All I can find on the internet are scary stories of becoming addicted to this drug and theyre usually from people who are not even prescribed it. I had a prefrontal cortex brain injury a year and a half ago and it's pushed my "functioning 'ADD' " to a point of struggling to function well in college. It really helps me when I take it but I'm really scared of dependency with drugs, I never want to have to rely or get addicted to a drug. Any insight on consistent use of a prescribed dosage?
I was recently prescribed 10mg of Adderall 2x a day, is this safe?
Question posted by harmony of cheers on 13 April 2012
Last updated on 25 April 2012 by JRS1217
4 Answers
JRS1217
26 April 2012
up until about 2005-6 for 17yrs i was taking 40 mg 4x a day of Adderall among st other "cocktails of misc. psych meds" and now im down to only 80mg a day. to this day i take Adderall for my ADD, Lamictal for my bi-polar type II, xanax for sever panic disorder, 90 mg of trazodone for sleep and clonidine .5mg to help with racing thoughts so i can sleep better since i also suffer from night terrors. this combo has literally saved my life, i have a life finally. any concerns just discuss with your doctor, and take my word... YOU WILL BE FINE WITH THE DOSAGE AND YOU WILL BE FINE ACROSS THE BOARD, we all fall victim to the negative stereotypes automatically associated with any person suffereng from any mental illness, affliction, or condition, i assure you im 38 yrs old and im still a work in progress but im getting better by the day :)
Inactive
15 April 2012
One never knows their predisposition for addiction and what drug class will be the most likely to cause the worst dependance - it varies from each person to the next.
Regardless,
ADHD stimulant medication can feel like heaven, but is indeed always a "contract from below" so to speak. It does long term damage even with low dose regular use. At 20mg, I would get off the medication now lest tolerance kick in and your dosage increase.
At 20mg a day, expect to shave the longevity of your heart by 4 hours for ever day or so you take it due to increase in HBpM, and know that temporary HBP caused by chemicals administered to the body may go away after the chemical is cleared, but the stress it has caused the arteries does not. Also, though not too frequent (but still too frequently) after 10 or more years of use at any dose, you will have the chance of developing any number of psychotic-like symptoms.
As we speak, your brain chemistry is being forced into unbalanced states, adjusting, and repeating. There is no documented proof of this fact, but I am of a pretty certain point of view that your chances of developing Alzheimer's rises along the way, and am certain chances of earlier onset of age-related dementia are to be expected.
You chose: Better focus/shorter life span or some difficulties in school/longevity. Then continue on, or discontinue use.
Inactive
15 April 2012
Disclaimer for the Above:
All comments regarding harm to the body through the use of Adderall should be considered as no more than the opinion of a well informed, studied of field, certainly very accurate fellow layperson. I would stake my life on anything I offer in my answers but that does not make them of a government-accepted notion. I usually form my posts more clearly as to let you know this, but did a bad job this time. So again, only personal opinion.
harmony of cheers
15 April 2012
I appreciate your input, I feel like to get by normally in college I need this low dosage. I would never dream of taking it for more than 5 years maximum, I just need it to help me get through school. I use it fairly infrequently: not on weekends, and rarely even twice a day. Mainly because I'm so wary about the repercussions.
At the same time I almost feel like my brain is already so messed up from my prefrontal cortex open head injury already..using it brings me closer to normal, allows me to access a normal career at some point in my life. No matter what, I think the injury has shortened my lifespan a little: maybe from the stress it causes me day to day. Could use of the prescribed drug, to maintain balance, remain functioning in college, in your opinion, compensate at least that source of stress that comes from failing to concentrate on school?
I think it all comes down to what you said: it's a pick and choose your poison. I just want to be financially independent at some point in my life, with a stable well paying career. I'm pre-health and passionate about it, but I do not function normally day to day decision making and concentration.
bumblebee90
16 April 2012
Well my personal opinion would not to get off of it. Especially if you're doctor has allready prescribed it for you. I agree with all of the above except one. I wont go on and on, but everybody is different and everybody is going to tell you different things. People who have abused this drug has given it a bad rep. I know that. But I also know that it helped one of my sons tremendously in school. He went from D's and F's to A's and B's on it. I questioned it at first, but after all the symptoms he had, I decided to put him on it. He no longer takes it, thanks me for putting him on it and making the grades he did, didn't and doesn't do drugs, and was just sworn into the marines. One of the most intelligent people I know. I don't regret for one minute the decision I made for putting him on it. It didn't harm him for life. He is completely fine.
I am no doctor..or pharmacist, so won't pretend to know all there is to know about the drug, but I think you will be just fine. You went to the doctor and he prescribed it for you..right? Then don't worry about it is what I have to say. I take ADHD medication. I won't my whole life. But I don't sit and worry about the horrible things it's doing to my body. I am very thankful that I can focus and concentrate and do the things I couldn't do before. Because I am truly ADHD. And yes, I believe in ADHD. I don't think the medications are just speed. I wish you the very best at whatever you're decision is. Good luck to you and Best wishes. I hope it helps you a lot. Your friend Ruth
Danni926
13 April 2012
hi harmony of cheers... i'm danni... i began taking adderall about 9 months ago. i had exactly the same concerns as you are having now: scared of dependency, addiction, taking it long-term, etc. I had doubts & fears my first 2 months, and most of that was due to the shortage that hit my area... i had to search around, find alternate medications, provide my research to my prescribing nurse to justify my wanting to try something different, and so on... things have really settled down since then, and i no longer have those fears. It takes a while for most of us to find what works best for us. Adderall isn't always an exact science and certainly hasn't been for me, lots of trial & error... i was afraid i would continue to become tolerant but at some point, u just level off and adjust...
as long as you are honest with your doctor and keep him/her aware of where you are at, you should be able to make adjustments if un feel the need to...
the stories u will read on the internet ARE scary as hell!!! Lots of people hate adderall, find fault with it, and have plenty to say about it. yes, it's a commonly abused drug, especially with the younger crowd, but it's also abused by Hollywood A-lister elite like Demi Moore, mostly as a weight loss drug... there will always be negative association, but for many of us it's a very effective and helpful medication that has given us our lives back... if you abuse it, you are only hurting yourself because you will be raising your tolerance to it... not sure if you are taking XR or IR, but in any case, generics can be an issue... if you go on any forum where this med is discussed, there is much discussion that centers around JUST the generic manufacturers... i used to love Sandoz, now I find I prefer the Teva generic... it's different for all of us... u will find what works best for u... also, don't be afraid to ask your doctor to up your dose if after a while u no longer feel the same desired effects as you once did... as long as u are not going over 60 mg/day, you're fine... good luck!
Rajive Goel
13 April 2012
Adderall is a prescription medication that is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is also used to treat narcolepsy. Because Adderall is an amphetamine and is commonly abused, there are special rules for prescribing it.
As mentioned it is licensed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD for short. In addition to experiencing hyperactivity (having trouble sitting still), people with ADHD have problems paying attention, focusing, and controlling their behavior. While most people think of ADHD as a problem in children, it can also occur in adults.
Adderall is also licensed for narcolepsy treatment. Narcolepsy is a condition that involves falling asleep uncontrollably and at unusual times. People who have narcolepsy symptoms often appear paralyzed when they are sleeping and have hallucinations when falling asleep. People who have narcolepsy often fall asleep several times during the day.
The drug is a stimulant, although it can have the opposite effects from what would be expected of a stimulant. While stimulants (like caffeine) can cause hyperactivity, when used at the doses for ADHD, Adderall has a calming effect. While the exact way Adderall produces a calming effect is not known, it is known that it affects chemicals in the brain. In general, it is used at higher, more stimulating doses when used for narcolepsy.
The most common side effects include: Loss of appetite; Dry mouth; Difficulty sleeping (insomnia); Headache; Abdominal pain (or stomach pain); Weight loss.
Hope the above info helps? Wish you the best, please take care!
Related topics
adderall, head injury, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (adhd)
Further information
- Adderall uses and safety info
- Adderall prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Adderall (detailed)
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