I wonder why I never hear about adderall on these forums and threads. It's not even on the drug list.
I hear plenty about ritalin(the kiddie version) but never the more potent adult version.
Just curious...

adderall is a US-only drug, not really known or carried outside of the USA - hence why you dont find it with NROP's.

It is not a US only drug.
Adderall is currently available by prescription in Canada.
In addition, its manufacturer is in the process of securing approval in the UK for distribution there.

That should be interesting. We already have most kids doing OK on methylphenidate, and dexamphetamine is also available for refractory cases.

It is interesting because I believe the manufacturer of Adderall XR is a British company.

We never had ADHD when I was growing up. The nuns would hit you with a ruler if you didn't pay attention and that always seemed to work. I grew up in a society were children were seen not heard. Now it's the total opposite.

The parents expect the schools to raise their children. If the schools don't do the job, then the parents go to meds to control their kids. It scares the BeJesus out of me that we are going to have a generation taking care of us that were raised on amphetamine salts.

That would be Shire, or as they like to call themselves, "Shire ...your ADHD Support Company™"

I didn't go to a Catholic school, but we were expected to behave in school. If we got done with our studies we were allowed to go to the back of the room and read or draw. I'm sure there were plenty of us that could have been given an ADHD label, but we just learned self discipline. Not such a bad thing, I don't think.

I realize there are cases that really need attention, but they hand out way too many drugs to kids. They need more time outdoors to play (or indoors in a gym--not in front of a computer.)

Same for me in school. Also if I got in trouble at school, I got it worse at home.

I've seen a couple of kids in my life that I would say actually needed meds for ADD/ADHD, they need it like they needed blood. I have several friends that have kids on meds but the funny thing (I'm the resident babysitter) their kids are like different kids with me, even when their parents are around.

I know kids act better for other people, but their kids know I don't put up with stuff. I'm fun, cool, do things with them they like to do...I'm a wiz at Video games now, but they know where my line is.

While I don't discount ADD/ADHD, there is also the discipline factor and that factor is very real, whether they have ADD/ADHD or not.

There are many things I'm strict about, I do require yes ma'am, yes at the least but I don't put up with continually trying to get a different answer. My yes means yes, my no means no.

Most of my friends and family's kids would rather come stay with me than stay at home or with anyone else. What has always been said is true, kids DO want bounderies and discipline. Even the kids that have severe ADD/ADHD want the bounderies and discipline...I just do things with them in a different way than other kids. I rarely have any problems with any of their kids, most of them would rather be punished than to disappoint me.

Kids with behavioural or learning difficulties cannot stand change. They want the same teacher and the same routines at school, and change can cause mayhem.

The real ADHD kids quite literally will climb the walls of the school before the meds take effect. But then again, the personality of kids who shouldn't be on these drugs is often killed right off, and can make them zombies.

Adderall is not usually a children's drug. As far as I know it never is.
But as far as kiddies go, ADD is more than a disciplinary obstacle. I'm throwing that in there because I come from a family where my fathers entire side is in this category. Most (like my father, uncle, and cousins, never had behavior problems, but they universally agree it is why none of them climbed higher than a bachelor degree.(they can't stand to sit and pay attention.)
My brother and I were more extreme cases, having very pronounced behavior disorders. All the pattling and other punishments I routinely recieved never made me better; it was just something to dread when I did something to earn it again..

Adderall is very much a children's drug. More and more it is becoming prevalent in the treatment of ADD and ADHD in children. However, it is not indicated for treatment of children younger than three years.

I was not aware of that.
The friends I have who are prescribed to it are adults. Kids I have known (the adhd variety) were prescribed ritalin/methylphenadate, although I don't know much about how it differs from adderall. If they are not the same, they are awfully similar in relation to the amphetamine family.
But anyways, this is the sort of feedback I was interested in hearing in the origins of this thread.

Hi-

This stuff is essentially uncut amphetamine, or dextroamphetamine. Techically, it is a blending of four amphetamine salts.

"Adderall," though a name brand is no less than straight speed.

Surprisingy, in my research I have been unable to find where methyphenidate (Ritilan) is a "watered form" of straight speed, though in its clinical and brain-chremistry, it acts in a similar mode.

Anwhooy--the main thing for the reader wants to know is you cannot easily get hold of Adderall b/c it has an extremely high abuse potential and is far easily addictive than Ritalin. Doctors know this and this is why, though both substances cop a C-II rating, speed (or Adderall) is extremely well-controlld.

HTH, ok?
Stits

Isn't it true to be diagnosed with ADD/ADHD in the US it technically has to be before you're 7 years old?

I know this isn't followed, but I thought to truly diagnose a kid with it they have to be under 7 when they are first diagnosed

Not at all. My friend was just diagnosed at 32. She may have had it when she was younger, but they never diagnosed her.

Not sure what "technically" diagnosed means but there is medically no age limit I've heard of involving the dx of ADD/ADHD.
The disorder can present itself as a mild condition early in life and can progress at varying rates in each individual. It may not become problematic until teen years or even adulthood.
Did you read somewhere about the 7 year age criterion?

This is interesting, as the UK doesn't have a medicine licensed for initiation of treatment of ADD in adults, but treatment can continue into adulthood; the general thinking is that it should be diagnosed early and it is usually grown out of.

This doesn't mean it cannot be diagnosed late, but adult-ONSET ADD remains somewhat of a mystery.

Regarding the 'H' - hyperactivity part of the ADHD syndrome, how would this manifest itself in adults?

I think there is a continuous spectrum of attention spans as part of biological variation, just as there is with reaction times, or even heights. Whether one fits the description of ADD depends on the test used, the doctor, and the patient's (or the patient's parents') desire for the diagnosis. And probably other factors.

Dyslexia is similar in this nature, from forms so mild they are virtually undetectable, to forms so severe that the patient's writing is hardly legible.

Here is a quote from NICE:



What is becoming more common is people finding work tedious, losing concentration and claiming ADD. This may lead to more stringent testing amongst other things. Concentration deteriorates with age and monotony naturally, as well as probably quite a few other factors.

It took the US medical community years to conclude that it is not necessarily valid that this disorder can be outgrown. In some individuals it is a life-long condition.
But it is very rarely seen as adult onset. Just adult dx.
I've always believed that it should be fairly easy to identify. Give a potential patient a stimulant like Ritalin and if it slows them down and improves ability to concentrate...there you are. If it speeds them up, no dx.
Probably too simple for the profession.

That is just what my psychiatrist told me. As of right now in the US, you need to show signs of ADD/ADHD before the age of 7. He did tell me doctors now-a-days are diagnosing kids/adults with ADD/ADHD at an alarming rate. Most of the time it is parents bringing their kids in who just wents to medicate them. I do know 1 friend who has true ADHD and about 5 other friends who claim to have ADHD and there is no comparison between the one friend who actually has it compared to the other 5.

Not sure how easy it is for other people in the country, but if you're in high school and want adderall, all you have to do is go to your PCP around here, tell him you are having a really hard time focusing and concentrating in class, and 99% of the time they will script you adderall and won't even do any tests on you.

I'm not diagnosed ADD/ADHD, but since I had a pretty severe TBI when I was 10 years old, the symptoms of the TBI over time developed into identical symptoms of ADD/ADHD which is why they use adderall on me to treat it. I've had 2 sets of neuropsychology tests (the ones that last all day) that show this as well

I have known patients who were recovering from external brain injuries and they discovered (the hard way) that their reaction to mood-altering substances was changed because of the injury. One of them accidentally OD'd as a result.
I think I remember that you are in recovery from addiction to opiates. Have you seen any evidence that your childhood injury may have had some impact on your body's reaction to drugs? Or have any doctors brought this possibility to your attention?

What parent wants a 'naughty child'? Many would rather have an 'ADHD child' for obvious reasons. There is no such thing as a naughty child any more. By extension, we could say that every criminal out there has a disorder which makes them commit crimes.

Those who rob houses have PRBTD, or Premises-Related Burglarious Tendency Disorder. This is usually adult-onset, but can occur in younger people.

Of course, no disrespect to genuine ADHD cases out there; I've seen kids climb walls literally before their meds kick in.

I actually talk to my doctors a lot about how mood-altering substances effect me differently. With the adderall I am on, the only real side-effect I have from it are I seem to get the side effects 10x worse than a normal Joe.

Yes I am in recovery from opiates. It's an odd case, because I wouldn't call myself an addict. I was using opiates as a means to control my anxiety. Xanax helped, but my anxiety was so bad benzo's themselves could not possibly control it. The way I discovered opiates was I had a very bad snowboarding injury (which I am still recovering from, nerve damage in my spine and a bulging disc). I was prescribed vicodin in the very beginning, and I noticed when I took the vicodin it took away my anxiety. Sadly it all went downhill from there. But today I am almost anxiety-free, mainly because I went to a brain injury/substance abuse residential treatment. There are only a handful of them here in the US that treat them together, and not as seperate entities. What I learned from there is that I took opiates to self-medicate anxiety, not to get high, and if I could work on cognitive skills to treat anxiety, my addiction to opiates would cease. Low and behold it did!!! When I got out, I didn't crave opiates at all. Probably because I wasn't using them to simply get "high".

I am still scripted vicodin for my back, but it is for legit pain. It's amazing, I don't abuse the vicodin, I don't think when I get my script "oh hey, here's going to be a week of getting high off a script that is supposed to last a month". I don't take more than what I am supposed to (if you know my past posts I do sadly use oxycontin for acute pain) but my doc is well aware of this, has been working with me on it, and I have almost cut that part out completely! I have a new physical therapist I see twice a week and he has been helping me tremendously.

Anyway, I was getting off track there, but yes mood-altering substances affect me a lot differently than someone without a closed head injury. But the part that really kills people with brain injuries is the impulsive behavior. The way they "dumbed" it down for me was if you have a closed head injury in the frontal lobes (where mine are) that is where your decision making takes place, and since you have an injury there, that's how you get the ADD-like symptoms

Edit:
And for any of you out there with head injuries and dealing with substance abuse, feel free to PM me about it. The normal 12-step approach needs to be bent in certain ways for all of us out there with head injuries. Most normal rehab facilities and AODA counselors either don't know that or don't agree with it

So true. lol. A kid labeled "ADHD" is accepted a lot better than being labeled a "trouble maker"

As I said before, I do have one friend who has genuine ADHD and if he doesn't take his meds, he literally does climb the walls, I've seen him not take his meds some days and WOW!

You are correct, accurate diagnosis according to DSM IV TR for ADHD states that symptoms of this disorder causing impairment must have been present before age 7 years, although adults can be diagnosed a number of years later, particularly with Predominantly Inattentive Type.

Martind, the age criteria is included in the DSM IV TR, and of course we know that children even when treated are not cured, and symptoms can last through adulthood, or even change to warrant a new diagnosis. People talk about how hard this is for parents, but the individuals with these behavioral problems suffer from isolation and contempt by peers, ADHD is more prevalant in children with first degree biological relatives, there is a strong influence of genetic factors, meaning it's quite possible that their parents have diminished coping skills. Generally, 3-7% of school age children have some type of ADHD, and through testing and observation, children thought to have the disorder often need enhanced parenting to curb behaviors. Also, sugar and caffeine in excess through the day can mimic symptoms of hyperactivity; unstructured bedtimes or parents with unstructured routines at night can cause children reduced hours of sleep, resembling attention deficit disorder. Many factors involved that require substantial evaluation that many psychiatrists are not prepared to spend time on, and clinical therapists with enhanced diagnostic skills can really help a family, because they spend significant time with a child during early stages of treatment, and are in a position to refer to a child psychiatrist if meds are warranted.

So many posters have valid information about this disorder, I wanted to share that the Pediatrics Journal recommends other first line meds than adderall or ritalin, because of the increased and harmful side effects. More commonly used meds for children are concerta, focalin xr, daytrana patch, metadate cd or er, methylin chewables and oral. Now, these are methylphenidate (Ritalin) based meds but easier to tolerate.

Adderall and the XR, dexedrine and vyvanse are amphetamine based. Strattera is a wonderful drug if it's effective for children, but more so as a mood stabilizer for adults. It is a nonstimulant. Of course, when dealing with a minor, the use of a psychiatrist rather than GP can make a world of difference, because these meds differ in length of time they work, side effects, and forms of availability.

Blackpulpit, you can reassure your relatives who ascribe a lack of education to the behaviors caused by this disorder that this is researched and documented as very real. DSM IV TR: "On average these individuals obtain less schooling than peers and have poorer vocational achievement. In its severe form, it causes markedly impaired social, familial and academic adjustment".

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for some reason my cousin had a condition called graves disease...once her thyroid was killed using radiation she was put on adderall...she now takes this because she can not concentrate well in school...not sure why but thats what she is on...she is doing much better now...she dropped out of high school, finally got a ged and goes to a local cc. she only takes it when she needs it. she had 3 a's an a- and two b+'s her first semester...so it appears to help...she has been on ad's before, lexapro which her mom says made her not give a [censored]. she was busted for weed and underage drinking several times, after she came off of this med, everything appears copocetic.

That's insane. Here (the UK), even if you've been diagnosed (which is hard to begin with), it's almost impossible to get hold of meds!