Treating a recovering methamphetamine addict for ADHD

[Dvussmile]

My 17yr old daugher is a recovering Meth addict, she is also trying to deal with ADD. Her doctor recently changed her medication to Concerta (methylphenidate). My concern is that in the past week her deminor has completly changed, almost like she is on Meth again. (we know for a fact she isn't) She has no highs or lows, no reaction to anything around her and no motivation for anything.

What if any is an acceptable medication to help her with the ADD? At this point I don't what to do to help her!

[toe]

Atomoxetine and (apparently) bupropion both have applications as ADD medications. Modafanil has been looked at off-off-label for this as well- it doesn't act through any of the same channels as the the previous two. Ask the doctor about these.

[beentheredonethatagain]

Originally Posted by Dvussmile

My 17yr old daugher is a recovering Meth addict, she is also trying to deal with ADD. Her doctor recently changed her medication to Concerta (methylphenidate). My concern is that in the past week her deminor has completly changed, almost like she is on Meth again. (we know for a fact she isn't) She has no highs or lows, no reaction to anything around her and no motivation for anything.

What if any is an acceptable medication to help her with the ADD? At this point I don't what to do to help her!

I want to first say that I respect the Love you have for Your daughter.
I first would ask her if the new medicine is working for her, I mean how does she precive things to be. The reason I am going that way is when you say she acts like she is on Meth but you're sure she isnt , I don't know how you can speak so matter of fact, those who use can be quite cleaver in their use. If she isnt using and the medicine is making her act suspisious then she would be aware of it. and if she says she thinks it works and see's nothing wrong then it would raise a red flag

[betsym]

Swim has used both buproprion(Wellbutrin) and Modafinil for ADHD and found them both too strong but she is a small female. Swim has read that Modafinil has been used for meth addiction as well as ADHD so it may be the answer.Someone who has used Meth won't find Modafinil (Provigil) to be too strong, more than likely. It can be gotten without a prescription but going to the doctor is a better idea. Swim also has a 20 year old daughter who has been using Meth off and on since age 15 but swim has no control over what she does. She is completely under the influence of her peers so swim cannot help her. Swim hopes that swiy can help own her daughter. It is a heartbreaking thing to go through this, knowing how it could end.

[e4rolls]

Originally Posted by Dvussmile

My 17yr old daugher is a recovering Meth addict, she is also trying to deal with ADD. Her doctor recently changed her medication to Concerta (methylphenidate). My concern is that in the past week her deminor has completly changed, almost like she is on Meth again. (we know for a fact she isn't) She has no highs or lows, no reaction to anything around her and no motivation for anything.

What if any is an acceptable medication to help her with the ADD? At this point I don't what to do to help her!

Methylphenidate is not SWIM's favorite ADHD medication. SWIM has tried Ritalin and did not feel that it was very effective at treating his ADHD. SWIM's pdoc prescribed him dextroamphetamine and then Vyvanse which is alot smoother than methylphenidate with fewer side effects for SWIM.

SWIM does not feel like a "zombie" on Vyvanse and his ADHD symptoms are alot less bothersome now.

[betsym]

Swim tried the free trial that Vyvanse offered and liked it but when she checked on on getting a regualr script, it was waaaaaay too expensive to even consider. There is no generic for this yet and probably won't be for some time.

[marct]

Hi,
Im new to this forum but after reading your post I feel its almost exactly what swim has gone through.
First thing first is u have to know whether your daughter wants to quit the meth. Everyone says they want to quit but to actually go through with it, its a long route to it.

Secondly, to actually stop doin meth, one has to stay totally away from it. In other words, stop the association from people using meth.

Now the part about medication, I, myself suffer from ADHD. SWIM used meth to self medicate for a period of time. To further explain, cuz prescribed medication for ADHD has similar strain of chemicals of amphetamines, meth u could say in a way medicates people suffering from ADHD. When swim was addicted to meth, they actually came to a point where they needed to use meth to put self to sleep. Why so? Well.... reason behind it I feel is ADHD people tend to find it hard to sleep because their minds are constantly on the move. They are hyper physically n mentally. So sleeping was an issue for SWIM when they were tryin to quit... but thats off the topic ... will further explain if anyone needs more info....

Anywayz, SWIM is using concerta and frankly speakin to actually get off meth with that medication is hard. in fact gettin off meth with n e prescribed medication will be hard.
2 big reasons behind this is:
1) the purity of meth is at least 10 times higher then any precribed medication. the toxicity of meth therefore is alot higher too. which leads to my first statement whether ur daughter is ready to quit....
2) concerta contains similar but has different chemicals within that actually doesn't provide the so called "high" what your daughter wants to feel

But anyway, just to answer your question, from taking various types of ADHD medication, the closest one I feel that could help is ritalin or dexamphetamine. But because your daughter has been using meth for self medicational purpose. the amounts she has to take will be alot higher then precribed to actually get her off it.

If you still need more info ... feel free to pm me ...
good luck