4 ms·

As someone who has been through the addiction loop, I can say a) it's a good thing that he's thinking that way, it is good to be conscious of these things; b) t

As someone who has been through the addiction loop, I can say a) it's a good thing that he's thinking that way, it is good to be conscious of these things; b) that even the slightest question about addiction points to something significant, something to watch very closely; and c) consciousness about these things can never be used as an excuse to ignore it.

lazide 3y ago
Good points. However, it’s also an extremely common reason people with ADHD use to go off their meds, when looking in from the outside they clearly weren’t addicted by literally any definition of the word. It would be like if someone who suffered from chronic dehydration worried they were addicted to water because they were drinking the amount prescribed for them after having a medical diagnosis related to it, so they stopped. Then, of course, went back to the prior state which was ‘normal’ to them. Which is why it’s all best done under the supervision of a qualified professional who hopefully isn’t a fuckup.
hirvi74 3y ago
If you don't mind me asking, what were the signs you were addicted to something vs. dependent on something? I understand both are not mutually exclusive like in alcohol, for example. While I have been addicted to tobacco, I fail to see how a people who are addicted to tobacco/nicotine are different than me (a stimulant is a stimulant). Is the difference sheerly due to the harm tobacco causes? I do not feel like if I lost access to medication I would go and start pawning off stolen car radios to get my fix, but I feel like I would absolutely "hot-swap" to something else like caffeine (it's what I used prior to medication). I do not think I abuse the medication or anything -- no all nighters, no running out before my next prescription, etc.. I try to take one day a week off them, but that one day is sometimes uncomfortable. I would say my relationship to the medication is very "Flowers for Algernon" in a sense. I've almost lost access to medication due to all kinds of non-behavioral reasons like prescription issues, medication shortages, etc.. That always sends me into a spiral of anxiety and stress, but mainly because I feel like my life will fall apart quite quickly without the medication. However, at the same time, I wonder if I am being delusional because it's not like the medication makes me some kind of FAANG developer or anything. I'm still just your lowly below-average developer working at an undervalued and dead-end job for my local government. It's about as easy as it gets in terms of jobs, and I feel like I can barely keep my head above water.
- lazide 3y ago
  [https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drug-misuse-addiction https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-scie...] Did/do you compulsively seek caffeine despite significant adverse consequences to yourself and/or others? If someone really like having coffee, but can afford it and it doesn’t hurt their health - they aren’t addicted. If someone can’t hold down a job because they constantly drink coffee to the point they can’t work, then they’re addicted. Or, if they suffer from heart issues or whatever (I’m reaching, I know) due to all the coffee they drink, but can’t stop. Same. So the question is - does the Adderall or whatever help you function, actually? And in totality improve your life? If so, then you aren’t addicted. It’s rational. Seeking it, as long as it isn’t compulsive (aka it is based on a reasonable need and in proportion to the benefits/circumstances) is a reasonable thing to do. Like looking for Tylenol is if you sprained an ankle. The challenge is, Addicts (of all kinds!) are often incredibly delusional on this front, and Adderall et al IS addictive for folks without ADHD brain chemistry/ADHD dosage. It isn’t as bad as meth, but same issues. So someone who is an addict will often say yes, everything is fine to all those questions (and often mean it), but anyone looking in from the outside who knew them would often go whoa buddy that’s fucked, and they will have noticeable issues with functioning at some point. Others may be non-addictive personalities and be able to use the meds (and get high) but will not be addicts. They can take it or leave it. Many (well, early stage) addicts often tend to think they are these people. It’s part of the problem that makes them addicts. Some substances are very, very addictive and only a small portion of the population will not be a problem. Others, it requires a really special person to get addicted (in real terms) to it. Like coffee. Where interestingly, ADHD folks will often wonder constantly if they’re addicts while their life (and symptoms) noticeably improve - inside and out, and while they actively try to cut themselves off from the meds. Weird huh? If you’re really wondering, writing down in a daily journal can help if you do it consistently and review it after awhile. If your life circumstance is such it’s safe, taking a pause for a week or two on the meds while doing this can be very informative - but I wouldn’t recommend it without discussing with your Dr. first as it can be a real problem if there are real issues you need the medicine to help you address. I had a cousin who ended up homeless every time he went off his meds, for instance. ADHD memory is the worst.

lazide 3y ago

Good points. However, it’s also an extremely common reason people with ADHD use to go off their meds, when looking in from the outside they clearly weren’t addicted by literally any definition of the word. It would be like if someone who suffered from chronic dehydration worried they were addicted to water because they were drinking the amount prescribed for them after having a medical diagnosis related to it, so they stopped. Then, of course, went back to the prior state which was ‘normal’ to them. Which is why it’s all best done under the supervision of a qualified professional who hopefully isn’t a fuckup.

hirvi74 3y ago

If you don't mind me asking, what were the signs you were addicted to something vs. dependent on something? I understand both are not mutually exclusive like in alcohol, for example. While I have been addicted to tobacco, I fail to see how a people who are addicted to tobacco/nicotine are different than me (a stimulant is a stimulant). Is the difference sheerly due to the harm tobacco causes? I do not feel like if I lost access to medication I would go and start pawning off stolen car radios to get my fix, but I feel like I would absolutely "hot-swap" to something else like caffeine (it's what I used prior to medication). I do not think I abuse the medication or anything -- no all nighters, no running out before my next prescription, etc.. I try to take one day a week off them, but that one day is sometimes uncomfortable. I would say my relationship to the medication is very "Flowers for Algernon" in a sense. I've almost lost access to medication due to all kinds of non-behavioral reasons like prescription issues, medication shortages, etc.. That always sends me into a spiral of anxiety and stress, but mainly because I feel like my life will fall apart quite quickly without the medication. However, at the same time, I wonder if I am being delusional because it's not like the medication makes me some kind of FAANG developer or anything. I'm still just your lowly below-average developer working at an undervalued and dead-end job for my local government. It's about as easy as it gets in terms of jobs, and I feel like I can barely keep my head above water.

lazide 3y ago
[https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drug-misuse-addiction https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-scie...] Did/do you compulsively seek caffeine despite significant adverse consequences to yourself and/or others? If someone really like having coffee, but can afford it and it doesn’t hurt their health - they aren’t addicted. If someone can’t hold down a job because they constantly drink coffee to the point they can’t work, then they’re addicted. Or, if they suffer from heart issues or whatever (I’m reaching, I know) due to all the coffee they drink, but can’t stop. Same. So the question is - does the Adderall or whatever help you function, actually? And in totality improve your life? If so, then you aren’t addicted. It’s rational. Seeking it, as long as it isn’t compulsive (aka it is based on a reasonable need and in proportion to the benefits/circumstances) is a reasonable thing to do. Like looking for Tylenol is if you sprained an ankle. The challenge is, Addicts (of all kinds!) are often incredibly delusional on this front, and Adderall et al IS addictive for folks without ADHD brain chemistry/ADHD dosage. It isn’t as bad as meth, but same issues. So someone who is an addict will often say yes, everything is fine to all those questions (and often mean it), but anyone looking in from the outside who knew them would often go whoa buddy that’s fucked, and they will have noticeable issues with functioning at some point. Others may be non-addictive personalities and be able to use the meds (and get high) but will not be addicts. They can take it or leave it. Many (well, early stage) addicts often tend to think they are these people. It’s part of the problem that makes them addicts. Some substances are very, very addictive and only a small portion of the population will not be a problem. Others, it requires a really special person to get addicted (in real terms) to it. Like coffee. Where interestingly, ADHD folks will often wonder constantly if they’re addicts while their life (and symptoms) noticeably improve - inside and out, and while they actively try to cut themselves off from the meds. Weird huh? If you’re really wondering, writing down in a daily journal can help if you do it consistently and review it after awhile. If your life circumstance is such it’s safe, taking a pause for a week or two on the meds while doing this can be very informative - but I wouldn’t recommend it without discussing with your Dr. first as it can be a real problem if there are real issues you need the medicine to help you address. I had a cousin who ended up homeless every time he went off his meds, for instance. ADHD memory is the worst.