Dex. I get plenty of rest on the weekends and I find this helps during the week.

I usually have nothing important to do on the weekend anyway so having a 2 day break is no big deal.

I think having a two day break is a good idea. People who have been on meds a long time say it keeps their tolerance down so I'm going to listen to them.

You could choose to have a break if you wanted. Do you do anything important on saturday or sunday?

Wow! I can't believe there's still so many people that are so misinformed. The reason why Doctors began suggesting to skip days (ie weekends) was to allow the kids to catch up on growth. It's been known for a long time that Adderall stunts kids growth so Doctors started suggesting all their patients to take drug holidays. Well here's the thing, back when they started suggesting drug holidays there was no adult ADHD diagnosis so the Doctors had no adult patients taking stimulants for ADHD. When the diagnosis for adult adhd began, the whole drug holiday idea continued as most Doctors never learned or remembered why they originally started suggesting drug holidays. Drug holidays reintroduce the bad side effects of the medication that you got when you first started taking Adderall.

Once again I must repeat that you do not build a tolerance to Adderall, you merely learn to tolerate the side effects. People think that the euphoric effect they get when they take the medication is actually the medication working but it's not it's just a side effect. When they stop getting that euphoric effect they think the medication is not working but in reality your body has just learned to tolerate the side effects.

If you're going to attempt to argue this then back it up with some legitimate studies/tests/research because as far as I know there hasn't been one study showing that you can build a tolerance to Adderall.

To clarify: stimulant drugs (all common ADHD meds) stunt growth only slightly (an inch at the very extreme).

The reason? Nothing to do with the drug chemically. It's because stimulants reduce appetite; kids literally don't eat enough to grow.

The cure: when on stimulants, force something into your belly even if you don't feel like a meal. Stimulants stimulate the entire nervous system, meaning the body burns more energy and uses up more nutrients than normal; this only aggravates the problems caused by lack of appetite.

Wow! I can't believe there's still so many people that are so misinformed. The reason why Doctors began suggesting to skip days (ie weekends) was to allow the kids to catch up on growth. It's been known for a long time that Adderall stunts kids growth so Doctors started suggesting all their patients to take drug holidays. Well here's the thing, back when they started suggesting drug holidays there was no adult ADHD diagnosis so the Doctors had no adult patients taking stimulants for ADHD. When the diagnosis for adult adhd began, the whole drug holiday idea continued as most Doctors never learned or remembered why they originally started suggesting drug holidays. Drug holidays reintroduce the bad side effects of the medication that you got when you first started taking Adderall.

Once again I must repeat that you do not build a tolerance to Adderall, you merely learn to tolerate the side effects. People think that the euphoric effect they get when they take the medication is actually the medication working but it's not it's just a side effect. When they stop getting that euphoric effect they think the medication is not working but in reality your body has just learned to tolerate the side effects.

If you're going to attempt to argue this then back it up with some legitimate studies/tests/research because as far as I know there hasn't been one study showing that you can build a tolerance to Adderall.

You can gain a tolerance to amphetamines. Search the forums here and you'll see. I'm not just talking about the euphoria side effects either. I don't have time to search for a study but I just assumed it was a widely known fact. Got this info from my psychiatrist BTW.

Can you back up amphetamines not causing tolerance by producing studies/tests/research?

Just because taking a break from your meds was originally used for kids doesn't mean anything. I get benefits from taking a break from my meds and I've never had euphoria from them. I take a low dose.

Taking a break doesn't reintroduce side effects for me. It decreases the minimal side effects I have in the first place, maybe it's because I'm on a rather small dose?

I don't see how taking a 2 day break from medication is in anyway a bad thing. It has only had positive effects for me.

Can you provide a study that says taking a 2 day break from stimulants is a bad thing?

Fuse is right about the stunting of growth caused by decreased appetite.

And ozchris is right about Adderall causing tolerance. Adderall is simply amphetamine, and it has been proven that tolerance builds up (and fast, apparently).

No doubt the brain becomes accustomed to the effects, too, but that's not all there is to the situation.

And ozchris is right about Adderall causing tolerance. Adderall is simply amphetamine, and it has been proven that tolerance builds up (and fast, apparently).

No doubt the brain becomes accustomed to the effects, too, but that's not all there is to the situation.

Again, show me something that proves it. There's nothing, only assumptions.

Again, show me something that proves it. There's nothing, only assumptions.

You're the one challenging conventional wisdom and findings. I have nothing to prove; you on the other hand seem to. Typically it should be you who does the research.

But hey, if you insist:
Very long link (http://www.psychopharmacology.com/pt/re/jclnpsychopharm/abstract.00004714-199602000-00012.htm;jsessionid=HFlWK1KGvyQhtK2G5fnCQc67pfp9t npxp7bnQ8c63302rGHslJ5V%21-667243907%21181195629%218091%21-1)
http://www.springerlink.com/content/t65403q728730211/
http://www.ionchannels.org/showabstract.php?pmid=17761379
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-tolerance
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_drug_tolerance#Psychological_drug_to lerance
http://www.springerlink.com/content/m4j5207r64367645/
http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/cgi/reprint/191/1/68.pdf

Thanks for all of your responses! It's reassuring to know that I'm not the only one who prefers to take some days off. My psychiatrist told me that I shouldn't worry about developing a tolerance, but I still have reservations.

And just to be clear -- by trying to avoid drug tolerance, I DON'T mean losing the "euphoria" -- I simply want to avoid ever needing a higher dose. I guess I'm pretty fortunate that I don't have a lot of side effects from Adderall, but that includes the reported euphoric feeling. Doesn't happen for me on Monday mornings, unless "euphoria" means "graciously refraining from throwing staplers at stupid people's heads before I've had coffee."

People with ADHD shouldn't feel 'euphoria' from stimulants unless they are using the drug recreationally (i.e. an abuse dose).

It's to do with the fact that we go from low to medium, whilst normies go from medium to high on these drugs. Roughly speaking, we need to jump up two ranks to get high, instead of one.

My first psychiatrist didn't care one way or the other that I was skipping medication on the weekends. My second psychiatrist ... well, let's just say, good riddance. My current psychiatrist (whom I like) was highly displeased when he found out that I don't take my meds 7 days/week. When he questioned me, I explained:

- I'm afraid of developing a tolerance. (I'm currently Rxed 30-40mg/day and wish I could get by with less. I don't want to go any higher.)

- I began pharmacological treatment as an adult, so my point of reference for what is "normal" is my usual spacey and scatterbrained self. It feels different when I'm medicated. Not unpleasant, but I don't 100% feel like myself when I'm on Adderall.

- Medication primarily benefits my studies and work. I don't typically do this 7 days/week, so I don't fully realize the benefits of medication when I'm not studying or working. (Admittedly, without my meds, I'm far more likely to miss my freeway exit, forget my appointments, lose track of large blocks of time, etc.)

- I often go out on the weekends, which frequently involves alcohol. It sucks trying to explain why I've become a teetotaler.

My psychiatrist wants me to take Adderall daily, as if it were a vitamin. He's a big believer in routine, and thinks that a regular daily dose will help me maintain a more regular schedule all-around. He listened to my concerns but didn't think much of them.

I'm curious what your thoughts are? Does anyone else skip days, or take a lower dose certain days? Do you think the benefits of daily dosage outweigh any concerns? Thanks in advance for sharing.

(p.s. apologies if this question has been posted before)

To answer your question directly...not that I've ever heard yet, but I'm new to all this too.

I take my meds 7 days a week, and it looks like a lot of people do. A lot of people don't. Three professionals have given you different opinions. I think there is plenty of opinion and precedence to support whatever you choose when you are ready to decide what you want to do.

You will find a lot of good help and advice here.

I'm so glad I'm here.

Peace.

I don't think many will argue that amphetamine cannot produce tolerance, though the level of tolerance and doses required to do such are not fully understood if I'm not mistaken. If it produced extreme tolerance at all doses, it probably wouldn't be a good treatment component in narcolepsy (not to say that it's the best anyway, but you don't want to take a drug that stops working early on).

You're the one challenging conventional wisdom and findings. I have nothing to prove; you on the other hand seem to. Typically it should be you who does the research.

But hey, if you insist:
Very long link (http://www.psychopharmacology.com/pt/re/jclnpsychopharm/abstract.00004714-199602000-00012.htm;jsessionid=HFlWK1KGvyQhtK2G5fnCQc67pfp9t npxp7bnQ8c63302rGHslJ5V%21-667243907%21181195629%218091%21-1)
http://www.springerlink.com/content/t65403q728730211/
http://www.ionchannels.org/showabstract.php?pmid=17761379
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-tolerance
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_drug_tolerance#Psychological_drug_to lerance
http://www.springerlink.com/content/m4j5207r64367645/
http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/cgi/reprint/191/1/68.pdf

I don't think many will argue that amphetamine cannot produce tolerance, though the level of tolerance and doses required to do such are not fully understood if I'm not mistaken.

Definitely, and the studies I linked to don't really make any quantitative claims about amphetamine tolerance.

Vast anecdotal evidence indicates that amphetamine tolerance builds up rapidly. The crux of this claim, though, is that it is typically made for recreational use/abuse of amphetamines, not therapeutic use in people with ADHD.

People with ADHD shouldn't feel 'euphoria' from stimulants unless they are using the drug recreationally (i.e. an abuse dose).

It's to do with the fact that we go from low to medium, whilst normies go from medium to high on these drugs. Roughly speaking, we need to jump up two ranks to get high, instead of one.

Ahhh I realized I worded that wrong. The word we use (my girlfriend and I) is 'binged out' (pronounced like pinged, only with a B.) Basically meaning feeling really calm and concentrated, or in the zone.

Euphoric effect is like a rush and a state of incredible happiness which isn't at all what I meant. Sorry for that mix up.

I don't think many will argue that amphetamine cannot produce tolerance, though the level of tolerance and doses required to do such are not fully understood if I'm not mistaken. If it produced extreme tolerance at all doses, it probably wouldn't be a good treatment component in narcolepsy (not to say that it's the best anyway, but you don't want to take a drug that stops working early on).

Yes, people think that the dose their doctor gives them is automatically the appropriate dose but after a short while the medication isn't working as effectively and they think they've developed a tolerance. That's simply not true and chances are the dosage was just too low. At first when you start taking the medication of course it's going to seem to work better because it'll be the first time in your life that you can concentrate like a non-adhd person. Once you get used to that feeling then you can better judge what dose is appropriate, not the other way around.

From ages 13-17 I took 30mg/d, 18-19 I took 120mg/d for about 15 months. From 19-21 I take 90-100mg/d for almost 2 years now. I was 5'9 125lbs when I was 18, I'm 5'9 170lbs now at 21. I never took off days after I turned 18, when I was 13-17 I only took the medication on school days because of the side effects (trouble sleeping, eating, social anxiety ect.) Now that I take it everyday and I don't get the side effects anymore and I'm on a much higher dosage. The only reason I didn't take multiple doses before was because of the side effects.

It's also a known fact that taking drug holidays is harsh on your body. The ups and downs from doing that really taxes your body. The higher your dosage and the longer you take it for the worse it is on your body to take drug holidays, but it's different on everyone. Some people aren't that bad on their drug holiday days and can do regular daily activities normally. Some, like me, experience awful withdrawal effects and cannot function. Work is an absolute no, doing anything more than walking from the bed to the bathroom then back to the bed is nearly impossible.

120mg a day? Of Adderall? It was XR right?

Still, that's an enormous amount; tolerance should definitely develop for that amount... not to mention it should technically get you high.

The only time I skipped my meds was when I forgot to take them. Hopefully, that will be less frequent this time!
Maybe my perspective is different because I don't work outside the home or go to school. I have ADHD 7 days a week. It doesn't go away on weekends. And weekends are when I want to focus on enjoying my family. It would be the last choice on my list of days I can't manage to get in the shower or go to the park or cook a decent dinner.

People with ADHD shouldn't feel 'euphoria' from stimulants unless they are using the drug recreationally (i.e. an abuse dose).Euphoria? I think people throw that term around too lightly here. Is anybody speaking of the very minor/slight boost that lasts for about 15min after taking the dose? If so, that's absurd.

I skip days with my Adderall XR but the reason I do is because of the insane tolerance build I notice throughout the week. 40mg/day works wonders at the start of the week, by the end of the week it's like taking a placebo pill (as far as the general 'boost' I get from it) it does still however control my hyperactivity symptoms regardless of taking it 7 days a week or a few days a week - it Always controls hyperactivity for me. I've started to not rely on it as much to do things that anyone should do such as go to work, or clean the house - I've tried to teach myself to not depend on a pill to stay focused enough to get what needs to be done completed... but when it comes to school work if I need to study for a test or take the actual test I will take as much as 60mg a day (20mg more than I am perscribed to take in a day but still considered a theraputic dose to my psychiatrist). By not taking it on days (unless absolutely needed) and then taking as much as 60mg (spread out in incrimints of 2 hrs not all at once [this is what i've found to build tolerance insanely fast]), college has become alot easier. This has lead to a rollercoaster effect of going up and down constantly - but I'm not complaining. If anything it's taught me to control myself without relying on a pill to do it for me. I'm not trying to tell anyone what to do or telling you to break your doctors advice, just imputting how I take my dosages. Sorry for the bad punctuation and there is one downside i've noticed from this and that is my performance at work (according to fellow employee's) has gone down from what it was but honestly with the job I have right now, I could care less.

On a side note about tolerance I've taken ADHD medication since the age of 6 till my current age of 21 - yes, ALL of the medications i've been on have lead to an eventual tolerance gain. One minute a dosage is fine, the next it's worthless and by worthless I am judging by the fact that the exact same dose has such a miniscule effect that it doesn't effect any of my symptoms.
[Ritalin, Concerta, Dexedrine, Vyvanse, Adderall XR, Adderall]. It takes years, at least for me, for a dosage that has worked wonders in the past to become pratically ineffect. I really don't think anyone who takes a dose for 3 months then feels as though the dosage isn't working because they don't 'feel' it as much anymore has developed a tolerance. I think it's more along the lines of your body has adjusted to taking the medication so much that you have less side effects. Most people can tell (atleast with Adderall) when they're on too high or too low of a dose (with the extended release version anyway, the regular tablets are a rollercoaster). Alot of people I'm sure know the feeling of being adjusted to their ADHD medication's dosage I'm sure. Some people know and understand what this is, others mistake it for a wrong dosage or tolerance build-up. Try not taking your medication for 2 days straight and I'm betting you will quickly realize that you were wrong.

For me in the past if I'm on too low of a dosage I've judged ineffectiveness of medication by cue's like: Inability to wake up and get ready in the morning (after taking the medication), Not reamining on task without realizing it, Blaintinly yelling at others without realizing the entire situation (BIG problem), Excessive need/desire to put important issues aside and 'have fun' first and foremost.

The higher the dosage the more effective i've experienced it to control my symptoms however the side effects of the medication also increase with the dosage, eventually becoming more of a burden than an aid. With Adderall I'm on too high of a dose if the side effects cause: Constant anxiety throughout the day (the bad kind), NERVOUSNESS (jesus I hate it), Uncontrollable (meaning unmanable) irritability... a little is normal. Basically to wrap it up, if it causes me to feel uncomfortable throughout the day it's too high.

ADMINISTRATION OF
AMPHETAMINES FOR PROLONGED PERIODS OF TIME MAY LEAD TO DRUG DEPENDENCE. www.fda.gov/cder/foi/label/2002/<WBR>21303s1lbl.pdf



That is a direct quote from the FDA site. I think each person has to figure it out for themselves -- if what you're doing is working for you, I would respectfully listen to your doctor but not discount your own experience and needs in this situation.

While I'd really like to take my Adderall XR everyday, it seems that when I do it triggers pretty terrible migraines for me and that isn't worth it. I also prefer not to get to the place where I'm going to have to deal with withdrawal symptoms, if I misplace my prescription, have my doctor decide not to refill my prescription, develop high blood pressure or heart problems, lose my health insurance, etc. For me it makes sense to take my own breaks to avoid developing that dependency on the medication. I also like checking in with my unmedicated self from time to time anyway.

My previous doctor preferred I take it all the time, because he felt it was easier on the body with the same routine and perhaps he's right. My current doctor probably prefers I take it all the time, but gives me some latitude to adjust things to my needs.

It's also possible that the 2 day holiday of the weekend helps to maintain appreciation of the drug during the week; helps to remind us that there's a reason we take it, that it is working, that there's a difference without it.

It's also possible that the 2 day holiday of the weekend helps to maintain appreciation of the drug during the week; helps to remind us that there's a reason we take it, that it is working, that there's a difference without it.You said it!:) When I was on Concerta for over a year without a break, I didn't really think it was helping that much anymore, until I got off it! That made a believer out of me and even my skeptical husband. I had even questioned a lot whether I was really ADD (much to my psychologist's amusement:rolleyes:), but once I was off medication all my questions resolved themself!;)

ADMINISTRATION OF
AMPHETAMINES FOR PROLONGED PERIODS OF TIME MAY LEAD TO DRUG DEPENDENCE. www.fda.gov/cder/foi/label/2002/<WBR>21303s1lbl.pdf



That is a direct quote from the FDA site. I think each person has to figure it out for themselves -- if what you're doing is working for you, I would respectfully listen to your doctor but not discount your own experience and needs in this situation.

Those are not the FDA's words, but Shire's (it's the drug information sheet for Adderall). I have a printed version with the same statement. That's not to say that the statement isn't true, but the statement is rather broad.

Those are not the FDA's words, but Shire's (it's the drug information sheet for Adderall). I have a printed version with the same statement. That's not to say that the statement isn't true, but the statement is rather broad.I don't know whose words-but it was on the FDA site.

haha I used to not take my meds on week ends. And well lets just say that it was a hell for everyone in the family. I realized that if I need to take the medication for school and concentrating then why should home be any different ? I still have things i have to focus on and I still have people around me that I have to be aware of.(not to mention that I see my friends on the weekend haha )

I take it every day because my doctor hasnt told me not to and my body gets used to the adderall.