For those who can't get treatment for ADD/ADHD yet, what are you doing to self medicate? How long have you been doing it that way? Is it working?
Awhile back I took Clarocet & it worked for a short time, but it seems the longstanding product that ever works for me is No Doz (caffeine tablets). I was addicted to Execdrin for 6 years back in 1994-2000. I never knew that the caffeine in the Excedrin was keeping me tame, nor did I even realize it was a mode of self-medication. I quit cold turkey in 2000 and suffered massive withdrawal symptoms like someone drug addicted. From that point on I was drinking massive amounts of coffee.
I am working on buying a car, and after that, next step is a psychiatrist.
Reizende...
I've always thought the term "self-medicating" referred to using one's preference of mood altering substance. As mentioned above.
I like your definition better.
Of course, vodka worked pretty good for a long, longtime. Actually, no. But it did hide the ADD. Now, with 9 months sober, out it pops!
Hope you are successful in finding a better way.
Joyce
Yeah I've self medicated for the last 7years. Weed, methamphetamine, cocaine, ritalin, morphine, heroin, benzos, methadone, LSD, mushrooms, barbiturates.... thats about half the story. It does work.... I don't really recommend this method tho... It's a bit much of a rollarcoaster ride, many laws get broken and its rather expensive. I think they're finally gonna start me on ritalin in a couple of weeks.I quit smoking a little over seven months ago...and that is what led me to the psych clinic and the ADD diagnosis. And my caffiene intake was ridiculous...as much as two pots of coffee and 120 oz of coca-cola/day...
I never really got into anything else, legal or otherwise...didn't like the way I felt...didn't like the loss of control...
Anyway, when I quit smoking I had to cut back on the caffiene as I was beginning to have trouble sleeping again...with the laying awake unable to stop thinking or the awakening in the night and not being able to get back to sleep for the same reasons...
I've always self-medicated with booze and nicotine. Caffeine has never had any effect on me that I have noticed.
Booze actually worked well for me. When I was at university a few years ago I found the only way I could get the thoughts out of my head and onto the paper was to get half drunk first. What I would write would be far from perfect, but I could always tidy it up once sober. (I'm not recommending booze by any means, it went on to cause me a few health problems).
And nicotine? The only way I can sit still and watch a movie on the TV is if I smoke some strong tobacco (without the tobacco I usually get bored after a few minutes and fidget, and then the wife shouts at me)
hmm lets see sold dope by pound in college stoned constantly, just to get normal, LSD. shrooms cases of beer
oh yeah would steal bottles of dexedrine from other kids , pharm school.
violence too loved fighting in dorm court yards, geez look back how could i have hurt kicked choked people just for the rush/stimualtion
sex too, at least 100 girls by time finished school, the second phase of stimulation would be to call them names & kick out of dorm, even into the snow
jeez what i jerk i was