Medication and addiction

[Redneckgirl]

Hi, just found this board and find it very interesting. I have just been diagnosed with add/adhd one or the other. I have many questions and have been looking diligently for the answers on this site and have definalty found some. Yesterday I was prescribed vyvanse but I havent filled the prescription yet because I wanted to do a little research on the medication first. I am a recovering Methamphetimine addict and Im worried that taking this medicine will cause a relapse. Dr gave me samples of strattera but after reading some of the posts on this site im not sure if strattera is right for me either. My symptoms are, my brain feels very foggy, I have a hard time paying attention, zone out alot. Forget what Im saying, forget what Ive just heard, very unorganized, always late. I dont feel like Im hyperactive but Im always tapping my foot or biteing my lip or both among other things. Im very insecure and have anxiety due to feeling inadequate. (feel stupied)
I want to feel clear headed and motivated. I feel that would lead to me feeling less self consious because I wouldnt feel so stupied, that way I could get a better job, go back to school etc. I do not want to feel like Im high. Sometimes when I would do meth I would get all quiet, grumpy and paranoid I definalty want to avoid those feelings. I take 300 milligrams of Wellbutrin Sr everyday and 2000 milligrams of omega 3's a day. (salmon oil) Any help, suggestions advice would be appreciated.

[trishcan]

How long have you been clean from meth? Only you know what your motives are in taking the meds. If you truly desire control from your symptoms and intend to take the medication as directed, it shouldn't lead to relapse. if the medication is effective, you'll probably have even less a desire to use, because my guess is that your abuse of stimulants may have been due to untreated ad/hd. If your intentions are pure, you'll be fine.

[Redneckgirl]

I have been clean from meth for 2 years. I totally feel I was self medicating with my drug use. Seemed like the only time I felt my brain worked was when I was using.
Thank you for those encouraging words.

[Fima]

I don't think you should be scared from that, Meth addiction is Psychological addiction, and its caused because you destroy dopamine receptors, and you have to wait till they recover while you have problems to feel pleasure, while its hard to feel pleasure, some people are prescribed "Ritalin" wich can help them feel better. so its is not matter how much time have passed since your addiction, just remmember not to abuse it!

[Kiddder]

Originally Posted by Redneckgirl

Hi, just found this board and find it very interesting. I have just been diagnosed with add/adhd one or the other. I have many questions and have been looking diligently for the answers on this site and have definalty found some. Yesterday I was prescribed vyvanse but I havent filled the prescription yet because I wanted to do a little research on the medication first. I am a recovering Methamphetimine addict and Im worried that taking this medicine will cause a relapse. Dr gave me samples of strattera but after reading some of the posts on this site im not sure if strattera is right for me either. My symptoms are, my brain feels very foggy, I have a hard time paying attention, zone out alot. Forget what Im saying, forget what Ive just heard, very unorganized, always late. I dont feel like Im hyperactive but Im always tapping my foot or biteing my lip or both among other things. Im very insecure and have anxiety due to feeling inadequate. (feel stupied)
I want to feel clear headed and motivated. I feel that would lead to me feeling less self consious because I wouldnt feel so stupied, that way I could get a better job, go back to school etc. I do not want to feel like Im high. Sometimes when I would do meth I would get all quiet, grumpy and paranoid I definalty want to avoid those feelings. I take 300 milligrams of Wellbutrin Sr everyday and 2000 milligrams of omega 3's a day. (salmon oil) Any help, suggestions advice would be appreciated.

I take Vyvanse, in my 3rd month and now at 70mg, and I was a self medicator with basically anything I could find.....mostly alcohol as my brain just always seemed to need to be quieted.....but speed, weed, cocaine, opiates all had their turn at one time or another.

I had several long nights debating too if taking stimulants for my AD/HD was a good idea (didn't register as logical that a stimulant would "quiet" my mind) or if I was just setting myself up to abuse yet another substance. I am pleased to say that like trishcan stated I have had zero desire or inclination to either take more Vyvanse that dosed or to seek self medication through any other route since going on Vyvanse.

Vyvanse is metabolised into amphetamine but is time released and can only be absorbed in the lower GI tract....presently it is abuse proof through any other route save taking more than prescribed and the best thing in my experience is once you find the right dose it is so subtle that it feels nothing like meth or cocaine. I am more focused and am less easily destracted. I still have AD/HD and some degree of problematic symptoms, but a remarkable improvement in all areas of my life since Vyvanse.

I would encourage you, if you decide to pursue treatment with Vyvanse, to stick strickly with Doc's recomendations and dosages until you reach best dose and if you do you shouldn't have to worry too much about relapsing on a street stimulant.

Oh....and welcome!

[Redneckgirl]

Thanks for reply. Went ahead and filled script today, dr prescribed 30 mg to start out with. Not sure she knows much of anything about ad/hd since she wasnt even aware that vyvanse is amphetimine based. I found that out from this site. Took my first dose about an hour and half ago and feel nothing. Should I take this medication with food? directions said take with or without food but thought I read somewhere that I should take with meal..
This site is very imformative glad I found it. again thanks to all who take time to reply.

[mctavish23]

Longitudinal research ( 15 + years) shows that the use of stimulants (for people with

ADHD) DECREASES the risk of a Substance Use Disorder (SUD).

The reason is that the medication decreases impulsivity.

That's oversimplified, but that's the gist anyway.

Hope that helps.


tc

mctavish23

(Robert)

[Joker_Girl]

((((hugs))))) redneckgirl....

I used to "self-medicate" and my DOC was meth and coke....I was terribly afraid Ritalin would make me want drugs but it doesn't! It is not strong enough that I really "feel" it....(I take 20mg Ritalin IR twice a day), the effects are much more noticeable by my family and friends than they are to me. It helps me to accomplish stuff instead of just spin my wheels, it keeps me from being so "wiggly" and all over the place like I normally am.....I tell you, I think it is the opposite.....I am happier now and no longer feel the need for abusing drugs. If you are worried about it but still want to try meds, maybe you could have your husband or another trusted person hold the meds for you. I did that at first til it became evident that I wasn't going to have a problem with it. Believe it or not, I sometimes FORGET my pill....never could say that about dope, though, heh. I often don't take it on the weekend, just so I can be my bouncy self once in awhile.

[Joker_Girl]

Also, I just wanted to add that, when you are taking your medication, a dose will be much, much smaller than the amount you would take if you were doing meth. (Probably a fifth as much, maybe less). Plus you are taking it orally, vs smoking or cramming it up your nose....the route is much safer, and it comes on more slowly and is not intense....
If you do not feel that this type of med is right for you, then obviously you should do what YOU feel is best. For me, this med is helping, but it may not be helpful for another person.
I wish you luck in your search for successful treatment, and happiness.

[Redneckgirl]

Thanks so much for all the feedback.

[SuzzanneX]

Just remember these things:

1. Adderall will not make you get started on something. It just helps you focus.
2. You shouldn't be able to notice any physical stimulation after your body adjusts.
3. A change in your personality is a bad thing.
4. Your mind/thought process should be close to baseline.
5. If it's working then leave it at that. Never up your dose to "get more work done".





that's the rules I follow...
.....................I'm also a meth addict...a big one.

you know me..

...............good luck leveling out.

...suzie

[Hydrostatic]

It's entirely possible that a prescribed amphetamine might hint at relapse. I know how tough tina is to say no to, and I have to exert quite a bit of self-control to stay in line with my adderall prescription. You've worked so hard to get where you are, don't set yourself back. The fact that you posted this shows a rational concern so listen to your own thoughts. There seem to be quite a few non-speedy medications on or off-label that are prescribed for ADD, definitely check with your doc and best of luck.

[thug]

hey
do you have a sponser? 2 years....thats wonderful. what ever support system u relied on to get that much clean time probably has the best direction. dont put %100 into just the dr's advice. i know as an addict i can tend to aggre with dr who serve my wants, not needs
good luck