Expert: John L - 1/28/2009

Question
Hello,

I've been DEPped into the navy as active personnel, and I am leaving in April of this year, about 12 weeks from this date.

I have been talking to a social worker about general things in my life, with parents, etc, and he suggested that I may have an undiagnosed condition.

I visited a APRN, who diagnosed me with ADD and gave me a prescription for Adderall.

My question is this: I understand that anti-depressants will get you discharged from the DEP pool and make you unelligible for enlistment for a year.

Now, the medication has made me feel better than ever, and I realize now just how not-normal I was before taking the drug.

So my question is this, is there a possibility or having the chief of NRC:NE OK my perscription for adderall before leaving for the navy, and in your personal opinion, would you continue using the drug and feel better and possibly be disqualified from the military, or stop taking the drug and go back to being miserable as to remain eligible for the navy.

I am hesitant to talk about the situation with my recruiter as he may drop me from the DEP pool if I speak to him about it. I'm generally at a loss,

Answer
If you are taking any medications, you are required to divulge it.  When you do, you will be dropped from DEP.  Aderal and drugs like them are banned from the training enviornment and no waiver is authorized.  If you get by without them, stop.

But if your doc says you need them, take care of yourself first.  Otherwise, you may not ba able to handle the military.

Good luck