Comments on: Crystal Meth’s ADD / ADHD Connection Part 2

By: addled

addled — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:40:27 +0000

Oh, and laaaaate response to David. I fully relate! I’m gay too – well 90% lesbian, which one psychiatrist deemed the source of my problems. Not homophobia of course! Or ADD..or anxiety..would love to hear via email what your thoughts on the GLBTQ (have I missed anyone??) community thinks about ADD/ADHD. I’ve only told 3 people, 2 think I’m a slave to the medical establishment…the other one’s autistic, she’s ok with it

By: addled

addled — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:33:52 +0000

As a typical ADDer, I haven’t checked the web for a while, and can’t find your email addresses Mike and April…did I mention I’m having a Dex holiday? Disorganised incredibly. But it does make me angry that others are forced to self-medicate with meth for years because their doctors won’t believe they aren’t simply drug-seeking. There is an easily observable difference between an ADD/ADHDer on meth (quiet, concentrating, more confident at times) and a regular addict (super-energy and strength, focus all over the place..kind of like us without meds)!
What country’s health system are most of the posters dealing with here? I am guessing America, so tough on drugs and yet a country that recognises ADD/ADHD. Surely there’s a decent doctor who can understand and put you on the right meds somewhere? Here in Australia, where they don’t recognise it as a ‘disability’, I told my doctor (and the Health Department, which gives authority for Dex) bluntly that I had been previously addicted to meth and it was for self-medication reasons. They still gave me a script..would it help if you went to rehab for a bit? I did, and I think maybe that helped them trust me.
I wish all the best for Mike & April and all the other untreated people who are risking themselves in a stupid ‘War on Drugs’ that doesn’t recognise that most addicts (not just us) are self-medicating something and need help, not punishment.
Good luck all and fight the medical establishment drongos (Aus for asshole, in a polite way:) for your rights! And happy holidays…..;)

By: mike and april

mike and april — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 23:51:38 +0000

ADHD is not a myth like alot of people think. My husband is and I’m 33. We both have been fighting addictions since we were young kids. We would like to find a way out of this disease, but come on we all know we can’t be honest with dr’s about our self medications with drugs because then they will not treat us as many of you already know. we are both extreme hyperfocusers and try to deal with everyday life the best we can. To all of you untreated adults we wish the best for you and just remember you’re not alone in this world and we do understand all of you. We all are special people and deserve a chance with life. Good luck to everyone. Feel free to email us anytime….take care and remember you are never alone

By: mike and april

mike and april — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 23:32:32 +0000

We totally understand all you ADHD/ADD’ers who struggle with self-medication. We don’t judge people for what choice of drugs they use. It’s so sad that people in our age groups were never diagnosised or treated for our disease. Alot of people notice Mike and I are different than them and sterotype was as abnormal or strange. It’s sad that people don’t understand this disease and only think of us self-medicators as drug addicts…..it’s no wonder many of us fall through the cracks. My husband was an alcoholic for years and has been sober from the alcohol for almost two years. We do self medicate with meth occasionally which does slow our racing minds down.

By: mike and april

mike and april — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 23:24:40 +0000

To all ADHD/ADD ers we fully understand how using meth calms the mind and body. We have gone all our lives untreated by doctors. We are 48 and 33 years old and both addicts and know we are addicts. We use meth occasionally, but the calming effects help us

By: Pete Quily

Pete Quily — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 07:30:46 +0000

Hi Lauri,

just fixed the contact page, give it another try.

Sadly linkrot is the downside of the internet. I’ve listed the name of where i think the study is from can no longer find the study on their site or elsewhere. let me know if you can find it.

By: Lauri

Lauri — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 17:39:11 +0000

Very interesting material! I have bookmarked this site so I can learn more about the ADHD-addiction connection.

I was disappointed to find that the link to contact Pete Quily is invalid, as is the one (at the beginning of this article) for the “word document that lists various articles”; will have to try Googling the article mentioned.

By: David

David — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 04:48:30 +0000

addled. I really liked your post. You and I experienced the same exact problems. God forbid they find out you did coke or any other drug only to deny you the drug you needed most. Ours is give and take, and I hated growing up a bright but space cadet kid that was made fun of constantly because I simply wasn’t there. I hated the fights with ritalin trying to control me and the anger that addrall made me feel. I know I shamed my parents because of my troubles with the law and drugs, but I really think that even they know they raised a good kid, just one with bad wiring. I still feel left out which hurts because on top of that, I’m gay. shoot me.

By: David

David — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 04:42:34 +0000

Well having been ADHD for nearly all my life, and on ritalin, then addrall, etc. I spiraled into cocaine and every other drug to help me find myself a place that I could call normal. Coke wasn’t it, it only made me paranoid, and was like speed, it was only when I took crystal meth for the first time did I really experience the true calming affects and clarity I had longed for all my life. I know it’s a horrible drug, however, how could something made from god knows what. allow me to sleep peacefully with my mind focused like it has never been before. I woke up happy and restful though my brain was working all night long but like Einstein’s brain, I was figuring out complex problems, and I really truly felt the genius inside me. I no longer felt dumb and alone or a space cadet. I know Cmeth is bad, but what drug compares to the affect it has on my brain? I’m willing to experiment and welcome anyone who can get me on the right path. David in VA

By: Johnny Rocco

Johnny Rocco — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:14:23 +0000

I am a 53 year old male. Just this past year i have had treatment for ADD,ADHD. So much of my life is gone, and i know i could have been a better person if i had gotten the right treatment plan first. The past 15 years, deep dark depression and drugs. I try not to think of what might have been, but to look at the good days ahead. I feel like i just got out of a jail cell, i have so much living to do. The dr i had saw never looked past the drug/ depression. ADD/ADHD i feel is why i started the drugs in the first place. After the drugs came the depression. Many, many, many dr would not treat me for ADD/ADHD because of my drug history. Thank God For Dr Hege of Atl Ga. I now take Vyvanse for my ADD/ADHD and so far no problems, i don’t feel the need to take anything more, i am too busy living life. A life that is more like the ones people around me have. Not getting treatment for ADD/ADHD will do more harm, than the ones you have from taking ADD/ADHD meds. If you are a dr reading this, PLEASE look into this. For over ten years i had to go without treatment for fear of my drug use, only to find out that it was because of not being in treatment was the reason i had a drug problem. DR do your home work and PLEASE don’t make others like myself go without treatment.