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Comment by seattle_spring | Hacker News Reader

I find it fascinating how so many HN users ardently defend broad access to Adderall (which has tons of possible downsides, but also tons of positive use cases), but then claim that any and all uses of any and all opiates will lead to a deadly, incurable addiction, even though opiates also have tons of positive use cases too.

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Won't find that opinion from me. I take Adderall after having been denied it (by my mom) as a teenager and it basically turned my life around. If people have surgery and need opiates, as long as it's controlled and monitored like both meds should be then have at it. I don't want anyone to suffer.

They don't. You can find many of the same feedback in this thread, and lots of people are defending the dangerous under prescription of Adderall, which I consider a civil rights violation.

Here's a clue: compare the income and SES of opiate addicts vs Adderall addicts. Which socioeconomic group is the average Hackernews more likely to fall into?

"Adderall addicts"

Thanks for reminding me which medication[1] I forgot to take... again.

My ADHD[3] must've made me very addicted to Adderall, huh.

Perhaps consider that people with ADHD tend to thrive in creative professions, especially if they allow an opportunity to hyperfocus (the disorder is named awfully[2]), have somewhat flexible schedules, and excel in emergencies / high stress situations.

That's to stay, there's a correlation between people in tech (especially the startup scene) and ADHD people who benefit greatly from stimulants.

So here's a clue: people like you using phrases like Adderall addicts only perpetuates the stigma, and leads to the current situation with hidden limits and other shady bigotry.

Consider clicking the links below, and learning more about what ADHD is, and why and how medication helps people who have it. This is my personal experience, written up specifically for this purpose.

[1]https://romankogan.net/adhd/#Medication

[2]https://romankogan.net/adhd/#Awfully%20Described%20Human%20D...

[3]https://romankogan.net/adhd

I don't count people with ADHD taking Adderall as prescribed as Adderall addicts, the same way I don't count people who are on prescription morphine to manage pain, and are careful about their usage, opiate addicts.

The fact is that people use ADHD medications recreationally, or off-label to increase their focus e.g. in preparation for exams, in knowledge work, etc. And those people are at high risk of developing addiction.

you don't care about their addiction, you care about casting moral judgement on people who take drugs you don't like

> tons of possible downsides

Like what?

ADHD patient here. If one did not have ADHD I could see someone possibly becoming dependent, as well as unintentional weight loss.

Personally I forget to take it often, but thats because my brain is wonked out with ADHD. I also forget to eat often if I do not take the medication. Life is certainly weird.

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