Are you addicted if you need Concerta to function like a rational, calm person?

Sent to: DocJohn and anyone else out there who has some feedback

Good Morning. I have been labeled bipolar for the past 6 years, until December of 2004. I was on up to 9 meds at a time. FINALLY, I moved to CA where I have the most incredible doctor - I took my first Ritalin pill in December and I calmed down and focused. In the past 7 months, I have been able to get off of all my meds except Concerta and deal with a very abusive (sexually and physically, neglectful, and psychologically ) childhood. I have worked very hard with my psychiatrist, and 2 therapists.
I have a question about ADD/HD. Is a person psychologically depentdent on Concerta if they need it to calm down and focus? I had to stop taking it a few days ago, and I felt like the basketcase I always used to be - it was very scary. It's no wonder they thought I had bipolar. I was short tempered, quick to say ugly things, emotionally up and down, unable to keep my mind quiet, unable to focus on anything and basically just a mess. Upon resuming Concerta, within 30 minutes, my life came back into focus, I calmed down and felt rational.
Is a person addicted because they calm down after taking their medicine? I thought that abusing, or being addicted to stimulants was for the high, not the clarity? Can you explain this? Is it similar to a diabetic needing insulin? They are sick without it, but that does not mean they are adicted to something that makes their life more manageable. Is it possible to have ADD/HD so bad that without the medicine, a person's life is chaos? Please answer. Thank you.

I'll let someone more knowledgable about drugs answer this in depth, but I believe that since you've ADD that the medication is doing exactly what it's supposed to do.

The key word is "abusing"...If the medication is prescribed for your condition and it helps...then you're doing exactly what you are suppose to do.....my personal opinion is that you are addicted only if you are using/abusing a drug that you do not need....hang in there.....love g.

I agree, it must be doing what it is suppose to, that is great too if it has helped you feel that terrific feeling of "functioning".

Take care,

DE

Thank you for your replies - I was on 9 medications last June and now am down to 2. It is really scary to come off of something and feel like you are right back at ground zero. With all the media talk about how dangerous stimulants are, it really gets scary to question whether or not you are digging yourself a bigger hole!

I just returned from the annual American Psychiatric Association meeting where I attended several conferences on Adult ADHD. ADHD is a disorder that is not 'cured', it is treated. Currently if your symptoms require medication, you will need to take meds for life.

Depending on your Concerta is not an addiction. Addiction is continued use of a drug despite adverse consequences. As a practical matter it is extraordinarily difficult to abuse Concerta and most other time-released stimulants. You have to snort or inject the immediate-release stimulants to get the euphoric high some seek. You simply can not get euphoric by taking stimulants by mouth. The calm, focused feeling is the therapeutic effect of Concerta, and that is similiar to the way other people feel most of the time. You 'depend' on your Concerta the way diabetics depend on insulin, the way asthmatics depend on albuterol puffers, the way epileptics depend on seizure meds and the way someone with a broken are depends on their pain medicine at first before their arm heals. There is nothing to feel bad about. ADHD is in large part genetic, it's not your fault.

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