This goes on every year, year in and year out, I try to get off my stimulants, whether Adderall, or Dexedrine, or Ritilan, whatever I'm taking and my pdoc is prescribing that month. I try and try and try and always fail. But I have to stop, because it's killing me. I take too much, and am wound like a machine all day, and by the end of the day, I crash and fall in to such a deep depression and anxiety. I've been on stimulants 15 years, high doses. I know that a slow taper is the best way to try to get off, but I would be in a constant state of discomfort for months and months if I did that. i get extremely anxious without stimulants. I may need them, but they end up ruling my life, making me socially isolate, hyper-focus, and generally sick. I don't have the will power to manage my dose. If I have a bottle, I take what I need. The doctor doesn't care. I can't look to him to fix me anyway, I have to take responsibility.
I tried to go to rehab. Besides being super costly, they rip the floor out from under you in 3 or 4 days, and then they send you to AA meetings. I did that when I was a kid for 13 years. Enough already. How can I do this. I know I shouldn't cold turkey, but when yr addicted to something, it's hard to just take one pill. I am so desperate. I've pushed everyone in my life away because of how I am on these drugs. I don't like who I am at all. Please, someone help. I need ideas. I have to stop. I've been diagnosed with bipolar, borderline personality disorder, anxiety, etc., and of course ADHD. But after being on medication, a huge cocktail, for over six years, I've come to believe that these medications are generally toxic, and have for me made my situation much worse. The problem is the drugs. I've gone off all my psych meds except everytime I start to taper stimulants, the whole world falls apart, and I end up back on meds again. I go around and around. I'm off the meds now, except 100 mg. adderall, but if I go back on anti-depressants and other medication to make the withdrawal easier, then I'll just have to go off those meds, too! It never ends. Pharmacuetical companies have us exactly where they want us.

Yep. I wish you the best. I can't get off of 15mg of Dexedrine... I'm prescribed 30mg, but only take half that... can't manage the taper from 5mg to 2.5 per dose.

The pharmaceutical companies did not build addiction issues into your brain. You've been going through this since you were a child. Nature and environment did that.

The problem is not the drugs. You need to drop that notion right now. All addicts want to blame anything but themselves. You need to take true responsibility for your condition, and dedicate yourself to rehab. Rehab is not fun (it's not supposed to be), but it is effective and it is how you will manage the rest of your life. Rebuild your support group of family and friends. They are the ones who will keep you on the right track, and keep you honest. The stronger our support groups are, the better our chances for success get.

I'm not sure what kind of answer you're looking for here on the forum. It seems that you already know what you need to do. We can help support you, share our stories, and give advice as best we can. But we can't offer any instant fixes, and we can't absolve you of fault for the position you're in.

I thought most people with adhd and taking these med's don't get seriously addicted like that.

I thought most people with adhd and taking these med's don't get seriously addicted like that.

That isn't a hard and fast rule, or even an accepted medical fact. I suspect that idea comes from the fact that medicating for ADHD has a very different goal than recreational use. Most folks are looking for focus and clarity, not a high. If you're not chasing a high, you're not going to fall into the trap of addiction.

There are plenty of folks here in the forum who have dealt with addiction issues in their past, and are now taking stimulants to manage their ADHD.

He was taking too mcuh fo the medicine. What does that suggest?

He can't discipline his dosing, and seems to be at least psychologically dependent. He tries to solve his drug usage problems by taking more, different drugs. It's causing serious problems with his relationships and employment. I'm not a doctor, but that sure sounds like addiction to me.

He can't discipline his dosing, and seems to be at least psychologically dependent. He tries to solve his drug usage problems by taking more, different drugs. It's causing serious problems with his relationships and employment. I'm not a doctor, but that sure sounds like addiction to me. gotta aqree with you blueroo, Im not a doc either, but I am a recovering alcoholic who has adhd, and today Im sober 15plus yrs one day at a time, sure adds up

I wanted to say to bentbob that I went into rehab because I am powerless over booze.

I could not do it alone, It was the best thing Ive ever done for myself.

I got sober and then started to learn how to use the tools that sobriety and rehab gave me.

I needed the floor ripped out from under so I could build a better one

I went to every AA meeting I could and kept my mouth shut and listened

If you want to stop get help but stop,

before I went to rehab I tried to find an easier softer way as they say but their isnt

sorry I got carried away but I really care
thanks for listening:)

I wish you the best. I think you have the right idea, tapering it down. I was "addicted" to dexedrine a couple years back. It sucked, so i think i have an idea of what your going through. If you seek medication for your adhd, try straterra. Its not a stimulant, but it works. Im on it now, because i have a addictive personality and a history of substance abuse (even thought im only 14 :( )