Adderall Abuse

[shellyrose]

I was abusing adderall and taking 120 milligrams a day. I was on it for almost 3 years. I have been off of it for over 3 months. However, I am still tired most of the time. I have been suffering severe depression and wish not to take any other type of medication at this point. I have to take a nap in the afternoon every day to make it through the day. I have a hard time concentrating, which could be a cause of the depression too. I have heard some say that it can take up to 18 months to feel better. Is this really true? Will getting help with a dietician help at all? Any advise on how to combat this?

[Got It]

Why are you reluctant to take an anti-depressant? I have chronic depression and I take Wellbutrin and used to be on Zoloft for many years. I thought I didn't need to take the Zoloft anymore and got myself off. Big Big mistake - I was so depressed, but the depression settled in slowly. By the time I realized I was serioulsy depressed and was diagnosed with Chronic Depression I got on Wellbutrin.

For me my depressive symptoms were:

Inability to focus on the task at hand

Quick to jump to anger over trivial things

Felt sad with absolutely no motivation for anything in life.

Lost interest with the things in life that use to be very important to me



I understand your need to take a nap too!!! I too did that but realized it was also me hiding out from life cause everything felt so yukie.

I know when I quit opiates it took about 4 months before my brain came back too!!!

Well that's my 2 cents worth!!!!!

[Christian]

hmm, that stuff can caus significant changes in your brain. wow, 120mg! i though 3x30mg was MAX dosage per day, how were you able to get this much from your doctor?

probably i reccomend L-Tyrosine, and DL-Phenylalanine, also cardio exercise, maybe also Idebenone.


ya, that stuff is basically 4 different types of amphetamines, although in controlled dosages ... why did you stop taking it? did you consider tapering off?

[northbelle]

I think it is a pretty normal reaction to getting clean from adderal...our bodies really take a beating . I used to take alot of add too at one time so I could have energy while being strung on heroin..
Really I think you are doing great....I know if you just hang in there it will get to the point were you will start having a occasional "good" day...then you will get more and more of them, That is always how it is for me!! The best diet advice I got was eat something "green" every day...easy advice I could follow and it helps alot..not saying I DO it always but it works...take some vitamins....and let your body sleep if it wants to!! Its ok to be right where you area at but I know that depression and lack of energy really suck...you have come so far..give it some time..
northbelle

[Hope]

I think it takes a while to heal. Sometimes it takes longer than we want but it is good to know that at least now we are on the way to feel truly better. You are doing very well. Hang in there.

[shellyrose]

Hey Christian, why would you recommend those items? I am heading to the health food store tomorrow. I could pick them up but, would like to know what the benefits of taking them would be?

[shellyrose]

Thank you for your responses. In alot of areas my life has changed for the better. I have joined a 12 step program and have been able to manage my life. My bills are paid and other things are getting taken care of. In my addiction, I wasn't taking care of business.

[Christian]

Originally Posted by Christian

hmm, that stuff can caus significant changes in your brain. wow, 120mg! i though 3x30mg was MAX dosage per day, how were you able to get this much from your doctor?

probably i reccomend L-Tyrosine, and DL-Phenylalanine, also cardio exercise, maybe also Idebenone.


ya, that stuff is basically 4 different types of amphetamines, although in controlled dosages ... why did you stop taking it? did you consider tapering off?

lets see here, Adderall is an amphetamine, which acts of dopamine systems. After a while, I dont konw exactly how or what, but ur body stops or is not able to produce dopamine as much, probably a compesatory reaction(as well as other neurotransmitter). Its very important once you stop to supply the body with adequate amino acids to help rebuild/replenish the depleted areas.

* dl -Phenylalanine - This form of phenylalanine serves to maintain higher natural endorphin (also known as enkephalin) levels because it inhibits an enzyme that breaks down endorphins. The endorphins we make are our "natural heroin" - they increase loving feelings, provide relief of psychological and physical pain. Julia learned that low endorphin levels may start even in childhood, marked by easily wounded feelings, over-sensitivity, and sadness.
* l-Tryptophan (now available by prescription), or 5-hydroxy tryptophan (AOC) - Precursor to serotonin, our natural anti-depressant. Low serotonin levels can lead to suicide, depression, obsession, worry, panic, low self-esteem, irritability, premenstrual syndrome, SAD (seasonal affective disorder, i.e., winter depression). When l-tryptophan was banned by the FDA in 1989, after about 20 years of safe use for depression and sleep disorders, a multibillion dollar business billowed out of Prozac, Zoloft, and similar prescription drugs.
* l-Tyrosine - Precursor to norepinephrine, the body's natural 'speed' and anti-depressant.



tryptophan is not essentailly important for you, but its an option if you feel like you need it. also, i threw in cardio since it helps your brain and body normalize, and really is the fastest thing you can do for success. But it also take 'effort' more than swallowing a pill, which is to your advantage.

and Idebenone i am a fan of, you can only get it internet mail order, it is a good stabalizer and helps your brain regerate also. You may want to research this one on your own.

ok, i am glad I get to pretent to be a fake doctor my passion!!


<3

[Done-With-It]

How are you dong SR? Your symptoms are similiar to what I had/have
my doc was meth. So they are similiar. 8 months later, I still struggle
but it is getting easier.
Whenever I exercise I find everything feels so much better.

[peej]

Can you come off adderall cold turkey? should you taper?

[E_Dili]

I quit amphetamines 3 years ago and I remember at least a year of feeling chronically energiless and depressed. It lifts. It really does. It will go away.

As for the person asking about whether you should taper off of amphetamines or not; amphetamine abusers are somewhat "lucky" (if I could use such a word) in that the withdrawal tends to not be a physically painful experience. You can jump off the cliff from serious use to no use without having to worry about some of the horrible physical symptoms that plague people withdrawing from other drugs. I remember when I quit meth (after a series of 5-day binges), I spent two weeks doing pretty much nothing but eating and sleeping. I was absolutely useless but not miserable. If you have a job or school you may find it very tough to keep up; I had to drop out of school in order to detox because I knew I had no hope of keeping up with my coursework at the time.