[jdmoreira]

Humm… I knew a few people that managed to destroy their life by taking amphetamines. Sometimes there is a reason for some substances to be controlled. But of course ultimately it's up to you and each case is a case. I just wanted to offer some deterrent because I know anecdotal reports on the internet tend to be quite positive since the people that wrote them probably just started.

[MerelyMortal]

And if it destroys people's lives, then those people probably aren't prioritizing writing online to tell others.

Survivorship Bias?

[Tenoke]

Not necessarily. I hear a lot more often of all the people with destroyed lives by opiates than about all the people whose lives are improved(which is if anything a larger group).

[WarOnPrivacy]

> I hear a lot more often of all the people with destroyed lives by opiates

They get all the press & panic. The much, much, much larger group - they're the people who've become unable to be prescribed any pain meds (due to frightened Dr.s, 3 day state limits on Rx) and now live their lives in pain. They're pretty much off everyone's radar.

I have friends with chronic conditions (re:Rhum Arthritis) who responsibly took pain meds for years but now buy their pain relief off the street. Zero of their Dr.s are willing to Rx any opioids. Past that are the now commonplace stories of people being Rx Tylenol following surgery.

In the last year, I twice had to beg+negotiate for Tramadol. Once following surgery and once to tamper down severe knee pain so I could exercise. That latter one came with a "Don't Ask For This Again" vibe.

[awa]

Can you share some more details? As I have just been prescribed Adderall and I want to make sure that's something I want to take regularly.

[jdmoreira]

If you have been prescribed something, you are under doctor supervision so my comment doesn't apply to you. I was talking about people doing drugs and/or self medicating.

Just make sure your doctor's loyalty lies with you and not with some pharmaceutical company and you will be fine.

[jdmoreira]

and you could always get a second or third opinion just to make sure.

[WarOnPrivacy]

I've been on Adderall for 15 years. It's brought sweeping, positive changes to my life.

I have increased control over thinking & recall and that allows my efforts to yield results. It's an everything-sized difference.

[astrange]

It’s perfectly safe as long as you monitor your blood pressure and remember to eat. The evidence is quite good that taking it reduces substance abuse in patients as well.