I am interested in connnecting with anyone who is in recovery from alcoholism or drugs and are receiving treatment for ADD/ADHD. If you clicked on this thread then chances are you knew what it meant to be a friend of Bill W.
My D.O.S. is March 20, 2005. I am active in AA. I am married to a man who is also active in AA and has been sober for five years. I had been on straterra for almost six years and a couple of months ago I noticed it was not working anymore. About five weeks ago I started on vyvanse, for the two hours following I felt like I was using speed and after that went away, my mental clarity was unreal, I could focus, follow through with things and felt like my brain had actually caught up to the rest of me. Then..here it comes a few weeks into it, I sart crashing in the afternoon. Dr. takes me from 30 mg to 70mg and I feel worse than I did when I wasn't on anything, confused, dazed, unable to finish a sentence. This morning I called Dr and asked if we could slowly move me up from 30 mg to 40mg etc. or keep me on 30 and do a booster in the afternoon. Anyhow, this is all very new to me, I have been dealing with ADHD for 28 years and this is my first experience with stims.
My disease would be in control if I did not admit that I like the boost of euphoria that comes right after taking it, I know that is my disease. I talk with my sponsor daily and share everything with her, Dr. knows I am in recovery. I have not abused my meds if anything I have caused myself anxiety because of worrying about the effects and my disease. I am not seeking the euphoria, as any good addict knows...we will never get it back. What I am seeking is the mental clarity. Where did that go?
Please share your experience, strength and hope with me.

"If you don't pick up the first drink, you can't get drunk".

Welcome to the Forum! Congratulations to both of you on your recovery. Any friend of Bill W. is a friend of mine. My connection to him is in regard to being an ACA (I have a copy of 'The Big Book' by Bill W.). This is the place to find answers to your questions. "Keep coming back, it works!"




"If you don't want to slip, don't go into slippery places."

My disease would be in control if I did not admit that I like the boost of euphoria that comes right after taking it, I know that is my disease. I talk with my sponsor daily and share everything with her, Dr. knows I am in recovery. I have not abused my meds if anything I have caused myself anxiety because of worrying about the effects and my disease. I am not seeking the euphoria, as any good addict knows...we will never get it back. What I am seeking is the mental clarity. Where did that go?
Please share your experience, strength and hope with me.

"If you don't pick up the first drink, you can't get drunk".

Welcome cpovich.......it's good that you're conscientious enough to consult your sponsor regarding your experiences on stims, but try not to beat yourself up because of it. Even naturally sober people LIKE "euphoria"...not just addicts. Heck, people have sex because we love the euphoria it brings, so you shouldn't feel too guilty about liking it. If you are taking your meds as prescribed and not to get high, then you still have your sobriety because you're not taking something you know you shouldn't be taking or taking it beyond its recomendations.

I do think AA is a wonderful program, but I have issues with the "all or nothing" approach to their definition of sobriety. Many people can give up drinking because they were addicted to the drink itself. However, many alcoholics (myself included) were not drinking because we loved to drink, but because we were trying to shut our racing minds up. Not everyone drinks for the same reasons.

Keep in touch with your sponsor and stay within your physician's guidelines to keep you on the right track.

The euphoria should taper off fairly quickly. Regarding the "clarity", it could be gone because you were almost double-dosing what you had started out on....and when you take too much of something, it can have negative results......as us former drinkers know all too well....;).....hopefully you'll have better luck on the 40mg.

Take care!

I know Bill W too. Been clean and sober about 5 1/5 yrs.
I too am on stims, Methylphenidate ro Ritalin.
It is a very mild stim so it really doens't get you very high. In fact i found that to much makes you useless and is not fun at all.
Any way why don't you try slow release stims?
Thye won't give you that 'hit' we both used to like sooooooooo muuuuuuch.

I know Bill W too. Have been on Ritalin for almost a year.

Why don't you try the slow realease pills so you don't get that 'hit' we both used to looooooove?

Pete

I see Bill W. now and again. I should look him up more often, and stay a good friend instead of wandering away, then coming back, then wandering away.

So glad there are many posts, it can get lonely out here in cyber land trying to adjust to new meds and I am so glad there are other's who are able to share their experience, strength and hope with me. Thank you.
Doing much better on the 40 mg.
There are many gatherings of people who call themselve's friends of Bill W. I am so grateful for them, for me stopping the drinking and drugging was just not enough, I have been given a complete design for living. I don't ever want to go back to that very dark place that my soul lived in.
Taking care of myself is the most important thing I can do for anyone today. Although this medication has completely supressed my appetite I still eat and I drink lots and lots of water. I still follow the same simple directions that I was given a few 24 hours ago, and yes I still argue with my sponsor occasionally!
Keep Posting and Keep It Simple!
Carla P.

I'm a good friend of his. I don't take up my medication issues with the group as it is an outside issue. However, I do share with a select few who have similar issues as mine. I am definitely bipolar2 or 3, slightly ocd, and most likely ADD. I respond very well to meds, counseling, and the fellowship and program of AA.

:)Hi I am also a friend of Bill's...thankfully I have 15yrs sobriety....I wasnt dx with adhd till a year of sobriety...

I have been on Ritalin for about 14yrs...

Nice to read all these posts.....yea for our hard work:)

lol P

Welcome friend, Bill W. is also my friend. Too bad the Strattera quit working. I talk to my sponsor about this often, it comes down to this. You have ADHD. To optimize your potential and get the most out of life and function as you should you need stimulants or another med. Stimulants work very well in treating ADHD. I take a high dose of Adderall IR 20 mg 5 times a day. I make sure I count them out so I never take too many. I do not get "high," from adderall but when you first take it or you take your first pill you do get a rush sometimes. This is not because you are getting high. Your body is adjusting to a medication and if you feel a "rush," when you take the first dose this is a physical reaction from the stimulant. You are not intentionally getting high and as long as you do not abuse it and take it as directed you are ok. These meds help you function and I know I have to take my meds or there is always the possibility I could get really out of whack and drink. Just for today I have not taken a drink, and I will not tonight. You know in your heart if you are taking your meds correctly and discuss the conflict you have with your doctor. You sound like you are working a good program. I would love to keep in touch or chat. :o

I am as well.

More often than not, I go to the other 12 Step program for chemical dependency.

However, it's the same 12 Steps,no matter how you look at it.

I'm blessed in many ways.

On 3/25/09, I had my 21st recovery birthday.

But I also know that no day is more important than today.

Welcome to the FORUM.

tc

mctavish23

(Robert)

If you clicked on this thread then chances are you knew what it meant to be a friend of Bill W.
My D.O.S. is March 20, 2005. I am active in AA. I am married to a man who is also active in AA and has been sober for five years

Yep I knew and I am glad to see some one else in recovery posting about the possible conflicts between addiction recovery and the use of potentially addicting medications - it can be confusing.

Seems like those in recovery also tend to attract one another much like ADDers do. I take adderall for my ADHD however my husband who has much the same ADHD symptoms refused to take any thing stronger than a multi vitamin.

I think we all have to approach this in a manner that is right for us as individuals.

Besides medications have you worked on any coping strategies?? I wanted to ask before assuming one way or another.

Also one of the things I noticed as a female with ADD is my medications do not work as well during some phases of my monthly cycle and as I "mature" I notice an increase in medication lapses but it isn;t the medications changing it is my hormones.

For females dips in estrogen will make it feel like the medications are not working as well - again not sure if that is pertained or not

Hey there I am a mate of Bill and Bob and am in recovery and being treated for ADHD.

Yep I knew and I am glad to see some one else in recovery posting about the possible conflicts between addiction recovery and the use of potentially addicting medications - it can be confusing.

Seems like those in recovery also tend to attract one another much like ADDers do. I take adderall for my ADHD however my husband who has much the same ADHD symptoms refused to take any thing stronger than a multi vitamin.

I think we all have to approach this in a manner that is right for us as individuals.

Besides medications have you worked on any coping strategies?? I wanted to ask before assuming one way or another.

Also one of the things I noticed as a female with ADD is my medications do not work as well during some phases of my monthly cycle and as I "mature" I notice an increase in medication lapses but it isn;t the medications changing it is my hormones.

For females dips in estrogen will make it feel like the medications are not working as well - again not sure if that is pertained or not
In recovery too for 21 years from drugs, alcohol, overeating. Having a very hard times with hormonal changes (upper, mid forties), found out about my ADHD 6 months ago, tried Wellbutrin, Metadate, Focalin, short-acting Ritalin (cheapest). Short-acting ritalin was okay was taking 20mg 3x day and although first 2 1/2 hours were great, energizing, focused, down-side was just as sharp. Stretched things out to about 4-5 hours but my husband suffered from my irritability. Now taking longer-acting but feel kind of dull throughout the day. Have estrogen patch too but still forgetful. Not sure if I need more or less of something. Interesting to hear that hormones affect meds... Have more info about that?
Thanks!

yep,

LOL... . I owe my life To Bill W. Hes a genuis. I don't have a solid recovery date because I never was one to keep track because it truely is one day at a time for me. I choose Christmas day of 2007 for my alchohol date. Food is what led me to the 12 step program back in 1982 I became abstinate some time in in 1986. I attend one step meeting a week . I used to attend a meeting every day . and then dropped out because I got Banned in an ACOA meeting.. I suffer from PSTD banning. and thats when I started to pick up alchohol on occation which woudhave me showing up at aa meeting where i knew i be safe .

I'm very leery of trying meds . I saw what was starting to happen with alchohol and caught that early,


recovery and ADHD..

well last week I was in paneras and a man who does the janitoral duties and coffee handed me a black satchel .. I had left it there a week ago .I had no idea. I open it up and there was part of my fourth step. and some rather odd venting..:o were talking grade school stuff..:rolleyes:

nice way to get the fifth done :cool: .

Infinity~

I'm also a Friend of Bill W. April 21 made 22 years for me. I've suspected I had ADD for many years, but was only formally diagnosed about 4 months ago. I just always assumed that any drug that actually worked would be off limits for me(most are). After reading Driven to Distraction and then Delivered from Distraction I made the decision that the calculated risk of taking a stimulant was probably worth the small risk. Many years ago I used to worry about putting myself in bad situations relative to sobriety. My sponsor taught me a valuable technique for evaluating potential dangers. He always told me to look at my motives for doing something. The situation that comes to mind was a Rush concert. He asked me if I was going to see the band or to be around people smoking pot. To be safe I took him with me and I've since seen Rush all over the country 30 plus times:p. Being ever vigilant and jealously guarding my sobriety has proven successful(one day at a time)for me. I now take Dexedrine and was very concerned about it triggering the "pull". To my relief it hasn't been an issue at all(knock on wood). It actually reminded me that I never really liked speed and I've even cut out caffeine because it tends to overstimulate me a bit. Sorry to be so long winded, but I really understand your concerns and(within reason)see it as a REALLY healthy sign that you take your sobriety seriously. I'm not sure that I have another "getting sober" in me and take my sobriety VERY seriously. I hope it all works out well for you:).

Charles

In recovery too for 21 years from drugs, alcohol, overeating. Having a very hard times with hormonal changes (upper, mid forties), found out about my ADHD 6 months ago, tried Wellbutrin, Metadate, Focalin, short-acting Ritalin (cheapest). Short-acting ritalin was okay was taking 20mg 3x day and although first 2 1/2 hours were great, energizing, focused, down-side was just as sharp. Stretched things out to about 4-5 hours but my husband suffered from my irritability. Now taking longer-acting but feel kind of dull throughout the day. Have estrogen patch too but still forgetful. Not sure if I need more or less of something. Interesting to hear that hormones affect meds... Have more info about that?
Thanks!....:)welcome to mamborina nice to meet you:)