I NEED HELP! i have been taking Adderall IR at the 200-250mg level for a while now!

[mistanoah]

im kinda scared cause i have been taking 200 to 250 mg. of the Adderall instant release for a few weeks now, and i just took my last dose. can someone please help me, or message me, i will check back on this forum often. I know its gonna suck, but i was wondering if anyone has any advice. I started out ONE of on the 20mg. then in days i was up to 200 250 mg. i dont even really have ADHD, i just got addicted to it cause my Dr. thought it would help. i have a long history of substance abuse and have recovery has been an ongoing battle. Taking that much ampehtimine does not really make me ill, i like the high. Previously i was a poly-substance abuser. i want to quit this stuff once and for all...but each time i run out, i think i can do it "right" next time, and i have failed at that like 10 times. i just dont feel "good" when im not on adderall, alcohol, or xanax, or vicodin. what can i do to feel just a little bit better? someone PLEASE HELP ME if you have any ideas. the next thing my dr. wants to do is switch me off Lexapro and on to Effexor XR, any thoughts?

by the way, i am a 23 y/o male/student

[bricktop]

Hey man you should tell your doctor and have him stop giving you the adderall perscription. I know you are thinking that you can stop taking that much all by yourself but your at dangerous levels and if you value your life you need to do this. I promise you that you are not going to be able to stop by just saying I am going to be responsible with my perscription. Atleast, Please give the perscription to someone close that does not have an abuse problem and have them ration out your medication to you. When I first got adderall I had to do the same thing because I was really scared that I would start abusing it like every other perscription drug (hydrocodone, hydromorphone and xanax). I gave the meds to my girlfriend and she would give me enough for a day. Now after three months I can keep it with me because I have gained some self contol. I still sturggle with the idea of taking way more than my normal dose but I remember what a mess my life had become during the drugs. Please seek some help from someone that cares about you.

P.S. Before you go switching around medications, please get this abuse of adderall taken care of. I was misdiagnosed bipolar and had to leave school for a semester to get it taken care of. The misdiagnoses was partly due to the fact that I was depressed and medicating with hydromorphone. Don't do the same thing to yourself, being misdiagnosed and put on a medication for it can be living hell, nothing you have EVER experienced. Please, don't make my same mistake. I am sure you are a smart person and have alot to look foward to in the future, so stick around.

[brandnewvibe]

I have some hints for combatting withdrawal, but first I should say that if you're really intent on quitting, you should tell your doctor what the situation is, and he may be willing to give you a prescription to "taper" with. (That is, so that you can gradually decrease your dose, instead of quitting cold turkey).

*Also, if your doc isn't amenable to giving you an Rx to 'taper' with (and, maybe, even if he is but you realize you might not actually be able to 'taper' with that Rx and would continue using at your current rate), you can ask your doctor to give you a prescription for Wellbutrin (bupropion hcl). There are case reports (which I could dig up off of pubmed, if you'd like, so you can show your doctor) of individuals with long-standing amphetamine addiction overcoming that addiction with bupropion. Apparently it makes the cravings much weaker and the depression that goes along with the withdrawal also much weaker. Even though experienced amphetamine users give high doses of bupropion a good score on the "liking" scale (meaning they like the effects), there isn't a "high" per se and you don't have to worry about abusing it. *


In terms of the withdrawal:

L-Tyrosine works wonders. It is an amino acid, and is a precursor to dopamine and norepinephrine (the same neurotransmitters Adderall exerts influence over). The standard GNC brand is just fine. Some companies sell "n-acetyl-l-tyrosine" under the claim that it's more absorbable and bioavailable than plain l-tyrosine, but those claims are based on studies involving feeding tubes. N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine is actually very poorly absorbed orally. Just get regular L-Tyrosine.

Take 500 mg as soon as you wake up, *with 100mg Vitamin B6.* Don't eat anything for at least a half an hour, and don't eat any protein for at least an hour. This is very important. For L-Tyrosine to cross the blood/brain barrier, it cannot have any competition. Get some Vitamin C after that first hour, either from supplements or food.

For someone such as yourself, coming off of a period of high-dose amphetamine use, the L-Tyrosine won't make you feel "fine" right away, but it will significantly improve your condition no matter what it is. Opiate users also use L-Tyrosine to combat withdrawal with great success.

To combat anxiety or nervousness, take a B-Complex vitamin.

To combat the physical symptoms such as muscle weakness and tension, and jaw "travel," take magnesium. Find either Magnesium Oxide, Magnesium Gluconate, Magnesium Lactate or Magnesium Ascorbate. Read this guide for full details. Don't forget to take 2mg of *elemental* calcium for every 1mg of *elemental* magnesium. (I accentuate "elemental" because the amounts listen on the label of magnesium supplements frequently aren't the "elemental" amount, and the figures are much higher than the amount actuall absorbed). See that guide for all the details.


..... p.s., I also have a pet theory that NADH, a coenzyme for cell energy production and the production of dopamine and norepinephrine, may be helpful in combination with L-Tyrosine during amphetamine withdrawal. Studies show that levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (the enzyme that converts tyrosine into dopamine and norepinephrine) are reduced in the brain following prolonged amphetamine use. NADH stimulates tyrosine hydroxylase, and my unproven, unsupported theory is that taking oral NADH can stimulate the remaining tyrosine hydroxylase so that dopamine and norepinephrine levels return closer to normal. NADH is very expensive because its stabilized (i.e., digestible) form was patented. You can get it from www.enada.com or iherb, which sells the excellent Source Naturals licensed brand.

[doug_funny]

start smokin' weed dude. seriously, it's the most harmful of all drugs out there including alcohol and cigarettes. get some good dank and chill out for a while. but whatever you do...stop taking so much adderall. 200-250mg IR is just plain reckless.

[Moderator note: ADD Forums does not support drug abuse of any kind. Advising members to purchase and use illegal substances is not condoned here, and is especially inappropriate in a thread asking for help to stop abusing another drug.]

[bricktop]

doug, I don't think that is apropriate considering eventually he is going to want to get his life back to normal. I don't care if I get flamed for saying this but I know one thing, weed might not be that dangerous, but weed isn't going to help the situation. I know too many people that are so depressed because of long term weed use, not to mention they are lazy, wether they admit it or not.

[mistanoah]

ive been smokin the dank since i was 13, and yes, it helps things, but i dont like smoking everyday like i used to, and cant afford to buy it anymore, but i do smoke with friends occasionally. thanks for the idea though.

[yupyup1128]

i completly know what you are going threw ... i started at 20 mgs then got crazy and outta hand ... 200mg-250mgs in short time spanes ,,, staying up late, never sleeping... 5 days awake makes you see some crazy things. i think you should really tell your doctor, maybe get a theripst and a place that deals esp with adhd. I lived that crappy lifestyle for a year and after knowing i needed to tell my doctor not to give it to me i had enough can randomly just took action. Also the fact that i was having heart problems and had to wear a heart monitor.

Its been 5 months maybe a little longer since i quit taking addreall and began to try to bring order to my life and get me something that will help my adhd without me abusing it.

A month ago i thought that addreall was the most effective med iv taken for the add, not ritalin la, ritlain, or concerta , addreall

I was so sure i would not abuse it,,, extremly determined ,,, first month went fine, but the second month( now) ive realized i cant feel the affects of the addreall except for my heart sumtimes beating hard, it does help my moods, does help my impulsitivly, concentration, hyperness,,, nothing, i can eat normal, sleep MORE

So at the end of this month im gonna get rid of the addreall, cuz ive made myself immune to it, these extremly high doseages over a long period of time seriouslly effected me, never the same since.

SO PLEASE id advise you to get a theripist, a doc, and tell them whats up, they do want to help. i know it seems scary to actualy go threw with it, that feeling .... but i dont know how long youve been doing this, but STOP now get HelP if your like me with the past drug abuse, drinking etc, its wicked hard to stop on your own.

Do It Im feeling a bit better now ... life isnt the same without it, prepare yourself for that, but i believe it can be done,,, gOOD luck please let me know what you choose to do ,,, i hope you make that right choice,,, if not now a point will come where its all you can do, too late type thing... GOOd Luck

[Gregster]

Have you tried treatment for your substance abuse issues? Been in any program? My experience has been that problems of this type are more often rooted in issues of low self esteem and self loathing. It doesn't matter is your addiction is to booze, drugs, gambling - the underlying cause is the same, and the addiction is a way for you to escape the way you feel about yourself. It's common for people to trade one addiction for another - quit drinking, but start to abuse painkillers, etc. - and unless you do something else to change this pattern, you are likely to repeat it. The phrase they use at AA is "if you always do what you always did, you will always get what you always got" - and it is true.
As much as you say that you want to quit, it will take courage and work on your behalf to do so. If you are sincere, the first thing you should do is admit your problem with Adderall to your doctor - I presume that he does not know how much you are taking? I also presume that you are getting the "extra" adderall on the street? You also need to take responsibility for your problems with this drug - you didn't get addicted to it because your "Doctor thought that it would help" - you made the decision to take more and more in order to get high. Addiction is a disease - a mental disorder - and it's not an easy one to fight. If you decide to fight it properly you can count on feeling worse before you feel better - feeling "a little bit better" without the Adderall, Xanax, Vicodan or alcohol will take a lot of work on your part and while drugs like Lexapro or Effexor can help you with depression and make it easier - or even possible - to fight your battle, there is no "magic pill".
The truth is that no-one will be able to help you with this until such a time as you really want to be helped. It's easy to ask for help from people at a forum such as this one because you are anonymous and are taking no risk, but because of that fact, no-one here will really be able to do you any good - if a few kind words of encouragement or some good advice was all it took to beat addiction, there would not be so many treatment centers out there.
So talk to your doctor, your relatives, your friends - whomever you think can help you get into a treatment program - and take the first step, as no-one can take it for you.
It is worth the effort in order to get the monkey off of your back, and you will ultimately be glad that you did, but it will be hard work and there is no way around it.
Good luck,
Greg

[KillZone]

Originally Posted by mistanoah

im kinda scared cause i have been taking 200 to 250 mg. of the Adderall instant release for a few weeks now, and i just took my last dose. can someone please help me, or message me, i will check back on this forum often. I know its gonna suck, but i was wondering if anyone has any advice. I started out ONE of on the 20mg. then in days i was up to 200 250 mg. i dont even really have ADHD, i just got addicted to it cause my Dr. thought it would help. i have a long history of substance abuse and have recovery has been an ongoing battle. Taking that much ampehtimine does not really make me ill, i like the high. Previously i was a poly-substance abuser. i want to quit this stuff once and for all...but each time i run out, i think i can do it "right" next time, and i have failed at that like 10 times. i just dont feel "good" when im not on adderall, alcohol, or xanax, or vicodin. what can i do to feel just a little bit better? someone PLEASE HELP ME if you have any ideas. the next thing my dr. wants to do is switch me off Lexapro and on to Effexor XR, any thoughts?

by the way, i am a 23 y/o male/student

Wow! You should get your doc to switch prescriptions and get Methamphetamine. I think it's called Desoxyn. You will be taking a lower dose most likely. If you're in a state that provides medical marijuana you should see if you can get a script for that. It will be a good substitute while going through "Cold Turkey." Everything you named off is terrible. Xanax by far is something everyone should stay away from.

[muldoon]

Originally Posted by KillZone

Wow! You should get your doc to switch prescriptions and get Methamphetamine. I think it's called Desoxyn. You will be taking a lower dose most likely. If you're in a state that provides medical marijuana you should see if you can get a script for that. It will be a good substitute while going through "Cold Turkey." Everything you named off is terrible. Xanax by far is something everyone should stay away from.

Yeah sure. "Hi doc. I'm taking 200mg of Adderall a day when you prescribed me 20. Can I get you to switch me to Methamphetamine instead, because, honestly, my intentions are wipe myself clean of this amphetamine addiction I have developed. Honestly. I really mean it this time." His doc would have no problem switching him from an amphetamine that he is already abusing after a few days into treating ADHD which he says he doesn't even have to an amphetamine that has an even higher potential for abuse, because clearly, he'd have less addictive tendencies towards methamphetamine than dextroamphetamine. Good idea.

Who's going to prescribe him medical marijuana simply because he's a speed addict? The doc who's been fired from the clinic and is working in "private practice" in a run down building in a slum. They're going to stop all prescriptions, he's going to be red-flagged as an abuser, & he'll never get prescribed anything again (it doesn't appear as if he NEEDS anything anyway, judging by what he has said). They will probably recommend a CD treatment program, and they will get him off the Adderall employing the most effective methods. A good doctor (which doesn't prescribe Adderall to someone who doesn't have ADD, Narcolepsy, or to people w/ disorders that require meds w/ highly sedating side effects) will refuse to become even more tangled up in his situation.

I assume you've never had panic attacks to the point of being suicidal. Saying something like that about Xanax is ignorant. To an addictive personality, and a guy like this, yeah, Xanax should clearly be avoided. To people who have been through nearly every other anti-anxiety med, anti-depressant, cognitive behavioral therapy, and have a history of horrific childhood abuse, Xanax & other benzos may be the only thing that saves their lives, simply because it takes away thier daily panic & anxiety attacks, NOT because it makes them feel "high". They take it in order to NOT feel like killing themselves everyday. You take them as prescribed & remain on a strict dosing schedule, just like any other med. When the time comes that you think you are ready to come off of them, you do it very slowly, and under a doctor's strict supervision. It may be months for some...years for others. Quitting any drug cold turkey is difficult. Some much more than others. Responsible users of stimulants or benzos may still have a tough time coming off them, even under a very gradual tapering off schedule. But clear addicts like this guy are not going to suddenly start using powerful "replacement" drugs responsibly.

[Johnny123]

heres the thing i dont get

if you get prescribed another drug which isnt a stimulant/anti dep/give you ANY high you wouldnt go taking 10 times as much. why do people take 10 times as much adderall?

[Crazybutcute]

Originally Posted by doug_funny

start smokin' weed dude. seriously, it's the most harmful of all drugs out there including alcohol and cigarettes. get some good dank and chill out for a while. but whatever you do...stop taking so much adderall. 200-250mg IR is just plain reckless.

[Moderator note: ADD Forums does not support drug abuse of any kind. Advising members to purchase and use illegal substances is not condoned here, and is especially inappropriate in a thread asking for help to stop abusing another drug.]

I agree with Doug that you are being reckless-Jesus, I can't even imagine taking that much at once. However, you have an addiction issue. You can try to cover it up with something else (weed---omg is this a highschool forum DOUG) or whatever, but until you get honest with yourself and do the work it will take to get to the core of what it is that makes you need to get high, you will be in the same mental hell that you are now. Trust me, I know from personal experience. Someone once told me that you have hit rock bottom when you stop digging. I hope you find your truth. Life can be so much better than what you're living.

[FinallyAnswered]

Originally Posted by bricktop

I know too many people that are so depressed because of long term weed use, not to mention they are lazy, whether they admit it or not.

LOL...come to think of it, I've never seen anyone smoke a joint, pop up from a chair, and yell "Let's LANDSCAPE the whole freakin' yard!"......nope.....more like "Where's the sofa, the remote, and the Doritos?"

[EYEFORGOT]

Ok folks, I think there is some confusion. The OP is from 2005 and the thread was resurrected on 4/27/09. People are talking to both posters. Let me give our new member his own thread. I'll redirect you all to the new discussion.

Just fyi.

Here you go: http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67750