I'm pretty sure that I have attention deficit disorder, but will I be able to get a perscription for adderall?

Question

I have a history of alcoholism, I don't drink any longer, but drinking almost killed me. I ended up with "Severe Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis," and only had a 30% chance of living. Well, as you can see I pulled through, but now i'm wondering if that ruined my chances to get help with my real problems.

I have MAJOR problems concentrating, like I can't have anything going on around me while i'm doing homework, or I flip out, and that is if I can even coherse myself into sitting down to study. I usually will get distracted while researching stuff, and end up researching something else, or doing things that are not what i'm supposed to be doing, etc.

I've done alot of research, and Adderall sounds right for me, but I have a past with addiction, plus I don't want to walk in there sounding like i'm looking for Adderall, because the doctors might think i'm just trying to get high from it...

Any suggestions on what I should do/say when I goto the Dr?
I only get 1 meeting.

Thank you all for your many comments, I wish I could pick more than one answer for best, but i've got to pick the one that actually answered exactly what I asked.

Thank all the rest of you for sharing your experiences and stories, I really appreciate it and I'm grateful for everything I learned.

Answer 1

You're right that you shouldn't go in there looking for Adderall. Not only that, but you shouldn't go in there with the goal of getting a particular drug period. There are a variety of medications to treat ADHD, and which drug is best for a particular patient has more to do with trial and error than his particular symptoms, so there's no way you could determine that a particular drug is best for you just by reading about it on the Internet. If you go to the doctor and tell him you think you'd benefit Adderall, it's a fair bet he won't give it to you, particularly with your history of addiction, but even without it. If, on the other hand, you go in looking for ways to deal with your ADHD symptoms, there's a good chance you'll leave with a prescription for Adderall (or another similar stimulant, such as Ritalin).

There are also non-stimulant medications (or rather medication, singular - called Strattera) for ADHD that might have less narcotic properties so doctors might be more inclined to prescribe them to someone with a history of addiction. If you really want to control your ADHD symptoms, it's worth trying whichever medications your doctor wants you to. But if you don't want a non-stimulant medication, well, Strattera is associated with an increased incidence of suicidal ideation and behavior, so your doctor will ask about having someone to watch for these things who you could tell if you had thoughts of suicide, and if you answer that there isn't anyone you who could keep an eye on you or who you'd be willing to tell, they probably won't prescribe it.

It might also help to tell your doctor that you're reluctant to take medication and stuff like that. Make it sound like you don't want the meds but are willing to try them if the doctor thinks they'll help. But don't over do it or he'll try to come up with an alternative to medication in order to respect your wishes. When it comes down to it, doctors love to prescribe meds as a quick-fix for any psychiatric problem, so if you go in there not asking for meds specifically but rather asking what his advice is to deal with it, he'll probably give you meds.

Also, if your doctor doesn't prescribe anything right away, you might want to consider being evaluated by a pscyhologist, who can then refer you to a psychiatrist. Doctors are a lot more inclined to prescribe meds for ADHD when they have a psychologist's evaluation confirming that you have ADHD and a recommendation for treatment.

Answer 2

I didn't get one and I have ADD but no history of abusing drugs. They tried all these "alternative" things to stimulant drugs like time management courses and when those didn't work they gave me Bupropion (which is really just an anti-depressant). None of these things worked of course. It's HARD to get doctor's to give an older person (over 18) stimulants because they just think you're going to abuse them or sell them to someone. Plus they figure if you haven't come to the doctor with the problem until recently then maybe it wasn't that big of a problem since ADD is a life-long disorder.

In all honesty it's really going to depend on which doctor you get and what kind of insurance you have. It's luck of the draw really. I got very unlucky but I know others who've gotten it. There's no good way to test for ADD unless the Dr. really knows you and your behavioral history which they don't, so they really just have to go by what you tell them and sometimes they believe you, sometimes they don't.

In the meantime, steady levels of caffeine really help me since it's a simulant. Helps a little... but not great. Don't overdo it.

Answer 3

Speaking from experience....

You have already had severe problems with addiction. Adderall is the most addictive psychiatric medication I have ever tried (and I've been on 19 in total.) It is the only one I ever felt this overwhelming need to abuse. It helped with my ADHD but I went off of it because I was getting really out of control with it.

I tried Concerta and I had no problem with taking it as prescribed, no desire to abuse it, but also it did not seem to help as much either.

If you do use Adderall, use it with caution. For some people, like my son, it works wonderfully and he has no side effects from it.

Answer 4

The first thing you need to do is see your regular doc and get a referal to a clinic that tests for ADD. Once you get tested if you have ADD the psyhc doc at the testing clinic will make recommendations for you regarding what he thinks might be a good course of treatment for you. Whether or not Adderall is the drug that works best for you will have to be seen but first get a referal and get tested.

Answer 5

Adderall?
Dexamphetamine should do you.
Hell, ask for half placebo.
Or, better yet, ask the doctor how to acertain whether or not you have it.
After, If you feel the medication has calmed you, made you concentrate.. after a month or two, get another meeting, and present your before medication and after meds grades/report card, anything..
Hope this helps.

Answer 6

When my husband was diagnosed, a psychologist gave him a series of tests to assess whether he had the disorder and how severe it was. He was given the prescription but doesn't take it - he doesn't feel it helps him. Just be honest. If you sound rehearsed they WILL think you are just trying to get high.

Answer 7

What you have to do is change your diet. ADD is a diet issue mostly. I can almost tell you what you eat on a regular basis that is contributing to your symptoms. Eliminate anything with corn, grain, processed sugar, potatoes, and peanuts. Go with meat, fruit and vegetables for a period of 2 weeks and watch what happens to your mood. Also walk everyday for alittle while outside. And if you really want to get results fast, while you are doing what I said earlier drink 1 tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar 3 times a day (mix with water) before your eat. Do not take prescription drugs unless you are looking to HURT yourself.

Answer 8

If you have ADD, then how did you manage to write such a long question?

Answer 9

IF you want a way other than drugs... contact me via Messenger: centaur1122