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	<title>Comments on: The Dark Side of ADD ADHD Medication</title>
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	<link>http://www.addadhdblog.com/the-dark-side-of-add-adhd-medication/</link>
	<description>A blog about Attention Deficit Disorder, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder</description>
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		<title>By: Lúthien</title>
		<link>http://www.addadhdblog.com/the-dark-side-of-add-adhd-medication/comment-page-1/#comment-410021</link>
		<dc:creator>Lúthien</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 06 May 2011 12:11:03 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description>Like Frederick Voorhees, I think that this advice is too narrow too.
It would be better indeed if parents would take active interests in whatever their children are up to.
Just making it harder to obtain (short-acting) Adderall or Ritalin or stigmatising these stimulant medications will make it harder for those who are really helped by these medications. 
I had a similar bad experience as Frederick had with Strattera because the psychiatrist whom I first saw for ADD refused to prescribe Ritalin to adults because she was convinced that adults get addicted to them. Maybe there are some doctors out there who prescribe it too easily, but I have seen a lot more often that doctors, people with ADD and others having the silliest notions about it and trying ineffective third-choice drugs or nonsensical alternative treatments rather than to give Ritalin or Adderal a try. I am really concerned that feeding those sentiments isn&#039;t going to do a great deal of good. 
Luckily I found another psychiatrist who was a lot more sensible. After trying various stimulants we settled on dexedrine, I&#039;ve been on that for more than three years now and it works very well.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Like Frederick Voorhees, I think that this advice is too narrow too.<br />
It would be better indeed if parents would take active interests in whatever their children are up to.<br />
Just making it harder to obtain (short-acting) Adderall or Ritalin or stigmatising these stimulant medications will make it harder for those who are really helped by these medications.<br />
I had a similar bad experience as Frederick had with Strattera because the psychiatrist whom I first saw for ADD refused to prescribe Ritalin to adults because she was convinced that adults get addicted to them. Maybe there are some doctors out there who prescribe it too easily, but I have seen a lot more often that doctors, people with ADD and others having the silliest notions about it and trying ineffective third-choice drugs or nonsensical alternative treatments rather than to give Ritalin or Adderal a try. I am really concerned that feeding those sentiments isn&#8217;t going to do a great deal of good.<br />
Luckily I found another psychiatrist who was a lot more sensible. After trying various stimulants we settled on dexedrine, I&#8217;ve been on that for more than three years now and it works very well.</p>
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		<title>By: The Brighter Side</title>
		<link>http://www.addadhdblog.com/the-dark-side-of-add-adhd-medication/comment-page-1/#comment-70452</link>
		<dc:creator>The Brighter Side</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 15 Nov 2008 05:13:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.addadhdblog.com/the-dark-side-of-add-adhd-medication/#comment-70452</guid>
		<description>Folks

First let me start by saying that I am a healthy, productive adult with ADD.   I am not nor have I ever been interested in taking drugs or alcohol for recreational pleasure. (not that I have never)

As far as I see it, the prescription medications that are being discussed here are not the problem.  If a person has a tendency to substance abuse, they are going to find whatever it takes to give the desired effect.  Be it pot, alcohol or Ritalin (model glue for god sake).   

For those of you who are looking for an objective version of how this medication has helped instead of hindered an otherwise healthy adult, I have this to say.....I have been taking Concerta &quot;as prescribed&quot; by my practitioner with fantastic results.  And yes of course it is a trial and error process to find which medication and dosage is correct for you, as is any other medication,  prescribed or otherwise.  I have no inclination to increase my dose because I am getting immune to it, nor do I have a desire to snort it.  I  merely use it as directed and I am able to focus on the task at hand rather than have to go back to it fifteen times or not complete it at all.  

Before starting on the medication, I was functioning just fine in my profession,(because my job involves alot of multi-tasking which is easier than focusing on one project)  but where I really noticed that I was lacking was at home.  It wasn&#039;t that I liked my house always being disorganized or projects incomplete, but there just always seemed to be something better to do or my mind was racing elsewhere. 

It wasn&#039;t until I began to do some research in an attempt to help my son, that I realized that I too had ADD and am not just lazy or undomesticated.  I just can not stay focused on one task for too long.  That was when I decided to give the medication a try myself before allowing it to be prescribed to my son.

After some adjustments to dose and drug, I have found that Concerta has only enhanced my life.  I do not feel like I am dependent on it and in fact I do not take it every single day.  (but of course those are the typical ADD days when I forget about it) yet I have no ill effect of not doing so.  I have found that I don&#039;t put in as much overtime at work as I used to because I can finish things instead of getting side tracked by someone walking by or the conversation that is taking place in the next office.  And as such, I have more time at home which of course is now spent completing household chores, helping the kids with their homework and having much more patience in general.

Would I be ok without the drug...of course...but the way I look at this medication is, it is like having a job, you don&#039;t have to have one...you&#039;d find a way to survive without one but if you desire a better quality of life or a higher standard of living your going to find one.  And to me, for healthy individuals with no other psychological issues, that&#039;s what this drug is like...a much better job.  My quality of life has improved.  And after all.......Is that not the intention of essentially ALL prescription medication</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Folks</p>
<p>First let me start by saying that I am a healthy, productive adult with ADD.   I am not nor have I ever been interested in taking drugs or alcohol for recreational pleasure. (not that I have never)</p>
<p>As far as I see it, the prescription medications that are being discussed here are not the problem.  If a person has a tendency to substance abuse, they are going to find whatever it takes to give the desired effect.  Be it pot, alcohol or Ritalin (model glue for god sake).   </p>
<p>For those of you who are looking for an objective version of how this medication has helped instead of hindered an otherwise healthy adult, I have this to say&#8230;..I have been taking Concerta &#8220;as prescribed&#8221; by my practitioner with fantastic results.  And yes of course it is a trial and error process to find which medication and dosage is correct for you, as is any other medication,  prescribed or otherwise.  I have no inclination to increase my dose because I am getting immune to it, nor do I have a desire to snort it.  I  merely use it as directed and I am able to focus on the task at hand rather than have to go back to it fifteen times or not complete it at all.  </p>
<p>Before starting on the medication, I was functioning just fine in my profession,(because my job involves alot of multi-tasking which is easier than focusing on one project)  but where I really noticed that I was lacking was at home.  It wasn&#8217;t that I liked my house always being disorganized or projects incomplete, but there just always seemed to be something better to do or my mind was racing elsewhere. </p>
<p>It wasn&#8217;t until I began to do some research in an attempt to help my son, that I realized that I too had ADD and am not just lazy or undomesticated.  I just can not stay focused on one task for too long.  That was when I decided to give the medication a try myself before allowing it to be prescribed to my son.</p>
<p>After some adjustments to dose and drug, I have found that Concerta has only enhanced my life.  I do not feel like I am dependent on it and in fact I do not take it every single day.  (but of course those are the typical ADD days when I forget about it) yet I have no ill effect of not doing so.  I have found that I don&#8217;t put in as much overtime at work as I used to because I can finish things instead of getting side tracked by someone walking by or the conversation that is taking place in the next office.  And as such, I have more time at home which of course is now spent completing household chores, helping the kids with their homework and having much more patience in general.</p>
<p>Would I be ok without the drug&#8230;of course&#8230;but the way I look at this medication is, it is like having a job, you don&#8217;t have to have one&#8230;you&#8217;d find a way to survive without one but if you desire a better quality of life or a higher standard of living your going to find one.  And to me, for healthy individuals with no other psychological issues, that&#8217;s what this drug is like&#8230;a much better job.  My quality of life has improved.  And after all&#8230;&#8230;.Is that not the intention of essentially ALL prescription medication</p>
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		<title>By: pligg.com</title>
		<link>http://www.addadhdblog.com/the-dark-side-of-add-adhd-medication/comment-page-1/#comment-55500</link>
		<dc:creator>pligg.com</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:12:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.addadhdblog.com/the-dark-side-of-add-adhd-medication/#comment-55500</guid>
		<description>&lt;strong&gt;The Dark Side of ADD ADHD Medication  &#124;  ADD ADHD Blog.com...&lt;/strong&gt;

Online news just reported that some teens were arrested for selling prescription drugs. While this likely happens all over North America on a regular basis - it raises a very important issue and is thus worth reviewing....</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>The Dark Side of ADD ADHD Medication  |  ADD ADHD Blog.com&#8230;</strong></p>
<p>Online news just reported that some teens were arrested for selling prescription drugs. While this likely happens all over North America on a regular basis &#8211; it raises a very important issue and is thus worth reviewing&#8230;.</p>
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		<title>By: photographyVoter.com</title>
		<link>http://www.addadhdblog.com/the-dark-side-of-add-adhd-medication/comment-page-1/#comment-55213</link>
		<dc:creator>photographyVoter.com</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:45:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.addadhdblog.com/the-dark-side-of-add-adhd-medication/#comment-55213</guid>
		<description>&lt;strong&gt;The Dark Side of ADD ADHD Medication  &#124;  ADD ADHD Blog.com...&lt;/strong&gt;

Online news just reported that some teens were arrested for selling prescription drugs. While this likely happens all over North America on a regular basis - it raises a very important issue and is thus worth reviewing....</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>The Dark Side of ADD ADHD Medication  |  ADD ADHD Blog.com&#8230;</strong></p>
<p>Online news just reported that some teens were arrested for selling prescription drugs. While this likely happens all over North America on a regular basis &#8211; it raises a very important issue and is thus worth reviewing&#8230;.</p>
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		<title>By: healthranker.com</title>
		<link>http://www.addadhdblog.com/the-dark-side-of-add-adhd-medication/comment-page-1/#comment-55195</link>
		<dc:creator>healthranker.com</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:40:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.addadhdblog.com/the-dark-side-of-add-adhd-medication/#comment-55195</guid>
		<description>&lt;strong&gt;The Dark Side of ADD ADHD Medication  &#124;  ADD ADHD Blog.com...&lt;/strong&gt;

Online news just reported that some teens were arrested for selling prescription drugs. While this likely happens all over North America on a regular basis - it raises a very important issue and is thus worth reviewing....</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>The Dark Side of ADD ADHD Medication  |  ADD ADHD Blog.com&#8230;</strong></p>
<p>Online news just reported that some teens were arrested for selling prescription drugs. While this likely happens all over North America on a regular basis &#8211; it raises a very important issue and is thus worth reviewing&#8230;.</p>
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		<title>By: bloggingzoom.com</title>
		<link>http://www.addadhdblog.com/the-dark-side-of-add-adhd-medication/comment-page-1/#comment-55194</link>
		<dc:creator>bloggingzoom.com</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:02:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.addadhdblog.com/the-dark-side-of-add-adhd-medication/#comment-55194</guid>
		<description>&lt;strong&gt;The Dark Side of ADD ADHD Medication  &#124;  ADD ADHD Blog.com...&lt;/strong&gt;

Online news just reported that some teens were arrested for selling prescription drugs. While this likely happens all over North America on a regular basis - it raises a very important issue and is thus worth reviewingThis is medically dangerous on m...</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>The Dark Side of ADD ADHD Medication  |  ADD ADHD Blog.com&#8230;</strong></p>
<p>Online news just reported that some teens were arrested for selling prescription drugs. While this likely happens all over North America on a regular basis &#8211; it raises a very important issue and is thus worth reviewing</p>
<p>This is medically dangerous on m&#8230;</p>
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		<title>By: Pamela Egan</title>
		<link>http://www.addadhdblog.com/the-dark-side-of-add-adhd-medication/comment-page-1/#comment-54440</link>
		<dc:creator>Pamela Egan</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 13 Jun 2008 04:37:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.addadhdblog.com/the-dark-side-of-add-adhd-medication/#comment-54440</guid>
		<description>Before I share my thoughts on this article, I&#039;d like to offer a bit of praise for the author.

As both a healthcare professional (nurse practitioner, diabetes educator) and a mother of four children, three of whom have been diagnosed with ADD and/or Adult ADD, this is an issue that hits particularly close to home.  Naturally, I tend to seek out information about ADD and related topics, and I breathed a sigh of relief tonight when I first made my discovery of your blog.

I have read about eight of your articles since I first came upon this blog a few hours ago.  I must say, so far I have been very impressed with what I&#039;ve read.

Now for my thoughts regarding the subject of abuse of ADD medications, I suspect that the reason many of these teens and young adults may seek to avert Concerta is actually far more benign that an intention to resell the drugs.  One of my own children with ADD tried Concerta long before ever trying Ritalin or Adderall.  The therapy lasted for over a month, and my child reported no significant improvement in the condition.  That same child found noticeable results the very first time taking Adderrall.  This child didn&#039;t even want to go see the doctor, much less take the medication, and certainly hasn&#039;t been selling it.

My hypothesis is that many of these kids may simply not find Concerta effective.  These kids will likely pass this information along to their friends when questioned about ADD by a friend who thinks he/she may suffer from the condition.

Granted, this will not hold true in some cases, and there is undoubtedly abuse taking place in some circumstances.  However, I don&#039;t agree though with the notion that a specific request for an alternative to Concerta is a tell-tale sign of drug-dealing activity or recreational drug habits by either the patient seeking the medication or his/her friends.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Before I share my thoughts on this article, I&#8217;d like to offer a bit of praise for the author.</p>
<p>As both a healthcare professional (nurse practitioner, diabetes educator) and a mother of four children, three of whom have been diagnosed with ADD and/or Adult ADD, this is an issue that hits particularly close to home.  Naturally, I tend to seek out information about ADD and related topics, and I breathed a sigh of relief tonight when I first made my discovery of your blog.</p>
<p>I have read about eight of your articles since I first came upon this blog a few hours ago.  I must say, so far I have been very impressed with what I&#8217;ve read.</p>
<p>Now for my thoughts regarding the subject of abuse of ADD medications, I suspect that the reason many of these teens and young adults may seek to avert Concerta is actually far more benign that an intention to resell the drugs.  One of my own children with ADD tried Concerta long before ever trying Ritalin or Adderall.  The therapy lasted for over a month, and my child reported no significant improvement in the condition.  That same child found noticeable results the very first time taking Adderrall.  This child didn&#8217;t even want to go see the doctor, much less take the medication, and certainly hasn&#8217;t been selling it.</p>
<p>My hypothesis is that many of these kids may simply not find Concerta effective.  These kids will likely pass this information along to their friends when questioned about ADD by a friend who thinks he/she may suffer from the condition.</p>
<p>Granted, this will not hold true in some cases, and there is undoubtedly abuse taking place in some circumstances.  However, I don&#8217;t agree though with the notion that a specific request for an alternative to Concerta is a tell-tale sign of drug-dealing activity or recreational drug habits by either the patient seeking the medication or his/her friends.</p>
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		<title>By: Michele</title>
		<link>http://www.addadhdblog.com/the-dark-side-of-add-adhd-medication/comment-page-1/#comment-53454</link>
		<dc:creator>Michele</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 02 Jun 2008 21:01:30 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description>Hi Arieh and Dr. Kenny and everybody,

So, uh, I didn&#039;t do crawling exercises, but I have to tell you that Ritalin and Concerta do NOT help me to HYPERfocus.  They help my behavior, my hyper-emotionality, and my distractability, but I do not &quot;learn like a rocket,&quot; or whatever the phrase is.  If you have ADHD, this medication will not make you hyperfocused.  It will make you average, normal, adaptable.  And it will help you to make positive changes in your life.  Crawling sounds fun, but I&#039;d rather take a pill and get on with my life.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Hi Arieh and Dr. Kenny and everybody,</p>
<p>So, uh, I didn&#8217;t do crawling exercises, but I have to tell you that Ritalin and Concerta do NOT help me to HYPERfocus.  They help my behavior, my hyper-emotionality, and my distractability, but I do not &#8220;learn like a rocket,&#8221; or whatever the phrase is.  If you have ADHD, this medication will not make you hyperfocused.  It will make you average, normal, adaptable.  And it will help you to make positive changes in your life.  Crawling sounds fun, but I&#8217;d rather take a pill and get on with my life.</p>
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		<title>By: Arieh</title>
		<link>http://www.addadhdblog.com/the-dark-side-of-add-adhd-medication/comment-page-1/#comment-47042</link>
		<dc:creator>Arieh</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:07:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.addadhdblog.com/the-dark-side-of-add-adhd-medication/#comment-47042</guid>
		<description>Hi Dr. Kenny

I read an article in Israeli newspaper that in examination period in one of universities Ritalin is popular among students. Regular students, without ADHD, try to buy the med illegally, they say they take Ritalin and just learn like rockets, this make them hyper focused before exams. Ohhh. I am scared to give meds to my ADHD son, and they ...

I do alternative treatment with my son - to stop ADHD, to cure him of this. These are crawling exercises. Welcome to my site - watch our videos, crawling.

Arieh
CrawlingClub.org</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Hi Dr. Kenny</p>
<p>I read an article in Israeli newspaper that in examination period in one of universities Ritalin is popular among students. Regular students, without ADHD, try to buy the med illegally, they say they take Ritalin and just learn like rockets, this make them hyper focused before exams. Ohhh. I am scared to give meds to my ADHD son, and they &#8230;</p>
<p>I do alternative treatment with my son &#8211; to stop ADHD, to cure him of this. These are crawling exercises. Welcome to my site &#8211; watch our videos, crawling.</p>
<p>Arieh<br />
CrawlingClub.org</p>
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		<title>By: Ex Addy Abuser</title>
		<link>http://www.addadhdblog.com/the-dark-side-of-add-adhd-medication/comment-page-1/#comment-46112</link>
		<dc:creator>Ex Addy Abuser</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 07 Mar 2008 06:17:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.addadhdblog.com/the-dark-side-of-add-adhd-medication/#comment-46112</guid>
		<description>I&#039;d like to say that your assertion that Adderall XR is not abusable is absolutely not true.  I know this because I used to abuse Adderall XR recreationally for a few years.  All you have to do is crush the little orange time release balls into a fine powder and eat it and you can get very &quot;high&quot; (anything from 30 to 90 mg total, or 2-4 pills).  However, we frowned upon snorting it, no matter what kind of Adderall it was.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I&#8217;d like to say that your assertion that Adderall XR is not abusable is absolutely not true.  I know this because I used to abuse Adderall XR recreationally for a few years.  All you have to do is crush the little orange time release balls into a fine powder and eat it and you can get very &#8220;high&#8221; (anything from 30 to 90 mg total, or 2-4 pills).  However, we frowned upon snorting it, no matter what kind of Adderall it was.</p>
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