@Lisahk,

Sometimes it takes a while to find the right treatment after ADHD diagnosis. This article, Addiction and ADHD Adults (http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/1868.html) talks about treatment options for those who have self-medicated in the past. Carl Sherman, PhD, states in this article, "ADDers who take these medications as prescribed are less likely than untreated ADDers to drink or abuse drugs. Put another way, treating ADHD effectively is powerful protection against substance abuse." This is completely opposite of your current psych's opinion. Unfortunately, there's a lot of debate on this in the psych community. Maybe your new psych will look at it differently.

He goes on to say, "Which ADHD medication is best for someone who has already battled substance abuse? For many doctors, the first choice is a nonstimulant. These drugs may not be as effective as stimulants for treating certain symptoms, but they may be safer for individuals who have already exhibited a tendency toward addiction. Other doctors choose to prescribe a stimulant, perhaps initiating treatment with an extended-release formulation, like Concerta or the Daytrana skin patch; these slow-acting meds are less likely to be abused than immediate-release meds."

There are several other non-stimulants, other than Strattera, sometimes used to treat ADHD. If you feel strongly about trying something else, ask your doctor what other non-stimulant options there are. Here's an article that details some non-stimulant options: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/957-3.html

Hang in there!

Penny W., ADDitudeMag.com Community Moderator

mom to Luke, ADHD, age 8

creator of the Website {a mom's view of ADHD} at http://aMomsViewOfADHD.com

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ADHDMAMA, thanks for the reply, I really, really appreciate the info and your input. Went to the psychologist today (who said HE'D prescribe me meds if he could, lol) and I asked him to not bother talking to my current psychiatrist, as he already stated numerous time that he would NOT prescribe me any stimulants, period. I told him I'd rather wait to start fresh with my new doc. and he agreed it wa probably best. I just have to be patient. December 31st and Jan. 7th will be here soon enough. I'm very curious what the testing will say about everything. Thanks again, I am going to read the links you gave me now. L

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You have no idea(or maybe you do) how many ADDers who have gone undiagnosed and self medicated, sometimes to the point of abuse and beyond. For your psych not to understand this is just asenine. The non stimulent meds didnt work at all for me and did pretty much what your symptoms were on the first day. NO fun and felt like a sick joke to me. Did I abuse my meds at first? HELL YEAH.........and it was fun until I realized I was making myself bi-polar, thus making everyone around me more miserable than they were when they had to deal with my undiagnosed ADHD. You'll find you'll have no problem not abusing your meds, once you realize what mental gold the proper med can be. Pixxy dust, baby. You'll be figuring out things you never thought possible. I suggest staying away from Adderal if you've abused in the past. There is a rush (that I cant stand) that reminds me of my teenage experimentation days. Vyvanse(intestinal time release dextroamphetamine) or Daytrana patches(9 hour slow release methylphenidate-actually lasts 12+hours) would be what Id suggest for you to try.

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