[gratefulgal]

I wasn't exactly sure which forum to post this on but here goes. I was addicted to pain medication but my question is about my friend who currently takes an amphetamine for ADD. He is prescribed Adderal but when that runs out he takes Phentermine. He takes other meds as well such as Lithium, Klonopin and Neurontin. I had tried the amphetamine a few times but did not enjoy the effect - I guess I was strictly an opiate girl.

He has been taking the amphetamine now for almost a year off an on but mostly on. Not too many months after he started taking them (he took them in excess) he started experiencing religious-based hallucenations and delusions. He was hospitalized several times and has a long history of mental illness with diagnoses such as depression and bipolar. I'm not a doctor but I've seen people who truly have bipolar disorder and I strongly believe he does not have it. From my observations, I have seen a direct correlation between the amphetamines and this state of mind he is in. I did some research and it talked about amphetamine-induced psychosis when they are taken in high amounts for long periods of time.

It is very frustrating seeing him go through this because I love him very much and want him to get better, I just don't know if he wants or is willing to get help - and we're not even sure what kind of help he needs. I think he has issues with drugs/addiction and mental illness but again, I'm not a doctor. He has turned to the church to try to get closer to God and I admire him for that but it's not working! I'm watching him go down this spiral but he feels that he's growing spiritually. Does this sound familiar to anyone, either personally or with someone they know/love? Any opinions, input or advice would be greatly appreciated.