Addicted to Adderall | ADHD Information

 Thanks for the info everyone! 

I do take generic Adderall- amphetamine salt combo.  My son takes the Adderall XR so I will definately look into that for him. He has to have the XR to get with him through the school day. 

Gosh, I wish I had some ideas for this as well.

I have the same symptoms when I forget on a weekend or when I run out (and have to wait for 2-3 days for my prescription to get written before I have to get up get dressed and drive over to the doctors office to pick up the prescription... )

I do have a few extra standbys. Coke (as in the opposite of Pepsi) or green tea lemonaid since I'm not a coffee drinker. Caffeine makes me crazy but it does take a little of the edge off.

I don't like to think of it as an addiction... since for me, the headache and extra tired seem to wear off after a week. Unfortunately, the disorganized and unmotivated don't wear off... since that's what I'm taking the adderall for in the first place.

While you still have the drugs, I'd try to get into a really good habit of getting up and exercising as early as possible (easy to say... not so easy to do even with drugs) and stock up on a supply of resume, cover letters, etc... that you're really happy with so you have as little thinking work to do on the job hunt.

Oh, and take a day or two off the drugs each week, when you know you can handle the side effects, so they'll last you a little longer.
I just started taking Adderall, but I'm using the generic.  Is it possible to get your doctor to ok the generic?  It's gotta be cheaper.  I do have prescription coverage and I would have paid a copay with the brand name.  With the generic my copay is only .  From what I've read, places like Cosco, Sam's Club, WalMart, etc. tend to have lower prices at their pharmacies (compared to Walgreens, Sav-on, and other big drug stores).  Check around, it might be worth a little comparison shopping possibly even for your son's drugs. 

Adderall is manufactured by the Shire company.  I dug around their website and they do have a patient assistance program.  The number they list for info for Adderall XR assistance is 866-325-8229.  These companies make plenty of money--I say get what you can outta of them.  It can't hurt to ask.  Hope that helps. 

I am a 32 year-old single mother of one son who also has ADHD.  I take 30 mg of Adderall a day.  I am currently unemployed and don't have health care coverage.  Fortunately just before I left my last employer I got a three month supply of Adderall.  I have been trying to make it last taking it as needed. 

FYI-My son takes Adderall XR  15mg and I am paying full price of 4 per month for his med. 

Here is my issue, if I don't take it I have no motivation at all to do anything.  I could literally sleep all day.  Or I will have a persistant headache that only eases by taking Adderall.  I don't want to be so dependent on the meds, especially when my supply could run out before I get replacement insurance.  Plus, I just don't like the idea of being so helpless without it and don't want to be on it forever. 

Anyone have a similar experience when meds not taken?  Any advice on how to get my motivation back without the medication? 

I know that this is not the answer to your question, but have you called the manufacturer of Adderall?  I cannot afford the 9 a month for my son's concerta, and Merck has a patient assistance program that I qualified for that gives me the meds for free.  I am assuming that if one manufacturere does it, others will as well...

The only difference that I notice when my son is off his medicine is that he has more appetite, and he is extremely talkative and a bit more excitable...I only take him off on weekends, so I am not sure that it is long enough to make a difference.

I think that the fact that you are helpless w/o the medicine proves that you do indeed need them, so you should not feel badly that you take them and feel better while doing so.

Maybe you should check out the alternative medicine section on the board and begin a regimine of some of the helpful ones before your med runs completely out...they take a while to kick in I think.  Also check out the crawlers thread, a few people are having some success with that as well I believe.  I have also read that if you force yourself to excercise, it gives you more energy in the long run....but I don't know if that is true...I haven't tried it.

Good luck, and find the phone number for the manufacturer.  I looked on the internet...did a google and went from there.  You may be able to get at least discounted meds until you get some insurance again.  All they can do is say no....and maybe they will say yes!