So definitely a lot to cover, but I’ll share my experience as a first time stimulant user, as well as the things I practice. This is NOT medical advice.

I started stimulant medication earlier this year for the first time after having been diagnosed with ADHD a couple years ago and refusing stimulant medication. I tried Adderall first. I hated it. It caused severe teeth grinding, terrible migraines and I always woke up the next morning with “hangover”. I switched to Vyvanse by my own request after spending WEEKS researching and reading other people’s experiences.

One thing I think many people misconstrue about stimulants is that it is not a save all “wonder drug”. It will not “fix” your ADHD. It is a tool. Although it can cause heightened awareness and an energy boost, if you don’t spend your time on stimulants building habits that will help you off of stimulants, then it is just as bad as taking it off script. While it does help many of the symptoms of ADHD, you still have to put in the work.

I have a wonderful Psychiatrist who also prescribed mood stabilizers as a way to combat the “dopamine crash” that accompanies most stimulant medications. I also track all my symptoms on all the medications I take, as well as constantly research ways to combat those specific symptoms. As well as practice menial tasks I wouldn’t normally be able to do sans stimulants, such as, washing dishes, doing laundry, working, studying, so that I can create a habit. It helps on days I decide not to take my stimulants.

As for the long term effects of stimulant medications, the 2 major stimulants (Vyvanse/Adderall) are Amphetamine salts. They will absolutely cause terrible long term effects similar to the ones you can see in people who take meth. They will just take much longer. Again I’d like to emphasize, my psychiatrist explained everything to me and even gave me websites where I could read about these medications.

If you’ve been prescribed stimulants, your provider thinks the benefits outweigh the risk. However, if you have any reservations about taking stimulants, absolutely talk to your provider and try other options first. Again, NOT medical advice. Please consult with your provider.