[QUOTE=ragurl]Does anyone know if adderall or ritalin is safe for people with known addictions to take? I know addictive "personalities" are prevalent in the ADD population. Straterra did nothing for my DH, and hoping that structuring and counseling will help. Don't these drugs have potential for abuse?[/QUOTE]
No matter what you'd take (with few exceptions) there's a risk of addiction.
When you go to your doc for amphetamines they are supposed to monitor you carefully while giving them to you. It's the law - and it's what the manufacturer recommends as well. Mostly for the weight loss and heart condition but also to make sure you are taking them as intended.
If you're worried you might abuse them - mention that to your MD. They can give it to you weekly - so you can't exactly pop the whole bunch then come back the next day! They use a special pad to Rx them - and in Canada (most of US now too) they have it on the national computer database so it's hard to get it more than once.
You can try the time-release pills too - I use dexedrine spansules. They are the little balls - like contac C time release. They can't be abused by snorting or other means (I hear they inject ritalin). You take it once or twice a day - and if the MD is doing his/her job you'll get watched so you can't go over the top. At the amounts they give you - you'll not feel much of the rush that the user's get when illegal amphetamines are taken. Mostly you'll feel more calm and centered. It's a nice feeling.
Strattera didn't do much for me either. I felt sluggish and hyperfocused a lot. Didn't do what the dexedrine does for sure.
Just make sure you get a good doctor or psychiatrist - and be honest. There's less risk of hurting yourself with these than with pain killers. They should be forced to be more careful with those too - you don't hear people bugging about that though!
- Glen
Does anyone know if adderall or ritalin is safe for people with known addictions to take? I know addictive "personalities" are prevalent in the ADD population. Straterra did nothing for my DH, and hoping that structuring and counseling will help. Don't these drugs have potential for abuse? [QUOTE=pilgrim] regurl > I have the ADDictive personality and takeDexedrine is dexedrine sulphate. Adderal is dexedrine salts (i.e. other mixes than sulphate - there's a couple). They are related but subtly different. And- dexedrine is cheaper because it's a generic now. Much better way and most won't know the difference as to remedy.
Now someone who has had trouble with cocaine and not controlling intake probably should not take the meds I'd think. Either that of have it very very closely monitored with very short scripts. Dexedrine runs in Canada about 70 a month for 120 pills. If you're strapped for cash most drug companies have low income assistance. Still - if it's even potentially a risky thing I'd say you have to measure the risk to gain ratio and see if it is worth it.
- Glen
My dr. told me that at the dosages prescribed, it's virtually impossible for an ADDer to become 'addicted' to Adderall (which I take). That doesn't mean that a person wouldn't feel anxious if they didn't have their prescription, knowing that the symptoms the medication treats will reappear without it - but that is not the same as addiction.Is dexadrine the same as Adderall? One thing is we have no script coverage. And we make just enough on paper not to qualify for help a lot of times. Love to see those people try to eat and pay our medical bills. Re; abuse--well, back in the day his drug of choice was cocaine, big stimulant. But he also has had bad reactions to sleep meds ie; incoherent and roaming the house and yard after taking them. Yet, still wants to take them when he can't sleep. The impulsive/compulsive/addictive thing I guess. I could see him doing the "this makes me feel good, so i'll take a little more" kind of thing. Then a little more, then a little more. If it works that way.
"Stimulants are class 3 control substances in the US because they can prove to be addictive."
They are class II, not III, controlled substances.
Stimulants are addictive, even for those with ADHD. It's not unusual for ADD people to exceed the recommended doses because they feel great! However, just because they are addictive does NOT mean everyone will develop addiction to it. Nicotine is highly addictive yet most people don't develop addiction to it. Vicodin and benzos are highly addictive yet most people don't get addicted to them.
Your attitude and your environment play a huge role in your addictive personality.
Yep! Stimulants are class 3 control substances in the US because they can prove to be addictive. However, if you are truly ADD/ADHD and want to improve your condition, you won't find yourself abusing it. I was diagnosed in second grade and stimulants have never appealed to me. Now I am prescribed Adderal. The key is what you want out of life? Use the stimulants when you need them, and be sure to take drug holidays to crash and space out.a person with ADD or ADHD does not react the same to these drugs as someone who does not have ADD.
A person with ADD or ADHD also do not react the same to street drugs. They seem to calm them down instead of give them a high.
So when you are taking the right medication, you do not risk addiction, unless you blatently take too much of it, I suppose.
I have taken Adderall for about a year and a half and noticed no signs of addictive tendencies.