Prescription Drug Abuse Support Group

HI Julie-
I have never abused Ritalin and don't know what the withdrawals would be. Maybe similar to coming off of speed or meth? Not pleasant.

You've posted something similar to this before. So my question is DO YOU REALLY WANT TO QUIT?

Vegnchick:

I sincerely hope that it was not your intention to sound judgmental in your last post when you asked Julie if she really wanted to quit. However, it was my perception that you were passing judgment on Julie because she posted something similar earlier. If that was not your intention, I invite you to please clarify.

Julie,

I am on Adderall XR for ADHD symptoms. The reason that I joined this group is because I attempted to stop using Adderall because my body has developed a dependence on it. This dependence is detrimental when I go for only just a day without it. This is why I have decided to stop it. I have stopped it before "cold turkey" when I unintentionally became pregnant. I attempted to stop it "cold turkey" a few weeks ago, but I had a major project due for work and it was too easy to take those pills when I was having withdrawal symptoms.

Withdrawals are very difficult (or they were for me). I was fatigued, but had restless sleep, I was not focused (at all), irritable, and my appetite increased significantly.

My second attempt is weaning myself off of the medication SLOWLY. I was at 40mg per day and then I dropped to 30mg. I plan on dropping to 20mg and so on. So far, it is working for me. I am a little more tired than usual, but I have also started a more healthy regime that is helping. I hope that this helps.

It does make sense, we all want to stop and use too. Yet funny this is, that's not possible. >.< If you truely want to stop than tell whomever is prescribing you Ritalin that you're abusing it? Temptation is the biggest thing to get over, if you have it, you're going to use it... I've never abused Ritalin, I was more of a painkillers benzos antidepressent person..
-hugs!!- I hope you stop abusing and find happiness instead of frustration ^^

xxzadyxx you are sooo right! If you have it you will use it! It's just, a matter, of time!

With all the research that has been done on addiction in the past 10 years, we still don't know why.

Reminds me of a story I heard at an AA meeting. This guy had been sober for 6 years and one day decided to go into a bar with some friends after work. He was going to limit himself to just two beers. Well that night he got arrested for OUI and he drank for the next 15 years. He finally quit after losing his wife, his home, and all his savings!

Pearls14, please don't be so hard on vegachick. I see her point because quite often people come in here looking for support to continue their addictive behavior. We would not be helping them or ourselves unless they were 100 percent sure they wanted to get clean or sober or both!

I agree with veg......She is not being judgemental she is asking a question which deals with the reality of the situation.

Of course I wanna quit usin. I just can't seem to do it. I also suffer from Major Depression, and gettin my Ritalin filled each month is the only thing I have to look forward to. I wish I had somethin to replace the Ritalin need with. When I'm dealin with a bout of depression, there's not much I enjoy doin. I'm just so out of touch with everyone and everything, that I stay in my room, with my Ritalin. What kinda coping skills have any of you used to get over the cravings etc.? Any advise would be helpful.
Julie

It sounds like you have alot on your plate.

I see from your profile that you are on effexor for depression, Effexor never worked for me. You may want to let your doc know that you are still very depressed and he may do either one of three things, up the dosage, add another drug to it, or out you on something different.

After I went through detox, I went right into an IOP (intensive outpatient program). Also acalled the Serene Program, this is where I learned coping skills to help me deal with the stresses in life that would cause me to relapse. It helped me alot.

You need to talk to your doc about your abuse and perhaps he can get you into an IOP in your area.

It is a difficult thing to do but when you tell your doc the truth, about your abuse he will appreciate your honesty and do all he can to help you.

My doc knew I had a problem with opiates before I ever fessed up because I had overdosed and had to be hospitalized when my organs began to shutdown. She actually saved my life, after I told her what I had swallowed.

I hope you don't get the wrong idea, we all want to help you but at the same time, you have to help yourself by telling your doctor the truth about your abuse. We will give you all the support you need after you take that first step.

Good luck and God Bless!