Expert: Christine D. DeLoatch, MA CCC-SLP - 10/8/2008

Question
im 25/m/usa, im a single father, i take care of my son completely on my own, i love my little boy(6yrs)  more than anything in the world. iv been taking adderall for about 2 1/2 yrs and have slowly taken more and more since i began. at first it brought about the greatest change in my life ever. i went from being emotionally unstable and borderline psycotic, with anxiety, very suicidal and manic depressive, uncontrolable temper, no motivation,disorganized and of course no ability to focus. after starting adderall all of that was completely gone and i was finally a normal person totally in conrol of myself and my emotions.  no more crying or freaking out at all, it was amazing. since then ive become much addicted, i was started off with 10mg 2/day and rarely abused them so i never went without them except for maybe a day, im now prescribed 30mg 2/day but usually take all 60  within 2 to 3 wks and then go without til my next refill. i can feel the old crazy me comin bck every time i go w/out them for long and i dont ever want that me to come bck. my blood pressure is up to around 155 and stays there with or without adderal, even after weeks without it. i truly believ i need this medication in order to sustain the sanity ive had for the past couple years but i cant seem to stop myself from abusing it. i wish there were some way i could get my regular dosage 1 at a time without having access to the whole bottle. sorry if i went on a bit long, i would greatly appreciate any advice or help you could give me, thank you

Answer
Dear William,

You really need to discuss these issues with your psychiatrist.  If you are currently having your regular MD prescribe your ADDeral, I would suggest you tell him what you are doing honestly.  You may need to be on a different dose of medication or to be on a different medication.  It is not good for you to take so much and then do without for so long.  Your brain chemistry needs to be regulated not fluctuating so much.  

You also need to look into some addiction counseling. You need to see if you need to develop more coping skills so that you do not abuse your prescriptions in general.  

There is a product called MedReady Medications Dispenser that is locking (It run's about $150).  You can look it up on the Internet; but, you will need to have a trusted friend or family member who you trust with your issues to fill the dispenser and then re-fill it for you every 2 weeks.  They would keep the key so that you could only have access to the medication at the time that your needed to take it.  

I am very concerned also, because you have a diagnosis of bi-polar disorder.  Some people with Bi-polar disorder can have problems with stimulants.  I also don't know what other medications you are taking.  Did other doctor's determine that the psychosis and bi-polar disorder diagnosis were misdiagnoses?  

I need you to be the best Dad you can be for your son and that means consistency.  That is most important.  

Thank you for trusting my with your concern.  

As a member of church - I actually help another church member in the same way you need help.  I go to her house one time every week and give her 7 pills and watch her put them in her pill dispencer.  Her's does not lock, but she has not been back in the hospital since we started helping her this way, manage her pain medication.  

Please continue to look for solutions.  I also recommend that you check out a book called, Change Your Brain, Change Your Life by Dr. Daniel Amen, MD to see if there are other things you can be doing instead of reaching to medications.  Please exercise also - it will be so helpful.

I am praying for you.  I know you will be courageous enough to get the help you need.

Let me know if I can do anything else for you.  Many Blessings.

Christine