Husband addicted to Ritalin | ADHD Information

[QUOTE=shinsetu_hito] It's people like you who sue McDonalds because they are fat and have Doctor's in terror to prescribe the medicines people need, so much so that the FDA just recently had to encourage Doctor's it was OK to prescribe pain meds for sick people.

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Crickeys, that was a little harsh shinsetu_hito!

Lisa-D, When you communicate your concerns with your husband - how does he respond? Also, would it be possible for you to make an appointment with his doctor and you both could attend together, and you could voice your concerns to the doctor.

Marriage is very hard work! No doubt about that. But when we say for better or worse, I guess this is the worse . Your husband is lucky that you love him so much and care so much for him - your a good girl!

I had a boyfriend b4 my husband that had a heroine addiction (I know this is different!). I tried very hard to encourage him to become clean and I even organised for him to book into a clinic. Unfortunately - or perhaps fortunately for me - he left me and I havent seen him since.

But if your husband has mates that are all behaving the same way - it will be nearly impossible for him to change his ways, without loosing his friends. There is a lot involved for him to change (if that is what needs to happen), and he has to be ready to do it. No matter how much you try to help, it may not make a difference, until he acknowledges his problem and chooses to improve his lifestyle.

For your own sake - try to detach a little from the situation. But unless he is a danger to himself or you and/or children, perhaps all you can do is be patient and as supportive as possible. And perhaps you could try leaving some literature on the subject next to the toilet - men seem to read best there .

Lisa -

Addiction is a firghtening disease which affects the whole family, whether it be an addiction to alcohol, pills, sex, caffeine, food, whatever. But there is help. And hope.

May I suggest looking into Al-anon or another recovery group for family and friends of addicts. A call to a local rehab center or hospital may be a good lead.

Be well.

Spacegal

LIsa -

Also go to the link below - it's another forum for ADD and relationship issues, it may be another stepping stone for you and living with someone with ADD plus addictions.

http://www.addforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=4f857858d 00fe6fdee84c51c7d341fe5&f=61

Spacegal

Thank you Rae and spacegal, and those of you who responded with possitive feedback and support. I really do appreciate it. Those of you who have nothing constructive to offer me please feel free to skip to the next thread. I, too, came here for support and do not need to be attacked.

And to clarify, I do not have a problem with ADD or people who have it. My younger brother has ADHD and is non-functional without meds. For the past 20 years I've been through this with him and I do believe it is a legitimate illness. I do however believe that it is over diagnosed and the criteria for diagnosis is very broad. I do NOT believe that meds is the answer in every situation and even with meds other steps in lifestyle changes is necessary.

Yes Rae I have spoken to my husband about this and his other "issues" with addiction. It has taken some years and a seperation but he has finally admitted he has a problem. I am going to take your advice and contact his doctor for a meeting with the three of us. I suppose if he isn't willing to re-evaluate my husband and work through this with us I'll have to find another doctor. We are at the point right now though that I have to keep his pills hidden and give him his dose on a daily basis. When I went to get his dose today, there were 15 pills missing and unaccounted for. That is within a two day span. When I confronted him about it he tried to make up an excuse but after I told him I was going to get his parents involved he admitted he couldn't be trusted with them and he had taken 300 extra mg yesterday in addition to his 60 mg he is prescribed. How can anyone look at the facts and not realize he has an addiction problem with the pills.

Lisa D, I accidently took 2 of my sons pills one day (as they look like some anti-imflammatorys that I take - bottle and all) and since then I cant stop thinking about them.

They got me through so much work. So for people who dont think they are addictive - GET REAL - try 2 of your kids and find out for yourself and discover how tempting it is to actually feel so confident. And for anybody wondering - no I never took them again, but I want to - but like Lisa's husband, I would become addicted quickly and I do have ADHD.

Rae70, Please don't take this as an attack because it is not meant that way. You say you have ADHD but have never been tested so it is possible that you have some other disorder and not ADHD. That being said, I think you are thinking about your sons meds so much because you do have ADHD and the meds did help you focus and get through the day in a more productive way. You haven't said this so I ask. Did you feel like you were on speed? The reason I ask this is because you would feel like that if you were not ADHD. I was just diagnosed with ADHD a few months ago. I started medication (Adderall XR 15 mg) at the time of my diagnosis. The first few days I felt jittery but not speeding. After my body adjusted to the med in a few days all I felt was more awake. about 2 weeks ago my dose was increaded to 20 mg. I didn't even feel any different going from the 15 to the 20 mg dose. The only thing I noticed was it lasted a bit longer into the day and I am having the annoying side effect of clenching my jaw. I still think that my dose is to low but I'm going to give this dose a 2 month try as I did the first to see if things get better. Although more awake I don't feel more productive. That is a real bummer to me as I was hoping to have more energy and interest in getting things done. I say all this because maybe you would benefit from getting a real diagnosis and taking medication. That of course is a choice you need to make for yourself. Of course these drugs can be abused by both Non ADHD people and ADHD people. What makes any of us believe that because we are ADHD we have no potential to abuse our medications. If you take your medication in any way other than what was prescribed by your physician you are abusing it. This can lead to addiction. If anyone is doing this you need to get help. I to sometimes think about taking a double dose to see what kind of outcome I would get but I won't do that because I want my doctor to work with me to get the correct dosage (of whatever medication) to work for me not against me. Addiction is both a physical and mental state. First you have to let yourself abuse (use other than as prescribed) a medication before the addiction can begin. This is a choice that a person has to make.

Lisa D, I hope you and your husband can work out his addiction problems with his physician. I am pulling for you both. I agree that if you husbands doctor won't work with you you need to get him another physician. The first thing that should be done is your husband be taken off this med right away. My suggestion would be for your husband to see a psychiatrist who is familiar with and treats other ADHD patients. They would be very familiar with the medications and hopefully would be able to get your husband using something non addictive for his ADHD. Your husband might also need a stay at a rehab although with your support he may be able to get through this cold turkey. I applaud your support for your husband but you must take care of yourself too.

-Gettingagrip-

gettingagrip38267.3341550926Rae- Maybe shintozo is trying to prove that she/he is not addicted to this medication!!

I am really confused about what she is trying to prove, I think she is just having a bad week and is venting some of her anger and frustrations on poor Lisa-D.

Crikeys, I have been guilty of a few unwarrented vents in my time, I once told my poor suffering mother, that she drove my father to drink - I have never gotten over the guilts of that one. I hurt her so bad. I never believed it I just wanted to hurt her feelings, because she was pissing me off.

But part of having blasted ADHD, causes us to be impulsive and I think she has forgiven me now I just have to forgive myself.

shinsetu - What planet are you on, perhaps you are a product of overdosing on something.

You proved you were wrong with your own quote.

I dont understand where your bitterness and anger is coming from, but the majority of people on this thread did not take offense to anything Lisa D said except yourself.

Is this a personal issue for yourself, has someone accused you of abusing your medication? Because you seeem awfully sensitive about someone elses problems. This is not about you, but Lisa-D trying to find a way to support her husband.

Try to detach from other peoples problems and be supportive, you dont have to agree, but you dont have to be a nasty, unthoughtful bitch either.

cheekydeeky wrote "Ritalin is a METHAMPTHETAMINE " Dude (or dudette) methamphetamine is Meth, crank, methamphetamine is not legal in any-form. "Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is a mild CNS stimulant."

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Methylphenidate is a medication that stimulates the central nervous system (brain) in a manner that is similar to the amphetamines; however, its actions are milder than those of the amphetamines. An additional difference is that methylphenidate produces more noticeable effects on mental activities than on motor activities. Methylphenidate and amphetamines both have abuse potential. In treating children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), methylphenidate produces a calming effect. This results in a reduction in hyperactivity and an improvement in attention span. Methylphenidate was approved by the FDA in 1955.

sophie wrote "I was actually looking for some support and instead I found nothing but a lot of drama between you ladies. Hi Sophie, is this your first time on the internet? :-) On this whole board I think this is the only argument. Why did you focus on this one thread and ignore the other 100 or so? Rae70 wrote "Crickeys, that was a little harsh shinsetu_hito!" I don't think so, she used her first post to rail on her husbands doctor for her husbands problems. Everybody today wants to blame someone else. How is his doctor responsible for his problems? 60MG a day is the normal ritalin dose. Lisa D wrote "I, too, came here for support and do not need to be attacked." BS, you came here to rant. If your post was earnest and sincere I would have responded in kind, I know this because I do it all the time. You just came here to express your anger at us for your problems. Rae70 wrote "Lisa D, I accidently took 2 of my sons pills one day" If you don't have ADD it's a whole different story. ADD people are lacking dopamine. If you stimulate the brain stem of a non-add person you "speed up" but people with ADD "calm down." Lisa D are constantly bombarded with negitive crap from non-ahdh people. "It's all in your head, you just need to try harder, don't you care about anything. And lately there is a full-frontal attack on our medications. Judging from the tone of your message and reading between the lines I don't think your husband has a problem at all, not at 60MG a day. That's the normal doasge for children.shinsetu_hito38267.1337384259

Yes ritilian is addictive, just like caffine, and other forms of stimulants. They are a form of speed for people that do not have ADD/ADHD. For someone that does not have this the medication would react differently in their system..Coffee makes me tired and coffee keeps my husband awake.

I think that everyone has an opion on this issue and as for shinsutu the above post does indicate that the medication can be potentialy be abused, so in support of you defense you provided evidence for the oppisite!!! I also believe that a lot of doctors in the USA provide unneccary medication which causes it ot me used, for example my husband put his back out a few years ago and they RX oxycotin and the next month he was better and the DR. asked if he needed more!!!

ALL STIMULANTS (narcotics or not) ARE ADDITIVE IN PEOPLE THAT ABUSE THEM!! it is not fair to compare being fat to being dependent on medication and here in the USA maybe not in JAPAN medication is over perscribed in most cases.

Lisa- good luck and try to help your husband with his addiction

Thanks Rosina, I just sent my hubby out to get some . Will give it a go.

Shinseto - have you considered how valueable your life experience could be for Lisa D, if you explained about what it is like to be a Man taking Ritalin, and how it all affects your life and your relationship, this may help her understand her husband better.

Rather than personalise her problems, by accusing her of being controlling etc, try to assume that generally people have good intentions and regardless of their actions, their actions come from love and concern for others.

You seem to have a poor opinion of women, but not all women are like what you may have experienced in life, a lot of us are trying to make our marriages work and want our husbands to be happy. If we suggest or do things to upset them, it is usually not intentional. Just assume this of Lisa D and give her something of value that she could use to make this situation work for her.

Be constructive with your experiences, turn bad experiences into helping others create good experiences.

You have valuable experiences that women on this forum dont have, and that is being a man and husband. We are always trying to understand them, so help us all out a bit.

Poor opinion of women? You got that from one thread? I was angry about her threatening to send the doctor to jail for prescribing a normal dosage of Ritalin. I could not get help for years because of the hysteria surrounding the meds that help us. They will give you Valium and the like at the drop of a hat, but it's only been the last few years Doctor's have been allowed to treat us.

I saw things from her husbands point of view. He's dealing with way more baggage then she is. I didn't hear one ounce of love, compassion, or understanding in her tirade. I have low tolerance for people who talk about their loved ones like that, man or woman, in public or on the internet. In all the world we are supposed to have at least one person in our corner, for better or for worse.

As a man I'm sick of wives talking about us like were children, not just this board but every ADD board. Did you ever stop to think, Rea70, for one second about the man? Did you think maybe you shouldn't judge this matter with only one side of the story? I didn't judge the side I didn't hear (his side) I judged the side I did hear.

shinsetu_hito38267.9929282407

I did a word search on the word jail in this thread and the only mention of it was in your reply! Lisa-D mentioned "I NEED TO FIND OUT INFO ON THE DRUG AND WHAT THE LAW IS TO PRESCRIBE IT CORRECTLY. I AM SO ANGRY AT THIS DOCTOR. HE HAS TURNED MY HUSBAND INTO A DRUG ADDICT. DON'T THESE DOCTORS HAVE SOME KIND OF RESPONSIBLITY TO THEIR PATIENTS WHEN PRESCRIBING THIS KIND OF DRUG. IF ANYONE HAS ANY INPUT OR SUPPORT I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT."

And that is only inferring that she wants to become informed of the laws of this medication.

Shin - I dont want to argue with you any more about another persons problems, I dont judge you, nor her. I can tell from your other threads that you are a good person, so I dont have an issue with you at all. Just surprises me a little that is all!

And yes, I dont appreciate verbal bashings of loved ones either.

And in so far as thinking of the man! That is all I have to think about in my life. My man consumes our life, with his large personality. My escape from feeling second is only when I do something for myself like be on this forum. But I also understand the stress of being the Man/Husband/Father, the sole bread winner and the huge burdan of responsibility that men feel. And when they dont produce money they feel like failures. I know men dont express their feelings correctly a lot of the time, that a lot of emotions come out in displays of anger or frustration.

I know and understand my man. And I continue to accept, forgive, love and remain loyal to him and always will, I promised that. I take it seriously.

But dont you even feel sometimes like having someone you can call or write too or visit and just let out all the frustrations and the anger and unclear thoughts and have that person just listen and not judge and preferably forget what you said so it doesnt get repeated!. Because tomorrow I may feel differently, especially if I can get it off my chest!

I guess I just dont mind being that person, if someone is venting and having a gripe, I tend to try and find the humour and help them leave happy or laughing - back to their lives. And I most definately try to forget what was unloaded on me or I would worry and crack up.

I think we are just arguing, because we are different types of people. I have so many of my own problems that when I hear other peoples, I try to either make them feel better about themselves, or just blank out and go aha aha aha!

It comes from never having one listen to me I guess. And I know how much it means to a person just to be heard. And I guess I am a little protective of this forum, because when I found it I was completely lost, lonely and confused, and these people have given me a place to feel accepted and at peace.

Lisa-D, may feel completely different in a week or so, who knows, every day is a surprise and new opportunities and revelations!

Rae7038268.0717939815

Let's not talk about the guy like he's a child. It's not her call to "take him off his meds." Boy, that's exactly how this screwy world works. Everyone on this board has already condemned this guy as an addict, based on his wives angry message board post. But, I want to hear his side of the story. Everyone is overlooking the fact that the guy only uses 60MG a day. It's a bit like saying "My friend is an alcoholic, he drinks 2 beers everyday."

One of the things that pissed me off and set me going was the back-biting, gossipy nature of this post. Cyberspace or not it's supposed to be her husband.

shinsetu_hito38267.4204976852

That is correct it is her husband and she is concerned for him, she feels he is over using his medication and is asking for advise on how to help him, instead of supporting her or giving her a place to vent her fusturations. You are on the defense like you have a problem with addiction.

instead of giving helpful advise you tell her that she is wrong and that ADHD (stimulants) are not habit forming but you provide evidence supporting that it is indead habit forming when abused.

Stimulants refer to coffee, ritalin, speed.....(SPEED is ADDICTIVE) as a child i had friends that took no dose to get through the day..as a form of speed.. I also had a friends brother abuse Nyquil and mouthwash for the alcohol in these products.

As for the gossip on this site, we have all come to know one another because of our situations.....prehabs if you do not care for things that are said or done on this site you should not log on....it is called freedom of speech in the states.

Shinseto-hito, You obviously aren't even reading everything on this post. Lisa D previously posted that her husband is prescribed 60 mg a day. She also posted that her husband admitted to sneaking another 300 mg in one day. That says this man has a problem. I agree with dcarsen you should be supporting her effort to help her husband. -Gettingagrip-

[QUOTE=gettingagrip]

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I dont know about the speed thing, because I have never used it. I dont think I appeared to anyone like I was speeding, as my family never really noticed, except for the fact that I weeded the entire garden, and mowed the lawn. Which I felt great about. But I also found I ignored the usual back pain that I suffer whilst doing it, and on top of all this I remained a nice person instead of getting all frustrated and annoyed.

My diagnosis as far as my dr is concerned is an anxiety disorder, but in Australia to be diagnosed as ADHD is a rigourous process, and quite lengthy.

I know that I do not display symptoms of bi-polar, or Depression, and I know my anxiety comes from my impulsiveness, lack of reading social cues, and a the complete list of Adult with ADD symptoms.

I spoke with my dr about the possibility of this and she said, very well could be, but even if she diagnosed me with ADHD, she would not treat me differently. The medication I was taking, helped just as well, as would say a specific ADHD med.

my inability to sit still or stay focussed causes a lot of anxiety, this causes me the problems.

So is this as good as a Proper Diagnosis.. If you consider my son is Diagnosed, he must have inherited it from someone!!!!

Your husband is an individual and he makes his own decisions.
It's great that you care so much and are concerned about him.

What would happen if you just called his doctor and told him what you
saw?
What would happen if you accused your husband of abusing his meds?
What would happen if you told him that you are concerned?
What would happen if you said, let's start drinking tea instead of coffee?
What would happen if you asked him to take a break from the meds?
.....
you get the picture, right?
....

I say, come up with as many scenarios as possible to address this issue.
Then, figure out a plan for each and go from there.
Study the possible outcomes and you'll probably find the answer as to
how to handle this in the most loving and effective way.

Be careful when judging someone that close to you - or anyone for that
matter. Yes, it totally looks like he's out of control with his meds, but do
you really think that you should decide for him? Or do you want to help
him figure out what is going on... You may find that he will be open to
exploring this further with you if you are gentle about it.

On the other hand! If you feel that he is in immediate danger - causing
serious harm to himself or others, then act now - get professional help!

---------------------------------
Ritalin is Methlyphenidate and is not an Amphetamine. It is similar and
yes, it can be addictive.
Key Word = can
Anything can be addictive, really - to anyone. Every person is different
and some things are highly addictive to one and not to the other.
Don't you all agree?

Food... Is that addictive? It sure can be! Again, depends on the
individual.

Using McDonalds as an example... That's funny - <little tangent off the
subject, sorry> only because I just saw that documentary "Super Size
Me" and their food is scientifically modified to be addictive. In an
interview with the author of that book "Fast Food Nation", he states that
they don't just come up with a recipe and say, oh that's good - we'll keep
that, no - they hire scientists and food testers and they know precisely
how much salt or sugar or whatever crazy chemicals to put in there to
make you love it and want it more.
Great film!HA! That's what I get for not reading everything first... Sorry!
So, I see that you have tried w/your husband, a while!
If he recognizes a problem and truly wants to change it, then he can do it
- with professional help...
He is the owner of his own behavior.

It's a little weird for me to read that you are (trying to) controlling his
medication.

What about the possibility of using another type of ADHD medication that
is not a stimulant? ...In conjunction with counseling ... was that already
mentioned too?...
[QUOTE=gettingagrip]

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Really, where was this written? If his dose is 60MG a day and the law states he can only have a 30 day supply all he did was borrow 5 days worth of his own medicine. Which he would have to make up by going 5 days without. The story doesn't add up. Is he buying extra quantities from Mexico? Even so Ritalin cannot be abused for very long because it simply stops working no matter how much you take. I'm telling you this as a Ritalin user. Real Speed freaks have been know to inject 15,000 MG of Dexedrine in a 24 hour period. It's apples to oranges but that would equal about ? Ritalin tablets. (I can't figure it out because my Ritalin has worn off)

She also didn't state any issues, usually with addiction there are plenty of things to point at. He missed my Birthday Party. He spent his entire pay-check on a binge. He got fired. I'm working trying to support my whole family because my husband is a drug addict. etc etc.

No one is looking at this thing rationally. 60MG a day of Ritalin is not an addiction. I know most of the people on this board don't use meds, they have children who use them. I use Ritalin almost everyday, therefore I laughed out loud at the idea of a drug addled addict on a paltry 60MG a day. 60 MG done all at once up your nose would be enough to make you "speed" and might last you 3 hours tops. So he would spend 21 hours without meds. 20MG 3 times a day is not addiction, it's the normal (and rather low) dose for an adult. You would not "feel" anything on 20MG.

Is it possible that your concern is misplaced? That it's more of a control issue (as in you feel out of control ) Even if he did abuse the drug that doesn't mean he doesn't need it. I swear to you can't get addicted to Ritalin in any serious way, it simply doesn't work. Since there is no Amphetamine it can only work with the dopamine that is already in your brain. After awhile the dopamine levels drop and only time brings them back. At that point ritalin stops working. (I have no facts on this one, just my observations) Ritalin helps me study, but it does nothing for the normal ADHD problems of life, for these I need adderall. (Amphetamine)

If my wife called my doctor and "squeled on me" I think that would be a marraige killer. Again you forget that this is a man not a child.

P.S. Don't take things so seriously.

shinsetu_hito38267.7284953704Lisa D., I hope the doctor can provide some real help
and advice. I hope you'll tell the doctor about your
husband sneaking extra doses etc.

Note that it can be hard for a man to admit to a weakness.
He may have trouble admitting things in front of the doctor.

Maybe you can find organizations to support addicts
and their families. I hope you find good help.

Rae70: sorry if I'm repeating myself, but omega-3 essential fatty acids
help with both anxiety and ADD, so I hope you're taking
them. (I've been enjoying salads with flax oil, lemon juice and Caesar salad dressing.)

Hey

Although i am only 15; i have add and i had the same problem. I take over 60, i take 30 mg three times a day ... . At first i was dosing myself, and i realized that my perscription kept rising. I thought i was becoming either immune to it, or that i was addicted. so I went to a specialist. What happend is that when i take rittilin i feel a certain "rush" and then i know i can concentrate. After a while i had to take more and more rittalin to get the "rush" i thought i needed to concentrate. Apparently you dont need the rush, its hard to explain but when u feel the rush u think you can concentrate... the specialist told me i should try out concerta as an alternative. On concerta u dont get a rush and u learn to concentrate without it. Anyway if you are concerned i believe that you should go see a specialist. Add is complicated.

(good luck and all the best to you and your marriage)

- Amanda (60 mg a day is nothing, trust me, i bet im half ur husbans weight and hieght and i take that...)

I'M REALLY AT THE END OF MY ROPE. MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE BEEN MARRIED FOR 6 YEARS AND THIS ADD, RITALIN THING MIGHT BE THE END OF US. HE WAS SUPPOSEDLY "DIAGNOSED" WITH ADD WHEN HE WAS 22 AND HE'S BEEN ON IT FOR 9 YEARS NOW. I KNEW HE WAS ON IT WHEN WE WERE MARRIED BUT I HAD NO IDEA THE HOLD IT HAD ON HIM. I HAD NEVER SEEN HIS RITALIN BOTTLE, HE HID IT, AND HE NEVER REALLY TALKED ABOUT IT. HIS 3 BROTHERS AND MOST OF HIS FRIENDS ARE ALSO ON IT. I FOUND OUT A FEW YEARS AFTER WE WERE MARRIED THAT HE WAS "DOSING" HIS RITALIN(TAKING DOUBLE OR MORE OF HIS DAILY PRESCRIBED AMOUNT). ALL OF HIS BEHAVIOR IS SO "ADDICT-LIKE" I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. HE'S ON THE MAXIMUM DOSAGE ALLOWED, 60 MG A DAY, AND HE STILL TAKES EPHEDRINE AND DRINKS ENERGY DRINKS TO GET THE "RUSH". WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS DOCTOR. I MEAN, 9 YEARS ON RITALIN AND HIS DOCTOR HAS NEVER DONE ANYTHING BUT INCREASE HIS DOSAGE. HE'S NEVER TAKEN A "DRUG VACATION" OR ANYTHING. I NEED TO FIND OUT INFO ON THE DRUG AND WHAT THE LAW IS TO PRESCRIBE IT CORRECTLY. I AM SO ANGRY AT THIS DOCTOR. HE HAS TURNED MY HUSBAND INTO A DRUG ADDICT. DON'T THESE DOCTORS HAVE SOME KIND OF RESPONSIBLITY TO THEIR PATIENTS WHEN PRESCRIBING THIS KIND OF DRUG. IF ANYONE HAS ANY INPUT OR SUPPORT I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

LISA

Ritalin is not addictive. 60MG a day is nowhere near the maximum dose and even snorted all at once wont do that much for you. Ritalin is not an amphetamine so your brain can only use so much of it, after your brain has received the most benefit it can get from Ritalin it simply discards the rest. If your husband is addicted to the feeling it's your husbands fault not the doctors. It's people like you who sue McDonalds because they are fat and have Doctor's in terror to prescribe the medicines people need, so much so that the FDA just recently had to encourage Doctor's it was OK to prescribe pain meds for sick people.shinsetu_hito38265.9632060185

Lisa D, It sounds to me like you need to speak with you husband about your concerns. Even though people are prescribed these medications for a specific reason there are people who will abuse them. If your husband is taking more than prescribed how would his physician know unless he was asking for prescriptions more often than he should need them. Doctors don't turn people into drug addicts people do it to themselves by abusing drugs prescribed legitmately. If you are this concerned why don't you contact his doctor directly and tell him about the abuse. If the doctor doesn't listen then there is a problem with the doctor. If he does listen then the problem isn't with him but your husband. If you don't pursue this with his doctor you are just enabling you husband to continue his abuse.

As to the drug holiday different doctor hold different opinions on this subject. In my opinion if something is working for you why would you take a holdiay unless there was a medical reason. Would you suggest that someone with high blood pressure take a drug holiday? If you need a drug and it is working that just doesn't make sense. Have you done any research on ADHD and medications. There are alot of different choices maybe your husband needs something different. Learn as much as you can. The more informed you are the better you can discuss this with your husband and/or with his physician. -gettingagrip-

gettingagrip38267.3350810185I'd say, be happy he's on meds. Granted - maybe things need to be re-evaluated, but I doubt ritalin is giving him a high. My husband did the opposite and took himself off the meds - that was back in 2000....it's been very, very hard.

Wow I can't bealibe people give eachother an atitute about this when instead we are supposed to help each other. I am new to this site and this is my first message. I was actually looking for some support and instead I found nothing but a lot of drama between you ladies. God can't we all just get along.

OK, sorry if the first message was too strong. Tomorrow when I have a high speed connection I'll provide you some links.

1.) Ritalin is non-addictive when taken as directed in pill form. The only addiction comes from the same thing that makes you want coffee everyday.

2.) It is abused on campuses but big deal, I don't approve but it's mostly harmless and helps kids study better. We just all jump to the governments anti-drug war tune. It is much safer then popping ephedrine and certainly safer then the Dexedrine it replaced (on campuses) If you want to enraged about bad habits on campus try going after something truly dangerous like smoking or drinking or hazing.

It is not an amphetamine it is a CNS stimulant, in the same family as caffeine.

Nobody dies from Ritalin, those scare stories are from the anti ADD medications camp. They have been looking for 30 years for something and found one death that most people who looked at said was bogus. I can find a thousand deaths from aspirin or Tylenol. Maybe if he was using an ampetimine like adderall or dexidrine or meth I could see your point. But you just sound shrill.

Ritaline is a METHAMPTHETAMINE and definitely has addictive properties, according to the Federal Drug Administration here in the USA. It is a schedule II narcotic primarily because of this. Your husband needs help, needs intervention. Ephedrine is also a product that has been banned completely due to its addictive properties (people have died due to ephedrine overdoses).

Sinsetu, her husband is not taking it as directed. She is coming here for help, why are you fighting so hard to prove her wrong?

[QUOTE=shinsetu_hito] Ritalin is not addictive. 60MG a day is nowhere near the maximum dose and even snorted all at once wont do that much for you. Ritalin is not an amphetamine so your brain can only use so much of it, after your brain has received the most benefit it can get from Ritalin it simply discards the rest. [/QUOTE] ALTHOUGH I APPRECIATE YOUR RELPY YOU ARE SADLY MISINFORMED. METHYLPHENIDATE (RITALIN) IS HIGHLY ADDICTIVE. IT IS A SCHEDULE II CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE. IT IS AN AMPHETAMINE. IT IS ONE OF THE MOST ABUSED DRUGS ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES IN THE UNITED STATES. YES, MORE THAN 60 MG A DAY CAN BE PRESCRIBED UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES BUT IT IS NOT ADVISED OR RECOMMENDED IN AVERAGE CASES OF ADD. AND NO, IF YOU TAKE A HIGH DOSE YOUR "BRAIN" WILL NOT USE WHAT IT CAN AND DISCARD THE REST. IT HAS THE SAME AFFECT ON YOUR BODY AS COCAINE OR SPEED. YOU CAN GET HIGH AND YES, YOU CAN OVERDOES AND YES, IT CAN KILL YOU.

I don't mean to sound like an ass, but you really need to drop the caps Lisa D.

Make Sure Caps Lock Is Off Thanks.

Lisa,

I'm really glad that you and your husband have begun to communicate about this issue. I really hope things work out for both of you!!!

Shin-are you on crack!!!

It is not state law that a doctor can only RX 60mg daily....narcotics are under strict fda and narcotic laws in the united states...but it doesnt state the max dose a person can or cant take or a DR. to RX...

Lisa- God Bless and good luck with your husband, I honor that fact that you are trying to address a serious problem that youu think your husband has...not only is he put his life in danger but also hurting his family.

It is people like shin that makes us ashamed to me on medication or have problems in life....my fathers DR. lost his right to practice medication becasue he was a pill pusher...my father almost had to go to drug rehab because the DR.had him on so many medications for his condition

[QUOTE=Lisa D] � If you would like the correct info on ritalin, that it IS an
amphetamine try going to the DEA website and looking it up.� [/QUOTE]

Hi!

Okay, for everyone's information: Ritalin is NOT an amphetamine. It
does have similar effects. I did go to the DEA website and I quote:

"Methylphenidate, a Schedule II substance, has a high potential for abuse
and produces many of the same effects as cocaine or the
amphetamines...the primary legitimate medical use of methylphenidate
(Ritalin�, Methylin�, Concerta�) is to treat attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD)..."

http://www.usdoj.gov:80/dea/concern/methylphenidate.html

I don't think anyone is interested in logic or facts here. Let them believe what they want. I seem to be the only one who thinks this is a marriage issue and has nothing to do with ritalin. So I'll just move on to something else.shinsetu_hito38269.3924652778shinsetu_hito,

Is it really necessary to continue bickering over this? Your point was
made and I understand where you are coming from.
Let's, you and I, find another discussion to participate in and leave this
one behind. Yes?

Thank you all, except shinseto, for your posts. I really appreciate all your input and advice.

Shinseto- your ignorance and attitude are unbelievably irritating. You sit in judgement of me and spew your verbal diarhea in total idiocy. I have never given you any information about me that you would be able to jump to any conclusions about what kind of wife or person I am. I gave you just a glimpse of one specific problem and you proceeded to jump to all sorts of conclusions. Perhaps you shouldn't be so concerned with "reading between the lines" and read what is actually written. For your information my husband is well aware I have posted on this site and knows he is free to look at my posts whenever he likes. He read your first post and thought you were a complete idiot. My husband does agree he has a problem with his medication and he needs help. If you took the time to read my posts you might understand that. If you would like the correct info on ritalin, that it IS an amphetamine try going to the DEA website and looking it up. The whole reason I feel he has a problem with his meds is I think he was mis-diagnosed to begin with. There are other issues as well that lead me to believe he has addiction issues as well, but I'm not about to go into our lifestories on here either. Obviously I love my husband or I wouldn't give a crap what he did to himself. I also love myself and I have 2, soon to be 3, children that I have a responsiblity to. What would be your suggestion? I just stand by and wait for the day he he takes too many pills along with the ephedrine and energy drinks and has a heart attack. Well it's not in my nature to sit back and watch someone I care about hurt themselves. What is a doctor there for but to listen to your issues and counsel you to a solution. You obviously have issues deeper than you just being offended by my post, maybe YOU need to talk to your doctor about some things. If there is anyone venting around here it's YOU!!!!!! No one is making you read or reply to my thread(and it is MY thread). PLEASE, feel free to skip my post and move on.

And by the way, the ADULT thing to do is to acknowledge a problem and take the necessary steps to fix it. Perhaps you are tired of being treated like a child because you act like a child. You are in control of how people respond and interact with you. If you ACT like a child it is inevitable that you will be treated like a child.

Lisa D38268.8961921296

[QUOTE=Basilica]
What about the possibility of using another type of ADHD medication that
is not a stimulant? ...In conjunction with counseling ... was that already
mentioned too?...
[/QUOTE]

Yes his doctor put him on another med. He only stayed on it for a month. He told me he switched back cuz it didn't give him the feeling he got from ritalin.

[QUOTE=Lisa D]

For your information my husband is well aware I have posted on this site and knows he is free to look at my posts whenever he likes. He read your first post and thought you were a complete idiot. My husband does agree he has a problem with his medication and he needs help. [/QUOTE]

Shin Said "As a man I'm sick of wives talking about us like were children, not just this board but every ADD board. Did you ever stop to think, Rea70, for one second about the man? Did you think maybe you shouldn't judge this matter with only one side of the story? I didn't judge the side I didn't hear (his side) I judged the side I did hear."

I think it is time to surrender Shin - And touche' for Lisa-D.

Rae7038269.0306597222

Lisa,

Good luck and good bless, i think todays soicity tends to give up and surrender when the going gets tough that is why we have such large divorce rate. I think it is wonderful that your husband has agreed that he does indeed need help and acnkowledges that he has a problem that is the first step to treatment.

Shinsetu,

I don't know where you're getting you're information from but it's not the FDA. I don't know why you're trying so hard to prove that Ritalin is not addictive. You're wasting your breath. You are not helping the people here and you're making terrible judgements and assumptions about them based on one cry for help. I think it's possible you're an addict and are trying to justify your behavior by trying to prove us wrong. You can't. You're not going to change my mind.

LOL

. I loved that - thanks Shin, you made my morning.

I am unsure if it is the medications that lead to addictive ADHD'ers but moreso the lack of self esteem created from a childhood of non acceptance and then finding a crowd of kids that they want to impress and are easily pressured, that are already using drugs.

ADHD children tend to take more risks and are more impulsive, due to lack of proper reasoning. This also could lead to trying illegal medications.

But I believe a child that is raised on a legal substance and educated about the medication he is on and is also taught some morals and has a healthy self- esteem is unlikely to use illegal substances or abuse his legal meds.

I've found that kids that have to take meds all there lives are less likely to want to experiment with drugs. When you have to do it everyday it loses the excitement that it has for other kids.

Lisa_D, I have nothing against you as a person. We were arguing about a specific issue.

In the matter above. The trick is to find truthful information on the internet. At this point in time I'd say 80% of all the information on the internet is untruthful. My litmus test is when looking for unbiased information is:

Would the source of the information benefit financially from skewing the results?

In the case of the D_EA most certainly. The D_EA is extremely biased and untruthful in almost everything they do. Therefore I always try to stick to things like the PDR, or WebMd http://my.webmd.com/search/search_results?query=Ritalin& filter=mywebmd_all_filter

For example the quote "Some researchers now fear that, like amphetamines, Ritalin use alters brain chemistry in such a way that the use of cocaine has a stronger effect than it would otherwise, thereby increasing the risk of addiction. (Notes from DEA meeting, Dec 96)"

This was debunked years ago and it turns out kids who use Ritalin are LESS likely to abuse Cocaine, but does the D_EA remove it from their news? Of course not, it benifits their little war. Also, you can't forget that people with ADD react differently then people who use Ritalin without any medical reason.

shinsetu_hito38270.395

[QUOTE=Basilica] [QUOTE=Lisa D] If you would like the correct info on ritalin, that it IS an
amphetamine try going to the DEA website and looking it up. [/QUOTE]

Hi!

Okay, for everyone's information: Ritalin is NOT an amphetamine. It
does have similar effects. I did go to the DEA website and I quote:

"Methylphenidate, a Schedule II substance, has a high potential for abuse
and produces many of the same effects as cocaine or the
amphetamines...the primary legitimate medical use of methylphenidate
(Ritalin�, Methylin�, Concerta�) is to treat attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD)..."

http://www.usdoj.gov:80/dea/concern/methylphenidate.html

[/QUOTE]

Schedule II Substances

The substances in this schedule have a high abuse potential with severe psychic or physical dependence liability. Schedule [I controlled substances consist of certain narcotic, stimulant and depressant drugs. Some examples of Schedule II narcotic controlled substances are: opium, morphine, codeine, hydromorphone (Dilaudid), methadone, pantopon, meperidine (Demerol), cocaine, oxycodone (Percodan), and oxymorphone (Numorphan). Also in Schedule 11 are amphetamine (Dexedrine), methamphetamine (Desoxyn), phemnetrazine (Preludin), methylphenidate (Ritalin), amobarbital, pentobarbital, secobarbital, fentanyl (Sublimaze), sufentanil, etorphine hydrochloride, phenylacetone, dronabinol and nabilone.

http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/pharmacy/vm522p/dea_all.htm

I'm sorry bascilica, I guess i read the info wrong, it looks like they are calling all of the following amphetamines when I just realized they might just be calling Dexedrine an amphetamine. My mistake. But that doesn't change the issue. I quote"

The DEA is heavily involved in Ritalin use because Ritalin (methylphenidate) is a powerful stimulant and has quickly become a sought-after street drug. While it can have a calming effect on younger children with ADD, in older individuals it acts as a stimulant or form of "speed" which the DEA warns has the same properties as cocaine.

Some researchers now fear that, like amphetamines, Ritalin use alters brain chemistry in such a way that the use of cocaine has a stronger effect than it would otherwise, thereby increasing the risk of addiction. (Notes from DEA meeting, Dec 96)

Brookhaven Laboratory researchers have been following 5,000 children with attention disorders from childhood into adulthood. Based on their findings, it appears that when Ritalin treated ADHD children reach adolescence, they exhibit higher rates of alcohol and drug abuse and the Ritalin users are involved in more criminal activities and accidents compared to nonusers of Ritalin. The destructive pattern appears to continue into adulthood, with higher rates of divorce, low self-esteem and depression. More than a third of these individuals drop out of the school system completely and one-tenth attempt suicide

Every indicator available, including scientific abuse liability studies, actual abuse, paucity of scientific studies on possible adverse effects associated with long-term use of stimulants, divergent prescribing practices of U.S. physicians, and lack of concurrent medical treatment and follow-up, urge greater caution and more restrictive use of MPH

http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/pressrel/pr951020.htm

I'm not quoting all this info to say that some people don't need the drug, just to say that the "no big deal" attitude could be dangerous. This drug isn't like popping a couple of asprin for a headache. Its a serious drug that needs to be taken seriously and dealt with responsibly.

Thanks, everyone, except Shin, for all your involvement. Alot of it really made me feel better. And as a "p s" shin if the only thing that sent you on a tirad about me was the fact I posted in "CAPS" perhaps you do need to up you meds. The caps thing was an over sight on my part because I email my gramma who has a hard time reading lower case letters and I just never changed it before I posted. Don't you feel stupid.

Lisa D38270.1089930556Ok Basilica. I will do that. The all caps post just put me in flame mode and from there it just escalated. Hi Lisa D I think you are doing a hard thing

, but cannot live with this behaviour. You obviously love your husband very much and have 2 children and pregnant with another congratulations. I get the feeling that you just want your hubby to get himself sorted out and get his meds right. You are thinking of your marriage and your kids future. I wish you all the best with this ... and I really hope for your children and both of you that this happens. � fingers crossed Moon6

Lisa,

I think you have every right to be concerned and upset. First of all, Ritalin is higly addictive. Research has shown that patients may become dependent and/or addicted to it depending on the severity of their adhd. Also, their is a difference between a good doctor and a bad one. I have been seeing a psychiatrist for much of my life..... a few were very disappointing.... If it's not right you need to seek help.... Oh, and by the way, their is quite a difference between the fries they sell at McDonalds and the fries they sell at Burger King.

HaHa made you look. :-)