Adderall Abuse? | ADHD Information
My husband is a recovering prescription drug addict and was recently diagnosed with ADD and given Adderall for treating the ADD. I just recently found his Adderall prescription bottle in the trash and it was a current prescription (15 days into it) and it was empty. Bottom line there were 90 pills missing from the jar and he can't seem to show me where these are. Should I be worried? I know Adderall is an amphetamine and highly addictive. Help!!!Addicts don't know how to be "strict with themselves". I have not encouraged my ADD DH to try more meds due to his history of addiction. He tried Straterra, it didn't help and made him feel sick. He could never dole himself out just one of anything if it made him feel good, so we are not even going down that road. If your husband feels it helps him, maybe working out a system where you give it to him every day and keep it locked up. I know that sounds extreme, but addiction can get pretty extreme as well.
P.S. One of the hallmarks of addiction is taking more than prescribed--ie; if one is good, 3 is better-type thinking.
I can totally relate to the wanting to take more thing. When I first was put on Adderall XR, I only took one a day. But then, when my body got used to it and I didn't feel the dramatic effects anymore, I asked my doc to increase my dose. But the side effects from a higher dose just made me extemely jittery. Some of the signs you could look for to see if he's taking way too much are extreme loss of weight, excessive nervous energy, difficulty sleeping and mood swings. I have a little history with abusing prescription drugs, but Adderall is one I can't abuse. If I take too much, I feel like I'm gonna crawl out of my skin. This is one medication I've learned to respect. Good luck!Ragurl, I'm doing very well being strict with myself. I don't think your statement is true for everyone that has been an addict.Christi, Do you get edgy when your adderall wears off? I do sometimes and was wondering if it is okay to take a half of a xanax or something to take the edge off. Does anyone know if that's okay? I don't really wanna ask my doc because I don't want him to think I would be taking too much stuff!Angela, I take a Tang Kuei tablet when I'm feeling edgy and usually it works instead of taking my depression or anxiety medication.
Sometimes it doesn't though.
Hey guys,
I'm starting to think I may have reacted too quickly to this post by telling Timewilltell that she should worry. That's not very comforting and I apologize.
Everyone reacts differently to medication and there is a lot of pain involved with this disorder until you finally find something that helps. It can be like dying of thirst and finding water.
Timewilltell, I hope the treatment will be an amazing relief for you and your husband.
I'm sending you positive vibes!
i could take more then i am saposed to as well. but my doc and pahrmacy has made such a big deal about getting a refill too early, and have made me wait, luckily i hadnt ran out, but time wise etc. i was trying to get them when i was free rather then having to make an extra trip when i was busy to the pharmacy. what im trying to say is that if it werent for the fear of them telling me it is too early for another refill, and then i have to go days without even my reg. dose, and i coudl get them whenever, i most likely would take more then im sapsed to. Im on adderall 30 mg 2 a day. So, when i get the pooped feeling and fog in my head after it runs its course, i have to really be careful or i will take another and who knows what then. its hard.
christi
You poor thing. Heck yeah, you should be worried. That's very dangerous to his health. I had a serious relationship with a drug and alcohol addict and very sadly, there is nothing you can do until he wants help. I'm sure you're very famliar with it.
You are a very strong person to go through this with him. The only thing I can suggest is maybe trying to talk with him about it in a very non-accusitory way using phrases like, "I feel....." or ask him something about not feeling the affect of the drug, I don't know. I'm grasping!
Perhaps there is an organization like Al Anon (totally helped me) for friends and family of drug addicts that would have much better advice. Maybe they have a message board?
I wish I had some magic words for you.
Please take care of yourself too.
I have some effort keeping myself in check over Ritalin.
Had some stolen too.
Definite abuse potential.
most people seem to blow through their first bottle, i did
at this point i get refill b4 i run out no desire to abuse them. have pretty big stock pile of concerta now, i dont tell doc though i like sitting on a ton of pills comfort thing....
somebody stole ur rit? hanging offense
[QUOTE=Timewilltell]My husband is a recovering prescription drug addict and was recently diagnosed with ADD and given Adderall for treating the ADD. I just recently found his Adderall prescription bottle in the trash and it was a current prescription (15 days into it) and it was empty. Bottom line there were 90 pills missing from the jar and he can't seem to show me where these are. Should I be worried? I know Adderall is an amphetamine and highly addictive. Help!!![/QUOTE]Does your husband go to only one doctor for his prescription? I would imagine the same doctor might stop writing the prescription if too many get lost or stolen.
I have to be very strict with myself. I could easily down a bottles worth in a short space of time.
I hate to admit it but it's true 
60mg or XR Adderall can be a lot when he is only Rx'ed 30mg - and especially since he just got Ritalin. I don't know what to say other than hang in there.
Does the Ritalin or Adderall help him at all? Sometimes Dr's undermedicate .... I'm just trying to look for reasonable doubt, although I'm sure you know him well enough. Good luck.
Jon