Treating ADD/ADHD without stimulants possible?
Question by Brian: Treating ADD/ADHD without stimulants possible?
My name is Brian and I’m 18 years old. I was diagnosed with ADHD about five years ago. I was placed on ritalin to treat my hyper-activity that was causing problems in school. The doctor changed my medicines for whatever reason I cannot remember to a drug known as
Adderall XR® – with that in mind, not once do I recall myself being dependant upon ritalin but ever since the changing in medicines, I feel like life has come to a stop. I usually take 3 times the dosages prescribed by my doctor and I am fully aware that I will be out of pills until the next refill. I can’t seem to swing away from this! I KNOW I have an addiction problem, I can’t force myself to tell the truth in the doctor’s office. Adderall is also known as an AMPHETAMINE so for those of you wondering why it’s this addictive, it falls right underneath meth addictions. I just want to life a normal life, how do I win this battle by starting when I’m sober? …
If I can start off fresh with a little help I will be able to push away from this brick wall I’m against. I want an education, I’m 18 years old and have the intellectual capacity of a 7th grade student. I left middle school after completing the 7th grade and enrolled into home school. I took advantage of my father having health problems and him being easy going, I’ve lied, stolen, and this is the end of it! I’m taking a stand, not to fix my mistakes, but to start off by getting my life together and helping my family. My father is on disability and they just stopped paying him and the status is pending. Too many bills, my mom and dad have both worked their butts off for not very much. Im ready to grow up so please send your suggestions. PLEASE DON’T SEND INSULTING COMMENTS, because I KNOW I have a problem. If you plan leaving a message insulting me, my family, or my drug-addiction just go to hell. ;). Back to the subject, your comments are important! Thanks in advance!
Best answer:
Answer by funny girl
Hi Brian,
My name is Sarah and I have a degree in psychology, keep in mind that I am not a doctor however.
Anyway, I think what you are going through is very common. The first question that I’m wondering is why your doctor switched your medication? I know that you said that you cannot remember but it might help you to ask. Also, it’s good that you know that taking that amount of pills is not a good idea. Have you told anyone else about this? A friend or family member? My advice would be to tell someone (or just let them read your post) and have them go to the doctor with you on your next appointment and that way the truth will come out. You should really let someone know about this before it’s too late.
As far as battling your ADHD, I do not think that medication alone works in most cases. You should also seek counseling. The two coupled together have a very high success rate as opposed to one in absence of the other. It’s just like depression, you can treat it with medication but there is still an underlying problem that contributes to it and until that problem is solved it will continue to come back.
You seem to have a good head on your shoulders and I hope that you will seek help in others that are close to you. Good luck. 🙂
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