How Can They Say I am an Addict?

[Draga]

When I went to My SSI Appeal...my lawyer mentioned that my asking for Adderall when I first went to my new shrink...My Doctor stated in my diagnosis that I was drug seeking...that made me look like an addict. Yes, years before I was hooked on Ritalin...but I have grown up since then and do not abuse it cause I seen how much of a mistake that was.

The judge automatically states I am a drug addict in his ruling....without even giving me a chance to defend myself.

When I asked for a specific medication it is because I have taken that medication before and I know it worked for me...so If I know that drug helped me before...common sense would indicate I would ask for it again...NOT to abuse it but help me deal with ADHD like it has before...

Am I not supposed to ask for a specific medication without tainting my creditability?

[Dex]

That sure does 'suck'. It's also just plain and simply his personal opinion. Hell smokers are nicotine addicts and are doing themselves (and others) more harm that you ever would on this medication.

My son's pediatrician is a great bloke who says these medications are the safest pediatric drug he knows, they have been in use for decades (since the 1950's) and similar chemicals have been used in treatment of this condition for even longer. The rest of the world only found out in the 80's and so they think it's a recent phenomenon.

While treating my son he also took time to give me a little help too (with my son's diagnosis I discovered the reason for my own troubles). He told me he knew I was a smart bloke, smart enough to know what the problem was, all I needed was someone to prescribe the drugs.

If there's one thing I hate it's the process of proving to yet another medical proffesional that you have ADD.

[Draga]

I know what ya mean...even Harder to deal with when you have to prove to your family..argh.

[irish guy]

I know sombody who was a recovering addict...and after he recoverd he was eligible for all these state and federal funding to start his own business....they may unwittingly just did you a favor....

[Nucking_Futs]

AWWW irish I just adore you...you have to adore anyone who can see the positive side to almost any situation...

Anyways, Melly Belly who cares what they think you got what you needed, now you can get the help you need and the rest is history. Find a new doc explain to him what happened and that you were on these and these meds and they did not work, tell him your a moderator of an ADD forum and have heard Adderall is not only one of the safest meds addiction wise but one of the best. Done deal!

[Wheezie]

wonderful futs! practical,helpful advice. clear and concise even! (not my strong suit today).

melly, glad to hear you are getting the help you need. now you'll be able to soar (cause you won't be weighted down, just to stick with your metaphor )

[Draga]

Originally Posted by irish guy

I know sombody who was a recovering addict...and after he recoverd he was eligible for all these state and federal funding to start his own business....they may unwittingly just did you a favor....

Aha...I never thought of it like that....

The part that really burns me is I guess it is just something in me that enrages me when ppl label me as something I am not....I don't know why I feel like this...I just do.

[Draga]

I agree with Wheezie...Futs You're Aces in my Book, Babe!

[Gregster]

It's sad but true that once that "addict" label has been applied, it can be very hard to remove. The substance abuse councellors I've had exposure to all seem to view addictions as life long conditions that can't be cured, only avoided. And you have to quit taking anything mind altering, forever! - so if you have a problem smoking too much pot, you can't touch a drop of alcohol, etc.
I guess given the context of the situation, it made sense - these councellors were treating people who, for the most part, were at the end of the line vis-a-vis alcohol - Doctors had told them their choices were to either quit the booze or die - so in the past they were powerless to control their habit. The doctor's position was one based on "tough love". The Doctor you mention above, however, sounds more like the "holier-than-thou" type - the pity of it is that there are quite a few of that type of Doctor around!
Regards,
Greg

[Draga]

ARGH Tough love stuff never worked on me...It just made it worse....Im insecure enough and sensitive about how ppl percieve me as it is....Sigh!