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Comment by jsonne | Hacker News Reader

Well so for what its worth and I guess I wasn't explicit about is that at this point (just shy of 1 year medicated) my days I am not medicated (I take medication 4 days a week) are much easier to get things done now because of the other work I've been doing. As they continue to compound I'm hoping that in another year I can largely discontinue meds or switch to a less often as needed basis. So there is long term hope but for me and folks like me medication can break the short term cycle to get there. That said plenty of folks can't function with medication and there is no shame in that either.

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As someone who's also in their first year on Adderall after being diagnosed as an adult, this is really encouraging to read. I currently take it weekdays and take weekends off, and really don't want to take it forever because I don't like the idea of being dependent on it or building a tolerance. It's not so much shame as it is fear—I'm scared that I'll screw up my brain if I take it for too long, y'know?

Anyhow, thanks for posting your perspective, it's nice to know there are other people in similar situations to my own. Have a nice day!

I similarly have that fear hence why I take 3 days a week in a row off and twice now I've taken 3 week+ breaks when I know that I can. Also there's a whole rabbit hole of supplements that can help supposedly and I've found some to be useful but the biggest thing is just intense cardiovascular exercise (and specifically cardio versus resistance training). That said yes a year on I take a longer term break and I feel exactly like I used to pre medication by day 5 so not worried at this point. Most of the long term dependence issue I've seen from folks is many multi year users 5+ so doing what I can to avoid that situation. Keep dose as low as possible, take holidays, and long term I'm working to use it less and less so its infrequent or only during stressful work / life times in the future.

> I currently take it weekdays and take weekends off

I am not a medical professional, but my unsolicited advice is that this a good idea.

I have been on various ADHD treatments for 8 years, and I honestly I am experiencing everything you mentioned and more -- tolerance, dependence, etc.. The medication barely works anymore (not taking it makes me literally useless, so taking it alter makes me normal), but basically every symptom I have tried to treat has slowly worked its way back into my life.

I am in the process of taking trying to take more days off, and all I have to say is: even therapeutic dosages can cause a nasty withdrawal if taken consistently over long periods of time.

I'm even considering taking a non-stimulant, but I need more convincing that said medications are actually effective.

> I'm even considering taking a non-stimulant, but I need more convincing that said medications are actually effective.

There is no way to convince you that it will be effective for you because no one knows that. You will know when you try it, it works for some but not for others.

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