Expert: Peter L. - 3/6/2010

Question
Hi Peter.I am on medication for cronic depression and ADD but personally from experience and seeing how easy it is for people to come off crack and other street drugs and also the side effects, I believe street drugs are safer if taken in moderation. Presciption drugs alter your mind more than street drugs and give horrible feelings in your head. I would like to experiment with street drugs and not listen to my psychiatrist.

Answer
Hi Peter,

Wow, first time I've gotten a question from someone in your part of the world!  Somewhere I've always wanted to visit.

Your question is a very interesting one, and I'm happy to give you my views.

First, I feel your taking anti-depression ADD medications is a very significant part of this equation.  You have been evaluated by a physician and put on these medications for symptom reduction.  And naturally, you are hoping these medications will work.

Experimenting with addictive substances, whether legal or street, always complicates treatment for a psychiatric condition.  It is generally believed other substances will compromise the effectiveness of the prescribed medications. Besides, you run the risk of developing an addiction to the street drugs.  By the way, in my professional experience, extending over 26 years, I've never seen anybody recover from crack addiction very easily.  That is a treacherous drug, highly addictive, money-consuming, and physically and psychologically dangerous.  If people could use it recreationally, we'd see more of that and less problems with it.  

Bottom line?  I strongly recommend you reconsider your intention to use street drugs like cocaine, not only because of the risk of dependence, but because you will not achieve improvements in your mental health by doing so.  I can tell you this definitively as I've seen hundreds of cases like this that have not turned out successfully.

Regards,
Peter