Adderall

[staying_alive]

Alright guys. This is my first post in the drugs and meds section so here goes...

Recently (aka the last 3 months) school became a pain in the ass. It's just a ton of work and I am horrible at concentrating. When we had first semester final exams (most schools call them midterms), I took adderall for the 3 days before. It REALLY helped and I was pulling 10+ hour study days without breaks (or sleep and food I might add).

Now, even more recently, I've gotten back into it. The time before spring break is really rough for me, so i've used it to get everything done. I'm really worried about its effects, but from what I can tell there's few negatives. I've had some seriously late nights and have gone without substantial food for a while. Has anyone used it and had a negative experience?

I just wanted to put my experience out there and see if anyone else has used it.

P.S. I am in no way condoning the use of adderall. If you get caught using it without a prescription it's highly illegal and the person who sold it to you gets an even bigger charge.

[Sordid Saint]

I use aderrall. I can say that when I get perscribed a new dose it takes me a couple weeks to get used to (staying up late and not eating) but after a while I'm back to normal. I try to experiment with my doctor to try to get my dose to end around the end of school by giving me more/less adderrall

[CaptainObvious]

I've never had a negative experience. The worst thing I've ever experienced with speed (amphetamine, same thing as Adderall) was feeling a little shitty at the end of a wildly out of control weekend of constant partying a couple of years ago. That was over the top though, and the speed was far from the only thing making me feel a little out of sorts the day after.

If you're just using the drug to help study, there's unlikely to be many negative effects. It's commonplace around here, where the environment is extremely crazy at midterms (especially midterms), and finals. The important thing to remember is to keep eating and drinking. Going without substantial food can easily happen when on amphetamine because of the appetite suppression, but it's not good for you and you should focus on still eating healthily while using the drug.

[Peace God]

it took 2 or 3 at once because i had to pull an all nigher with a lot of homework and i had panic attack...i seriously thought i was being possessed by demons for like 15 seconds

... i stopped taking adhd medication 3yrs ago because it didnt like the way i felt when i was on it
for me school performance wasnt worth feeling like shit everyday

[staying_alive]

it took 2 or 3 at once because i had to pull an all nigher with a lot of homework and i had panic attack...i seriously thought i was being possessed by demons for like 15 seconds

... i stopped taking adhd medication 3yrs ago because it didnt like the way i felt when i was on it
for me school performance wasnt worth feeling like shit everyday

Dude that's because you took 2 or 3 at once! haha you can't do that shit without some scary repercussions.

Just a "take-at-your-own-risk" story of mine:

During midterms, I took one around noon and wasn't feeling it, so I got 2 energy drinks and drank those. Well those wore off around 4 and I got 2 more energy drinks and took another addy. I was up all that night and the next day, my heart was pounding through my whole body, and I thought I was staring death in the face.

Don't take this shit without realizing the effects!

[staying_alive]

I've never had a negative experience. The worst thing I've ever experienced with speed (amphetamine, same thing as Adderall) was feeling a little shitty at the end of a wildly out of control weekend of constant partying a couple of years ago. That was over the top though, and the speed was far from the only thing making me feel a little out of sorts the day after.

If you're just using the drug to help study, there's unlikely to be many negative effects. It's commonplace around here, where the environment is extremely crazy at midterms (especially midterms), and finals. The important thing to remember is to keep eating and drinking. Going without substantial food can easily happen when on amphetamine because of the appetite suppression, but it's not good for you and you should focus on still eating healthily while using the drug.

Dude thanks for the input. I'm scared to be on it so much but it's just so helpful! AP Exams are coming up and I know i'll be using it for that. Honestly, the food thing is pretty bad but I just can't help it. I have to force myself to eat when I'm on it because i have NO appetite at all.

[Peace God]

Dude that's because you took 2 or 3 at once! haha you can't do that shit without some scary repercussions.
obviously i didnt know that at the time lol

i didnt sleep the whole night and then the next day i got in a fight at school because i was being an asshole(and btw im normally like the nicest guy you will ever meet)

[Nickk XD]

O.K., let's put this in scientific form for you.

Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) is basically a stimulant. It has nearly the same effects as Speed (methamphetamine). None of these drugs are considered safe, which the exception of Adderall as prescribed by a doctor in limited doses. This drug is used for people with Narcolepsy and ADHD. People who have ADHD have "opposite" effects from stimulants. What would stimulate us would do the opposite on them...it goes the other way, too. It stimulates someone who has normal body chemistry.

This drug is EQUAL to methamphetamine EXCEPT it's more pure. You won't find paint remover in Adderall. It won't begin to burn holes in your skin under recommended usage guidelines.

It does; however, effect the same brain chemicals as methamphetamine. It effects your dopamine levels which, temporarily, make you go "WOO HOO" and then "UGH...I hate life" and then you take more of the drug and keep repeating the effect. Eventually, you begin to take the drug simply to avoid the "depression state" and you never really get a "high" from it. This is called "chasing the high". Eventually, you'll become suicidally depressed and require medical help to quit the drug and POSSIBLY fix the damage done to your brain.

On top of that, this drug has SERIOUS side effects:



Long term use will slow child's growth
Heart failure reported in 45% of patients who take this medicine.
fast, pounding heart beat
light-headedness
higher blood pressure
sudden death
headache
insomnia (DUH)
diarrhea or constipation
no appetite
loss of sex drive and interest in sex

An overdose of this drug is almost always deadly (by way of a heart attack).

[CaptainObvious]

O.K., let's put this in scientific form for you.

Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) is basically a stimulant. It has nearly the same effects as Speed (methamphetamine). None of these drugs are considered safe, which the exception of Adderall as prescribed by a doctor in limited doses. This drug is used for people with Narcolepsy and ADHD. People who have ADHD have "opposite" effects from stimulants. What would stimulate us would do the opposite on them...it goes the other way, too. It stimulates someone who has normal body chemistry.

Your post is 50% accurate and 50% ridiculous - if not more.. Adderall is amphetamine; dextroapmhetamine is just a stereoisomer (not that I expect you to know what that means) of amphetamine. It is not in any way the equivalent of methamphetamine, which is an entirely different and much more powerful drug.

Also, speed is amphetamine. Meth is called by different names.

[staying_alive]

O.K., let's put this in scientific form for you.

Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) is basically a stimulant. It has nearly the same effects as Speed (methamphetamine). None of these drugs are considered safe, which the exception of Adderall as prescribed by a doctor in limited doses. This drug is used for people with Narcolepsy and ADHD. People who have ADHD have "opposite" effects from stimulants. What would stimulate us would do the opposite on them...it goes the other way, too. It stimulates someone who has normal body chemistry.

This drug is EQUAL to methamphetamine EXCEPT it's more pure. You won't find paint remover in Adderall. It won't begin to burn holes in your skin under recommended usage guidelines.

It does; however, effect the same brain chemicals as methamphetamine. It effects your dopamine levels which, temporarily, make you go "WOO HOO" and then "UGH...I hate life" and then you take more of the drug and keep repeating the effect. Eventually, you begin to take the drug simply to avoid the "depression state" and you never really get a "high" from it. This is called "chasing the high". Eventually, you'll become suicidally depressed and require medical help to quit the drug and POSSIBLY fix the damage done to your brain.

On top of that, this drug has SERIOUS side effects:



Long term use will slow child's growth
Heart failure reported in 45% of patients who take this medicine.
fast, pounding heart beat
light-headedness
higher blood pressure
sudden death
headache
insomnia (DUH)
diarrhea or constipation
no appetite
loss of sex drive and interest in sex

An overdose of this drug is almost always deadly (by way of a heart attack).

While I appreciate your post, I think you need to reread and check your facts (see CaptainObvious' post for more info on this).

Also, I never said anything about overdosing or using this to "chase a high". It simply helps me focus and get work done for hours at a time. I think it's fair to say my usage of adderall won't ever get to the point where i'm suicidally depressed.

[Nickk XD]

Verified my post with information from my pharmacist.

My post still stands as accurate.

I never said YOU were using Adderall to chase a high. That; however, is a natural effect of ALL drugs that form an addiction...Adderall is considered HIGHLY addictive by definition of the FDA.

While I appreciate your post, I think you need to reread and check your facts (see CaptainObvious' post for more info on this).

Also, I never said anything about overdosing or using this to "chase a high". It simply helps me focus and get work done for hours at a time. I think it's fair to say my usage of adderall won't ever get to the point where i'm suicidally depressed.

[staying_alive]

Verified my post with information from my pharmacist.

My post still stands as accurate.

I never said YOU were using Adderall to chase a high. That; however, is a natural effect of ALL drugs that form an addiction...Adderall is considered HIGHLY addictive by definition of the FDA.

Alright well I won't start a medical war because i am definitely not a pharmacist or a doctor. I think if i were to become addicted to adderall, it would be a "sensible" addiction. It'd be controlled, my choice to do it or not. It wouldn't be a chemical addiction where something in the drug keeps me on it or i feel suicidal and depressed. Even so, I don't see myself forming an addiction anytime soon with the amount I use it.

[Nickk XD]

http://www.steadyhealth.com/Addicted_to_Adderall_t95496.html

That is a medical forum. View the REAL LIFE stories of people who are addicted to adderall.

Keep in mind 90% of people who are addicted to cigarettes became addicted from the FIRST PUFF. Also keep in mind nicotine is also one of the worst drugs...but most other drugs react very similarly as far as addiction goes.

[staying_alive]

http://www.steadyhealth.com/Addicted_to_Adderall_t95496.html

That is a medical forum. View the REAL LIFE stories of people who are addicted to adderall.

Keep in mind 90% of people who are addicted to cigarettes became addicted from the FIRST PUFF. Also keep in mind nicotine is also one of the worst drugs...but most other drugs react very similarly as far as addiction goes.

I'd just like to post a good quote from that forum on here:

Adderall is NOT physically addictive, but it IS psychologically addictive. If you have an addictive personality, you may THINK you are addicted to it. Which will make it harder for you to stop taking it. But it is an amphetamine, which instantly goes through your body, and leaves just as quickly. It doesn't hang around and build up like anti depressants do, which CAN cause a physical addiction.

I don't have an addictive personality at all, and the negative effects of adderall (sleeploss, appetite loss, etc.) are enough to only let myself use it when I need to get tons of studying done in little time. I'm a reasonable person, i'm not going to start chugging this shit because of the positives; i know the negatives and those keep me from abusing it.

Cigarettes are physically addictive as they have nicotine in them. Not comparable to adderall. If there's a source for the 90% argument, I'd be more inclined to believe it.

[Nickk XD]

Final response:

Adderall is an amphetamine. It has identical properties to methamphetamine.

Having Adderall on your person without it properly labeled and prescribed to you is a felony (for 2 or more pills) and a misdemeanor for one. This is a FEDERAL LAW, not a state law. If you live in a country outside the United States, penalties are usually harsher. Adderall is a schedule II controlled substance. (there is a quote below of what a Schedule II substance must be in order to be classified as such).

The law for Adderall is the SAME FOR METHAMPHETAMINE, except the obvious: There are NO PRESCRIPTIONS OF METH GIVEN, so it is always illegal to have.

Cocaine is also an amphetamine.

You cannot tell me that Methamphetamine and Cocaine are not physically and psychologically addictive. Any drug that manipulates a chemical in the brain can (and usually in 90% of the population does) become addictive.

Adderall has been recalled and pulled from pharmacies in the United States over 12 times for its hazardous and addictive qualities. It has been reinstated each of these times; however, because it is the MOST effective drug for ADHD.

Communities, like my own, where Methamphetamine is a huge problem do not have Adderall in pharmacies.

Schedule II Controlled Substance:

"Placement on schedules; findings required
Except.... The findings required for each of the schedules are as follows:
Schedule II.—
(A) The drug or other substance has a high potential for abuse.
(B) The drug or other substance has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions.
(C) Abuse of the drug or other substances may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence."
Except when dispensed directly by a practitioner, other than a pharmacist, to an ultimate user, no controlled substance in schedule II, which is a prescription drug as determined under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.], may be dispensed without the written prescription of a practitioner, except that in emergency situations, as prescribed by the Secretary by regulation after consultation with the Attorney General, such drug may be dispensed upon oral prescription in accordance with section 503(b) of that Act [21 U.S.C. 353 (b)]. Prescriptions shall be retained in conformity with the requirements of section 827 of this title. No prescription for a controlled substance in schedule II may be refilled. Notably no emergency situation provisions exist outside the Controlled Substances Act's "closed system" although this closed system may be unavailable or nonfunctioning in the event of accidents in remote areas or disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes. Acts which would widely be considered morally imperative remain offenses subject to heavy penalties.
These drugs vary in potency: for example Fentanyl (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fentanyl) is about 80 times as potent as morphine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morphine). (Heroin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heroin) is roughly twice as potent.) More significantly, they vary in nature. Pharmacology and CSA scheduling have a weak relationship.
Drugs in this schedule include:


Cocaine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocaine) (used as a topical anesthetic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topical_anesthetic));
Methylphenidate (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methylphenidate) (Ritalin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ritalin) and Concerta (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concerta)) & Dexmethylphenidate (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dexmethylphenidate) (Focalin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focalin)) (used in treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attention_Deficit_Disorder));
Opium (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opium) and opium tincture (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opium_tincture) (laudanum (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laudanum)), which is used as a potent antidiarrheal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antidiarrheal);
Methadone (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methadone) (used in treatment of heroin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heroin) addiction as well as for treatment of extreme chronic pain)
Oxycodone (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxycodone) (semi-synthetic opioid; active ingredient in Percocet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percocet), OxyContin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OxyContin), and Percodan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percodan))
Fentanyl (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fentanyl) and Most other strong pure opioid agonists, i.e. levorphanol (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levorphanol), opium (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opium), or oxymorphone (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxymorphone);
Morphine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morphine)
Mixed Amphetamine Salts (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixed_Amphetamine_Salts) under brand name Adderall (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adderall)
Lisdexamfetamine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisdexamfetamine) under brand name Vyvanse (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vyvanse)
Methamphetamine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desoxyn) (Desoxyn) Dextroamphetamine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dextroamphetamine) (Dexedrine)
Hydromorphone (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydromorphone) (Dilaudid)
Pure codeine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codeine) and any drug for non-parenteral administration containing the equivalent of more than 90 mg of codeine per dosage unit.;
Pure hydrocodone (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrocodone) and any drug for non-parenteral administration containing no other active ingredients or more than 15 mg per dosage unit.;
Secobarbital (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secobarbital) (Seconal)
Pethidine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pethidine) (USAN (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USAN): Meperidine; Demerol)
Phencyclidine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phencyclidine) (PCP);
Short-acting barbiturates (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbiturates), such as pentobarbital (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentobarbital), Nembutal (now out of production);
Nabilone (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nabilone) (Cesamet) A synthetic cannabinoid (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabinoid). An analogue to dronabinol (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dronabinol) (Marinol) which is a Schedule III drug.
Tapentadol (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapentadol) (Nucynta) A new drug with mixed opioid agonist and norepinepherine re-uptake inhibitor activity.





I'd just like to post a good quote from that forum on here:

Adderall is NOT physically addictive, but it IS psychologically addictive. If you have an addictive personality, you may THINK you are addicted to it. Which will make it harder for you to stop taking it. But it is an amphetamine, which instantly goes through your body, and leaves just as quickly. It doesn't hang around and build up like anti depressants do, which CAN cause a physical addiction.

I don't have an addictive personality at all, and the negative effects of adderall (sleeploss, appetite loss, etc.) are enough to only let myself use it when I need to get tons of studying done in little time. I'm a reasonable person, i'm not going to start chugging this shit because of the positives; i know the negatives and those keep me from abusing it.

Cigarettes are physically addictive as they have nicotine in them. Not comparable to adderall. If there's a source for the 90% argument, I'd be more inclined to believe it.

[CaptainObvious]

Verified my post with information from my pharmacist.

My post still stands as accurate.

nicknrm, you have no idea what you're talking about, and if your pharmacist validated your ridiculous statements then your pharmacist is unqualified and ought not be allowed to work.

Among the things that you said that are entirely wrong:

Adderall is an amphetamine. It has identical properties to methamphetamine.

WRONG. Adderall is not "an" amphetamine, it is just amphetamine. Methamphetamine is a different chemical compound. Look at the molecules:

http://www.aapsj.org/articles/aapsj0804/aapsj080480/aapsj080480_figure1.jpg

Do you not see the extra methyl group on methamphetamine (thus the "meth" in the name)? It's clear as day. While it's only a functional group, that differing functional group gives methamphetamine a number of different chemical and pharmacological properties. It has a more intense and euphoric high; the high lasts much longer than a comparable amphetamine high. Lastly, methamphetamine is much more highly addictive.

The law for Adderall is the SAME FOR METHAMPHETAMINE, except the obvious: There are NO PRESCRIPTIONS OF METH GIVEN, so it is always illegal to have.

This is also WRONG. Methamphetamine is prescribed both for severe ADHD and also in cases that require extreme appetite control, under the trade name Desoxyn.

As Wikipedia says:

Methamphetamine is FDA approved in the United States for the treatment of ADHD and exogenous obesity, under the trademark name Desoxyn.[4]

So that's another thing you got totally wrong.

Cocaine is also an amphetamine.

Wrong again! Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid, and is not chemically related in any way to amphetamine. Once again, a structural diagram of the molecule will illustrate this well:

Cocaine
http://www.edinformatics.com/interactive_molecules/3D/cocaine_structure.jpg

vs.
Amphetamines
http://www.aapsj.org/articles/aapsj0804/aapsj080480/aapsj080480_figure1.jpg

The only similarity between the two is that both contain a benzene ring - along with millions of the other useful organic molecules that exist in our world.

No one here is arguing that amphetamine, methamphetamine, or any other compound you listed are not addictive. They can all create both physical and psychological addiction (except cocaine, which is an entirely psychological - yet still very powerful - addiction). However, you clearly are entirely unprepared to give useful advice on this topic since at least half the things you say are outright incorrect. On that basis, again, please ensure what you're posting is actually correct, or don't post it.

[staying_alive]

Thanks for the useful information CaptainObvious.

[Nickk XD]

I have dedicated hours and hours to studying drugs and their effects. My town, actually my county more specifically, has the LARGEST number of gangs, drugs, and drug related violence in almost ALL of California. My town, the largest city in our small county, only has 15,000 people but has twice the number of drug related arrests compared to any other city (even compared to LA) in California.

Drug prevention classes are required starting in 2nd grade. After finding a distinct interested in Drugs, I'm now our School's anti-drug student adviser and teach, myself, our Tobacco Cessation and Illegal Substance Cessation classes. I am qualified to teach such a subject because I already have, as a High School Senior, 24 Drug Prevention College Credits.

There ARE, possibly, several facts that I have mistaken; however, there are MANY that you, too have mistaken.

Methamphetamine has been approved for pharmaceutical use in brands like Desoxyn; however, this drug has been prohibited by many state governments. For example in my state, Desoxyn is not legal. It's also not legal in my neighboring states (Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Idaho, Washington).

The chemical make up of the two drugs are NOT identical, but the effects are. Cocaine is not methamphetamine. Cocaine is "kind of pure" (kind of because the pure coca plant, bush, cannot be consumed pure...it must be cut with something for safety). But they aren't the same...so how do they have similar effects? Why is Methamphetamine usually called "poor man's cocaine"? Cocaine will not begin to burn holes in your skin. It may not rot your teeth. But it provides a high that can last and last (but Cocaine is shorter than Meth). They both do. The highs are similar, with a few exceptions. Adderall and Methamphetamine have even MORE similarities in their highs. That's all I was saying.

After I posted that Cocaine is an Amphetamine, I about busted up laughing when you pointed out the obvious. It isn't an Amphetamine and I'm not sure why I would have said that?? I, myself, am even confused by that...now I gotta go back to the internet and find my source for that...because something said something about that somewhere...hmmm...

I am completely familiar with Chemical Combinations and Alkyls and all of that.

Hmm, maybe this isn't necessarily my area of study (which it isn't). I'm more into the "recreational drugs" and stuff. Ask me a question about Ecstasy or Methamphetamine, you got an answer...same with gamma hydroxybutyrate.

[CaptainObvious]

There ARE, possibly, several facts that I have mistaken; however, there are MANY that you, too have mistaken.

Do quote the parts of my posts that are wrong, then. I sort of doubt there actually are any, because my first post was about my personal experience (something that you can't possibly challenge), and the next 2 were correcting what you got wrong.

I have dedicated hours and hours to studying drugs and their effects. My town, actually my county more specifically, has the LARGEST number of gangs, drugs, and drug related violence in almost ALL of California. My town, the largest city in our small county, only has 15,000 people but has twice the number of drug related arrests compared to any other city (even compared to LA) in California.

Drug prevention classes are required starting in 2nd grade. After finding a distinct interested in Drugs, I'm now our School's anti-drug student adviser and teach, myself, our Tobacco Cessation and Illegal Substance Cessation classes. I am qualified to teach such a subject because I already have, as a High School Senior, 24 Drug Prevention College Credits.

And yet for all that you still said a bunch of stuff that was incorrect. Good on you for your efforts and volunteering; you still, however, obviously need to brush up on your chemistry, among other things.

[Nickk XD]

Chemistry, actually is my specialty...lol...which is kind of ironic.

Just to let you know, most of the times I'll respond WITHOUT any research because usually I simply know. Usually when I'm challenged is when I'll do the research to prove (or rarely disprove) what I've stated. Most people require research in order to prove a point...usually I simply know.

In this case; however, I apparently was not fluent in this topic.



And yet for all that you still said a bunch of stuff that was incorrect. Good on you for your efforts and volunteering; you still, however, obviously need to brush up on your chemistry, among other things.

[staying_alive]

Chemistry, actually is my specialty...lol...which is kind of ironic.

Just to let you know, most of the times I'll respond WITHOUT any research because usually I simply know. Usually when I'm challenged is when I'll do the research to prove (or rarely disprove) what I've stated. Most people require research in order to prove a point...usually I simply know.

In this case; however, I apparently was not fluent in this topic.

Alright, you're kind of just digging your hole deeper...

[Nickk XD]

Sorry o_o

Alright, you're kind of just digging your hole deeper...

[staying_alive]

Sorry o_o

Haha no worries. Just let this be a lesson that research is always needed when trying to give accurate information. Even if you do it only to confirm your own knowledge.