I am writing in behalf of a very close friend of mine who has been taking adderall for the past couple years for school/work. He has gone months without it, and after a couple confrontations, he decided that he was going to quit for good. He has not been diagnosed with ADD by a doctor, but takes adderall almost daily. A couple months ago he was taking 40 mgs a day, and has decreased gradually and recently, he is not taking ANY. I just want to know if anyone else is going through this or has experienced this? I must admit, it is very difficult and I hate seeing him so upset and having rollercoaster emotions, but I cannot fold and allow that addiction to continue. I am curious if anyone knows or has experienced withdrawal symptoms (I have researched these symptoms). Some of the symptoms that he has shown: rollercoaster emotions, no desire to get out of bed in the mornings (definetely, some depression), lack of motivation and direction, shivering, numbness of emotions, fear of gaining weight, no regard for others at times. I am trying to help him deal with this process, which is very difficult and putting a strain on our friendship. I just want some feedback from anyone that has gone through this or experienced this. I want to be there for him, what is the best thing I can do?
Your friend has a serious addiction problem and should see an addiction specialist. Since he was never 'diagnosed' with ADHD he relied on adderall as an upper. Many people rely on uppers to get through a hectic day, I know since I live in NYC and the entirity of Manhattan is addicted to the high caffeine concentrates in Starbucks coffee. Yet it's likely that unlike myself - was diagnosed w/ADHD and was prescribed adderall which had the effect of calming me - your friend may have had a completely different experience, as he may have been relying on adderall for the intial uphoria non-ADHDers feel when on this drug followed by the speed-like effects it offers non-ADHDers, or he may have been self-medicating an undiagnosed condition. My view is that it may be the former, as I was on adderall for a while and experienced withdrawl sysmtoms you've described (obviously b/c you body and mind become accustomed to the drugs 'assistance') however I didn't have a psychological dependency on the drug that non-ADHD persons get from taking it. He could be in for a battle and should seek both someone to assist him with his addication and also evaluate him for ADHD. Also, he may have altered his normal brain chemistry a bit. The best steps one can take when getting off aderall is 1) do not place much paper/desk work demands on yourself for a month 2) get more exercise than you're used to 3) get outside or watch films, books may lead to focus-based frustration 4) do not feel guilty about sleeping when needed 5) do not eat high-sugar junk (leads to crashes) 6) however coffee or tea is fine in the morning to replace the lagging feeling one gets when coming off adderall 7) also look into herabl supps that help with energy and focus, they will not come close to replacing any benefit adderall was able to provide, but they may ease the transition slightly - look into green tea extract, B vities, DMAE, Glutamine, Ginseng, Zinc/Magnesium and if desperate for 'safe' energy try Cordyceps mushrooms (sp?)|
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