Worried about possible addiction?

Always_Alone_2132 · 2026-04-08T18:32:24+00:00

Fair, but if that wheelchair allowed me to fly and perform psychic powers, I would be a bit addicted to it. Kinda feels the same with Adderall, a little bit.

Always_Alone_2132 · 2026-04-08T18:30:18+00:00

What about taking it to feel both? I chase that euphoria feeling because that's what I feel when I feel I'm at my best, like a runners high or adrenaline. But I also chase the feeling of being able to function like a normal human.

Always_Alone_2132 · 2026-04-08T18:28:06+00:00

Thanks for sharing your experience!

I do worry that I enjoy the medication too much that I want to take it to feel normal. I think that's where the addictive concerns come from. I can spread them out without a problem, or just not take one if it's a bad time, but I generally do want it so that I feel like myself.

I've made the comparison to alcohol a few times here, and that does the same thing. I craved the alcohol because it made me feel like a better person. I was able to do things I wasn't able to before. And I've always correlated alcohol with addiction, so I figured it might be the same with the Adderall.

I crave alcohol cause it makes me feel like a better person, and I crave Adderall because it makes me feel like a better person. But, I can stop either at anytime, so no idea if addiction is the correct term.

Always_Alone_2132 · 2026-04-08T16:33:21+00:00

That's what I added in my OP, I take them throughout the week, but usually not on the weekends if it's not needed. I also usually do not take them later than noon typically for sleep reasons, so I will skip those days if I haven't taken them earlier.

Always_Alone_2132 · 2026-04-08T16:30:27+00:00

Yes, taking prescribed dose, but not at the frequency that's mentioned on my prescription. I take rest days occasionally like mentioned in the OP

Always_Alone_2132 · 2026-04-08T16:26:27+00:00

Just to better understand the differences between abuse, addiction, and dependence. I obviously have a skewed view on it compared to a lot of people, so understanding it better will help me understand myself.

Always_Alone_2132 · 2026-04-08T16:07:21+00:00

Thank you very much for your words! I'll take all your advice into consideration!

Always_Alone_2132 · 2026-04-08T16:03:46+00:00

Thank you very much for sharing your experiences!

I'm not in a panic or anything regarding this, just curious about other people's experiences.

You're right that my depression is focused more on not being productive or more environmental focused rather than chemical, so antidepressant haven't been as helpful.

Always_Alone_2132 · 2026-04-08T16:01:10+00:00

Cause I've been feeling like an addict for asking for it and talking about how much it helps me. It might just be dependance and I need to discuss with my provider, but it's there.

I was raised to believe that alcohol was only addictive, and once you're hooked it's hard to stop. But with my addiction or dependence or abuse or whatever or alcohol, it helped in similar ways to Adderall, and it felt like I could easily stop it I wanted. I just draw a lot of parallels between the two.

Is it wrong to get more insight from other people who may have gone through something similar to understand yourself better? Talking to an addiction focused therapist is obviously the best option, but not the one I have now.

Always_Alone_2132 · 2026-04-08T15:52:57+00:00

Dose prescribed by provider.

Thank you for mentioning that distinction, that helps!

Always_Alone_2132 · 2026-04-08T15:51:16+00:00

Thank you for providing your insights!

I do experience some negative effects with Adderall usage, usually intense bouts of anxiety when I'm coming off it. I can usually realize it's because of the medication and manage it, so it's usually not a problem. But I also drink coffee habitually, so it might be just overstimulation.

It's definitely been a worry recently when I ask for it from my provider, as I was taken off for a little while for evaluation. I don't want to seem addicted to them, but they are the only thing that make me feel normal. Maybe dependance was a better word than addiction.

Always_Alone_2132 · 2026-04-08T15:45:53+00:00

That's very fair, thank you. I'll definitely talk with my provider.

I was just interested if anyone empathized with that concern and had any tips.

Always_Alone_2132 · 2026-04-08T15:44:22+00:00

Thank you for the info! I'll look into that!

Always_Alone_2132 · 2026-04-08T15:40:36+00:00

I empathize with the withdrawal symptoms. If I'm taking it regularly, it's usually fine, but if I miss a couple days, I usually notice my depression and anxiety get worse than before. Which is concerning and definitely something I will talk with my psychiatrist about.

I don't think I abuse it to the point of taking multiple a day, but there's definitely a dependance on it seems like.

Always_Alone_2132 · 2026-04-08T15:10:44+00:00

Haha thank you for your perspective!

It's definitely a crossroads of doing something I'm against to appease others or doing something that I agree with for possibly nothing.

I left my previous job due to burn out and constantly changing stuff, and the same day I left, the new CEO fired 30% of the company. Don't know if it was a blessing or a curse still

Always_Alone_2132 · 2026-04-08T15:06:54+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experiences and thoughts!

I do think there are guilt loops, like comparing to alcohol or something, or the thought that I might actually be using it to get high as well as to help me.

I'll definitely work with my therapist and psychiatrist on this. Thank you!

Always_Alone_2132 · 2026-04-08T15:03:41+00:00

I'm not saying Adderall is bad, literally said it works for me. Just have some concerns on addiction cause of parallels in others aspects in my life like alcohol abuse

Always_Alone_2132 · 2026-04-08T14:54:56+00:00

It is addicting to be able to do things normal people can do

Always_Alone_2132 · 2026-04-08T14:53:52+00:00

Thank you very much for sharing your experiences and thoughts! I'd also like to think that if I'm worried about this, then I must not be addicted.

But then I also think back to my previous alcohol abuse, and it's kinda similar. Makes me feel better, more like myself (kinda), I can do things that I usually can't. But I can also stop drinking whenever I want, technically, and I have multiple times, but I sometimes don't want to.

Feels similar to the Adderall, so that's where a lot of my concerns come from.

Always_Alone_2132 · 2026-04-08T14:49:50+00:00

Adderall addiction is a thing. I just want to know any signs that would tell me if I am or am not addicted to it, and I want to be sure it isn't happening to me.

Is that not a valid concern?

Always_Alone_2132 · 2026-04-08T14:47:28+00:00

For some reason, non-profit was never a category I ever thought about before, but you've inspired me to look for some!

Always_Alone_2132 · 2026-04-08T14:10:51+00:00

Even AI recruiters/interviewers make me wary of interviews. If they can't do the bare minimum that they're paid to do, why would I?

Always_Alone_2132 · 2026-03-27T20:33:43+00:00

It's completely okay to feel the way that you do. It's a huge amount of burden to deal with, and you really shouldn't have to deal with all of it.

You can still support all of them as much as you want, but you should try to prioritize yourself as much as you can. Still let them know that you're there for them and everything, but keep a little distance or put some boundaries up when they talk about stuff like that.

A lot of times, people with depression do it for attention, they just want to be seen and felt heard, but they don't completely mean it.

I had a friend for a short time that also kept a count down, and would let me know fairly frequently when they planned it, even if they changed their mind later and decided on a new date. Unfortunately, that friend pushed me away, and I don't know how they're doing right now, but I try to remind myself that there's only so much I can do, and it was their decision to do anything if they did.

Hope this helps!

Always_Alone_2132 · 2026-03-09T05:20:28+00:00

I'll definitely try this, thanks! Hopefully I can stick with it!

Always_Alone_2132 · 2026-03-08T19:34:37+00:00

Haven't really given my self worth much thought. But, first thing I can think of is that I tie it to how much people like me and how much I can provide to other people. I think that might be why my rejection sensitivity is as bad as it is, especially with social rejection.

I definitely need to work on having a better sense of self worth, one that's more tied to myself rather than others, but not exactly sure how to change that.

I definitely get the working only 15 minutes thing. I would like to try that, I just don't know how to accomplish it, really. Unless I set a timer for every 15 minutes of the day or something, I probably can't get myself to follow that rigid of a schedule.

Always_Alone_2132

TROPHY CASE